My first time at a drag strip

[misanthrope]

Route 66 Raceway was holding a test and tune event so I thought I'd check it out and see how it all works. I'm just getting into cars and have only had my ram srt-10 for about two months. I don't know much about my truck but I still do what an average person should ie. change oil, clean the filter, and listen for funny noises....

So in three weeks there will be another event and I'd like to see how I would fare, but I'm looking for some beginner tips and some answers to things I might have figured out on my own.

1.Don't go in the water box on my street tires correct?
2.You launch by resting your foot on the brake, but only take the rpm up to when I'm about to lose traction right? I've practiced launching but I've never really felt it "launch", it just feels like I would be better off just having my foot off of everything at the start.
3.There is a minor delay between when I put my foot down, and when It spools all the way up. So when the tree is counting down should I get a small head start on the green light?

I'm sure I've forgot something important, critique and laugh away please.

 

[spydertt]

I'm sure others will chime in. I always do a dry hop to clean off tires and lower tire pressure. Some people remove tailgate and spare for weight reduction.

 

[misanthrope]

I got a qc so I was already planning on removing the tailgate and the back seats when it comes time. LOL forgot about the spare and jack when I bought it sooo, dont gotta worry
about that.

 

[viperhauler]

i always go in the water box...

street tires, or DR's... but then again, i always do a burnout and have had the best times by doing this...

some will argue that burnouts on street tires is stupid, but i cut consistent 1.9's on streets with FULL air pressure... i could let some air out, but to me, that takes away from how i would run on the street, so i don't...

here's a vid of how i do what i do... this on DR's (please disregard me going through the lights and backing up... you aren't supposed to do that... oh... and the redlight... you aren't supposed to do that, either ) i always run the tires a rotation in 1st gear in the water box, then do my burnouts in 2nd gear (with streets or DR's)...

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jl8Wm_kV7bg&list=UUZcWE8-mEAPlPk1wQ0YIvfg&index=1&feature=plcp]2005 Dodge SRT-10 RAM 8.34 86mph Drag Strip Race 1 of 2 - YouTube[/ame]

don't run your front tires through the waterbox... all you'll be doing is laying water on your pass (since it's RWD)...

and no... i don't have a line lock... but i have all the parts, lol...

i have run my best times with the tailgate on, and the spare installed... both of those are BEHIND the axle...

i usually leave between 3500-4000 rpm's...

 

[misanthrope]

the cars there just drove through, only the motor cycles backed up into the water box. good to know, it makes sense.