cutting my 1/4miles times.

Post by **Thebusofwoe** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 6:21 pm

Defo a good launch is a great help to good times. I got a 15second dead in my mk2 CRX years ago. 0.15 of a second reaction time

still have the slips too.

Post by **GreenyUK** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:08 pm

Yes I was going to suggest NOS it's the cheapest way to ad instant big power! And it does make a big difference.
But as people have said get your grip! Suspension/tyres sorted and your launches!

Post by **Drax** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:16 pm

Confused wrote:Unless you're dragging professionally, the reaction times don't count against the final trap time.

As a hobbyist, It's best to take a couple of seconds of your time after the light goes green and try to find the best point to launch.

i thought the same the first time i went on Santa Pod - took my time, didnt go at the green light - but i got a ridiculous long time, then i asked several people and they said reaction time counts....

im confused

Post by **Ash.Z** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:45 pm

Were the yoko's any good mate? Or just too far gone? Did it rain at all?

Bludge · Post by **Bludge** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 9:13 pm

they seemed a lot better then the other tyres i have been using! it was damp in the morning but dried out, then hammered down about 2pm which is when i called it a day!

Post by **Doggo** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 10:12 pm

Could you try it downhill?

Post by **Ash.Z** » Mon Aug 04, 2014 11:28 pm

Tyres and pressures would be a good start to some improved times, your take off is a potential hot spot to make better times. So traction is key.

Post by **Drax** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 8:55 am

Drax wrote:
Confused wrote:Unless you're dragging professionally, the reaction times don't count against the final trap time.

As a hobbyist, It's best to take a couple of seconds of your time after the light goes green and try to find the best point to launch.
i thought the same the first time i went on Santa Pod - took my time, didnt go at the green light - but i got a ridiculous long time, then i asked several people and they said reaction time counts.... im confused

just read this from the Santa Pod site blurb about RWYB:
"Get prepared

Some people want to know how cars and bikes can run fast ETs after having sat on the startline with a green light for ages. For example, the Fireforce jetcar can sit on the line for 3 seconds after getting the green light, and still run a sub-six-second pass! Well, the answer is not that it did the ¼ mile in 3 seconds, but the timing system doesn't start counting until the staging sensors have been cleared. This allows the casual Run What Ya Brung'er to get themselves fully prepared on the line without having to worry about reaction times distorting their vehicle's performance.

So, if you are not interested in reaction times, but are interested in performance, take your time on the startline to get the revs right before dropping the clutch. Panic-free performance! Remember, in a real race situation, your reaction time is added to your ET to find the winner, so reaction time becomes critical. If you are serious about racing, you will need loads of attempts at improving both your RT and ET, and then work on synchronising them to get some really storming runs in."
looks like your right @Confused

oh and found this from a GTi forum, sounds good advice, may try this next time:
"I held my revs at about 3.5k.
Get the car seated on the handbrake -- NOT THE FOOT BRAKE.
Hold clutch to bite and hold it still on the handbrake, making sure the back end is sat down to stop big weight transfer.
When the lights go let the handbrake go and bring clutch up swift, but steady.
increase revs up to the power band, but still releasing the clutch.
Keep it on the edge of wheelspin -- it's the fastest way to accelerate.
Don't lift of the 'go' pedal -- tap the clutch and slam through gears."

Post by **lewd lude lover** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 11:05 am

I thought it was common knowledge that the timer wouldnt start till you passed the sensor. You get two times and add them together for pro performance but the RT and ET are always seperate. The only reason I ever go for green light launch is because there is always someone next to you and i always like to imagine its a pinkslip/greenslip race

ET dont matter brother, did you cross the line first or not?

I would be shy of flat shifting in a car with a normal/mildly uprated clutch and no time cut or peak retardation system or dogbox in place

thats a good way to spill fluids all over the track and walk home imho.

Dino · Post by **Dino** » Tue Aug 05, 2014 10:34 pm

If you want to improve your over Quater mile ET time your 60ft time is where time can be gained the most.

For every 0.1s of your 60ft time you can save 0.2-0.3s off your ET.

Ways this can be done..
1) Launch...getting the perfect launch of the line for your car.
2) Good grippy tyres set at correct pressures
3) prevent wheel hop..stiff engine mouts, polybush suspension, adjust damper settings to suit make sure suspension componenrs in good working order.
4) Raise the height of the rear of the car, lower the front.
5) On Fwd cars set rear dampers to full stiffness to reduce Centre of Gravity weight shift to rear of car.

These are just a few things that can be done on your average road car to help...plus there are the other options mentioned in this thread.
Hope this helps.