Well I got to the track sunday, first time this year. I got 5 runs in, all in the 14.4x's, all around 95mph. Each year I go once, and I improve a little every time. In my first TT, I got a reaction of 1.111, so for the second TT, I tried something different. I left on the 2nd yellow, and my light was 0.565. My next TT, 0.537. In eliminations, first round caught a 0.525 light, now I think I am doing something right. The last elimination, caught a 0.782 light, and lost the race.

Here is my question. Do reaction times affect your ET? I am thinking no, since all my runs were in the 14.4x's with reaction times varying from .525 to 1.111.

I think the reaction time affects how close you come to beating the other guy. If you are slow off the line you won't have a chance at winning the race.

Please correct me if I am wrong.

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Best ET 14.413 @95.57 without
pulling valve covers or manifolds.
Also with stock 2.77 rear end!!!

 

You are right, reaction times do not affect you ET. Butt, if he tree's you, you've given him a head start and that will usually cause you to lose. Anything in the .520 range is very good and you should win most races. I once cut a perfect light .500 and the other guy cut a .507. He won because I could not run my dial-in.

Good luck and keep on practicing.

Pete

 

In a bracket race a slow RT will usually lose the race since your opponent will cross the finish line before you. As long as he doesn't red light or break out it's a pretty safe bet he'll win. If you make a solo pass then RT has nothing to do with your ET. The green light can come down and you can sit there for 5 seconds before going. Your ET will be the same as when you launch on the last yellow. During test and tune days I launched when that last yellow came on and stalled the car without moving. Jambed it into neutral, started it, pulled it down 3 gears (TH350), and matted the throttle. Got a 8 second RT and still ran low 12's.

This is all on a .500 full tree. If you go on a .4 pro tree it's a different setup. All 3 yellow lights come on at once and .4 seconds later the green comes on. The ET timer starts when that green comes on with a pro tree.

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Stephen's racing page

87 IROC-Z Pro ET Bracket Race Car and knocking on the SuperPro ET class
383 stroker (carbed) with double hump cast iron heads and pump gas
LS6 Big Block buildup now in progress

Best results before the engine blew up
Best ET on a time slip: 11.857
Best corrected ET: 11.163
Best MPH on a time slip: 117.87
Best corrected MPH: 126.10
Best 60 foot: 1.662

Racing at 3500 feet elevation but most race days it's over 5000 feet density altitude!

Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

 

Thanks for your replies. I just needed some other fellas to confirm my theory. I have never been very good at getting off the line. But what I kind of figured out, is that I should launch when I see the 2nd yellow come on. I need to go to the track more often, but it is 1.5 hours away.

I have never run on a pro tree. At least I get good traction. 60 foot times are around 2.1 to 2.2, with stock tires (BFGoodrich comp T/A's with a few miles on them.)

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Best ET 14.413 @95.57 without
pulling valve covers or manifolds.
Also with stock 2.77 rear end!!!

 

I've been bracket racing for about 6 years and what works the best for me is to stall my car to about 3000-3200 rpm and leave as soon as the last yellow comes on,my times are usually .520-.530,depending on track conditions.