First time at the track - Focaljet

**DOHCZX3** · 04-19-2001, 06:26 PM

I dont think its toooo bad, the R/T is terrible. I know I can do better, I have to say its nerve racking. Also, this was without my chip in.

My other two runs were very poor, too much tire spin.

------------------
B&M Edge Shifter, Ractive Filter, Superchip, Borla Exhaust, White Guages,AFX UDP, H&R Lowering Springs
AOL- DOHCZX3

[This message has been edited by DOHCZX3 (edited 04-19-2001).]

**terr_rex** · 04-20-2001, 05:40 AM

nice time!

your reaction time will come with practice!!

------------------
2000 Rainforest Green Sedan 5speed / Focuz N1 Exhaust / Reactive Intake / 1.8in Progress Sport Drop / Eibach Front SwayBar / FocusSport Tower Stress Bar / AutoMeter Monster Tach / Carbon Fiber Shift Knob / Eject Button Lighter / 35% Tint / WW Touring Wing / 17in Mille Miglia Actions w. 205/40/17 Falkens *on order* / EBC Green Stuff *installing soon* / PKP SoundSystem
16.7 1/4 ET @ 81.5 MPH
to be continued...

**Proud Member of Focaljet Eight-O-Eight**

**P-51** · 04-20-2001, 09:14 AM

Nice time! The 60' is good too!

The reaction time is pretty bad, but it does not factor into the times at this point. That only happens when you go to pro tree. Your timer doesn't start till you actually start cut the beam.

You're probably hittin' it when you see the green. You should try hittin the gas when you see the last, or second to last yellow light up. Then the delay time in your brain will be cancelled out kinda.

**ax0n** · 04-20-2001, 11:09 AM

I don't recall where I heard this, but most drag racers see the christmas tree lights as having three stages: almost on, on, and almost off.

The theory being that if you have REALLY good reaction time, even a pro drag racer says that the launch REALLY is about going full-force when the last light before green is "almost off". It takes a little bit to get the car rollin' so even the pros star before the green light is up.

------------------
[ Official 'Knight' of FocalJet!

**HNDAETR** · 04-20-2001, 02:33 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by ax0n:
I don't recall where I heard this, but most drag racers see the christmas tree lights as having three stages: almost on, on, and almost off.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You are correct ax0n.If you are on the line and look carefully you can see the bulb begin to light , go full on and then start to go out.When I race with my auto I usually hit the gas at the sign of the 2nd yellow is full on and that results in a light ranging from .520-.540, thats coming from an idle then just hittin the gas.When I start to do a brake torque at the line I usually leave when I see the 2nd yellow go out or the third yellow come on.

For a stick owner I would start out with the leave on the 2nd yellow going out and see where that gets you, if you redlight then I would move up to the 3rd yellow coming on.

If anyone else needs help with any kind of info for when they go to the track just let me know I will help you in any way I can.

------------------
Team Focaljet:Great Lakes-Illinois Leader
2000 Battle of the Imports Bracket Champion Route 66 Raceway Joliet IL
2000 Autumn Orange ZX3
Esslinger Pulley,H&R springs,superchip,JBA header,Iceman intake

**Ducman69** · 04-21-2001, 12:50 AM

Yeah, its not so much reaction, as prediction. That's pretty much the only way you can get the magical .5second reaction time down. My buddy actually did just get a .54 his last time out, which is about as good as you can do before a 'false start'.

**nazthug** · 04-25-2001, 07:23 PM

with a .8 reaction time, you should be running about a 15.7 which is amazing for those mods, nice run, when did you shift and what gear did you finish in?

**OutaFocus** · 04-25-2001, 08:00 PM

There used to be a guy who raced brackets at Maple Grove in PA who would nod his head in time to the lights. Looked funny as hell, but he would nail you to the tree every time. The moral is; whatever works, just get your timing down. Remember the lights count down the same time, every time. The don't vary the intervals. Most trees are "5/10ths" trees meaning the lights evry half a second. The pros use a 4/10ths tree where all the yellows come on together followed by the green 4/10ths of a second later. That's why you will hear someone saying a .10 light is a good light. Actually, the guy left .10 seconds after the green came on. The only way to react that fast is, as someone else said above, you have to anticipate the green. If you wait until you see green, you lost. Look at the other reaction time in the pic. He actually left almost 4/10ths after the green came on. That was almost one full cycle of the light. He was no "leaver" either. All it takes is practice, you can do it.

**Chris F** · 04-25-2001, 09:07 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by nazthug:
with a .8 reaction time, you should be running about a 15.7 which is amazing for those mods, nice run, when did you shift and what gear did you finish in? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Nope sorry, with a .8 reaction time he would still run a 16.3. Reaction time and 1/4mi time are totally independant and the 1/4mi time doesent start untill you break the start beam. He could have sat on the line for 10 seconds launched and still would have had a 16.3.

Reaction time is only important when racing other cars.

On a sportsman tree which has 3 yellows which go in 0.5s intervals I launch as soon as I see the last yellow turn on. Last saturday at the track this strategy netted me consistent 0.5xx reactions with a best of 0.503. 0.500 is a perfect reaction time on the sportsman tree.

------------------
Chris Feist
Black 00' ZX3 5spd
Mods Dyno Chart

**DOHCZX3** · 04-26-2001, 12:46 AM

Actually Ive been back since then.
Still crappy R/T but, really Im focusing more on the launch, which still sucks!

Best E/T- 16.14 60'- 2.56 MPH- 86.52
Other E/T- 16.16 60'- 2.62 MPH- 87.12

My worst 1/4 (the 16.16)I kept it in 3rd gear and ran it to the redline. My best time
(16.14) I shifted into 4th.

Hopefully next time I can improve on my launches and 60' times to get my 1/4 mile times down. Next time I have to rotate my tires before I go. Im shooting for 15's with this set up, before I get a header. Wish me luck.

**Pimp27** · 04-26-2001, 02:43 AM

Last time I was out, I got a .500 Reaction Time. It was perfect!! The anouncer (lady) was making fun of the Focus, saying she would rather have a Taurus. Then when I hit a .500 she goes, "I take everything I said back." But I spun them too much off the line, so I ended up with a 16.3. Anyway, My best time is in the Sig. The weird thing is that my MPH is really slow for my times. I haven't gotten the Cam Gears Dynoed in yet, but I will do that after I get my race header. So I must have the gears set for more low end right now, or something. Anyway, here is the actual times from the time slip, I don't have a scanner.

R/T .626
60' 2.352
330' 6.637
1/8 10.182
mph 69.63
1000' 13.241
1/4 15.861
mph 85.35

It just seems that I lose all my power when I shift into 4th gear, and then the MPH doesn't get up that fast.

Eric

------------------
00' ZX3
Eibach Springs
Bassani Exhaust
Sony cdx-m750
Short Antenna
Yellow Motorsport Wires
Ford Racing UDP
Ford Racing Cam Gears
B&M Short Shifter
Injen CAI

15.861@85.35

**averyfocus** · 04-27-2001, 08:48 PM

ccan you guys tell me how I can get out to a track and check my times? I live near the Sacremento speedway. Do you just go there on certain days, or call them or what? Please E-mail me on how to go about this.

**HNDAETR** · 04-28-2001, 12:48 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Originally posted by averyfocus:
Please E-mail me on how to go about this.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You have mail.

04-19-2001, 06:26 PM	#1
DOHCZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Houston TX Posts: 376	First time at the track I dont think its toooo bad, the R/T is terrible. I know I can do better, I have to say its nerve racking. Also, this was without my chip in. My other two runs were very poor, too much tire spin. ------------------ B&M Edge Shifter, Ractive Filter, Superchip, Borla Exhaust, White Guages,AFX UDP, H&R Lowering Springs AOL- DOHCZX3 [This message has been edited by DOHCZX3 (edited 04-19-2001).]

04-20-2001, 05:40 AM	#2
terr_rex Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Mililani, Hawaii Posts: 1,146	Re: First time at the track nice time! your reaction time will come with practice!! ------------------ 2000 Rainforest Green Sedan 5speed / Focuz N1 Exhaust / Reactive Intake / 1.8in Progress Sport Drop / Eibach Front SwayBar / FocusSport Tower Stress Bar / AutoMeter Monster Tach / Carbon Fiber Shift Knob / Eject Button Lighter / 35% Tint / WW Touring Wing / 17in Mille Miglia Actions w. 205/40/17 Falkens on order / EBC Green Stuff installing soon / PKP SoundSystem 16.7 1/4 ET @ 81.5 MPH to be continued... Proud Member of Focaljet Eight-O-Eight

04-20-2001, 09:14 AM	#3
P-51 [FJ] Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Brighton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 15,015	Re: First time at the track Nice time! The 60' is good too! The reaction time is pretty bad, but it does not factor into the times at this point. That only happens when you go to pro tree. Your timer doesn't start till you actually start cut the beam. You're probably hittin' it when you see the green. You should try hittin the gas when you see the last, or second to last yellow light up. Then the delay time in your brain will be cancelled out kinda.

04-20-2001, 11:09 AM	#4
ax0n Devil's Advocate. Just to cheese you off. Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: In ur srvrz patchin ur krnlz Posts: 24,441	Re: First time at the track I don't recall where I heard this, but most drag racers see the christmas tree lights as having three stages: almost on, on, and almost off. The theory being that if you have REALLY good reaction time, even a pro drag racer says that the launch REALLY is about going full-force when the last light before green is "almost off". It takes a little bit to get the car rollin' so even the pros star before the green light is up. ------------------ [ Official 'Knight' of FocalJet! ] [Moderator: TEAM Focaljet: Midwest] <--- Click me! [ "Project BlackPenguin" \| 1995 Black Escort LX 4dr H/B ] [ -NOT Stock- ] [ "Project Technology" _ \| 2000 Silver ZX3 ] [ Perf Mods: FS Blue Wires ] [ Comm: Cobra 38 WXST CB \| 38" Antenna \| Handsfree Cell \| Wireless Inet ] [ Misc: Ghost Focus Logo \| IndiGLO \| Custom Intake \| In-Car Filming Rig ] All Your Base Are Belong To Us.

04-20-2001, 02:33 PM	#5
HNDAETR Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lansing Illinois Posts: 2,115	Re: First time at the track <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ax0n: I don't recall where I heard this, but most drag racers see the christmas tree lights as having three stages: almost on, on, and almost off. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> You are correct ax0n.If you are on the line and look carefully you can see the bulb begin to light , go full on and then start to go out.When I race with my auto I usually hit the gas at the sign of the 2nd yellow is full on and that results in a light ranging from .520-.540, thats coming from an idle then just hittin the gas.When I start to do a brake torque at the line I usually leave when I see the 2nd yellow go out or the third yellow come on. For a stick owner I would start out with the leave on the 2nd yellow going out and see where that gets you, if you redlight then I would move up to the 3rd yellow coming on. If anyone else needs help with any kind of info for when they go to the track just let me know I will help you in any way I can. ------------------ Team Focaljet:Great Lakes-Illinois Leader 2000 Battle of the Imports Bracket Champion Route 66 Raceway Joliet IL 2000 Autumn Orange ZX3 Esslinger Pulley,H&R springs,superchip,JBA header,Iceman intake

04-21-2001, 12:50 AM	#6
Ducman69 HUGE member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: van by the river Posts: 18,896	Re: First time at the track Yeah, its not so much reaction, as prediction. That's pretty much the only way you can get the magical .5second reaction time down. My buddy actually did just get a .54 his last time out, which is about as good as you can do before a 'false start'.

04-25-2001, 07:23 PM	#7
nazthug [FJ] Addict Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: san ramon, ca, usa Posts: 14,215	Re: First time at the track with a .8 reaction time, you should be running about a 15.7 which is amazing for those mods, nice run, when did you shift and what gear did you finish in?

04-25-2001, 08:00 PM	#8
OutaFocus Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Acworth, Georgia, USA Posts: 2,297	Re: First time at the track There used to be a guy who raced brackets at Maple Grove in PA who would nod his head in time to the lights. Looked funny as hell, but he would nail you to the tree every time. The moral is; whatever works, just get your timing down. Remember the lights count down the same time, every time. The don't vary the intervals. Most trees are "5/10ths" trees meaning the lights evry half a second. The pros use a 4/10ths tree where all the yellows come on together followed by the green 4/10ths of a second later. That's why you will hear someone saying a .10 light is a good light. Actually, the guy left .10 seconds after the green came on. The only way to react that fast is, as someone else said above, you have to anticipate the green. If you wait until you see green, you lost. Look at the other reaction time in the pic. He actually left almost 4/10ths after the green came on. That was almost one full cycle of the light. He was no "leaver" either. All it takes is practice, you can do it.

04-25-2001, 09:07 PM	#9
Chris F Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,957	Re: First time at the track <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by nazthug: with a .8 reaction time, you should be running about a 15.7 which is amazing for those mods, nice run, when did you shift and what gear did you finish in? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Nope sorry, with a .8 reaction time he would still run a 16.3. Reaction time and 1/4mi time are totally independant and the 1/4mi time doesent start untill you break the start beam. He could have sat on the line for 10 seconds launched and still would have had a 16.3. Reaction time is only important when racing other cars. On a sportsman tree which has 3 yellows which go in 0.5s intervals I launch as soon as I see the last yellow turn on. Last saturday at the track this strategy netted me consistent 0.5xx reactions with a best of 0.503. 0.500 is a perfect reaction time on the sportsman tree. ------------------ Chris Feist Black 00' ZX3 5spd Mods Dyno Chart

04-26-2001, 12:46 AM	#10
DOHCZX3 TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Houston TX Posts: 376	Re: First time at the track Actually Ive been back since then. Still crappy R/T but, really Im focusing more on the launch, which still sucks! Best E/T- 16.14 60'- 2.56 MPH- 86.52 Other E/T- 16.16 60'- 2.62 MPH- 87.12 My worst 1/4 (the 16.16)I kept it in 3rd gear and ran it to the redline. My best time (16.14) I shifted into 4th. Hopefully next time I can improve on my launches and 60' times to get my 1/4 mile times down. Next time I have to rotate my tires before I go. Im shooting for 15's with this set up, before I get a header. Wish me luck.

04-26-2001, 02:43 AM	#11
Pimp27 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 1,371	Re: First time at the track Last time I was out, I got a .500 Reaction Time. It was perfect!! The anouncer (lady) was making fun of the Focus, saying she would rather have a Taurus. Then when I hit a .500 she goes, "I take everything I said back." But I spun them too much off the line, so I ended up with a 16.3. Anyway, My best time is in the Sig. The weird thing is that my MPH is really slow for my times. I haven't gotten the Cam Gears Dynoed in yet, but I will do that after I get my race header. So I must have the gears set for more low end right now, or something. Anyway, here is the actual times from the time slip, I don't have a scanner. R/T .626 60' 2.352 330' 6.637 1/8 10.182 mph 69.63 1000' 13.241 1/4 15.861 mph 85.35 It just seems that I lose all my power when I shift into 4th gear, and then the MPH doesn't get up that fast. Eric ------------------ 00' ZX3 Eibach Springs Bassani Exhaust Sony cdx-m750 Short Antenna Yellow Motorsport Wires Ford Racing UDP Ford Racing Cam Gears B&M Short Shifter Injen CAI 15.861@85.35

04-27-2001, 08:48 PM	#12
averyfocus Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 68	Re: First time at the track ccan you guys tell me how I can get out to a track and check my times? I live near the Sacremento speedway. Do you just go there on certain days, or call them or what? Please E-mail me on how to go about this.

04-28-2001, 12:48 AM	#13
HNDAETR Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Lansing Illinois Posts: 2,115	Re: First time at the track <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by averyfocus: Please E-mail me on how to go about this.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> You have mail.

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