1/4 mile - advice

Serj

Serj

Serj

Soldato
Joined
18 Nov 2004
Posts
3,577
Location
Bournemouth
I should be taking part in my first 1/4 mile event at the end of April. Nothing serious, just a bit of fun. I figure it's probably the best sort of racing i can get into, wear and tear on the car should be minimal in comparison to track days and the like.

Has anyone got any general advice? Where should i be launching from (in terms of revs)?

Also, does anyone know how these events work? It's the open event at Henstridge Park, similar to the way Santa Pod's RWYB are run i imagine. Can you choose who you race against? Thanks in advance.
 
25psi in the driven tyres, warm them up a little before the launch line. Try launching at 2,500 - 2,750 rpm if it's FWD at first and see how you get on.

Arrive with 1/3 tank of fuel. Leave spare wheel and jack/tools at home, together with all other personal belongings you dont need.

Change gear a little short of the limiter - hitting the limiter wastes time.

Don't try to race anyone and remember - the timing will not start untill you move off and break the timing beam - so ignore the lights, chill out and go when you are ready.
 
I'd disagree - road tyres don't need warming up, especially on a sticky track. Just rags your gear box and puts a show on for the spectators. :p

Defo lower the tyre pressure and if you can live with it remove the rear seats etc - basicly anything that isn't bolted down, and a few bits that are! :D

Time can be saved by being less mechanically sympathetic, but remember you're already straining the gearbox by launching hard etc, you might end up walking home if you're too hard on her ;)
 
I'll be there with my DV cam to record you blowing your gearbox Serj ;)

Not sure if I'm going to run my car up the strip that night. I'll be doing some laps of Combe during the day because it's the Action Day on that date.

Caning my car round Combe by day, then thrashing it up the strip by night would just be cruel to her :(

As for advice, well in the scoob it was a case of 5k and dump the clutch. I don't think that'll work on your FWD though....... :o
 
[TW]Fox said:
I don't see the point wasting your tyres/clutch/etc doing a 1/4 when you have a slow car :(
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For fun? I'm sure i'll enjoy myself, but if i don't i'll be straight back here to let you know :)
 
you will love it. i can comaper the high to iligal drugs to that of lining up on at the strip it is honestly that good, just doesent last as long lol. dont worry about who your racing just look at your times and try beat the last one. i cant give much advice your own practise makes all the difference, i was much better times by the end of the day.
and i warmed the tyres up every run so i cant compare to not doing it, but i kept normal pressures, if iw as to do it again iw ould let them down to 25, or get a pump and go a little lower maybe.

have fun i cant wait to get back ont he strip:)

Dan
 
I want to make it to a RWYB day at Santa Pod this summer, me and one of my friend's from uni were going to go last summer and run my old Micra for a laugh :o

No idea what I could expect in the Civic for a 1/4. I reckon probably 15 seconds plus.
 
thebrasso said:
No idea what I could expect in the Civic for a 1/4. I reckon probably 15 seconds plus.
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i had 16.400 on the nova and i was beating a 1.6 non VTEC CRX there on the day, he was all stripped out too. so expect much highger times than that.
 
Serj - what car do you have?

I live very close to Henstridge Park, and i know a fair few places where launches are easily practised ;)
 
[TW]Fox said:
I don't see the point wasting your tyres/clutch/etc doing a 1/4 when you have a slow car :(
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your missing the point completely. Its not about the car its about going down the 1/4 mile and maybe trying to see if you can better previous times etc..get a better launch...or maybe toast your mate in also slow sort of car :D What car your running should really be at the bottom of the list and they great thing about having a slow car is that you really ont waste much of those tyres/clutch/etc

Its like not doing a track day because you have a fiesta instead of a elise.....its all about the driving and not much about the car...you can have as much fun in a slow car as you can in a tuned sports car.

thebrasso dont you have a 1.8VTI?..............you should be looking at about 15.5 and a terminal spead of around 96-98mph......the good ole 2nd gear kills it :mad:
 
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-westy- said:
Serj - what car do you have?

I live very close to Henstridge Park, and i know a fair few places where launches are easily practised ;)
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2 litre Hyundai Coupe. Standard is 137bhp, mine should be a bit more because of the CAI. Mid 8s for 0-60, not actually gone for a 0-60 run in mine yet though. Not fast by any means, but not slow imo :)
 
You have the hardest job with FWD. You need to practise launching so you can determin the best revs to start the launch without bringing on wheelspin, but equally you dont want to bog the engine down with too few revs

It's some times helps to slip the clutch slightly to keep the revs up but still get moving, then fully release to apply full power. Your clutch may not like you for it however! :)
 
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