Drag Strip Prep

[fitzilee]

I'll be heading to the drag strip for the first time in a week or two. Atlanta Motor Speedway's 1/8 mile most likely. Possibly the 1/4 mile in Commerce which I believe is NHRA. I'll have just the CAI/pulley/tune from VMP along with the usual set of handling mods (LCA,UCA w/ reloc welded,FRPP Handling etc.) I should have the 3.73 gears and the Shelby HE installed by then too. No slicks just BFG KDW2 on all fours.

 

What do I need to do to my car in order to pass any inspections (for both Atlanta and a NHRA track just in case)? Safety equipment?

 

Any predictions on what I'll run?

 

Thanks

Mike

[Blown Away]

I'll be heading to the drag strip for the first time in a week or two. Atlanta Motor Speedway's 1/8 mile most likely. Possibly the 1/4 mile in Commerce which I believe is NHRA. I'll have just the CAI/pulley/tune from VMP along with the usual set of handling mods (LCA,UCA w/ reloc welded,FRPP Handling etc.) I should have the 3.73 gears and the Shelby HE installed by then too. No slicks just BFG KDW2 on all fours.

 

What do I need to do to my car in order to pass any inspections (for both Atlanta and a NHRA track just in case)? Safety equipment?

 

Any predictions on what I'll run?

 

Thanks

Mike

 

 

 

Mike,

 

I can't speak for Atlanta's rules, but here in California at the AAA Speedway in Fontana, you need an SFI rated racing jacket for supercharged cars and they require a helmet for cars faster than 13:99, although they really don't press it (helmet). They should have the rules on their website.

 

You're probably going to want to get some slicks eventually. I just raced my car Saturday for the first time after supercharging it and couldn't get it to hook up at all on the BFG's. I still had fun though. Enjoy your day there.

 

Dan

[stkjock]

Helmet should be all you need as long as your running street tires. a SN2005 or newer should be all you need.

 

Fire jackets are NHRA regs for cars with aftermarket blowers only. If you have the stock Eaton it should not be an issue.

[2010KonaBlueGT]

Mike,

 

I can't speak for Atlanta's rules, but here in California at the AAA Speedway in Fontana, you need an SFI rated racing jacket for supercharged cars and they require a helmet for cars faster than 13:99, although they really don't press it (helmet). They should have the rules on their website.

 

You're probably going to want to get some slicks eventually. I just raced my car Saturday for the first time after supercharging it and couldn't get it to hook up at all on the BFG's. I still had fun though. Enjoy your day there.

 

Dan

 

 

Every track we've ever raced (drag, road or oval) made us run straight water, no anti-freeze. That applied from our local Friday night NASCAR/IMCA short track, to the Featherlitte Southwest Tour, ASA, ARCA, Craftsman Truck series, Busch Grand National and Winston Cup.

 

NHRA and WCTA drag racing too.

 

Check your track rules *AND* your sanctioning body rules.

 

 

Phill

[skyhighsd]

^^^^Makes sense but I have never heard of a drag strip that did that, not that I am doubting you just never heard of drag strip that did that.

[2010KonaBlueGT]

^^^^Makes sense but I have never heard of a drag strip that did that, not that I am doubting you just never heard of drag strip that did that.

 

 

Sac, Famosa and Pomona for three....

 

We raced in the WCTA Nostalgia Drags (Jr. Fueler and Gas Altered) at Sac and Bakersfield, NHRA Super Stock at Pomona.

 

If you spit anti-freeze on their track and you will get FINED.

 

Fact is, I can't tell you if it was the track or the sanctioning body that had the rule but I suspect it was the body (as they had to do the clean-up). AF is much harder and time consuming to get up then water is. Water just takes a shop broom, AF takes dilution and sweeping (or rice hull ash).

 

 

 

Phill

[GT500GATOR]

My link

Link to Atlanta rules

 

My link

Another link to the track in Commerce

 

Sounds like you have stage 2 level of mods. With my stage 2, I ran low 11's with drag radials, and high 12's with stock tires....so the tires make a huge difference!

 

If this is your first time drag racing......go on a Test and Tune night and make sure you let the tech guys know its your first time and usually they are very cooperative and will take care of you. They will ask you what you expect to run....be honest and tell them you are not sure but you hope to run in the 12's.....and all they will probably expect you to have is a helmet....and most tracks have helmets you can rent. If you start getting into the low 12's or make it into the 11's they will start to be a little more strict and will probably need a racing jacket and maybe pants.......and once you get into the mid 11's and quicker well now you are getting into roll bar country, racing suits ect.

 

If on stock tires and/or non drag radials....you do not need to do a big burnout....just enough to heat the tires (remember to turn traction control off for the burnout}

 

Depending on your tires........if you are spinning alot .........especially on stock tires.......use the Traction Control at first till you get the hang of launching the car......once you have drag radials on....turn off traction control and learn how to launch without it.......it just takes practice.........and most important be careful and do not just snap the clutch and floor it the first time or you might find yourself just smoking your tires or pointed at the wall! Take it easy at first and get more aggressive as your confidence improves......"learn the car".

 

Have fun.....and do not get upset if you only run 13's at first.......with practice you will get into the 12's......and with more practice and a set of good drag radials you will get into the 11's.

 

Hope this helps.

[Snake Doc]

I'll be heading to the drag strip for the first time in a week or two. Atlanta Motor Speedway's 1/8 mile most likely. Possibly the 1/4 mile in Commerce which I believe is NHRA. I'll have just the CAI/pulley/tune from VMP along with the usual set of handling mods (LCA,UCA w/ reloc welded,FRPP Handling etc.) I should have the 3.73 gears and the Shelby HE installed by then too. No slicks just BFG KDW2 on all fours.

 

What do I need to do to my car in order to pass any inspections (for both Atlanta and a NHRA track just in case)? Safety equipment?

 

Any predictions on what I'll run?

 

Thanks

Mike

 

 

Hi Mike,

Where are you located?

 

Come on up to Commerce Fri night (5/21) for "Fast Friday" (test & tune). It's pretty much informal racing; no classes, no dial-in, just drive fast next to whoever is in the other lane. $20 Drivers & $10 Crew/Spectators. Track opens at 6pm and races from 6pm - 11pm. The $20 is an "all you can race" deal.

 

Commerce is an NHRA sanctioned track and governed by NHRA rules and safety equipment.

 

I went a few weeks ago on a Tue night "Test & Tune" (1st time out). You pay going in, then go by Tech Inspection. You won't need to do anything to your car for them. They are just checking for safety items, tires, brakes, lines, etc (No antifreeze restrictions there).

 

The only safety equip required is a helmet (Snell SA2005) for any times under 13.99 and you can get that with your eyes closed. You can use a Snell SA 2000(?), but if you're buying, the 2000 cert expires in a year or two so go for the 2005. I didn't have a helmet 1st time and no one mentioned anything about rentals so I guess they don't have them.

 

Based on my motorcycle helmets I guessed that these ran small and was right. I wear a size 7 hat and ordered an XL helmet and it was a little tight. Sizing chart called for a SM.

 

I bought mine here; prompt delivery.

http://www.helmetcit...llsa/openfacesa

 

Here is another site:

http://www.racingdir...oduct_info.html

 

Come on up and we'll have some fun. Mine is Blk/Red.

 

They do allow passengers.

 

Hope to see you there! Give me a call if interested: cell 770.861.8187

[Canadian Bacon]

Hi Mike,

Where are you located?

 

Come on up to Commerce Fri night (5/21) for "Fast Friday" (test & tune). It's pretty much informal racing; no classes, no dial-in, just drive fast next to whoever is in the other lane. $20 Drivers & $10 Crew/Spectators. Track opens at 6pm and races from 6pm - 11pm. The $20 is an "all you can race" deal.

 

Commerce is an NHRA sanctioned track and governed by NHRA rules and safety equipment.

 

I went a few weeks ago on a Tue night "Test & Tune" (1st time out). You pay going in, then go by Tech Inspection. You won't need to do anything to your car for them. They are just checking for safety items, tires, brakes, lines, etc (No antifreeze restrictions there).

 

The only safety equip required is a helmet (Snell SA2005) for any times under 13.99 and you can get that with your eyes closed. You can use a Snell SA 2000(?), but if you're buying, the 2000 cert expires in a year or two so go for the 2005. I didn't have a helmet 1st time and no one mentioned anything about rentals so I guess they don't have them.

 

Based on my motorcycle helmets I guessed that these ran small and was right. I wear a size 7 hat and ordered an XL helmet and it was a little tight. Sizing chart called for a SM.

 

I bought mine here; prompt delivery.

http://www.helmetcit...llsa/openfacesa

 

Here is another site:

http://www.racingdir...oduct_info.html

 

Come on up and we'll have some fun. Mine is Blk/Red.

 

They do allow passengers.

 

Hope to see you there! Give me a call if interested: cell 770.861.8187

 

[Canadian Bacon]

If the helmet has a DOT sticker does that meet the snell rating or is this a different rating level?

[Snake Doc]

If the helmet has a DOT sticker does that meet the snell rating or is this a different rating level?

 

 

For the most part I think the DOT sticker is the minimum for motorcycle use. The Snell rating is higher. Snell has a M2000 rating for motorcycles and SA2000 and SA2005 for cars. I don't believe many of the low-end m/c helmets meet Snell standards so don't have the Snell stickers.

 

NHRA acceptance of the Snell ratings have expiration dates. I don't recall when the SA2000 expiration is but I think it's in the next couple of years and of course the SA2005 has a longer expiration date.

 

The first pic is the stickers on the rear of the helmet and the second is the sticker inside the helmet.

 

 

 

[Secondo]

If the helmet has a DOT sticker does that meet the snell rating or is this a different rating level?

 

No, it's different. It must have the Snell rating sticker either on the outside but usually on the inside of the helmet. My dragstrip requires at least Snell M2000 rating but if you buy a new helmet they're up to 2005.

[Canadian Bacon]

No, it's different. It must have the Snell rating sticker either on the outside but usually on the inside of the helmet. My dragstrip requires at least Snell M2000 rating but if you buy a new helmet they're up to 2005.

 

Thanks Fella's.