[TX18ZL1]

Ok- I’m humbly asking no one to laugh me out of here… but how do you get started in drag racing?? I’m an enthusiast but didn’t grow up around this and my second strike on occasion is being a woman! I regularly harass people in traffic for fun but I want to really race it - in the setting it should be done in. 😁😁🏁

[RobZL1]

Most drag strips have a "test 'n tune" night where you can show up and run until they close for $25 or so. I have found that most folks at the strip are great people and will teach you the ropes if you tell them this is your first time. There's lots of little stuff to learn about queueing in the correct lanes, running with the correct tire group, how to get to the burnout box, when to burnout, how to stage, etiquette, etc. All simple stuff but like anything, you just have to learn and practice it.

I'd say find a strip close to you, see what their open sessions look like, get a helmet (required), get a buddy to go with, and be okay with saying, "I'm new, what do I do?"

OR- if you can find a group of folks that are renting a track for a day, it will be a little more relaxed, but more costly.

It's a lot of fun! You'll get hooked.

[TX18ZL1]

Awesome thank you so much, I’ll start looking into the helmet and I guess just show up :-)

[graf101]

What part of Texas are you from? It helps knowing people locally who are into drag racing and frequent the strip.

[manders500]

Don't be scared! Drag racing mostly a family. Find a track and don't be afraid to ask questions and search these pages. I came from a carbbed foxbody stickshift and had no idea how to launch my A10 ZL1. Plenty of experience in this forum and I took those lessons and applied them to the track. Someone came up to me at the track and asked how to run his and we got him from a 12.2 to an 11.5.

[joekd]

With you having a ZL1 you will definitely need a helmet and depending on the track may need a race/fire jacket as well (due to power adder)

I have been doing test and tune nights forever, great time and only $20 but there is usually a LOT of standing around and waiting

[Revalot]

Should be able to find a track in your area, google local dragstrip, and have a blast, I drag race bikes occasionally, but I love road racing, I will get to COTA in Austin one day, just don't want to now with having 3 years of payments left on mine,. I'm I'm East Texas.

[WillyZ83]

There are some tracks around Texas. One in Ennis and Baytown that I know of for sure, get out there and it's cheap fun and for 20 bucks you'll have a great time

[USAFS197]

Patience and understanding the track rules/culture is a solid first step. Attend a test and tune night to get a feel for what happens at your local track (assuming you have a local track). See how they prep, how they send cars, how they like you to use the water box, etc., etc.

When your time comes, don't try to have your very first pass ever be a hero run. I'd suggest patiently waiting until the second yellow light comes on and then rolling onto the throttle to see how the car does--don't just stab the throttle. Then get progressively more aggressive from there until you either reach your comfort zone or the threshold of the car. On your next outing, you'll come there with more experience and a sense of what to expect. Keep pushing that car and your comfort level until you can no longer make progress on that setup or no longer want to push the car any harder.

[ZO6Ted]

Denton, East of Dallas and Grand Prairie also but you need to bring someone to GP probably. Ennis is nice but sure miss Kennedale. Basically lived there in the 90's. Don't worry you'll learn quickly.

[TX18ZL1]

Originally Posted by graf101

What part of Texas are you from? It helps knowing people locally who are into drag racing and frequent the strip.

I’m just north of Austin- you??

[TX18ZL1]

Originally Posted by manders500

Don't be scared! Drag racing mostly a family. Find a track and don't be afraid to ask questions and search these pages. I came from a carbbed foxbody stickshift and had no idea how to launch my A10 ZL1. Plenty of experience in this forum and I took those lessons and applied them to the track. Someone came up to me at the track and asked how to run his and we got him from a 12.2 to an 11.5.

Very cool- thank you for the tips!

[TX18ZL1]

Originally Posted by USAFS197

Patience and understanding the track rules/culture is a solid first step. Attend a test and tune night to get a feel for what happens at your local track (assuming you have a local track). See how they prep, how they send cars, how they like you to use the water box, etc., etc.

When your time comes, don't try to have your very first pass ever be a hero run. I'd suggest patiently waiting until the second yellow light comes on and then rolling onto the throttle to see how the car does--don't just stab the throttle. Then get progressively more aggressive from there until you either reach your comfort zone or the threshold of the car. On your next outing, you'll come there with more experience and a sense of what to expect. Keep pushing that car and your comfort level until you can no longer make progress on that setup or no longer want to push the car any harder.

Thank you so much for all the info!

[TX18ZL1]

Well- on to my next question then- recommendations on tires for the track, so you swap them out at home, my car is a daily driver and I’m
Envisioning how to get me, my car, and another set of tires there ����