I don't want to look like a dummy at the track...

AndyR83 · 08-20-2012, 12:21 AM

So, I'm planning my first trip to the track to run a 1/4 in my 335. In fact, this is my first time going to any track, in any car, ever. My car is (about to become) an FBO E92 335i with 6AT.

Like I said in the thread title, I don't want to look like a moron at the track, but I've never done this before. Do I just kinda.... wait for the light to turn green and mash the gas pedal? It's an automatic after all. If there are any obvious first timer mistakes, I'd like to avoid them if possible. I'm not sure how many runs they'll let me do and I'd like to get a semi-accurate idea of the car's performance potential.

If there's some big "tracking for noobs" post please feel free to yell at me and post it. I looked around but I didn't see one.

TSM330i · 08-20-2012, 11:48 AM

First off - Good-luck! You're going to love it. Hopefully you'll move to roadcoarses eventually, but drag racing is a ton of fun too.

If you're not running slicks - drive AROUND the water box. Do not get your tires wet because you'll lose traction even if you do a burnout.

Second, for the tree - do NOT wait till you see the green to go. The person in the other lane with be about 5 car lengths down the track by the time you react. Watch the yellows and go on the last yellow. By the time you react and the car moves, the light will be green. If you redlight once or twice, no big deal, this isn't professional and you're not losing any money.

As for launching the car - hopefully someone else can chime in. I'm not sure if doing a dry burnout and brake standing your cars is an advantage or not. I'm sure you still have an open differential, so one tire is only getting traction. I'm sure you'll at least want to turn off your traction control.

Have fun and be safe!

Slops · 08-20-2012, 08:40 PM

It's a lot of fun! Check a couple of my vids up here somewhere in a thread I made named Cecil county drag way.

Def. go on the second yellow, they go so fast that it won't matter if you hit it.

Brake boost! Hold your left foot on the brake and hit the gas as soon as the lights start. Let go of the brake on the second yellow. Rpms around 2.5k

Make sure your traction control is all the way off! Turn your AC off! You may also need a helmet.

Have fun! The best time I found was wednesdays and Saturdays as most time the track is empty. Friday nights are prolly the worst.

Have fun!

afb683 · 09-19-2012, 02:58 PM

I would highly recommend watching some drag staging videos. You can find them all over the net. You'll get a feel for the timing of everything. It all goes really fast but the more you do it the better you get! Good Luck!

qhb · 09-20-2012, 12:45 PM

Bring a good tire pressure gauge and pump with you. It's important to adjust the tire pressure.

08-20-2012, 12:21 AM	#1
AndyR83 Major 60 Rep 1,024 Posts Drives: E92 335i FBO Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: PA iTrader: (5)	I don't want to look like a dummy at the track... So, I'm planning my first trip to the track to run a 1/4 in my 335. In fact, this is my first time going to any track, in any car, ever. My car is (about to become) an FBO E92 335i with 6AT. Like I said in the thread title, I don't want to look like a moron at the track, but I've never done this before. Do I just kinda.... wait for the light to turn green and mash the gas pedal? It's an automatic after all. If there are any obvious first timer mistakes, I'd like to avoid them if possible. I'm not sure how many runs they'll let me do and I'd like to get a semi-accurate idea of the car's performance potential. If there's some big "tracking for noobs" post please feel free to yell at me and post it. I looked around but I didn't see one. __________________ Do NOT do business with IAN HAAN, aka n54bewst, aka 747tuned aka H17M3, a scammer who STILL has an account here on e90post!
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08-20-2012, 11:48 AM	#2
TSM330i 2006 330i, TSM, Black, manual, sport 878 Rep 3,699 Posts Drives: '17 C2, GTI, Z4 3.0si Racecar Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chester Springs, PA iTrader: (2)	First off - Good-luck! You're going to love it. Hopefully you'll move to roadcoarses eventually, but drag racing is a ton of fun too. If you're not running slicks - drive AROUND the water box. Do not get your tires wet because you'll lose traction even if you do a burnout. Second, for the tree - do NOT wait till you see the green to go. The person in the other lane with be about 5 car lengths down the track by the time you react. Watch the yellows and go on the last yellow. By the time you react and the car moves, the light will be green. If you redlight once or twice, no big deal, this isn't professional and you're not losing any money. As for launching the car - hopefully someone else can chime in. I'm not sure if doing a dry burnout and brake standing your cars is an advantage or not. I'm sure you still have an open differential, so one tire is only getting traction. I'm sure you'll at least want to turn off your traction control. Have fun and be safe! __________________ 2017 Porsche C2 - manual of course 2015 GTI S 2008 BMW Z4 3.0si Coupe - because racecar
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08-20-2012, 08:40 PM	#3
Slops Major General 188 Rep 5,417 Posts Drives: 2005 C55 AMG Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Oxford iTrader: (2)	It's a lot of fun! Check a couple of my vids up here somewhere in a thread I made named Cecil county drag way. Def. go on the second yellow, they go so fast that it won't matter if you hit it. Brake boost! Hold your left foot on the brake and hit the gas as soon as the lights start. Let go of the brake on the second yellow. Rpms around 2.5k Make sure your traction control is all the way off! Turn your AC off! You may also need a helmet. Have fun! The best time I found was wednesdays and Saturdays as most time the track is empty. Friday nights are prolly the worst. Have fun!
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09-19-2012, 02:58 PM	#4
afb683 New Member 0 Rep 6 Posts Drives: 2008 BMW 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Seattle WA iTrader: (0)	I would highly recommend watching some drag staging videos. You can find them all over the net. You'll get a feel for the timing of everything. It all goes really fast but the more you do it the better you get! Good Luck!
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09-20-2012, 12:45 PM	#5
qhb New Member 0 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 2009 328i - 2005 CLK500 Join Date: May 2012 Location: United States iTrader: (0)	Bring a good tire pressure gauge and pump with you. It's important to adjust the tire pressure.
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