I'm heading up to Wisconsin on Friday April 4th and testing out my 04 MCS at the track.

The Great Lakes Dragaway is opening on Friday and they are having free runs from 10 am until 5 pm. The only fee is the $12 spectator fee (I believe that's the price).

I'm going with a few people from the Civic Forums I'm on and there will be a good variety of cars going.

Just wondering if anyone would care to join in on the fun!

Here's the website for more information:

http://www.greatlakesdragaway.com/



Oh, and any tips for a drag noob?

 

damn, apparently I read the site wrong and it's actually april 5th and 6th, I'm gonna try to get up there, but I work both days.

 

I've gone to GLD on opening weekend once a few years ago. The lines and wait were nearly unbearable. Good if you want to watch, terrible if you want to practice with your car... I'll never go again on an opening weekend.

Tips for a drag noob: Remove all loose items from the car (for weight reduction and safety). Fill out your tech card properly and be polite to the track staff, and follow their hand signals and instructions. Bring a helmet if you can get one. Even if your car is slow enough not to require one, you don't know what to expect from the dragster that might be next to you. Watch and ask questions from someone there who has done it before. Ideally, ride along with someone the first time as well (you can typically be a passenger in a 13.99 and slower vehicle) so you can see there whole process:

-Drive around the waterbox. You'll only drag up water for the racer behind you, and you won't need it anyway.

-Once directed by the starter, lightly spin your tires to remove the stones, debris, etc... No need to do a John Force style burnout on street tires, despite what you may see others do. Do not do a burnout if there is another car in front of you. Don't go past the starting line either...

-Set the first staging light, and wait for your opponent to do the same. Creep forward about 6 inches to set the 2nd/final staging light and get ready for the other lights.

-When the last yellow before green turns on, this is when you want to go. If you wait to see the green, you'll be slow... This will make more sense when you see your reaction times on the time slip.

-Slow down once you cross the finish line. No need to keep accelerating. -Brake smoothly to bring your car back down to speed and plan to turn gently at the exit on the left. It's not an autocross.

-The inside car (left lane at GLD) has the right of way for exiting. If for some reason he can't slow down or misjudges his speed, you don't want to be cutting across his path and get t-boned. If he is really far back and you feel you can safely and courteously exit, do so at your own peril.

-Don't race down the return road or in the pits. Be aware of pedestrians, kids, etc... Take it easy.

-Get your timeslip from the booth, and wait to read it until you are parked.

Read the following for more thorough tips:
http://www.musclecarclub.com/library...ips.shtml#what

 

Thanks for the reply and the tips. I'm hoping to only a get a few runs in. It's only $12, so I'm hoping it will be worth it.

Thanks again!

 

"-When the last yellow before green turns on, this is when you want to go. If you wait to see the green, you'll be slow... This will make more sense when you see your reaction times on the time slip."

it doesnt matter when you go, on street nites your time doesnt start until you cross the beam, you can sit there for a min and nothing will happen untill you leave. dont worry about cutting perfect lites

-brandon

 

Thanks for clarifying, Brandon. Those of us that have been to the track a number of times realize that reaction time isn't factored into your overall ET, and having a slow or quick RT won't affect your pass. But for a new guy that likely doesn't understand the process of how to gauge the lights to improve his reaction time, it's important to know what to do. And if he decided to do any bracket racing at future events, he'll need to work on it as well.

I find it more gratifying to actually race the car next to me by cutting a good R/T instead of essentially doing a solo pass down the track. It can also be fun to "beat" the faster car next to you to the line by having a better reaction time.

 

yeah def, i just wanted to let the new guys know that, and wasnt trying to come off as being an ********* so i hope you didnt take it that way.

happy motoring!!

did you get any passes in yet?
brandon

 

Acutally, my Camaro/Firebird club has Cordova rented on May 10th... You (along with any other members here) would be welcome to attend. That'll be my first event of the year. I enjoy the private rentals so much more...

http://www.mfba.org/showthread.php?t=53976

 

I got a whole 2 runs in. There was a lot of waiting, but still fun!

I bogged my first run because the lights took me by surprise, and I accidentally blipped the throttle and let the clutch out early and burned out through first my second run. By that time the track had gone to crap so oh well!

I'm more excited about autox anyways.

Thanks for all the help by the way.