Is it to soon to go to the track?

[synacism]

I have a 2003 dodge Dakota R/T. I just have basic modifications (aem cold air, Gibson headers and a cat back, and programmer). I want to take it up to Cecil county drag way on the 15th. It is going to be my first time, and I am just getting into automotives. What should I expect, and am I wasting my time? I just figured this would be a good starting block to measure what results modifications produced.

[ADakotaRTGuy]

People are going to tell you the programmer is no good for these trucks, it is never too early. Especially with the temps being so long right now it is a great time, but expect to lose time as it warms up.

[synacism]

let me know if your ever going to Cecil?

[ADakotaRTGuy]

let me know if your ever going to Cecil?

Not a problem. Are you in the Army?

[synacism]

Corrections. Delaware county prison

[ADakotaRTGuy]

Corrections. Delaware county prison

Cool.

[synacism]

290
Pic of the team

[bad360rt]

It's never too soon to go to the track! :biggthumpup:

Always good to get a baseline before you start doing serious mods. Couple of tips for you:

-Air your rears down to 22psi, fronts up to 40psi
-Drive around the waterbox, you don't want water on street tires
-Do a very short burnout in 2nd gear, just spin 'em over a few times to clean 'em off
-Launch when you see the third amber light up, by the time your foot reacts the light will be green. But don't worry too much about cutting a good light, focuse mainly on how the truck launches and get a feel for the track.
-You'll probably need to do a quick roll into the throttle, you'll find that just stomping on it is probably just going to spin the tires. With practice it's possible to cut 1.9 short times on stock tires, especially at Cecil where the prep is usually pretty good.

It's usually a good idea to park your truck in the pits and walk over and watch some of the cars go, that way you can get a feel for how things work and you can see where the water is that you'll need to drive around. Also pay attention as cars are pulling up to the line, you'll see that they pull up very slowly, look for the box on the ground, that's the timing light. Then you'll see the staging bulbs at the top of the tree light up, you want to pull up slowly until the first set lights up, you're now prestaged. Then check the other side of the tree to see if the guy in the other lane has prestaged yet, this is called courtesy staging, you should always wait for the other lane to prestage before you fully stage. Let the truck barely inch forward until the second set of staging lights comes on, you're now fully staged, get ready. As soon as both cars are fully staged, the tree will start. There's a .5 sec delay between lights, watch the third amber, when it lights up, go. That's generally a good way to cut a decent light.

Hopefully some of the other guys can meet up with you and help you out. Post up a thread in the Div 1 section and see if anyone else wants to go. If they can't, don't be afraid to ask questions, most guys at the track are pretty cool and will help out a new guy. :biggthumpup:

Most important thing, have fun! :woot:

[synacism]

I just want to thank everyone for the advice. I needed it. I've got one guy going with me (he's bringing a 2008 honda SI). but i'll put up that post. thanks again

[grapejuice1998]

I have a 2003 dodge Dakota R/T. I just have basic modifications (aem cold air, Gibson headers and a cat back, and programmer). I want to take it up to Cecil county drag way on the 15th. It is going to be my first time, and I am just getting into automotives. What should I expect, and am I wasting my time? I just figured this would be a good starting block to measure what results modifications produced.

You're never wasting your time if you're gonna go racing!

[slvr03dakrt]

I try to race at least 1-2 times a month sometimes more. As far as what your truck is going to run it should be around a 15.0-15.4 with a good launch. Once you run down the track you will be hooked and you will always wanna go faster so get ready to spend some $$$.

[bad360rt]

No problem, let us know how it goes, and of course if you have any other questions. Good luck! :biggthumpup:

[Five9Dak]

We hope to see you at the spring cecil meet in early may!

[Pete102580]

the way i was taught to cut a light was simple... just say the lights outloud as they appear:

yellow

yellow

yel GAS low

as soon as you say the first L of the last yellow--- mash it and you'll be just fine.

cutting a good light feels like youre leaving early. i have yet to get a perfect tree, but i do have a small handfulls of .502's
pete

[uwntsumrtII]

:drive: = :woot: which leads to :worky: to make you more :biggthumpup:

[RTgrouchman]

:drive: = :woot: which leads to :worky: to make you more :biggthumpup:

You ain't shitting!!! :jester:

[chiller2484]

:drive:=:rockwoot: which leads to :worky: to make you more :biggthumpup: but then you will be :puke: :boohoo:
when your :angrywife: finds out how much :bling: you had to sell to buy:mods: which will make you :jerkit: for a while.

:jester:

[BTLFED R/T]

:drive:=:rockwoot: which leads to :worky: to make you more :biggthumpup: but then you will be :puke: :boohoo:
when your :angrywife: finds out how much :bling: you had to sell to buy:mods: which will make you :jerkit: for a while.

:jester:

Naw, most of us MAN UP and we don't take that shit from them bitches! :rtfm: :nana:

(hope she ain't reading this)

[bad360rt]

Naw, most of us MAN UP and we don't take that shit from them bitches! :rtfm: :nana:

(hope she ain't reading this)

Quoted, just in case you go back and edit your post :nana:

[BTLFED R/T]

Quoted, just in case you go back and edit your post :nana:

Don't worry, the KING's posts can be editted too! :jester:

Cool thing is, she'd laugh about it! :biggthumpup:

[bad360rt]

Don't worry, the KING's posts can be editted too! :jester:

Cool thing is, she'd laugh about it! :biggthumpup:

I've killed people for less, don't fuck with the king :jester:

Yeah she would and then she'd smack you upside the head :nana:

[BTLFED R/T]

I've killed people for less, don't fuck with the king :jester:

Yeah she would and then she'd smack you upside the head :nana:

Troof! :laughing:

[synacism]

Well i went and tried. It was early so they only had 8th miles. I ran three times. My best was a 9.564. I know thats shitty, but it was my first time. I was on street tires, and the only mods i had were cold air, headers, cat back ,and a programmer. I am going to back next weekend later in the day and try a couple 1/4 miles. I think i need new tires first.

[BluRT00]

I think i need new tires first.

Welcome to owning a R/T, that is one line every R/T owner has said plenty of times. I think I need new tires, I think I need caltracs. Aww hell motor needs more mods. Wallet empty= R/T=priceless:

[bad360rt]

Well i went and tried. It was early so they only had 8th miles. I ran three times. My best was a 9.564. I know thats shitty, but it was my first time. I was on street tires, and the only mods i had were cold air, headers, cat back ,and a programmer. I am going to back next weekend later in the day and try a couple 1/4 miles. I think i need new tires first.

I think I posted in the other thread too, but that's about 15 flat, not bad for a CC. What was your 60' and mph? Probably easy 14's with sticky tires. :biggthumpup:

[synacism]

R/T .308 (What is that reaction time?)
60' 2.240
330 6.226
1/8 9.564
MPH 75.13

And now i'm addicted. I already went to the speed shop and priced tires and nos

[BTLFED R/T]

R/T .308 (What is that reaction time?)
60' 2.240
330 6.226
1/8 9.564
MPH 75.13

And now i'm addicted. I already went to the speed shop and priced tires and nos

Reaction time: the time it takes the vehicle to trip the start beams after the light goes green. It really only matters when you're bracket racing.

You could definitely use some sticky tires, check M&H's drag radials out. They hook as well as slicks, and they give the club a discount! :biggthumpup:

[ADakotaRTGuy]

R/T .308 (What is that reaction time?)
60' 2.240
330 6.226
1/8 9.564
MPH 75.13

And now i'm addicted. I already went to the speed shop and priced tires and nos

Hey I am going to head out there friday see if I can't get a new best myself.

[1hotkadota]

Is .015 a good reaction time? That is my best so far but I don't know what to compare it to.

[BTLFED R/T]

That's really good. But reaction time is only good for bracket racing.

[1hotkadota]

Damnit! Well I just kicked my ass off the line there.:jester:

Thanks btlefed!:biggthumpup:

[BTLFED R/T]

Damnit! Well I just kicked my ass off the line there.:jester:

Thanks btlefed!:biggthumpup:

It's still good to try and keep them low though, in case you decide to do some bracket racing. :biggthumpup: