Things I need for the track?
 

I just got my new pony a couple months ago and I am thinking about taking to the track in a few weeks and was wondering what I needed to race?

It is a 09 GT with nothing one it didn't come with. Is there any thing i have to do to make it pass the rules for the track?

GRAND BEND MOTORPLEX is where I will be going and they really don't say anything.

Helmet, tire gauge, rags, pen or pencil, refreshments! Should be set.

What Greg said!:tup

may be a dumb question what are the rags for? cleaning up?

Just bring an approved helmet should be all you need for a stocker, plus of course the other stuff mentioned above. I am not sure if you have raced before but if not an understanding of the rules/process would help as well, here is a link Drag Racing 101

You will have to wear shoes, long pants and a shirt with sleeves (short is fine but no sleeveless wife beaters) you can wear shorts and sandals but bring proper clothes, I bring a pair of sweats and a golf style shirt and throw them on over my shorts and wife beater when I am racing on the real hot days.

Take your time and don't be afraid to ask other racers and track officials any questions you may need answered, racers and the track guys are good people and will be more than willing to help you have a safe day, remember each and every one you speak to was once a nervous first timer as well.

Most of all just have a pile of fun and don't hit your car real hard on your first run or runs, graduate your speed with each run and get an idea how your car and tires react to the track and conditions. If you get into trouble get off the gas first, don't keep your foot in it and try to correct with the steering wheel, that is a pro maneuver.

I am writing this as if you are a newby to the track, if you have raced before then you will know what to do and know I speak the truth.

Have fun....

You got it! Checking the tires, checking the oil, wiping things off. You would be surprised how dirty it gets! Oh yea, bring some windex so that you can wipe the number they asign you off your window. I use the quick wipe stuff so I forgot to mention the Windex! Another use for the rags!:)

Good luck and ask the Mustang guys at the track what to do if you need any assistance. Do not plan on setting any world records as it is a lot different than the street and stop lights!

Found out my street tires are useless. A good set of DRs are next for me. You could hear the tires squealing on every shift.

Stay off the wall ie stay in your lane:laughhard Good luck

Thank you! Awesome read, and yes this will be my first time going to the track as a driver. I will make sure I ask around and notice what everyone else is doing.

Just a few more questions tho,
1. Do I want to burnout before I start with my treaded tires? I read on there water is a no.
2. Any rules on window tints? for some reason I thought i read something on that.
3. Traction control on or off?

Thank you for all the help :D

Water for street tires avoid it if you can and do a dry burnout to clean your tires.

Nothing on window tint that I am aware of and I have been to a few tracks without issues but you do have to roll up your windows.

Traction control off is the way I go but if you are having issues hooking up you could try it on.

You are going to be a little nervous the first time you go to the line without a doubt, remember to make a mental check list or tape one to the dash for that matter and go through it before you stage because there is going to be lots to remember when you hit the line and the more you remember the less chance of error.

Also you are going to line up next to somebody when you get there and he is going to beat you especially in your first race ever, do not focus on the other driver, focus on your task at hand which is driving your car safely up the track. Even now I pay no attention to the car I am racing I pay mind to my tree, my lane and my driving, I block out the other driver.

Exiting the track: There will be a return road at the end of the track with at least 2 entrances to it if not 3, find out which side the return road is on and remember the racer that is on the side of the return road has the right of way, it is NOT OK to cross over into his lane to exit before he first passes you to exit.

Have a good time you have a nice looking track there and only 642 feet above sea level.

Might be asking a lot but any chance you could post one so I don't miss anything?

Thanks guys you will make my first track run a good one :)

Well it depends on the car you have and your routine, in my case I have an automatic with drag radials and a 3000 stall converter.

1) When I am in the front of the staging lane I make sure my traction control is off and overdrive is off.

2) Shift into 1st gear and go to the burnout box

3) Start my burnout as soon as directed to do so and shift manually to 2nd gear at 5000 to 6000 rpm's

4) Finish my burnout and drive to the staging area in 2nd then before tripping a light shift into drive (very important)

5) If I go past the staging lights you have to back up after that make sure you are in a forward gear to stage.

6) Pre-stage (second in my case meaning I let the opponent pre-stage first)

7) After I am pre-staged I load the torque converter to about 2500 to 2750 rpm's and ease up on the brake a tiny bit to stage (I am the last to stage) then firm on the brake when staged.

8) On a pro tree I pound the hell out of the gas the second the yellows flash and let off the brake at the same time, on a sportsman tree I count the rhythm of the yellow lights one...two...go!! I try to red light....yes you heard me right red light, now I don't go when the first yellow lights cause that is just stupid but when the third one lights I am on it and now to try to red light. If I red light I play with my timing a bit on my mental count down if I do not red light I usually get a good reaction time but on the next run I will try to red light again until I can put a zero as a first RT digit.

Now when I am racing, I race bracket (handicap start) so when your dial is in the 100th's to the 1000th's of a second (in plain terms your car is running extremely close to the time you dial in on your car I am usually within a couple of hundredth's but I won a couple weeks ago in Calgary and ran within 4 1000th's of my dial in the final) you have to win with your reaction time that is why I try to red light at least in the test and tune, that is a lesson I picked up from an old racer out your way in Ontario.

Well that is enough rant from me.

Awesome thank you!