Top end racing tips??
 

Hey guys this looks like a cool board!
I compete in the semi-pro series at a local 1/8 track...

http://www.luskvilledragway.com/


Do you guys have any tips for gauging when to "get out of it" or "run through the backdoor". It is sometimes tricky when you opponent is coming down on you like a freightrain going 100 mph+++..
Thanks,

Kris

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

First off welcome..

Secondly if your in a Semi-Pro series, you should be giving us advice...

Not to be a smart ***** or anything but I find it kinda funny...

I have been racing for well over 25 years and finish line racing is something you just learn, each race is differant, and it all comes down to knowing your car and your spot on the track.

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

The name of "semi-pro division" is kind of misleading. They used to have a trophy class at the track that most of the rookie racers could particapte in. A few years ago, since the numbers were low, the trohpy class was eliminated. Currently the only division options at this track are semi-pro and super pro...

Now, the semi pro class is a mixture of pure beginner racers and 30 year veterns. I was participating in the class and it was tough for sure. I have read a few books on the subject from Frank Hawley and Frank McKenna (he has a interesting chapter on advanced bracket racing) and have tried to apply the techniques. Such as figuring out a reference point on your opponents car..

It is certianly a difficult thing to practice....

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

If I was you I'd check out Luke Bogacki's site. Thisisbracketracing.com. To view the tutorials and some of the other info you need to be a member. But, believe me the cost of the membership is worth it. Luke and the guest instructors write some wonderful articles on all aspects of drag racing.
If you haven't heard of Luke he is a very accomplished bracket racer. Some of his guest writers have been Peter Biondo, Jeg Coughlin, Danny Waters, as well as other great drivers. Defineately worth your time no matter how good of a driver a person is.

Rick Ryan

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

Thank you Fellas,:)
I will check it out!

Kris

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

Ok, makes more sense to me now..

Best advice I can give is what I do.. when I am staging or in the lanes I try to pull even witht hem and find a referance point on thier car... then once you have your spot on the track based on how much faster they are or slower... you have an idea weather you need to take the stripe or let them have it. I have also found that watching the people in your class helps alot.. for example if you see a driver that will take the stripe no matter what chances are he will run under just to beat you to the line. Faster cars are always good for this.. Other than that its just time spent int he car, and learning how to read your opponent.. a good excersise is to get a friend and practice against durring test and tunes, I know our track will let us run on dials for TnT sometimes and this helps given you know how fast the other car really is.

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

I raced the Summit sseries at Irwindale this past season, one racer had a 72 Mustang with the long nose and the spoiler in front, and I noticed a black object like a large card hanging down in front, presumably to trip the lights, so I rolled my '68 Chevelle wagon up with the front wheels and the card lined up. I wanted to spot where I had to be to take the light and no more. His radio antenna had to be next to my door post. I was all prepared for him,but never got to apply that strategy because he red-lighted. Know what part of your car's anatomy has to be lined up with his. The finish line can be more tricky than the starting line!!

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

Freddie somes it up. You need a lot of seat time!!!!!

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

Hey thanks guys,
I have a file folder filled up with time slips this year (approx 100 runs), but I will work harder to improve...Some guys I race against likely have 10,000 runs...

In the staging lane I tried to line up my nose (the Monte has a huge nose:rolleyes:) about a foot ahead of the competitors car and get a landmark location such as you guys explained..

For me right now it is still really hard to gauge when to slow down or speed up. The last race of the year I made it to the 3rd round and lost by .009. I am running approx a 8.0 in the 1/8 while some are in the low 6's....I wonder if I quickened the car I could make judging the stripe easier?

How do you guys slow down? Brake and keep your foot on the accelerator or feather the throttle? I lost a race because I totally left me foot off the throttle, I cut a great light too..:rolleyes: That is racing you must lose 100 different ways until you win one.;)


Kris

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

If im running a slower car i always have my left foot on the brake pedal, but not applying any pressure,also i put my left hand on top of the steering wheel and my rt. hand on the cross bar and lock my arms so as not to turn the wheel,this way i can be sure im going strait .If i see im going to get to the stripe first ,i back off the throttle, and ease the brake on to take the stripe.Always have your left foot on the brake as your opponnet may try to dump you in the lights,takes to much time to hit the brakes if your a 1 foot driver.

If your being chased,if it is possible ,take the left lane, as your vision is a whole lot better,because you can find your competition, and find the win stripe without moving your head back, and forth,position your head at a 45 degree angle ,and use yours eyes,that way you can see the stripe, and your competition,without moving your head back and forth,also if he dumps you ,youll be ready to hit the brakes,of coarse if its a real fast dragster ,or door car its gets even tougher to judge.If your in the rt. lane it gets real tough as you have move your head around and back to judge the stripe,what i do is grab the roll bar with my rt. hand,keep my left hand on top of the steering wheel as to not turn the steering wheel when i turn around to look for my competition.
never rely on your rear view or side mirrors to judge the stripe ,you can use the rear veiw mirror to watch for tire spin, red lite bad lite etc.

THE HAMMER 7316
RON NICKELS

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

Great advice Ron, This is the kind of driving technique tips I have been looking for!

I had a problem getting out of the groove this year in the right lane looking over my shoulder,,,

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

WTG Hammer......you be the teacher!! :)
Good Luck in Vegas at the Thanksgiving Bracket race!
Go get them BIG bux buddy!
ps....unfortunately we can't be in Vegas this time around!!

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

Kris,if i were you ,i would dial .010 hard and make dam sure your cutting .010-.015 lights and run it out when racing high mph. dragsters and cars.This way you put the pressure on the high mph cars as to let them make the decision to dump or take the light,believe me its as hard for a faster car to take the stripe by .010 as it is for a slower car to take a .010 stripe on a faster car.The odds are in you favor, or at least a push doing it this way,but keep in mind to also use my technique in watching your competition.
THE HAMMER 7316
RON NICKELS

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

I agree with Ron's comments completely. I've been bracket racing for 20 years in a high 10-second car...so I'm almost always the slower car. Left lane suggestion is good....and dialing hard when running anyone 9.0 or quicker works like a charm. I beat more dragsters that way.

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

Another thing I do is to drive the stripe even if the other guy redlights, assuming I have enough data at that track already. It's good practice at taking a minimum stripe.

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

I practice tightening it up on every time shot, I am generally the faster car and if I come around you early, I'll go to the 1000ft for data purposes and pedal you to the end and trying to guess what I took as stripe and then see how i faired with MOV. If I'm not getting there, I'll pick a spot to let you go and see how much I killed from that spot and adjust.

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

Lots of good advice from a lot of good racers here. Sometimes a particular thing you try may work one time and sometimes they don't. Every run can be different. It also depends on the level of competetion at your track. Dialing .010 hard can be a good strategy as a safeguard from breaking out, but realize it does not guarentee you will win the round against a dragster or a good door car if he runs dead on. (But I agree dragsters, which I distain and would never own one personally, have several built in advantages we have to overcome.) Where we race, seems like about all the dragsters and the majority of door cars fast or slow are capable of laying down a .00 light and running dead on at any given time. I have had .00 lights along with my competetor but lost as I ran high up on my dial (dead on) in the thousands and he ran lower in the thousands. Sometimes it has went into the 4th digit, (ten thousands). Bottom line, winning rounds is tough. It is a lot of hard work, and at times you do your best and lose by a fraction and can get discouraged. Your car has got to be deadly consistent so you know what to dial, and the driver has got to nail the tree. When you come to the line, concentrate on your own race. If you happen to be lucky enough to be ahead at the first MPH light, then dump. Another thing, we only have 1/8 mile tracks where I race. I think it is a lot tougher than 1/4 mile, as no time for top end games. The guys who like to dial soft and play waaa waaa games don't last long. Just some thoughts that I hope fit in with what everyone else has said.

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

Hate to say this, but all the top bracket racers play the waaa waaa game and dial soft all day long. SR starts pumping the gas at the 330 mark, but he's one of a kind

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

All the racers on here have a good point on driving the finsh line,but what it all comes down to is how well you know your car!!! the better your package is,you will win rounds and races. Me racing my car on dailing hard or soft depends on how tough the racer is!!! S.R is one of the best he does it for a living, but he puts his pants on like us and he can be beat!!!!!;);):D:D Happy Hoildays!!!!!

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

Lotsa good comments here but I'll add my $0.02 worth. I run an 11-second doorslammer in Pro Bracket, where there are many 8-second dragsters. With a top speed of just over 118 mph vs a dragster running 150+ mph, it's very tempting to brake or back off the "loud pedal" when charging the finish line. It's hard to see a low-slung dragster coming up on you... it's even tougher when it's a night race! That said, the best thing I've found is to:

• try to make the car as consistent as possible
• don't dial (too) soft
• cut a good light
• don't brake/decelerate until you're almost at the finish line (assuming you're ahead)

"Bye-Run"
'68 Barracuda 340-S 4-Speed
11.34 @ 118.6 mph

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

Good advice boys/(likely girls here too??),

I lost a race by backing off too early, I totally let off the pedal and all my momemtum was lost. He then burst ahead of me and got the stripe.

I have heard the "brake pedal method" (ie one foot on the pedal one tapping the brake) of slowing down is better because you keep your "moe"...

I haven't tried 1/4 bracket racing as I am limited to racing at my 1/8 home track. It must be better to play the top end game..

Kris

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

there are just more ways to lose on 1/4 mile than 1/8th.

Re: Top end racing tips??
 

amen