drag racing question

[TurboDewd]

Hi guys

I'll be going down the quarter mile for the first time in a few weeks at WSID. Has everyone ever heard of or seen of anyone driving their usual car down a dragstrip (whether it be a 11, 12, 13, 14 or 15second quarter miler) and having a bingle?

I get the impression that the likelihood of a stock XR6T hitting the wall or other car to be ultra unlikely and would require an unusual thing like a tyre blowout.

Any comments anyone?

[Killbot]

I have never seen one with street cars, I have seen a quite a few break down half way down the quarter, pretty funny actually.

I did once see a car that ran 8 seconds hit a wall and then flip onto its roof and slide all the way down the track with sparks flying, awesome stuff.

[4runner]

It is very unlikely for a drag car of those ET's (11-15 secs) to get out of shape and crash. It is more likely with the amount of traction, especially at WSID, Willowbank etc for the vehicle to suffer from drive line breakages. I have seen some gearboxes, diffs and tailshafts destroyed. For peace of mind I would recommend a tail-shaft loop around the front of the tailshaft - stops a car from pitch-poling incase of a broken front uni-joint.

[ktford]

Old mate Sutty left the line at 2500rpm at Willowbank a couple of months back & went sideways for some time, but escaped unscathed.

It would be unlikely that you'd prang your machine unless you break an axle or shear wheel studs.

My only advice, watch the nut in the other lane & warm the tyres somewhat.

Scotty

[ducatijb]

Not much fun wheelspinning and being sent sideways at 140kph after some crappodore had left his cooling fluids all over the track...

The officials at wsid are pretty well onto any spillages but this one eluded them worse luck...drag racing(street meets) is very safe compared to most other motorsports and as already said you are more likely to break driveline components

[ExAreSix]

You'll have a much greater chance of having an accident driving out to the track, than while you're racing.

You better park the T in the garage and never drive it anywhere ever again!!

[Guest Big Mick]

If your cars going sideways, back off until you can straighten her up and then apply the power again. Never believe the car will right itself...

I know this is hard to do at high speed as it takes reflexes, but don't keep the power on if your out of shape. It may look good for your mates but it's the easiest way to put the car into the wall unless you really know what your doing.

Mick

[turb06]

You'll be right, the strips are so grippy, you will still get a bit of wheelspin though. Also pay attention to your tacho because your car seems so much different to drive because you cant hear the engine through the helmet the same as you can on the street.

Dazza.

[ktford]

you cant hear the engine through the helmet the same as you can on the street.

Especially when you got some HQ next door running straight out of the headers or worse a Chook Cooker

Scotty

[NighEve]

The advice so far is definitely what I have experienced (especially things you'd usually not worry about too much on the road like rpm and gear changes). Best to take it easy on the first run and get a "feel" for it - the whole deal with helmet noise block, staging and lights, launches, and getting used to where you are at the end of the track (ie what gear, speed, braking etc so you are comfortable). You shouldn't have any problems with stacking it - the LSD will get you a bit sideways and you can try and drive out of it or back off (the latter the best option for first few times until you get used to the power slide).

The comment about driveline breakages making the biggest problems is exactly accurate in my experience. My old corty, I had a massive skid in the skidpad, nice hot tyres and ready for a big launch at Willowbank. I didn't plan for the fact that the rail dragster that went before me had made things so sticky. My left axle broke after locking me sideways and very close to getting into trouble (minispool didn't help with that launch like I thought it would!). I doubt this would be a problem with the T unless you are pushing serious HP, wearing slicks, taking a massive RPM stall/dump launch, and the track is crazily sticky from a big meet etc.

Good luck with your first time out and let us all know how things turn out - I'm starting to get keen for a run myself (been nearly a year since out at the bank!)