Reaction Time Problems

[njk53]

What methods can I use to slow my reaction time (RT) down. I think I am cutting a good light but, I am consistantly red-lighting by -0.02. When I try to slow myself down, I am so late (.14 RT) I am beat before I leave.
I have tried letting air out of the front tires which helped a bit but not enough. Will reducing my launch RPM help? Any advise?

[Mike Pearson]

Blind the tree and leave on the bottom yellow.

[Myron Piatek]

Lower launch rpm will help a little bit. Michael Beard can provide more precise #'s, but going up one front tire size may get you close while 2 sizes should take care of the .02-.03. Then you can continue to fine-tune with air pressure. Couldn't hurt to try stiffer return springs on the carb, looser shocks and some people vary rear tire pressure a bit. Less air = more wrinkle= slowerer vehicle reaction. But I prefer to keep rear tire pressure where it provides the best contact patch.

[Eric Merryfield]

Originally Posted by njk53

What methods can I use to slow my reaction time (RT) down. I think I am cutting a good light but, I am consistantly red-lighting by -0.02. When I try to slow myself down, I am so late (.14 RT) I am beat before I leave.
I have tried letting air out of the front tires which helped a bit but not enough. Will reducing my launch RPM help? Any advise?

Oh been there, done that: Assuming you stage the same way each and every time(shallow) and that you stage straight.

I block the tree now with the visor, seems to help most of the time....for the driver part

Other things that work but not always it depends upon how your car is leaving:

Car related: Try one at a time if they seem rational at all:

Lower launch rpm by just a tad
rear tire pressure reduce a bit, are we using radials, or bias plias cars reaction time is affected.
Add some weight to the car
Add some suspension travel for the car
Bigger front tire
take some timing out
might try a different launch engine temp.....car reacts differently at 120 degrees versus 150.
Aircleaner.....with a rocket ship like the gremlin....its good for.02-3 by itself.....2-.3 in the entire run though.

Driver:

close one eye
polarized sunglass attachment
Move seat back
Brake pressure gauge...have one and and figure out what pressure you leave at and go red.....then add a couple of hundred pounds.....

You can still go red blocking the tree....especially if you creep.

Eric

[Brandon Peterson]

Originally Posted by Myron Piatek

Lower launch rpm will help a little bit. Michael Beard can provide more precise #'s, but going up one front tire size may get you close while 2 sizes should take care of the .02-.03. Then you can continue to fine-tune with air pressure. Couldn't hurt to try stiffer return springs on the carb, looser shocks and some people vary rear tire pressure a bit. Less air = more wrinkle= slowerer vehicle reaction. But I prefer to keep rear tire pressure where it provides the best contact patch.

agree, i went to a 29 inch front tire and for me 500 rpms is about .02 and 10 psi up or down should be around another .01, cosistant staging helps and if your using a 2 step or trans brake try blocking the bottom works for me great in ss not so much in stock, ive played around with blocking the other side and the middle amber in stock but its still hit or miss mostly, depending on roll out i can be .03 or better blocking and consistant but blocking if you miss it it will really show, and im with Myron, Mr. Beard can add some other tips i always use his advice and its paid off great

[njk53]

All, thanks for the replies. Will try the easy and free things first. Thanks again for the advise.

[curtis reed]

Closing one eye helped me, but make sure you close your dominate eye. I also pick a spot on the light bezel not the light itself. I also have a toe hook on my throttle pedal that I lift my foot up against. I can adjust how far away my foot is by changing how far away the hook is.

Curtis