So I have decided to run my truck at the local drag strip this thursday. Nothing real serious just kind of interested to see what my truck will run. Can anyone give any advice when it comes to running? This will be my first time dragging so any tips or tricks will be greatly appreciated! <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>

 

Find a youtube video of the tree changing colors and go practice taking off. Reaction time will be the biggest factor you can control beyond the basics like put it in 4wd and powerjack it.

 

so run in 4wd?

 

Something they have us do at the track at RRE. NO air conditioning they clam the condensate can cause wheel spin.

 

should I run in the race tune or extreme?

 

 

Put yourself in 4x4 once you get lined up.

Don't forget to drive around, not through, the water box.

Creep forward until your pre-stage lights come on. Let your opponent stage then pull ~10lbs of boost (Stand on the brakes and hit the accelerator until the brakes don't hold then back off a hair) creep forward until you stage let the lights drop leave on the last yellow. Worry about your staging more than your reaction time.

Your reaction time is going to suck since it's your first time out. Anything under a second is good for your first time out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m85aI...ubYjzvbJjOocbA

I'm the blue truck in the left lane.

 

I should spool up correct?

 

Correct. Power brake to build boost.

 

Yes. You should be able to pull ~10lbs of boost before the brakes won't be able to hold you back any more. When the lights drop get off the brakes stand on the accelerator and don't let up until you're all the way down the track.

 

Thanks for the tips guys! This should be a fun time.

 

I know this is a giving but don't try to manually shift it put in D and let it **** on it own. I see so many people try to manually shift a column **** and screw it up.

 

4X4... really? Up to 70 MPH? I'm torn between the bennies of grip vs. the drag of the added drive.

 

The benefits of launching in 4x4 greatly outweigh the very slight added drag on the top end.

Take the same truck and do two back-to-back runs. One run in 2wd, the other in 4wd. The 4wd run will win every single time, assuming the racer knows how to properly launch.

And I run 4x4 at well over 90 mph. LOL

 

To the OP.... Here's how to drag race your truck.

Manually lock your hubs, put it in 4wd high. Don't wait until you're on the line already past the water box, as you want to drive the truck forward at least several tire rotations to make sure everything is engaged for the 4x4 system. I usually put mine in 4wd while I'm still several cars back in line.

Drive around the water box. Pull forward until the first yellow staging light is lit. Now is a good time to make sure the person in the other lane is also staging. If he's not, then you should wait, because the next part you don't want to be doing a brake stand while waiting for another minute for the person next to you to begin staging his car like a rookie, or for some bad-*** 8 second car to finish up with his burnout.

When the first staging light is lit, hold your brake, and with the other foot start giving the engine some pedal to bring up the RPM's and start building boost. Once you start building boost, and the other person is already staged with both of his lights lit up, bump your brake to nudge the truck forward to light up the second staging light. Keep your foot hard in the brake, and push that accelerator pedal down more to really start building boost. How much pedal you give it really depends on your truck. Try practicing in an empty parking lot somewhere before you go to the drag strip to see how much boost/RPM's is best for you to launch.

You'll see the amber's on the tree start to light up. When the last amber lights, let your foot off the brake and floor it. You should cross the beam right as the green lights up, and you'll have a nice low reaction time. And you're off to the races.

Pretty simple and straightforward. Just be warned, it's addicting.