Oh WOW...my first time drag racing

[SilverSleeper]

Nice. At least you took the safe route. Better to slowly learn what the car is capable of, than to give it everything and put it in a barrier the first time out. Seen that happen a few times. Someone with a new car, or new combo gets anxious and wants the first pass to be a winner, and ends up with more than they expected.

I've been racing automatics for years. Since my Regal is under reconstruction, I take my Cruiser out once in awhile to play and get my fix. And this car is a 5 speed with quite a few mods. Our local track requires helmets for everyone. So you can imagine how stupid I looked when trying to race a car when I can't hear the motor. Since I shift by listening, not by the tach. First time I went out, launched it way too high ripping the tires off, I bounced it off the limiter in 1st, hit 2nd breaking the tires loose, backed off too much, which slowed me down, .... it was a nightmare. And to add insult to injury, I never got a chance to run it again that night, since it started raining soon after. It was a long 2 hour ride home! My buddy with his SRT4 and I ran side by side, and it was his first time with the car on a track too, so he was about as frustrated as I was.

But that didn't stop me. It just made me put a louder Heartthrob dual exhaust on it so I could hear it! lol. Racing a 5 speed when you are used to an automatic is like learning to drive all over again. But thats the fun part.
It does get addicting.
Be safe, and have fun. You'll have that car flying in no time.

 

[alwayscode390]

14.4 with a 10 second auto car ... wow , lol.

Glad you are playing it safe, I mean you even had a co-pilot.

I havent had a track that let me have one yet ---

 

["Turbo-T"]

Nice car. There's a first time for everything, live and learn.

One thing I did my first time out that I'll pass on to you....was running a set of street radials, light comes down to the last yellow and I floor it....tires went up in smoke, didn't hook for squat, ended up running I think a 15 something....then later learned not to let the tires spin even if it means a lousy 60 foot which came out to be like a 2.16....I ended up dropping my e.t.'s into the high 13 range.

I'm sure that day I had the whole track laughing at me spinning off the line like that.

 

[salvageV6]

Was there a mall at the end of that cornfield? :biggrin:

I always use the last turn off lane with the Buick brakes regardless of speed etc. saves them a bit for the ride home.

Good luck keep the go pedal to the floor the whole pass, then think quickly about slowing down and the other car in the other lane and getting it off the track safely.

I try to find all the "marks" before I race at different tracks, saves some embarrassement, well sometimes anyways.

 

[Yellow Brick]

It's funny...really.
Drive the car to Muncie for I would call my first official time drag racing. Had somebody riding with me first time down the track. Left at idle (on street tires) let out too soon...missed the first turn off, missed the second (and last) turn off...and found myself touring what was a corn field...yep, took the car right off the track. I figure, that it's really great there was no corn planted, or it woulda been MUCH worse...lol And Dwayne (riding with me) was such a great sport about it...poor guy...got in the car with a woman at the drag strip...the man has a pair, I can tell ya that! Ran a 16.60 that time...(I know, I know...but it was my FIRST time)
Anyway...second time I did much better! With Dwayne in the car, on the street tires, left at idle again...this time ran a 14.4 AND I even kept it on the track!!!!
I figure it wasn't too bad for pump gas, street tires, barely any boost and a first time lady driver. I'll be back though boys...gonna learn me how to drive a car!!! Albeit, it is kinda disappointing that the car is worthy of mid 10's...I'll get this though...promise!
Did want to say it was sure great to meet everyone!!!!!

Video of your maiden voyage can be seen in the in RPM track day thread.

Was there a mall at the end of that cornfield? :biggrin:

I always use the last turn off lane with the Buick brakes regardless of speed etc. saves them a bit for the ride home.

Good luck keep the go pedal to the floor the whole pass, then think quickly about slowing down and the other car in the other lane and getting it off the track safely.

I try to find all the "marks" before I race at different tracks, saves some embarrassement, well sometimes anyways.

I like to look at the satelite pictures of the tracks on google maps before I head out to a new track. Helps to see where the turn offs are and whats at the end of the track.

 

[xcessiv6]

Nice meeting you maybe next time you'll bring some salsa, Eric

 

[V8Assassin]

Nice meeting you maybe next time you'll bring some salsa, Eric

I'll vouch for the salsa

Eric, if you are available today, give me a shout.

 

[Hartline Perf.]

Come out to our "Southern Buick Shootout" in Reynolds Georgia, November 6th & 7th. at Silver Dollar Raceway.

This is a Fun Event with LOTS of Test & Tune Time!!
Not to mention a Great Hooking Track with a Long Shut Down!!:biggrin:

This event will give you lots of opportunities to practice!!:smile:

Here's our Registration Flyer:
http://www.sydwyndr.com/registration.jpg

Hope to see you there.

Holly Hartline
Hartline Performance

 

[Ms. FastNasty]

Come out to our "Southern Buick Shootout" in Reynolds Georgia, November 6th & 7th. at Silver Dollar Raceway.

This is a Fun Event with LOTS of Test & Tune Time!!
Not to mention a Great Hooking Track with a Long Shut Down!!:biggrin:

This event will give you lots of opportunities to practice!!:smile:

Here's our Registration Flyer:
http://www.sydwyndr.com/registration.jpg

Hope to see you there.

Holly Hartline
Hartline Performance

Would love to go, but I don't have a trailer (or a capable truck) that would be able to pull the car down there.

 

[alwayscode390]

I am curious what it runs by an experienced driver!!! ---

 

[datant69]

congrats

wow you have some nice equipment on your ride, i'm sure once you learn more as time goes by you'll be pissing people off and having fun doing it. i don't know about the corn field stuff though. i know i didn't want to really get on my car unless i was at the track because it was a enclosed enviroment and i didn't have to worry about smokey the bear in my rear view. so enjoy it and of course learn learn learn. i made the mistake of playing too much and had to come out of pocket to the tune of about 1300. so as stated have fun and show them boys what our cars do.