to race , or not to race ?
30 May 2012, 10:48 PM
#1
to race , or not to race ?
So i am having evil thoughts on doing a local drag event ! Everyone i ask says "do it , it'll be a laugh". But its not their car ! Whats the likelyhood of something braking or blowing up ? Does half a dozen runs/launches have any ill effects . I dont mind a wee blast now and again , but full blast in a row worries me. Im not out to prove anything , just thinking at the end of the day i have a scooby , track is only down the road , and all i need is £50 and a helmet ! But on the other hand is it worth it if something goes bang !
31 May 2012, 06:11 AM
#6
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i took my old golf mk2 up santa pod ,was only gonna do 1 run !!! 6 runs later and nothing broke
and it didnt cost £50 more like £35
just make sure you have aa or rac cover to get picked up if it does brake
and it didnt cost £50 more like £35
just make sure you have aa or rac cover to get picked up if it does brake
31 May 2012, 06:32 AM
#7
Good old common sense applies here, you need to ask yourself a couple of questions.
1. Can you get to work if it does break.
2. Can you afford to fix it if the worst happens.
If the answer to both questions is yes then go and have some fun, you only live once.
1. Can you get to work if it does break.
2. Can you afford to fix it if the worst happens.
If the answer to both questions is yes then go and have some fun, you only live once.
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31 May 2012, 09:35 AM
#11
I have done a few track days and a couple of sprints over the years and i don't get involved with anyone else, all i'm interested in is keeping me and the car safe, testing my own ability to get the best i can out of my machine without breaking it or myself, learning and improving and above all having some fun in a safer than road environment that has less unknown quantities.
Just do it, you won't know until you try.
Last edited by ditchmyster; 31 May 2012 at 09:38 AM.
31 May 2012, 11:16 AM
#13
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Go and have a bit of fun. These cars are tougher than you think, and maybe what you have been led to believe.
The only thing you really have to be careful of is that you don't get the 'bug'. As said it is addictive and it gets SO expensive if you do crave for more
The only thing you really have to be careful of is that you don't get the 'bug'. As said it is addictive and it gets SO expensive if you do crave for more
31 May 2012, 11:35 AM
#14
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Having fun is all well and good but at a guess, the fact you're considering taking to a strip points to the fact you'd like to see how fast it is and what times it'll do.
Taking it easy is easier said than done once you start seeing times coming up and start thinking about how to get quicker and beat your best time. It's that competitive nature within most of us, and it WILL happen.
99% of the time you'll be fine but you have to be prepared and accept that your worse fears can and occasionally will happen.
If you can live with that then go and enjoy a day out ragging.
Taking it easy is easier said than done once you start seeing times coming up and start thinking about how to get quicker and beat your best time. It's that competitive nature within most of us, and it WILL happen.
99% of the time you'll be fine but you have to be prepared and accept that your worse fears can and occasionally will happen.
If you can live with that then go and enjoy a day out ragging.
31 May 2012, 12:00 PM
#15
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My wife said that if I go racing one more time, she'll leave me.
God, I'm going to miss her..
God, I'm going to miss her..
31 May 2012, 12:13 PM
#16
I guess that the car has been remapped for the above, in which case if its been done right you should be fine. The gearbox at your level will be absolutly fine providing you dont select a wrong lower gear by accident.
I drove my old bugeye like it was stolen (lack of skills, experience, knowledge and proper modifications) on my first ever track day, and it didnt miss a heartbeat
Not that Im suggesting you find some old redundant road somewhere and carry out the follwoing test, but I would try a launch before you sign up for the drag event to ensure your clutch is up to it, and that you have the ability to get the car of the line without boggin down, and that you also have the nerve to launch in the first place. Everyone will have their own style of launching depending on the weight/power/tyres/clutch that the car has, you will find your own method. My previous 400+ bug was a little laggy, so a 5'000 lauch was required to get the car off, but even this caused the new 700 mile old racing clutch to fail, and this was rated to 450/450
Best of luck and Enjoy.
Rob
I drove my old bugeye like it was stolen (lack of skills, experience, knowledge and proper modifications) on my first ever track day, and it didnt miss a heartbeat
Not that Im suggesting you find some old redundant road somewhere and carry out the follwoing test, but I would try a launch before you sign up for the drag event to ensure your clutch is up to it, and that you have the ability to get the car of the line without boggin down, and that you also have the nerve to launch in the first place. Everyone will have their own style of launching depending on the weight/power/tyres/clutch that the car has, you will find your own method. My previous 400+ bug was a little laggy, so a 5'000 lauch was required to get the car off, but even this caused the new 700 mile old racing clutch to fail, and this was rated to 450/450
Best of luck and Enjoy.
Rob
31 May 2012, 06:38 PM
#21
yeah
and i dont look a numpty in front of everyone !
Not that Im suggesting you find some old redundant road somewhere and carry out the follwoing test, but I would try a launch before you sign up for the drag event to ensure your clutch is up to it, and that you have the ability to get the car of the line without boggin down, and that you also have the nerve to launch in the first place.
Last edited by CharlySkunkWeed; 31 May 2012 at 06:40 PM.
07 June 2012, 04:18 PM
#27
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07 June 2012, 06:26 PM
#29
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if it's wet on sunday you wont be going anywhere fast, trust me. drag racing in the wet is a waste of time. on the plus side you are less likely to break something.