This may be a stupid question but I'm kind of confused as to what would make a driver better or worse when dragging. Is there a special method to floor the gas and go?

 

That's NOT how you race..... Roll into the accelerator or spin tires to pattern baldness. If it's an auto, torque brake till the converter locks up and roll into it. If it's a stickshift, you can either drive or you can't...Learning how to launch without spinning while putting the right amount of power to the ground is one of the key factors to winning a race or "OUTDRIVING" someone.

 

well, no offense now...but with a car running 15.6 at 86mph, there really isn't any way for the driver to be far superior to another driver unless you have REALLY REALLY dry rotted tires and a peg leg. Just put it in drive and floor the beatch, make sure its shifting at the right points.

 

Very true....however when you got 400+HP it can get real tough to do it well....

 

For the slower cars a better driver doesn't mean much once the car is actually moving. The better driver part comes in when you're bracket racing since you need to understand your car. You need to get a good reaction time and be able to know how fast the car will run without breaking out. There's no skill in just mashing the gas to the floor and driving to the end of the 1/4 mile. If you're in a competition you need to be aware of where your opponent is by the time you get to the end. You need to cross the finish line first but without going faster than you dialed in at. That's where the skill is involved.

 

There's lots of driver skill that affects a drag race:
-Reaction time, plain and simple, you will win or lose at the tree
-Ability to keep it straight and in the groove
-Ability to control tire spin

But most of all, reaction time really is the key to winning a race.

 

Thanx for the replies it helps to clear things up. I have the reaction thing covered, and keeping it straight is never a problem (yet(, but how to get the tire to not spin. It just spins a little but that little bit could be a tenth or so.

 

Autos are really easy to be a great driver... with traction just floor it...

With a stick good and bad drivers are EASY to spot. If you dont launch hard and power shift, there are tons of improvements to be made!

No remorse, drive the car!