So my gf, being the awesome girl she is, decided that she would take me to a race track so I could race my cobalt LS. Problem is I've never done it before and the only track I know of where I live, Chicago land, is the great lakes dragway. So my question is, is there another one around me that would be better? cheaper? Also any tips for a complete noob? There was a "how to" on racing at a track that I read, but if anyone else has anything else to say that would be much appreciated!

Katarn_89

 

good luck.

i dont have a 2.2... so i cant help much. all i can say is to lower your front tire pressure by about 10 psi, and remove your spare tire/jack

 

Good luck! I haven't been yet...

 

I remember that my girlfriend promised me the same thing for my birthday earlier this month. Midnight Madness at Memphis Motorsports park.
So I invited a bunch of friends, some that live out of town, over to hang out that night and go racing
The day of came and she decided that she didn't want to stay up that late and she didn't want me gonig without her and pitched a fit until I said that I would cancel it.
ON my birthday........
She's lucky she's got a nice rack.....

 

I would have told her that if she didn't want to sacrifice a little for your happiness then you didnt think that things would work out between you 2. Thats what energy drinks are for.

 

But that would be choosing my car over my girlfriend....which I'm a tad bit relunctant to start doing.
You know....Slippery slope and all....

 

although i agree that lower psi helps but lowering it under 25 is a little bit too much. Most people think that lowering psi increases contact area and that is true, but its not the reason tires stick better. When a tire is low on air, it flexes alot more, this is more imporant with 17-18 inch wheels running 45 and under series rubber. However if you deflate it to much you are actually hurting your time and making it dangerous. Believe it or not you guys, just as well as any other fwd compact out there could probably pull faster 60 times on a pos 195 60 15 inch snow tire rather than 215-45-18 sport performance summer tire.

 

Thank you


10psi did seem a little much to me, then again I'm new to this. Isn't the tires on the LS supposed to have 30psi for normal driving? Why would deflating your tires help? And whats the difference between doing it on tires running 45 series tires as opposed to my tires? I think that I will hold off on deflating my tires for now so I can get some experience under my belt then play around with things later. After all its just for fun and no fun if something breaks.


Katarn_89

 

read the post above you lol i just explained it all

the stiffer and shorter the tire the worse your going to be.
Btw are you manual or auto. If your auto, dont even worry about it, just floor it

 

Now looking back on it I see you did, maybe I should read things more closely, might explain a few test scores in school....

I drive a manual. I have practice launching my car on the street and gotten ok at I think. Usually when I do it I don't get to much wheel spin, just enough to know I'm pushing it.

 

Dude its not a b-day unless you get some RH on the way.

 

well, she dosent have to give you the choice. you had plan, you follow it and never cancel something you planned out because your girl DONT WANT YOU to go for no reasons. this is controling someone else, if my girlfriend ever try to control me in any way then byebye.
the only thing i accept its her opignion on what i do or planing to do.

 

So I guess no one knows of to many tracks in the Chicago area.

 

Byron Dragstrip in Byron, IL

 

make sure u time it so ur gas tank is around 1/4.

 

Yeah I wasn't going to go with a full tank of gas, but I wasn't sure what would be a good amount.

Thanks

 

There's a few good tracks in the area actually....

Byron, GLD, and Route 66.

66 is the most expensive, by far, but is also the best prepped track and is consistently one of the best in the country.

 

GLD is a great track, was down there yesterday. Your balt should have too many traction issues even though that track is a little more slippery if your running street tires. Don't be stupid, go around the water box and approach slowly, if you dont want to look like an idiot, let the other car come to a stop and stage so you get an idea where to stop.

Funny thing is, my buddy was down there with his 01 Cav, with 96 front end swap, body kit and Z24 wheels and with his 04 Sunfire Eco swap spanked a SS/SC (Red with Black Stripes) on all motor.. It was great to watch, felt bad for the balt though. On all motor the Cav ran a 16.02 then we turned on the bottle and dipped into the 13.97 territory. 2 SECONDS WITH JUST A 75 SHOT! 2.2 ECO FTW!

 

I'm thinking I will go to GLD. I've been on their website a few times and it just seems a little more open to people who are new to the sport then some of the other track sites I've been to.

Hopefully in a few years I will be able to turbo my balt and maybe some other mods and really see what the engine can do.

Thanks for you advice!

 

Next time she acts like that titty **** her and bust a big nut on her face for your B-Day. Then leave anyway with your friends and have a good time at the track. Simple as that...