Front tire pressure vs Reaction time

[Rick Angles]

With my Starfire stocker project on hold for now ( blame the economy ), I have been running my daily driver for some track experience. Always learn something about different staging techniques, leaving at different times off the tree and judging the finish line. I know the 2 cars will drive differently, but I figure all the practice couldn't hurt. I have a problem that I haven't figured out yet, so hope you don't mind my question.

The car is a ( don't laugh or throw anything ) a 93 Civic with automatic, totally stock. ET's run about 18.2-18.4 during time trails ( temp about 70-80 deg ). I have driven it enough to know when 1st round rolls around ( about 8-9 PM, temp 60-75 deg ) it will run about 18.0-18.1. Reaction times will range from .050 - .150 during time trails. When 1st round comes around with the cooler temps, I know the engine may be running better and the starting line is stickier because I here the tires as I roll forward. Anyway, I have lost the last 3 weeks out, 1st round, by turning on the big red one. -011, -041, and -009. I have gotten into a rhythm of driving 2 footed, with my right foot resting on the accel and gently taking out the cable slack. I leave when the last yellow comes on ( slow reacting car ). I hate to now go and change my place on the tree and can't leave 1 footed, as I will have to raise my foot off the brake to move to the accel. I run 36 lbs in the tires ( for gas mileage )and wondered if I lowered the front when I race to 30 ( as a starting point ), will this raise my reaction time back up? This would increase the rolling distance, correct?

Thanks for any suggestions

Rick

[Billy Baker]

Rick, lowering the front tire pressure will increase rollout some. Typically your reactions are going to be faster when it gets dark, because you see the light better. I would not change your spot on the tree if you are comfortable. Instead you could try lowering front tire pressure. Other thoughts would be to stage a little more shallow and even lowering rear tire pressure on my stocker will slow my reactions some. Just remember if you stage more shallow, your et will be faster from the momentum you are gaining. Hope This Helps!

[Mark Yacavone]

Rick, I suppose somebody's got to tell you . You are not leaving on the last yellow, at an idle, shallow staged, with an 18 second car,...and going red. Just ain't happenin'

[greg fulk]

Hey Rick you need to come down to K&D dragway some saturday night and play! you can get 10 time trials (if you want) & have to only run about 18 or 20 cars in street. It's 1/8th BUT you'll be making laps & learning!

[Rick Angles]

Typically your reactions are going to be faster when it gets dark, because you see the light better.
Other thoughts would be to stage a little more shallow.

Thanks Billy, I remember now that the you react quicker in the dark. I may also try the lower pressures and staging more shallow.

Rick, I suppose somebody's got to tell you . You are not leaving on the last yellow, at an idle, shallow staged, with an 18 second car,...and going red. Just ain't happenin'

Maybe it is not supposed to happen, Mark. Maybe I am not staging that shallow. But this is what is happening, red and all.

Hey Rick you need to come down to K&D dragway some saturday night and play! you can get 10 time trials (if you want) & have to only run about 18 or 20 cars in street. It's 1/8th BUT you'll be making laps & learning!

I just may have to Greg. But first I need to find out where it is. They have a website?

[Mark Yacavone]

Rick , Are you shallow staging or deep staging? If you are deep staging, then lower the RPMs .You shouldn't have to worry about tire pressure.

[CrateCamaro]

i know that lowering front tire pressure on a race only frontrunner will slow up reaction time but im not sure that a radial tire will do the same at 30psi. I think lowering the lanch rpm like Mark said is the best idea. Or try a bigger (taller) tire on the front.

[greg fulk]

Rick it's kddragway.com we had 12 street cars tonight...about the same "bracket II" I split the money with an old stock driver Ronnie Karns he won a National @ Milan back in the 80's. I had 2 buddys from work come down with street cars they each made about 6 time runs....civic SI will spin REAL bad & go low 10's a new Eclipse run real good he run as quick as a 9.74 as slow as a 9.80 in 8 passes. C-ya good luck oh rick just put in south webster ohio the track is on St Rt 140

[Rick Angles]

Thanks for all the replies. I may try to lower the pressure and stage as shallow as possible when I go Wed night and see how that works. I know it may not be a legal stocker but I thought there may be a few here that might have suggestions. Now to hope my Starfire gets finished soon, cause I would really like to see what it can do ( and me ) against other stockers.

Oh, by the way Greg, I found the website and got directions. It would be a drive to get there, but I may try to make it at least once to see what it is like. Sounds like a fun little place.

Rick

[Mark Yacavone]

I wouldn't lower the tire pressure unless you have a traction issue, which I doubt you have. You have too big a swing in RT's to worry about tire pressure
There should only two choices for staging. Just barely shallow or just barely deep. What do you mean try to "stage as shallow as possible"?
I think you have the right idea, to just get out and race for practice, but all the practice in the world is not any good if you are not doing it correctly.