Bracket racing this weekend, any tips?

['98 BlackBird]

I am heading to the track thgis weekend for my second time ever bracket racing.
Does anyone have any tips on how to adjust dial-in times? i will prob get about 3 test runs in between 3:30 and 6:00, then eliminations start around 7:00pm. How should I adj dial-in times for cool-down time, temp change, sun going down, etc...
Thanks

[MustangEater8251]

Awesome... I don't know much but do serioulsy look into later in at night, the weather really affects you, thats how I broke out the only time I ever bracket raced, I sahved .2 off my times and I stil brokeout. :( Jsut becasue fo temp change.

[2short]

take the average of your 3 or so test runs and dial in .2-.3 faster than that average.

So if your average is 12.47 dial in 12.17 or .27

If you are consistent this should be enough to keep you from breaking out. Even with the cooler weather.

['98 BlackBird]

Damn, I wish my avg was 12.47
I might be averaging about 15.7 to 15.8

[ReodDai]

so if u run a 15.4 15.9 and 16.0 u should dial in at 15.4 ?

[OneQuickV6]

Originally posted by ReodDai:
so if u run a 15.4 15.9 and 16.0 u should dial in at 15.4 ?

If you run that inconsistantly, you should just run and have fun. Keep practicing your technique, get a bit more consistant, and then go for brackets. That consistancy won't get you through the 1st round in most big races.

[WickEdSix9838]

take the average of your 3 or so test runs and dial in .2-.3 faster than that average.

So if your average is 12.47 dial in 12.17 or .27

If you are consistent this should be enough to keep you from breaking out. Even with the cooler weather.

dont follow this method, racing guys like him are the best int he world cuz you'll be on the brakes at the end cuz he'll be so far off dial

make your three runs and depending on the weather about .01-.05 quicker, you just have to race more and figure out how your car reacts to better and worse air so you know how to dial it....on your time trials do your best to figure out how to cut the best possible RT you can, when i bracket race thats how i normally win because i can cut good lights just my car isnt consistent...if you can tell you are gonna get to the finish line first by a long ways get on the brakes but make sure you ALWAYS get there first...dont train length a car through the finish line cuz that'll mean you probably broke out, just remember you only have to get there first by a wheel, or less....

['98 BlackBird]

Thanks WickEdSix9838. That is probably the best tip yet. I am leaving for the track in about 30min. Temp is 90 (yuck), no wind, with humidity at 54% and heat index is 97. not the best weather for racing but oh well.

Wish me luck everyone [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/burnout.gif[/img]

[ReodDai]

good luck man!

[White95]

no to hi jack or anything, what is the point behind bracket racing? Is the winner who ever can stay the most consistent? And what does broke out mean? Can you win money by doing this? Sorry for the questions I'm just stupid

['98 BlackBird]

The point behind bracet racing is to come the closest to your time without going faster. If you go faster than your dial-in time, you broke out and you lose.
Bracket racing is really fun because it does not matter how fast or slow your car is, it is how consistent you can run. Here are my times from last night: 15.866, 15.886, 15.847, 15.893, 15.838, 15.842, and 15.850. I was only .055 sec from my best and worst times.
For instance, if you dial in at 15.35 and the guy you are racing dials in at 12.82, you get a 2.53 sec head start. The first to the finish line wins. If you go faster than 15.35, you lose unless the other guy went faster than his time, then the winner is determined by who was closest to their time.
If you red light, you lose, if you both redlight, then it goes by time.
You can win money but it depends on the track you are at. At our track, you win money in Top ET, Modified ET, and junior dragster only. In Street and Strip you only win a trophy.
It is really fun. I am hooked now.

[White95]

Sweet it does sound like fun, I think I'm going to try it out after my rebuild.

[wishigotan8]

I quit racing this year cuz I think our cars are terrible bracket cars. My 60' changes almost .2 with out spinning. It runs terribly inconsitant. With that said though, it is alot of fun and I think everyone should try it. I am hooked to.
I would STRONGLY recomend against....
"take the average of your 3 or so test runs and dial in .2-.3 faster than that average.
So if your average is 12.47 dial in 12.17 or .27"
Unless you guys run at a very easy track thats even a quicker way to a terrible loss then falling asleep at the light. You cant be off .1 on your dial in much less .2 or .3 lol. shoot for runing with-in .050 of your dial in(assuming your running in a street class, much less in others.)

Heres some advice for winning on a regular basis... First your light...you need a .0something(.5something if your track doesnt minus the .5 out for you) roll slowly until your pre-stage lights. then take small(maybe 2 inch movements at most) "bumps" untill you stage. Launch from there when teh third yellow lights up. If you cut worse than a .100 and you dont think you slept on the light take a bump or two in after your stage light comes on. You have abotu 6 inchs to play wiht so experiment until you find your light. Make sure you bump consitantly! practice in your driveway or something.
As for dial-in..cooler and less humidity equals faster times. General rule: 15 second car: 1* of temp is .0049ET, .1 HG barometer .0154ET. Moral of story pay attention to humidty! As for Dial-in..DO NOT dial down .3 from your average unless you have something going on that night and you need to go home early lol. Dial what you think its going to run. Personly I would rather dial in slow than fast if I wasn't sure what is going to run. Remeber you can always slow down at will..you cant speed up. When your racing, if you are ahead of the guy by a reasonable amount hit the brakes! you only want to win by at MOST a car length in a good race. You should never have to slow down more than 15 MPH though and don't brake until about 15 feet from the finish line. If the guy is ahead of you keep it to the floor until he is ready to cross the finsih line then slam the brakes on. These seems really in depth but its really just a basic outline of bracket racing. Have fun and good luck.

[wishigotan8]

sorry i guess i kind of skipped over wickedsix response...I made alot un-necessary typing. Good save Wickedsix9838.