Faster R/T but slower 60'?

[mjparme]

I am just wondering how it can be that my reaction times got better through the night (first time at the strip last night!) but my 60' times didn't seem to get better?

For example, my first run:

R/T: 1.405 (very first time at the lights ever!)
60': 2.506
1/8: 10.374
MPH: 69.52

My Last run:

R/T: .470 (redlighted...at least it is better than the 1.4!)
60': 2.587
1/8: 10.646
MPH: 68.44

Second to last Run:

R/T: .675
60': 2.506
1/8: 10.526
MPH: 68.47

I had the same 60' time when I had a R/T of 1.4 as I did when I had an R/T of .675. I guess I am spinning at the line? I have an auto, 3.08, and an open diff so I didn't think spinning would be much of an issue for me.

I also noticed by car's performance degraded all night. Best run was 10.33@69.10 which was my third run. My first four runs ranged between 10.333-10.378. After that my time just kept going up.

I even let my car cool down for an hour between my next to last and last run and I could still only get a 10.6@68.44 on the last run (best being a 10.333@69.10). Shouldn't the car have been cooled down good enough after an hour?

The only mods I have are SLP CAI, K&N, Whisper Lid. I need 3.42's and LSD!

I really had a lot of fun last night. I was nervous at first but it was fun. The track had a real nice guy that explained how to stage to the people that had never done it. Which was good or I would have looked like an idiot out there my first time!

I mostly got beat all night but I did beat my friends 1973 Corvette Stingray (but it sure looks nice!), and a chevy cavalier. Got beat out by a Nissan Sentra Type R. The guy said he had headers and something else. I think with some more mods I can get him. He ran a 10.073@71.74 to my 10.333@69.10.

[ June 22, 2003: Message edited by: mjparme ]

[ June 22, 2003: Message edited by: mjparme ]</p>

[Slow-N-ugly]

R/T is not part of the timed 1/4.

Your reaction time is how long it took you to break the beams after the light went green.

Once you trip the beams you timed 1/4 starts.

From that time on is your E/T.

Reaction time will win you races, but it will not make your 1/4 time any faster.

Also, a red light is not better than a 1.40.

A red light is an automatic loser.

[ June 22, 2003: Message edited by: Slow-N-ugly ]</p>

[DEE97GTP]

ET and 60ft have nothing to do with R/T. You could sit there for 30 seconds, then go, and you would still run a good ET and have a descent 60ft.

R/T =how long it takes for you to break the start beam after the last yellow(or on some tracks, after the green) Some tracks a .000 is a perfect light, at others .500 is. On a pro tree, .400 is perfect.

ET= amount of time it take from when you break the start beam, to when you break the stop beam. It doesn't matter when you start. So you could have 2 runs. One with a reaction time of 10 seconds, the other with .550. You can theoretically run the same ET.

60ft=amount of time it takes from when you cross the start beam, to when you break the 60ft beam.

Hope this helps.
DEE

[ June 22, 2003: Message edited by: DEE97GTP ]</p>

[mjparme]

Ok, thanks for the responses. That really does explain it for me!

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> Also, a red light is not better than a 1.40.


A red light is an automatic loser.<hr></blockquote>

Yeah I realize this. However, I was just pointing out that I was at least trying to anticipate the light instead of just waiting for the green.

The light at this particular strip is a .500 light. Also, I didn't point out that this is an 1/8 mile track, although I am sure it was easy to figure out from the context of the post.

[Dominic]

If you want good times, dont bother taking off quickly for a good RT. Just attempt to drag race and get your best time.

2.5 60's suck btw... come on you can do better!! I'll bet its because its an 1/8 mile track... I've never found an 1/8th that hooks.

[ June 22, 2003: Message edited by: Dominic ]</p>

[mjparme]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> 2.5 60's suck btw... come on you can do better!! I'll bet its because its an 1/8 mile track... I've never found an 1/8th that hooks <hr></blockquote>

Well I have an automatic with 3.08's and an open diff. Not sure what else I can do except mash it and go. Although next time I will pay attention if I was spinning my tires or not. I was sort of nervous and just excited to be there I wasn't totally paying attention to what my car was doing. I will pay attention next time and if I am spinning I will try to feather the gas and see what kind of results I get.

Although the guys that build their own cars (the guys that start with a body and then buy an engine and associated parts from jegs and summit and then build it) are complaing that the dust from the dirt road that leads to the track is coating the track with dust and is ruining their 60' times. That could have something to do with it.

My experience last night almost has me convinced to bust out the credit card and buy the 3.42's and the LSD. I hate using it but you gotta have your toys! :)

[silvachris1]

Yeah man, your 60' times are lacking a little, but the 3.08s really aren't helping you. Like Dom said above, 1/8 mile tracks usually don't hook good for anybody, but here's how I do at mine. I've got an A4 with 3.42s and my worst 60 footer was a 2.328. My best was a 2.190. Both runs were on stock tires with about 2/32" left of tread. Good luck bringing down your ETs too. My best ETs were a 10.035 @ 69.67 mph and a 10.044 @ 70.12 mph. My car is pretty much stock: K&N Drop in Filter, Removed Air Bellows, removed MAF Screen, with the Y87 package. Good luck out there man, and have a great time, that's all that matters.