Need For Speed 2015 Drag Race

| How-To - Engine and Drivetrain

Elevate Racing Basics - Feeding Your Need For Speed

Take Your Classic Ford Drag Racing

There was a time when dragstrips and road courses across America were bustling with the sounds of screeching bias-ply burnouts and solid-lifter crackling, and atomic number 82-infused fuels burned under high compression. The musculus automobile era was in total swing, and the manufacturers waged state of war in battles of horsepower and cubic inches.

At some point though, it seems like those with the vintage cars threw in the towel and stopped showing up, leaving the tardily-model crew to have all of the fun. Now nosotros're non proverb that you lot should be hanging out at the rail all the fourth dimension, but you should be able to enjoy all of that high-horsepower hardware that you've installed nether the hood, and taking your car to your local racetrack offers that opportunity in a very condom environment.

For some of you, going to the track may be erstwhile hat, but for others, it could be your first time. In either case, this story volition exist both a skillful refresher, and a basic introduction to drag racing. Once you accept your feet wet in full-throttle, straight-line fun, you lot can check out your local road course to encounter if there might be even more fulfillment in turning at speed, and we'll exist covering that stop of the spectrum at a later engagement.

Certain, you lot'll hear a lot of people talk about how valuable the cars are, and that it's not the all-time idea to drive one in such a manner. Our embrace car this month certainly bucks this trend, and the vision of this relatively rare automobile melting prophylactic will certainly cause some anguish for some, but cars were made to be driven. Their sole purpose on this planet is to go united states from Betoken A to Point B. So what'due south the harm in getting there fast?

If you remember this sounds crazy, think once more. More and more enthusiasts are enjoying their classic cars in more exhilarating ways. If y'all become a chance, bank check out an NMRA or NMCA race that may be close to you lot. You'll find a lot of very nice vintage firepower in the staging lanes.

Follow along every bit we take a classic Mustang out to the track and show step-by-step what goes on at the dragstrip. Once educated, yous won't feel and then intimidated and you'll enjoy the experience that much more. To find your nearest racetrack cheque out the links at the end of our story so telephone call the rail to notice out its track schedule. Exist sure to write the states and allow us know about some of your on-runway racing exploits.

Driving position is important every bit well. This isn't the Saturday dark cruise-in at Big Boys. You want to be able to accomplish the shifter, ignition, pedals, and any rubber equipment with ease while fully belted in. Arrange the seatback for a clear view of the track also. Also, consider a helmet mandatory. Yes, we know nigh tracks are fine without a helmet for the slower cars, but get in the addiction of wearing a total Snell-approved helmet, you won't regret it if something bad happens. Current Snell ratings of SA2005 or higher are what most tracks require, but new SA2010-rated helmets are now condign bachelor.

The final light on the tree is the dreaded foul, or red light. If you leave the starting line before the green light illuminates the blood-red light comes on, disqualifying yous. But we said exit on the last yellow; won't that give y'all a foul? Not exactly. Well-nigh street cars are wearisome enough that by the time yous react and the motorcar moves forrad, the green light comes on as your tires leave the starting line. Practice will tell yous when y'all can exit the starting line with your combination, but similar we said, don't worry about reaction time right at present.

Dragstrip Dictionary

While information technology'due south piece of cake for usa to allow certain terms roll off the tongue, since we've been going to the track for years, nosotros felt it would be helpful to list the most common rail terms and what they mean. We hope these volition assist you be at ease trackside and when talking to your fellow racers.

Burnout	To spin the rear tires to estrus them, effectively cleaning the tread surface and heating the tread for increased traction
Christmas Tree	Found at the starting line, the "tree" is used as a count-downwards timer for both drivers in a elevate race
Deep Stage	To whorl further into the stage beam, turning off the pre-stage light, which places the auto farther downward the rail, which will raise elapsed time, merely help your reaction fourth dimension
Elapsed Time	The time it takes you to travel the rails's altitude from starting line to finish line
Foul Start	If you leave the starting line (meaning commencement the timer clock) before the green light has lit, information technology's a foul kickoff and the cerise light will illuminate
Full Tree	This is the typical starting line setup used at test-and-tune and Sportsman racing, where each amber lite is lit for 0.500-2nd in sequence, followed by the green low-cal 0.500-2d later; a perfect beginning is a 0.500 light on a full tree
Holeshot	When racing another machine and y'all leave the starting line before the other car by reacting to the Christmas tree faster
Pre-Stage	The first row of minor yellow lights on the Christmas tree, these calorie-free as y'all approach the starting line, letting you know you're about to enter the staging beam
Pro Tree	The pro tree is reserved for higher levels of heads-up competition and has all three amber bulbs light simultaneously, followed by the light-green light 0.400-second later
Reaction Time	The time, expressed in thousands of a second, that it takes your motorcar to clear the stage beam after the last amber lite has flashed on the Christmas tree
sixty-Foot Fourth dimension	Simply put, how long it takes your automobile to travel the first 60 feet of the dragstrip, which reflects how quick your full run volition be
Speed Trap	The final 66 feet of the measured racing surface earlier the terminate line; this is where your mph is measured
Phase	The stage light is the 2d row of yellowish lights and indicates your tires are directly on the starting line. One time both drivers accept lit the phase lights, the inaugural timer will begin every bit activated by the track'south starting line personnel

For more information on events, points series, prophylactic equipment, and tracks in your area:

• world wide web.ihra.com
• world wide web.mdra.com
• world wide web.nhra.com
• www.nmra.com
• www.pscaracing.com
• www.sfifoundation.com
• www.smf.org

The Most Common Bug

While at Gainesville Raceway in Gainesville, Florida, snapping the bulk of the photos for this story, we spoke with some of Gainesville's rail officials to discover out what the about common problems are they see when people come up to the rail for the showtime time. We idea for certain they would include people staging their car in the incorrect place, turning around and coming back down the rails surface, and other "OMG!" moments. But while these things happen occasionally, they encounter a much bigger problem with the 3 main issues listed here.

Concentrate on your elapsed time and mph start. Reaction time is non important for test-and-melody nights. Yous want to know what your car is capable of, not and then much your reaction to the lights. Waiting for the solid green light to go out the starting line ways you'll never red light (foul) and y'all can work on shift points and launch techniques. Once these are optimized and then you can sneak up on reaction time.

Make only ane modify at a time. First time racers seem to get a little anxious, the track guys tell us. They'll make a pass, then go bump the timing, change the tire pressures, and launch at a unlike rpm all on the next pass. Make i change and then make a few passes to ensure consistency before you make some other alter, no thing how small-scale.

Be enlightened of your surroundings. At that place's a lot going on at the track, and not but on the racing surface. The pits are busy with race cars, pit bikes, pedestrians, and more. On the track surface, ever watch the rail officials, especially the starter. He's in contact with rails spotters and the tower and if there'due south an issue with the track or your auto he'll wave you off. This is for everyone's safety, and then pay attention to all track personnel.

Source: https://www.motortrend.com/how-to/mdmp-1102-classic-ford-drag-racing/

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