Drag Racing

[Tom74]

I am entering my first drag race tommorrow in the 'vette, does anyone have any tips for not breaking the car?

Category wise I think I want to run in the 11.3 class but as the surface will be poor (airfield track) is this realistic?

Any help greatly appreciated!

Tom

[GW65]

The folks who've broken their diff often say it was due to axle-tramp, which I believe is pretty common with a hard start in a Z06 or manual C6 (mine's an auto), so backing off at the first hint will help. Although the poor surface you mentioned will hurt your times, it may be a good thing mechanically as less grip should reduce the stress on the transmission.

[vetteheadracer]

I ran my (nearly) stock C6 Z06 at Santa Pod and into the stiff head wind could only manage a best time of 12.42 secs at 118MPH and the book figure for a Z06 is 11.85 secs so I am guessing anything between 12 and 13 seconds especially on a low grip surface would be realistic.
Regarding not breaking the car I drive off the line at about 2000 rpm to start with this will also help your clutch and tyres!! Once you get the feel for it try being more agressive with the revs and dumping the clutch but if the surface is bad then you may just get wheel spin.

Let us know your times!

[Tom74]

Cheers Guys,

Looks like the 12.3 class will be a better bet. They are using the main straight of the normal track and the surface is hard on tyres, so grip will definately be a limiting factor. That and my obvious newbie-ness!

I'll update you all on how I get on.

[michaelZ16]

Try Ranger on Corvette Forum -link below, as he's probably one of the most experienced Vette drag racers around.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-z06-discussion/...

[JimexPL]

On this side of the pond Jenkinscomp is the man to talk to, having timed his car in the quarter mile for Evo and Classic American, and occasionally running it in the Streetracer series.

[BlackZeD]

Try Ranger direct.

http://www.rangeracceleration.com/

[Tom74]

Well eriely (sp?), I managed exactly the same time as VHR, 12.42 at 122 mph. Considering it was a disused runway with no room to do a burnout I don't think thats too bad.

Great fun and much trickier than it looks!

Got some pics a friend took and will post them up when he bothers to email me. Thanks for all the advice guys.

Edit to say that I did of course win the class, go 'vette!

Edited by Tom74 on Saturday 26th September 22:08

[ringram]

To get a decent time a burn out is mandatory.
12.6@114 here in my 1900kg LS7 tank

[Tom74]

Pic of the burnout zone, being 5 ft behind the timing beams....not the best conditions!

[Boosted LS1]

My money's on the bus.

[anonymous-user]

Tom74 said:

Well eriely (sp?), I managed exactly the same time as VHR, 12.42 at 122 mph.

Nice work! That terminal speed illustrates the devastating nature of Corvette performance in the real world.

[Viper]

after youve done a couple of runs to get used to it, drop your rear tyre pressures for extra grip

[vetteheadracer]

Viper said:

after youve done a couple of runs to get used to it, drop your rear tyre pressures for extra grip

no point on standard C6 Z06 tyres as they are run flats!

[Tom74]

I did drop them to around 25 psi, running Michellin pilot sport rather than the goodyears, they only lasted 6k. nitially drop pressures to 20psi but that was too low and the car felt totally out of control!

[anonymous-user]

Tom74 said:

I did drop them to around 25 psi, running Michellin pilot sport rather than the goodyears, they only lasted 6k. nitially drop pressures to 20psi but that was too low and the car felt totally out of control!

My low 12 runs were also on Michelin Pilot Sports. Generally early in the session - seems the car gets slower as it gets hotter. Yes, I'm sure things would get a bit wriggly at 20 psi!

[G4HKS]

5 USA said:

Tom74 said:

Well eriely (sp?), I managed exactly the same time as VHR, 12.42 at 122 mph.

Nice work! That terminal speed illustrates the devastating nature of Corvette performance in the real world.

Agreed, maybe someone could teach that nit Chris Harris how to drive a Z06 next time he does a drag race next to another car....