Drag racing tips

[Kable72]

Hey guys,

Just wanting to get some tips before I put my XR6 on the strip. Not the first time on the strip but first manual I have owned so I don't know how to launch and shift without causing damage. Any tips would be great

[Marksman X]

Only tip I have is to make sure the traction control is off. Other than that I just walk mine off the line (BA XR6T) as I have a 5spd manual and I don't really want to break it.

[Kable72]

Well the other day I raced my mate (private property!) in his 4sp XR6 and I walked mine off the line but I just couldn't catch him. I got a 6sp manual and he just floored me. He got to load his up and I didn't know how to do it properly and safely in mine so I just walked her off and he spanked me?

[Dash_XR]

I assume they don't have launch control like the turbos? I wonder if it can be turned on in the tune?

[Giant]

You need to use your clutch to control the launch and any potential wheel spin or to prevent loading up and laboring the engine and drive line. The clutch is the wearable item expect to smell burnt clutch at the end of the run and give the clutch plenty of time to rejuvenate before the next run.

You need to watch out for a slipping clutch, plenty of people have tried to do a burnout and ended up just smoking their clutch.

[Kable72]

Any tips to identify a spinning clutch before it's too late?

[XRGhia]

Slipping clutch? Revs rise but speed doesn't.

[Psi-Pop]

You should be able to feel a slipping clutch thru the lack of acceleration and increase of engine rpm. If its a slipping clutch during the burnout your worried about, angle your side mirror down to see your back wheels, have a quick look. Should be obvious if its slipping though.

Have more Horses than the guy next to you, if winning means something.

[Kable72]

Winning isn't everything as it's an N/A six. I just want to have some fun on the strip without breaking something. I know, things will break in racing. That's the nature of racing.

[Giant]

Just have fun, using street tyres you will most likely break traction before parts. You don't really require a burn out on street rubber, maybe one at the start of the night to clean the tyres.

Adjust your tyre pressures to get the best grip. Remove excess weight. If your running big wheels and tyres best to fit a set of 16 inch steel stock wheels for the drags to reduce rotating mass and give you more tyre wall for launch.

[Kable72]

So the tyres will go before anything else? Awesome, I just heard that the clutches in these things are a real let down so I didn't want to take it and have to baby it home with a bald clutch plate.

I just want to have some fun on the strip so I don't do it on the street. Not worth the trouble.

[Giant]

With in reason, just be sensible and look after the clutch and the car. The clutch will need time to recover after a run, so no back to back runs.

Drag racing is hard on the car so play smart. If your worried about it check with your local tuner and transmission place and see what they think.

[Kable72]

Yeah thanks a heap, Giant . Will post up some timeslips when I can get to a meet.

[XR6_661]

Mate, 5 grand clutch dumps should get you home!

Just walk it through first and lay into it from second. Don't stuff around doing a skid to warm the tyres...

If you want to worry about reaction times, start going for it on the last amber.

The number 1 tip I have is to not worry too much about times on your first outing, just have a blast with it!

[ash68]

depends on your budget.take it easy off the line doesnt cost much . or hammer it and replace broken parts with stronger ones .

[Kable72]

So I got it out last night! First run was terrible at 15.9 but almost stalled it on the start. Just messed it up real bad and bogged down hard. Second run I got a 17.3..... but that's cos I jumped the start lol. And my last run of the night I got a 15.1

It's got better times in him, just gotta learn how to drive properly. I got one good launch off and it felt really good but the other two it was axle tramp on a very sticky track so it was pretty brutal lol. I'll post a pic of my best timeslip when I get home

[Dash_XR]

Good stuff mate, as long as the times are dropping then the night was a success IMO.

[Kable72]

It was a lot of fun! I'm taking that more than anything lol. I was supposed to have my KPM intake on yesterday but it still hasn't arrived yet >.> oh well.

Next time I go it should have the intake and a decent tune so the times should get a lot better!

[Dash_XR]

What tyres are you using? Just the dunlops?

[Kable72]

Yeah just the dunflops. They had enough grip for me, I wasn't breaking traction off the line but it's not like I was getting good launches anyway

[Giant]

Originally Posted by Kable72

Yeah just the dunflops. They had enough grip for me, I wasn't breaking traction off the line but it's not like I was getting good launches anyway

In the video it sounds like your getting a fair amount of wheel chirp off the line, also when you changed gear.

[Ibanezteve]

What sort of helmet is required? If I rock up in a BMX Stackhat will they tell me to go home?
Or do you need an accredited motor bike helmet?

[Giant]

Originally Posted by Ibanezteve

What sort of helmet is required? If I rock up in a BMX Stackhat will they tell me to go home?
Or do you need an accredited motor bike helmet?

Depends on how fast you plan on going. You can find the helmet info here: http://www.sydneydragway.com.au/uplo...nformation.pdf

[Kable72]

Something like a motor bike helmet yeah. BMX stack hats are a no go

[Kable72]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXaMM-xb_xM if you're interested, it's the 15.9 run as it was the only good video I got from the night.

[noosacuda]

And now "the racing bug" bites, you'll want more, more power,more quicker times..... LOL!

[Kable72]

Yep it's getting tuned in a month or so lol. Have an xcal on it's way just gotta book it in and it's done.

[Kable72]

Yeah that was the commodore next to me. I nearly stalled that one lol. Mine's the one that you can hear over everything else.

[RAPID_BA]

3000rpm takeoff slip clutch. should be about as hard as you can go without turning the tyres too much. Keep your auto mate honest off the line and then see who has the top end.

[CAT600]

Originally Posted by RAPID_BA

3000rpm takeoff slip clutch. should be about as hard as you can go without turning the tyres too much....

Next thing you know the Pope will be giving out tips how to mug people in the street....