A: Tool kit, jack, gas can, tire pressure gauge, snell85 or newer helmet for 13.99 or faster or any racer going to New Jersey, long pants, etc...

Q: What do they look for in Tech Inspection?

A: For street cars running 12.00 or slower they look for factory SFI approved seat belts, coolant overflow tank, battery tie down strap, crack free windshield,  and acceptable tread on street tires.

Q: Can I have a passenger in the car when I race? 

A: This varies from state to state but I believe it's 14.0 and slower in New York at LVD  Of course that just makes you heavier, hence slower.

Q: How do I stage my car?

A: When the lane attendant instructs you to stage by waving you up, you do your burnout if applicable and then proceed to roll forward to the pre-stage position. This is when the top set of small yellow bulbs light. At this point you creep forward to light the second set of small bulbs and wait for your opponent to do the same. Once you both are pre-staged, you both creep forward just until the second set of bulbs turns on. At this point you are staged and the lights will drop in approximately 3 seconds on sportsman tree.

Q: What if I roll past the second set of staging lights. 

A: It is best to roll back a full 3 or 4 feet and re-stage. The point of this is to load your driveline in the forward position.  Not loading the gears in the reverse position if you were to just back up to the staging mark. This will help minimize breakage. Additionally do NOT take the car out of gear once staged. Just put the clutch in and wait to go.

Q:  Should I roll through the water box or no?  

A: It is my opinion that anyone with a street tire or DOT legal Drag Radial with treads should avoid the water box. A dry burnout will be more sufficient. Reason being is that you may not spin all the water out of the treads and when you move up to the staged position the water can leak onto the track and you'll lose traction.

Q: If I do use the water box should I roll through or back in?

A: Rear wheel drive cars should go around and back into the box such that they do not get the treaded front tires wet.  Front wheel drives can drive through because the wet rear tires do not lead the fronts.  Duhh! All wheel drive cars should avoid the water box like the plague.

Q: How do the lights come down and what's the difference between sportsman and pro tree?

A: There are two tree types. Most bracket racing and test and tune sessions use sportsman tree. With this method the lights come down, yellow, yellow, yellow, green, each after the other. A perfect reaction time is a .500 with this type of tree. With a pro tree, all the yellows come on at once, then green.  This is a much faster reaction time and the a perfect reaction time is .400

Q: How do I get the best reaction time?

A: On a sportsman tree when you see the third yellow go. By the time you react it'll be green. On a pro tree when you see any yellow go since they all come on at once.

Q: When is the race over?

A: You'll see a line at the finish with colored blocks atop the Jersey barrier.  Be aware where the quarter mile ends. It may not end at the score board.

Q: Where do I turn off?

A: Most tracks have two turn offs. If you can make the 1st turn it is preferable and since you're probably not running a top fuel funny car you shouldn't have a problem. There will be an attendant waving you off or asking you to hold up. Generally the lane closest to the turnoff has the right of way.

Q: What do I do if  I have a problem on the track.

A: If you have any sort of problem back out, pull to the side of the track, and shut the car down once it is safe to do so. Oil and coolant on the track is not a good thing. Do not exit your vehicle unless instructed by an attendant or if  it's on fire. 

Q: Does reaction time effect my time? 

A: No, reaction time is purely a response time. The clock does not start until you break the staging beam.

Q: What is deep staging?

A: Deep staging is when you continue to roll forward a small amount once you see the staging lights come on such that you are about to overstage. It gives you a faster reaction on breaking the beam and puts you that much closer to the 60 foot mark.

Q: What else can improve my 60 foot time besides a good burnout and good staging? 

A: Watch your tire pressure because it will increase a few psi. after a good run. Checking it between runs would be a good idea.

Q: Well you seem to be quite the self proclaimed authority. Do you have any general thoughts that I should consider?

A: You will probably be very nervous your first few runs. Try to breath deeply and slowly and make sure you note where the Porto potties are. It seem like you always have to go at the most inopportune times.  But really though, just be aware of your surroundings and pay close attention to the experts. Watch them stage, watch them use lane courtesy, note when someone breaks or has a problem how they handle the situation. Making mental notes is the best teacher.

Q. That stuff wasn't technical enough for me. Bring the pain.

A: This was submitted by Al98T 

The equation which relates crank horsepower to speed at the end of the 1/4 mile.
hp = (ts/234)^3 * w, where w = the weight of the car with you in it, and ts = trapspeed in 1/4 mile.