What's up everyone?
This Wednesday night, I'm hoping to make the drive to Lebanon Vlly. Speedway to run my car with a couple of friends, and never having been to the track before makes me a complete noob. I read the track preparation tips faq, but I need to know how to act. I read in Automobile Mag or something like that (when one of the editors went to the strip for his first time in the Benz Bi-turbo V12 - I forget the name) that they said that the "guy flagging/organizing the two approaching racers" (this is where I need to be schooled, what's the term for that guy???) can get aggrivated if the staging doesn't flow perfectly, so I want to avoid any trouble points on my first visit. Any help is appreciated.
Lou

 

Run w/ 1/4 tank, no spare, no tools etc (LIGHTweight), make sure car is running properly (i.e no CEL, ks is good etc) get all track info, (elevation) Abuse your car give it hell to get the best time.

 

Just pay attention to what the others are doing. when you get near the front of the staging lanes, they'll point an motion you to go, stop, let another guy by, whatever.. just pay attention to the guys that look like they're in charge. Even if you're a noob but try to do the right then and give them the respect they deserve, they'll be cool and help you through your first few runs.

 

Usually there will be a guy to wave you out of the staging lanes up to the waterbox (depends on track setup) and then another guy to set you up in the waterbox (you want to avoid the water at all costs unless you are on DRs or slicks) so try to go around it as best you can. That guy will tell you to hold there until the track is clear (or until the cars in front of you are far enough down the track, depends on their policy) and then he will make a circular motion with his hands to indicate you should start your burnout or start going up to the staging lights if you aren't doing a burnout. Finally there will be the guy controlling the staging lights. The staging beams are NOT up where the lights are, they are quite a ways behind them so the lights are way out in front of you. Often the guy who controls the tree will be standing very close to where the beams are. First time I'd let your opponent stage first that way you can tell exactly where they are then you roll up until both the prestage and stage lights are yellow at the top of the tree, tach it up, and wait for the tree to start dropping. Go on the last yellow and you are off to the races.

 

Thanks for the advice, I'm hoping for some good weather. Realistically, I probably won't make more than 2 runs, because I will have to leave at 8 b/c of the 2 hour drive back, but it will be so worth it. My car is running perfectly - ks is new, every aspect of maintenance is taken care of.

 

And also, you will find that everybody there will be happy to help you out. If you have any questions, just ask a fellow racer. 99% of the time, they are willing to help a new guy out.

 

Don't speed around the place. Don't sit there and rev your motor (don't know why some of the ricers do that). If your gonna pull stuff from your car and leave it in a spot do it where the street cars are at. Don't get in the middle of the trailored cars and such. Just watch for a bit before you get in line and it will be obvious.

 

Why do you say leave your stuff where the ricers are? Just curious.

 

I just give the big dogs with the 100ft mobile homes their space

 

Oh ok. Of course. Don't crowd them. They need room for their RV, trailor, car(s), generators, etc. I am scare to leave ANY of my stuff behind. It will get stolen. I had to leave my rims behind one night. They were locked up, but I felt much better once my brother got their with the truck, so i could lock them up there.

 

I'm paranoid too, but I just can't imagine a dumb@ss trying to steal 2 sawblades

 

Haha yeap! But when I have $550 in tires and $480 in wheels, you gotta be careful. Especially when there are all 4 of them sitting under a light with a tiny chain on it wrapped around a lightpole.

 

Buy your girlfirend a shotgun.

 

I have never had a problem leaving my rims, tools, jack, spare, etc under a tarp or even just out in the open. At first I was worried about it but have never had a problem.

 

Well you "live in Aurora, Illinois, which is a suberb of Chicago". haha I love quoting movies. In Vegas and SoCal, you stuff will get stolen. In FL, it might be different. In NC, I know it's alright. People are cool there.

 

I guess I'm okay then. It's Canada. NOBODY lives up here

Seriously though there can be LOTS of people at meets. Last year it was packed nearly every weekend. Like Mike said, you know the guy means business when has a closed trailer, generator and he sells his own t-shirts...

 

Actually I always park next to the trailered guys, they are all very friendly, don't mind you being next to them and your stuff is much safer than being with the ricer group. They will give you lots of good tips too.

My suggestion for a first timer is to get up close to the action and OBSERVE and ask questions. The track workers will be more than happy to answer questions now rather than have you waste time on the launch pad.

Please please take a tire gauge, do you know how annoying it gets lending it out all the time. I have an old spare now just for that purpose. I don't mind lending out a wrench (as long as its not a 10mm, you should take your own) because you can't take everything with you but try and be prepared for most adjustment/tightening jobs.

This year I am racing IHRA Mod class (20 races), mostly seasoned V8 guys running 10's and 11's. I just can't imagine me asking them for a tire gauge. Here is a pic from last sundays race, I have 35 of these guys to contend with in my class.

 

I do often hang out with the trailored guys. In Vegas, during all my racing, all my friends were those trailor guys. So I just parked next to them. But, in FL, a place I'm not too familar with, I just try to park next to a lightpole, so I have plenty of light to work on my car.