Getting Started in Bracket RacingGetting Started in Bracket Racing|
One of the common questions that appear on the monte-list is how to get started in drag-racing or bracket racing. Most people wish to initiate
themselves in this particular sport because they are most familiar with its components, and want to know just how fast thier Monte is. Many who start out
going to the strip to determine thier cars potential, find that it is a lot of fun and that even the whole family can enjoy it.
Considering all the various forms of racing available today, drag racing is perhaps the easiest sport to enter. Several strips across the country have dedicated nights or even events for the novice catagories. For those tracks that don't have a dedicated amatuer day or night, they usually have classes that run with their traditional eliminators which are designed to give newcomers a chance to experience the thrills of the racing. Before heading out to the track, you can get aquainted with process in advance by doing a few simple things. First place to start is with your car. It doesn't have to be some megabuck tube-frame track-gunner to make the event enjoyable. All you need is a safe and dependable car. Most tracks simply require basic safety equipment including seat belts, good tires, and working brakes. If your car passes a the state safety inspection it will usually pass a track's safety requirements or tech inspection. To get the latest info on what you'll need, check with your local track. They will have rule books or handouts detailing the requirements for each of their classes. Be sure to give the track a call first. Once you are aware of what you'll need to get on the track, you'll need to aquaint yourself with the tracks layout. Find out where the tech area (the place where your car gets inspected) is located. Ask what are the procedures for entering the staging lanes? Which stripe is the finish line? It's a good idea to learn some of this by watching from the stands. A good practice is to go see the races a few weeks before you plan on heading out for your first time. Watch how the cars stage at the starting line. Watch how they perform a burnout, and which cars do or don't use this procedure. If possible you should walk through the pit area and see what people do to prepare their cars for a run. Learn as much as you can, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Every guy out there was a novice at one time and most friendly and willing to share their experiences. There are other ways to learn the about basics of drag-racing. Check out your local library, they usually have a section containing all sorts of books, magazines or videos. From various videos and books you'll learn how to improve your reaction times, measure performance, race against faster cars, and a ton of other valuable tips. The NHRA has a booklet designed for first time racers. It's an easy to follow and explains everything you'll encounter during your first night at the track. The booklet is titled the "Basics of Bracket Racing," and can be found at most NHRA tracks. Another side benefit of heading out to the track involves measuring performance. A run down the track is more than excitement - it is an fantastic measuring tool. Whenever you make any modification to your car always compare the results to your previous runs. You can guage your performance gains by a simply comparing your time slips. Time slips can also provide critical information about your driving abilities. If you change your reaction to the start-tree it will appear in your reaction time (RT). If you're experiencing excessive wheelspin you'll find variations in your 60ft. times. This will help you make adjustments accordingly so you get maximum performance from both you and your vehicle. As a reminder, drag-racing is meant to be enjoyed. If you have an bad day forget about it, evaluate your performance and determine how to improve next time. Everyone has a bad day, and you shouldn't keep from discouraging you from enjoying future excursions to the drag-strip. |