How to WIN a race - roll or dig!

[Deuuuce]

Okay guys, no more losing from a roll. I've been reading some kill stories (on the track right?) where the SRT-8s are losing and I think I know why.
This is coming from Challenger owners who are pretty new to their cars.

Some tips:
1. Hold your gear - do not wait for the tranny to make a sluggish downshift.

2. Know your gearing - related to #1. 70mph in 3rd is a dead spot. 2nd has one at about 35-40mph.

3. ESP partially off is fine, especially if something goes wrong (traction). Fully off isn't really needed. Fully On will slow you down.

4. Do NOT shift yourself. Let the tranny do it.

At the track I've picked up a few things about our cars:

1. Weight transfer to the rear is essential - I race with 1/3 to 1/2 tank of gas.

2. Do an initial throttle tip-in, feel the rear squat a bit (see #3), and go WOT as you roll forward. I cut some consistent 1.9 60fts this way.

3. For the stiffer suspension Charger, I found 35-36psi OR MORE is better for the F1s. Makes for a larger contact patch rather than sitting on the sidewalls due to under-inflation.

4. Keep your engine temps BELOW 190 degrees. Push your car, blow the heat on high fan speed, whatever it takes.

5. I have a suspicion the 2-3 diagnostic shift after start-up still exists. IF you can, go OVER 20mph and let the car shift from 2-3 BEFORE staging at the lights. This can kill your trap speed by 3mph.

6. Try pulling fuse #11 and then put it back in. This supposedly makes for crisper response, more power.

7. Clean off your tires - smoke'em, but don't sit there. Too hot and they will be slippery. You just want to see some smoke in your rear view mirror.

8. Per #2 & #3, weight reduction isn't that significant and can be detrimental. However, icing the manifold and folding your sideview mirrors can make the difference between a 13.000 and a 12.999......

Finally - get the Diablo tuner!

Good luck, have fun, win some!

[FI R/T]

Some good info for the auto cars. I'm glad I drive manual cars; I wouldn't want to have to worry about all that when racing (tranny shifting points etc)!

-Chris

[Maverick9110E]

yea definitley, but some great advice! Don't forget to load up the torque converter a little bit.

[Deuuuce]

Originally Posted by FI R/T

Some good info for the auto cars. I'm glad I drive manual cars; I wouldn't want to have to worry about all that when racing (tranny shifting points etc)!

-Chris

That is precisely what you have to worry about with a manual tranny considering currently all 6.1s are automatics.....

[FI R/T]

Originally Posted by Deuuuce

That is precisely what you have to worry about with a manual tranny considering currently all 6.1s are automatics.....

maybe for the watered-down Charger, but not the challenger! 09 srt-8's have a 6-speed and the R/T has a 6-speed

-Chris

[Deuuuce]

Originally Posted by FI R/T

maybe for the watered-down Charger, but not the challenger! 09 srt-8's have a 6-speed and the R/T has a 6-speed

-Chris

Notice I typed "currently" and that's a moot point because shift points STILL APPLY.

[Fast Willy]

Originally Posted by Deuuuce

8. Per #2 & #3, weight reduction isn't that significant and can be detrimental. However, icing the manifold and folding your sideview mirrors can make the difference between a 13.000 and a 12.999......

HAHAHAHAHA

[Deuuuce]

Originally Posted by Fast Willy

HAHAHAHAHA

What's so funny?

While 100lbs of weight reduction MIGHT get you one-tenth, that isn't a realistic amount for the daily driver. Removing the seats, speakers, etc. is a PITA. Heat soak will kill the trap speed by around 3mph as well.

Running on 2 gallons of gas and an empty trunk doesn't get enough weight transfer to the rear for a good bite (on street tires) and makes 1.9 60fts nearly unobtainable, IMO, in my experience, at the track I go to.

[Fast Willy]

I was laughing at the mirror comment on these cars they don't get up to that much speed where its going to make a difference that is all. On a car trapping say 125 or 130 ya it might make a difference.

[Deuuuce]

Originally Posted by Fast Willy

I was laughing at the mirror comment on these cars they don't get up to that much speed where its going to make a difference that is all. On a car trapping say 125 or 130 ya it might make a difference.

You never know, right? I guess the SRT Engineers could tell us but if it means saving .001 with absolutely minimal effort (vs. taping the seams), I'll take it!

My first run ever with the Predator tuner, canned tune, was a 12.996 @ 106.93mph. I was laughing after about how that was my first 12sec timeslip by .004!

[Fast Willy]

hahaha well congrats on the run and I hope you realize I wasn't trying to upset you in any way lol.