New to Super Comp and Forum
 

Hey all.... I'm hoping for some good input for someone new to this branch of the sport but not to drag racing. I've got the car running well, not perfect yet as I need to tune to it's new location. (From Florida to OK).

Without the ability to test in my street my first run will be test and tune night next Friday. I'm really wanting advice from everything from burn outs to racing. The car won Florida nationals two years or so ago so has been built right. Thanks in advance!!!

Scott

Horton Built Dragster
496 ci
Two speed airshifter trani
Trans brake obviously
ProCube (will learn that with practice I guess)

Re: New to Super Comp and Forum
 

Well Scott not knowing what if any experience you have driving a dragster I'll touch on a couple of basics.
First of all they are relatively easy to drive they usually go straight and they stop real well.
If you get into trouble pull the chute first! (it can save your butt.) If you don't know how to pack it have someone show you.
Warm the motor and drive train on Jack stands, test the trans brake once briefly(it makes a lot of heat) put the car on the ground,cool down the motor
And set the Rear Tire pressure should be between 5-7psi
Line up in the center of the groove have someone pull you forward to within 6" of the front of water so just the initial spin of the tires is in the water (this will help you control your RPM) place the trans in high gear to begin the burnout give it full throttle momentarily but be ready to feather the throttle slightly to keep the RPM under7000 when you feel the tires shutter as they start to hookup, lift off the throttle.
Place the trans in neutral rev it slightly to clean it out. Put it in reverse and press the button to back up slowly there are often people behind you and you can't see them.if you can see you own tire tracks back up in them if not just try to keep it straight
Watch the staging lights while your backing up ( if no one walks thru them ) they will flicker when the rear tires go past the starting line then again when the front wheels go past the starting line . I stop as soon as I am afoot or less behind the starting line, put it neutral rev it slightly to clean it out give the delay box time to cycle the throttle stop and when the other guy is ready place the trans in low, pull forward slowly and light the top staging bulb *and if necessary wait for him to do like wise then light the bottom staging bulb when he (or you) light the fourth bulb press the trans brake button,if your on a pro tree go to full throttle put you head back release the button at the first flash of yellow. On a full tree hit the gas on the first or second yellow and release the button on the last or first yellow depending
On the delay box settings.
Pull your head forward off the roll cage, Keep the car in the center of the groove at about 1000' start making up you mind how to drive the stripe. You want to win by no more than 1/2 car length (3-4 feet is ideal but it takes a lot of seat time to get that skilled)
If your behind and your catching him stay with it and try to push him out. If your not catching him lift and let him go and pray he breaks out. Since you have a 496 for power the majorty of your SC opponents will be chasing you that doesn't mean you can't drive the finish line you just need to learn how to gauge the closing rates of the faster the opponent , the faster he is, the later you can lift.
DO NOT jump on the brakes hard to avoid breaking out it's a good way to end up on your head! DON'T DO IT!


If your car is a hard tail you want to brake firmly but smoothly to keep it from bouncing, if it starts bouncing pull the chute and lift off the brake let it settle down and then get back on the brakes. mind your chute as you pull off on the return road, get out repack it (if necessary) drive back to your pit spot.
(* note it's illegal to double bulb your opponent or deep stage in Super Comp )

What does it take to be competitive? IMHO,teen lights and runs between 8.88-8.91.
00 lights are cool but way too close to red lighting if you shoot for say .015 you'll occasionally will get a 00. It can be difficult to scrub off more than .02 and anything slower than an 8.91 in most cases won't be competive. The guys who excell at this have consistently good lights and drive the finish line well, they usually set up a couple of hundredths under (I.e.8.87-8.88) and drive the finish line every time. However it takes some time to develope as a good finish line driver. So in your case, at least at first, set the car up honest 8.90-8.91 until you get some experience driving the finish line.
Don Higgens at Crew Chief Pro sells some excellent software and weather stations to help you dial in the throttle stop and adjust for different or changing conditions.

You may experience a little tunnel vision for the first couple of passes
But it soon goes away :)
Be. Carefully backing up use a spotter if possible
Take wide corners.
Keep your belts tight on track.
Questions??.
Give me a call 815-458-3178