Hitting the 1/4 Track for Fun again

[HondaToMazda]

Haha, This is my second time going to the the track tonight in my msp and i would like to hear some suggestions. First time was quite a disappoint due to driving issues (I just suck)

At 3,000 elevation i pulled a 16.214 at the track (which is about 15.7 at sea level)

my 60 ft was 2.445 (a lot of wheel spin... Did I mention I suck ass at driving?)

My MPH i forgot but it was around 85.

I have been practicing my starts at 4k (feathering the clutch) and so first gear seems really short.. Anyways considering if i do improve my 60ft times .1 or even .2 secs will that affect over all 1/4 mile time x2 of that? so if i Did pull a 2.2x 60ft ill possibly run 15.5.. or what not? Last time I didn't even get to shift to 4th.. Redline 3rd.. haha. thanks and i'm doing this because i think its fun.

Warm up the tires? around 4k for a copule of seconds?

 

[Darin]

Tire pressure down to 20-22psi in the front, up to 45-50psi in the back...don't run thru the water box...don't do a burn out - just 'chirp' your tires to clean them.

Practice-Practice-Practice.

 

[HondaToMazda]

With Lower Tire Pressure will the Grip be more? So i should be feathering the clutch more at the intial engagement?

 

[InsidiousMSP]

Don't know about that. I pulled a 2.57 60' and did 15.40. My next run had a 2.37 60' with a 15.37. I had to blip the throttle around 2500 to get decent traction (at 21psi tire pressure). 4,000rpm launch is insane.

 

[HondaToMazda]

Due to past experience, launching at 2,500 rpm gave me to much of a bog down. I'm assuming its turbo lag.

 

[RAAZ227]

I would rev it higher. Around 4500-5000rpm. Once you see the 3rd yellow, slip the clutch out of the hole. Do it in one motion. As your clutch ingages, slip it as you jam the throttle to the floor. I'm telling you this will really improve your 60ft and 1/4 mile time. It takes practice, but it works.

 

[HondaToMazda]

I would rev it higher. Around 4500-5000rpm. Once you see the 3rd yellow, slip the clutch out of the hole. Do it in one motion. As your clutch ingages, slip it as you jam the throttle to the floor. I'm telling you this will really improve your 60ft and 1/4 mile time. It takes practice, but it works.

Hehe, I haven't tried that yet. I can barely keep 4,000 rpm from spinning.

 

[Darin]

With Lower Tire Pressure will the Grip be more? So i should be feathering the clutch more at the intial engagement?

Yup - lowering the pressure will increase the contact patch in the front, and reduce it in the rear -

Try experimenting w/ different clutch slip/drop/slide/feather techniques.

 

[ForceFed]

Tire pressure down to 20-22psi in the front, up to 45-50psi in the back...don't run thru the water box...don't do a burn out - just 'chirp' your tires to clean them.

Practice-Practice-Practice.

Who taught you to do this?This is not correct.
Do you know what happens when you lower the tire pressure in radial tire?You actually lose some of your contact patch.These are not slicks,they do not have wrinkle walls on them.When you lower the tire pressure in a radial (underinflate),the tire begins to "CUP" in the center.This is where the tire starts to form an arch between the outer sidewalls where in the contact patch becomes less than a properly inflated tire.Not to mention the fact that an underinflated tire creates MORE rolling resistance whaich will slow you down.Think of it this way,What does it feel like when you have a tire going flat.
Is it easier to drive on that tire or harder?
That is just 1 tire ? Now imagine doing that on two.
My educated .2 cents,
Matt

 

[InsidiousMSP]

Who taught you to do this?This is not correct.
Do you know what happens when you lower the tire pressure in radial tire?You actually lose some of your contact patch.These are not slicks,they do not have wrinkle walls on them.When you lower the tire pressure in a radial (underinflate),the tire begins to "CUP" in the center.This is where the tire starts to form an arch between the outer sidewalls where in the contact patch becomes less than a properly inflated tire.Not to mention the fact that an underinflated tire creates MORE rolling resistance whaich will slow you down.Think of it this way,What does it feel like when you have a tire going flat.
Is it easier to drive on that tire or harder?
That is just 1 tire ? Now imagine doing that on two.
My educated .2 cents,
Matt

What tire is easier to spin, a flat tire or a fully pressurized tire? 21psi is fine. It's not so drastic that the center will cup. It will however create more resistance... so you won't break traction as easy.

 

[HondaToMazda]

hehe, thanks for all your help guys! I just want to keep peace in here.

 

[igdrasil]

Lowering a bit the tire pressure, not excesive will help!

Lowering too much will cause the tire to loose traction when spinning.

Just lower it until the whole thread touch the ground.

 

[Darin]

Who taught you to do this?This is not correct.
Do you know what happens when you lower the tire pressure in radial tire?You actually lose some of your contact patch.These are not slicks,they do not have wrinkle walls on them.When you lower the tire pressure in a radial (underinflate),the tire begins to "CUP" in the center.This is where the tire starts to form an arch between the outer sidewalls where in the contact patch becomes less than a properly inflated tire.Not to mention the fact that an underinflated tire creates MORE rolling resistance whaich will slow you down.Think of it this way,What does it feel like when you have a tire going flat.
Is it easier to drive on that tire or harder?
That is just 1 tire ? Now imagine doing that on two.
My educated .2 cents,
Matt

In slicks I'd run 10psi or LESS, 5psi if I had spare axles. As was said, going from 32 psi to 20-21psi won't cup the tire...most tires. At worst he 'could' see a reduction in his trap speed, but more rolling resistance means more friction/traction. cutting .1 off his 60ft time would be EASILY worth 1mph in trap speed.

Don't forget - pump up those rear tires!

 

[HondaToMazda]

In slicks I'd run 10psi or LESS, 5psi if I had spare axles. As was said, going from 32 psi to 20-21psi won't cup the tire...most tires. At worst he 'could' see a reduction in his trap speed, but more rolling resistance means more friction/traction. cutting .1 off his 60ft time would be EASILY worth 1mph in trap speed.

Don't forget - pump up those rear tires!

Indeed... 1mph in trap speed is much faster? I was hoping to making 5 mph difference.. hehe is that possible?

 

[ZoomingMSP]

i RAN MY MSP AT DARLINGTON DRAGWAY THE FIRST WEEK I HAD IT AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT DOWN A 15.4 MY FIRST TIME WITH IT AT THE TRACK. I WAS SURPRIED HOW QUICK I WALKED THE CIVIC I WAS RACING. HE CAME BACK AROUND AND WE DID IT AGAIN BUT THIS TIME I SPUN ALMOST A FULL 1/8 BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET TRACTION. I DID NOTHING DIFFRENT THAN THE TIME BEFORE. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM IN THEIR MSP?

 

[HondaToMazda]

i RAN MY MSP AT DARLINGTON DRAGWAY THE FIRST WEEK I HAD IT AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT DOWN A 15.4 MY FIRST TIME WITH IT AT THE TRACK. I WAS SURPRIED HOW QUICK I WALKED THE CIVIC I WAS RACING. HE CAME BACK AROUND AND WE DID IT AGAIN BUT THIS TIME I SPUN ALMOST A FULL 1/8 BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET TRACTION. I DID NOTHING DIFFRENT THAN THE TIME BEFORE. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM IN THEIR MSP?

when you pulled your 15.4 how fast was your 60 ft?

 

[Matthew]

i RAN MY MSP AT DARLINGTON DRAGWAY THE FIRST WEEK I HAD IT AND I WAS ABLE TO PUT DOWN A 15.4 MY FIRST TIME WITH IT AT THE TRACK. I WAS SURPRIED HOW QUICK I WALKED THE CIVIC I WAS RACING. HE CAME BACK AROUND AND WE DID IT AGAIN BUT THIS TIME I SPUN ALMOST A FULL 1/8 BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET TRACTION. I DID NOTHING DIFFRENT THAN THE TIME BEFORE. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM IN THEIR MSP?

good god man, caps lock!

 

[ZoomingMSP]

not sure ill have to find my slips, but i know my second run was way slower thru 60 ft. ill post times when i find the slips i think they are in my glovebox.....

 

[Spooled]

Some examples...

Here are a couple of times at the track with different launches. The car was completely stock both times. I'm not sure about the altitude, but I am in Michigan.

The slip on the left was the most recent. I was getting terrible times all day (16.0 was my best before this run), so I decided to try a drastically different launch. I held the tach at 3K, and blipped it before dumping the clutch off the line. As you might imagine, the front tires were loose for most of first gear. I also popped the clutch in the rest of the gears after running up to about 100 over redline. The weather was 94% humid and hot (mid 80's) all day, but it cooled off for this run (about 76).

The slip on the right was from the spring. This track isn't as nice as the other, but you get more runs in. Also, the other track is an IHRA track, so they keep the rubber cleaned up. This track had a nice thick layer, so I hooked up quite nicley. I held the RPM's at 2500 (I think), and gave it as much clutch as I could without cutting loose. I slipped second slightly, too, so that the turbo would keep the pressure up. It really seems to pull harder that way. Ignore the trap time for this run, though. The speed trap in that lane wasn't working. I even held the gas down until about 80ft. after the finish to make sure that I passed them. The air was dry and about 72 degrees at the most.

As far as launch technique goes, I try to stage as shallow as I can, wait for the thrid yellow, and go. My reactions are usually low 0.6's that way.

I hope this helps someone. I'm not a huge drag racer, but I like to go out there every once in a while. I was really proud of my last run since I beat my buddy with an RSX-S with short-ram intake, N-1 exhast, short-throw shift, and new wider tires. He definitely has the faster car (runs 15.1) but I had the better times that day!