Tips for beginners please!!!

db · Post by db » Mon Apr 08, 13 3:47 pm

Ok, so I'll be arriving at the Nats as before, but this time I'm racing.
I know how to put up my tent.
I know which end of the track to start at.
Everything else is a mystery.

I know I'm not alone in being a little nervous about making a twt of myself with some basic stupid error so...
HELPFUL TIPS FOR BEGINNERS PLEASE

EG- I'll be on street tyres (large sticky ones, but still...) Do I burnout? How long for?
What's typical tyre pressure?
What RPM should I be looking to launch? (4 speed, stock clutch)
What kit should I bring? (Whats ESSENTIAL, What's very advisable, what's handy if you have space)

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Apr 08, 13 4:07 pm

There will be lots of people to help you so DON'T PANIC!!!!

1st Pass, just treat it like you are pulling away from the lights on the road.
Try not to get staged next to a fast car as it will put you under pressure and get you rattled.

You willl be fine.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon Apr 08, 13 4:29 pm

Stand near the start line for a while first and watch how the lights work.

Get an idea of where the staging beams are because it can be hard to tell from in the car the first few times.

If you do burnout you just need see smoke in your mirrors and that is enough. You don't want to burn the clutch out before you even get to the start line.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon Apr 08, 13 4:32 pm

On and the exits from the track are on the left. If you are in the right hand lane do not turn left to exit until the other car has done so.

If you miss the first turn off there is a second further on. But you should make the first OK. Not like ayt York where you have to have bloody good brakes to make the first turn off.

db · Post by db » Mon Apr 08, 13 5:48 pm

I've done a few bike ryb's years ago so I remember the 1st exit comes up a bit quick!
I also remember the start-line nerves! It's very hard to shut everything else out and focus on the lights etc.
Priorites for me are:
1. Don't break it
2. Enjoy it
3. Try not to give everyone too much to laugh at

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Apr 08, 13 5:52 pm

You can cross lanes at the end providing you are far enough ahead of the other car and clearly take due care.

Dave has apparently never been in this position, or has only raced in the left hand lane.

It may be woth intentionally setting out in the LH lane for you first few runs, but it is a tighter turn into the burn out box; and you never know where the marshalls will actually direct you....

Guy · Post by **Guy** » Mon Apr 08, 13 5:52 pm

Pete wrote: Try not to get staged next to a fast car as it will put you under pressure and get you rattled.

You willl be fine.

Good idea why not stage next to Pete

or me

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Apr 08, 13 5:56 pm

Any time you want to go head to head at the track, then just let me know, Guy

I may have to use my secret weapon......

Guy · Post by **Guy** » Mon Apr 08, 13 5:59 pm

Trust me Pete you wont need a secret weapon of any sort your cars in a different league mate, mine wont even go straight at the moment

Mossy68 · Post by **Mossy68** » Mon Apr 08, 13 6:12 pm

I'll go out first run with you Paul.
It'll be my first run in a car.
Havnt got a clue.
And it's a 318 more door !!!!!

The sniggers and pointed fingers will all be at me !!!

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Mon Apr 08, 13 6:18 pm

Guy wrote: ....... mine wont even go straight at the moment

Time for a separate thread, mate....

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Mon Apr 08, 13 7:26 pm

There'll be plenty of help and advice, probably too much in fact....as Dave said first run like a fast street race off the lights

Do a short burn out ...just to get into the swing of things just enough to get em smoking

Now pull forward and watch the Marshal or tree signal to call you up

first two normal light bulbs lights flashing will stop stay on as you are nearly staged then the next two calling you forward just a little more then when they are on... your on the Line....dont move it on or they will go out and the marshal will start waving you back frantically....
Stay calm if you do and just roll back and come forward again through the same process.

Check your in Drive now or 1st

Now wait for the main big yellows to come on, one after the other normally unless its a full tree when they will all flash on together...but it wont be...watch the car before to see what tree is being used.

If your car is heavy and not very quick launcher... I would Bananarama! on the last yellow that should cut a good light and your away....
Adios muchachas

you'll forget the crowds and everything the minute its your turn

Good Luck

AllKiller · Post by **AllKiller** » Mon Apr 08, 13 7:27 pm

double post ?

John · Post by **John** » Mon Apr 08, 13 7:32 pm

AllKiller wrote:you'll forget the crowds and everything the minute its your turn

Another fibber

Guy · Post by **Guy** » Mon Apr 08, 13 7:57 pm

Personnelly I wouldn't worry about cutting a good light on your first run in the car you want to see how the car reacts not how quick your reactions are. Let the other car go and concentrate on what your doing and what the car does like you said you've done a few RWYB on a bike The main thing is to enjoy yourself