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Hello all. I've been wanting to run my car at the track for a while and get a timeslip. I think I'm finally gonna go to a Test & Tune this Saturday at Gainesville Raceway.
I've been digging through a lot of the "first time at the track" posts and get the general gist of it, but since this is going to be my first time, I still have some questions:
1.) What is the general process? Pay first, tech inspection(if applicable), and then waiting in the staging lanes?
2.) How exactly does the tech inspection work? In other words, what are they supposed to be checking on your car? Does having a SES light on mean you can't run?
3.) How exactly does the tree and the staging lights work? When it's my turn to go, I creep up and wait for a first light to come on? Then creep up a little but more and wait for the second light? That means I'm in position and ready? And then when the other guy is also ready, we go on green light(although RT doesn't really count for a test & tune)? Once it gets to green, that means you can go anytime right? I've heard people say to go on the third yellow, but can you get a red light if you go too soon?
4.) Where exactly is the end of the 1/4? Is it indicated anywhere near the end of the track? I kinda want to know when to hit the brakes.
5.) OK, when I'm done, I turn off somewhere on the track & pick up the slip and from there I can go back in line or leave?
6.) If there's a long line, I should probably turn off the engine while waiting?
7.) Are there any other rules I should know about? I'm definitely putting my windows up while actually racing, but am I allowed to have them down while waiting? I don't want to use the AC and the car might be off while waiting anyways.
8.) Is there a certain dress code? Like long pants required? I know my car is gonna be much slower than 13.99 so I guess a helmet is not required, but definitely recommended?
9.) For a test & tune, do they wait for both guys to get ready, or do they just start the tree on the side of the that guy is already staged?
10.) Do you have to do a dial-in for a test & tune? If so, how's that done. You get a few runs or "guestimate" your fastest ET?
Whew! A long list of questions, I know. I figure the more I get right here, the more I can actually concentrate on throttle control at the race.
Now, some info about my car. It's a slow & heavy chevy with a 3.08 open diff automatic 3.8L V6 convertible(over 3600 lbs, and I weigh about 160 lbs). I'll probably run 16's my first few tries...I'll be very happy if I can break 15's before I leave. It's pretty much stock. All I have is a whisper lid, holley filter, strut tower brace, and dynomax muffler....in other words, nothing you can really feel in added horsepower. I'll probably remove the spare tire & jack and will probably have less than half a tank of gas in it by the time I get to the track. I plan to drive around the burnout box/water... I only have street tires and I'm hoping to save some life on them. As for launching the car...I really don't want to...isn't it hard on the tranny? I use this car as a daily driver and sort of want it to last for a while. I'll probably have left foot on brake and right foot resting on the accelerator getting ready go.
I think that's it for now...sorry for the long read, but I'd appreciate any suggestions for a newb like me. Thanks! :cool:
[ January 26, 2006, 01:11 AM: Message edited by: ArticRider ]
I've been digging through a lot of the "first time at the track" posts and get the general gist of it, but since this is going to be my first time, I still have some questions:
1.) What is the general process? Pay first, tech inspection(if applicable), and then waiting in the staging lanes?
2.) How exactly does the tech inspection work? In other words, what are they supposed to be checking on your car? Does having a SES light on mean you can't run?
3.) How exactly does the tree and the staging lights work? When it's my turn to go, I creep up and wait for a first light to come on? Then creep up a little but more and wait for the second light? That means I'm in position and ready? And then when the other guy is also ready, we go on green light(although RT doesn't really count for a test & tune)? Once it gets to green, that means you can go anytime right? I've heard people say to go on the third yellow, but can you get a red light if you go too soon?
4.) Where exactly is the end of the 1/4? Is it indicated anywhere near the end of the track? I kinda want to know when to hit the brakes.
5.) OK, when I'm done, I turn off somewhere on the track & pick up the slip and from there I can go back in line or leave?
6.) If there's a long line, I should probably turn off the engine while waiting?
7.) Are there any other rules I should know about? I'm definitely putting my windows up while actually racing, but am I allowed to have them down while waiting? I don't want to use the AC and the car might be off while waiting anyways.
8.) Is there a certain dress code? Like long pants required? I know my car is gonna be much slower than 13.99 so I guess a helmet is not required, but definitely recommended?
9.) For a test & tune, do they wait for both guys to get ready, or do they just start the tree on the side of the that guy is already staged?
10.) Do you have to do a dial-in for a test & tune? If so, how's that done. You get a few runs or "guestimate" your fastest ET?
Whew! A long list of questions, I know. I figure the more I get right here, the more I can actually concentrate on throttle control at the race.
Now, some info about my car. It's a slow & heavy chevy with a 3.08 open diff automatic 3.8L V6 convertible(over 3600 lbs, and I weigh about 160 lbs). I'll probably run 16's my first few tries...I'll be very happy if I can break 15's before I leave. It's pretty much stock. All I have is a whisper lid, holley filter, strut tower brace, and dynomax muffler....in other words, nothing you can really feel in added horsepower. I'll probably remove the spare tire & jack and will probably have less than half a tank of gas in it by the time I get to the track. I plan to drive around the burnout box/water... I only have street tires and I'm hoping to save some life on them. As for launching the car...I really don't want to...isn't it hard on the tranny? I use this car as a daily driver and sort of want it to last for a while. I'll probably have left foot on brake and right foot resting on the accelerator getting ready go.
I think that's it for now...sorry for the long read, but I'd appreciate any suggestions for a newb like me. Thanks! :cool:
[ January 26, 2006, 01:11 AM: Message edited by: ArticRider ]
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