What are you using as part of your strategy for bracket, index & heads-up racing?

I'll start with a story that happened in a race this year. I won the round, but was a little up set at my mistake. I was dialed 10.07 & ran 10.09x getting rid of my numbers. I did the run completion & had it figured at 10.078. This was the 1st time in many years, that I didn't have any ET in my back pocket.

Anyway, I always carry ET when I dial. Nothing new to the game, it surprises me how many that don't. The amount varies for any given situation/game plan. I have carry anywhere from .01 - 1. & consider.01 not carrying & 1 second being an extreme.

I would like to hear different opinions about your strategy or even strategy that was used against you.

I just race my own race. Get the car consistent, cut a good light, and run your number. I've held before but it was by accident. I honestly don't care much about what the guy in the other lane does.

Don’t overthink

When I ran jrs, we were at a big event at silver dollar. They had index races etc on Saturday and bracket race on Sunday. On year, I was running low-mid 10s in the 1090 index and with all the weight we had, the car would run 10.7s. I learned pretty quick how to spot drop and ended up winning the index each at the March event and the November event driving the same way. As I got older, I started really just driving aggressive early and stayed that way. Back when everything wasn't 1/8th mile, I would find a spot I am comfortable dropping at, and hold that et. I like to have two spots to get an et from. One pretty conservative, 1 or 2 and one much more aggressive 6-10. Now that it's 1/8th mile, I typically just set up based on my lights. If I'm on that day, I'm set up tight. If I'm all over the place, I'm probably holding 4-5 to know for sure I can cover how bad I miss it. If I were to build a car with index racing in mind, I would ideally like to be able to short shift and spray late to make me the chaser.

They is 2 ends of the race track, if you aren't holding you aint racing. Driving the stripe at 225 MPH is a blast, try it sometime!!

quote:

Originally posted by I.P. Dailey:
Don’t overthink

Hey You P, Can you elaborate on that thought?

Mr Dirt always preached to dial up enough that you KNOW you can get there. If the car has it's worst run of the day, you aren't left hanging. I generally go by that. Honestly I usually give it one or two more numbers. Then I know when I get down there, more than likely I need to get rid of a little. It gives my opponent often the back seat unless he really nailed the tree. And if he treed the heck out of you, frankly, nothing works all that well. I will often give a dead nuts tight race back since I know I am carrying a little. This is all brand new to me as I have only used this method for about 20 years. I used to scoff at spot dropping. But in reality that's kinda what you do when you know you are carrying.

Now I play it a little different in super comp. Yes I carry a little. But if I'm in front and we are locked up, I will tickle the brake back to them on the way down the track. If I missed the tree, tightening it up lessen's the possibility that they will dump you because it looks like a tight race. If I'm behind, I know I'm in trouble and the only chance I have is to push them to the stripe and dump hard after they have passed the point of reacting to it. Never dump early. Any seasoned racer will use that to beat you. Most jr racers will take that opportunity as well. 12" is what I look for at the stripe if I can do my job well. If the speed differential is great, then it will be more. Or less if I mess it up.

If you hold a tenth, you can darn near do a donut out there, if you get loose, and still win.

There are so many ways to do this deal but one thing for sure you can't do,,,


Hit any of those orange thingies down the center of the track!!!!!!!

Really tough to carry extra in my coupe in a TS race because I am almost always being chased and I cannot see the other lane until they get bumper to bumper with me...

Bet it is fun as heck in a piperack though.

Brackets, seems as though almost everyone holds some and why not, it will still give you a chance to get the W if you are behind on the tree.

I had several people comment that it was cool to hear a 3.70 car womping, even though I wasn't really womping, just working the throttle a little. With a blower and zoomies everyone can hear it even if it's just lifting a little and getting back in it.

Heads up, hammer the tree and hope you have enough. That's real drag racing in my opinion.

quote:

Originally posted by TOP38:
There are so many ways to do this deal but one thing for sure you can't do,,,


Hit any of those orange thingies down the center of the track!!!!!!!

Self Evident Truth is the Virus


I am Truth is the virus , fury , fire https://youtu.be/A4wdbibV3IM

quote:

Originally posted by Big Steve:
They is 2 ends of the race track, if you aren't holding you aint racing. Driving the stripe at 225 MPH is a blast, try it sometime!!

I couldn't run even close to 200mph being dragged behind your car.

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:

quote:

Originally posted by Big Steve:
They is 2 ends of the race track, if you aren't holding you aint racing. Driving the stripe at 225 MPH is a blast, try it sometime!!

I couldn't run even close to 200mph being dragged behind your car.

Honestly I find it allot easier race 1/4 mile, you have way more time to think about it but then having the extra time to think can bite you in the ass sometimes

Whether you hold a little or hold a lot I think it is a trap to do same thing every time. Two reasons , 1. The others will soon learn how you race. 2. Changing things up a little keeps you on your toes on on top of your game.

quote:

Originally posted by "The Bender":
I had several people comment that it was cool to hear a 3.70 car womping, even though I wasn't really womping, just working the throttle a little. With a blower and zoomies everyone can hear it even if it's just lifting a little and getting back in it.

I've been working on what I call feathering the throttle for the past few years. It's more of an instinctive way of getting rid of what your holding. Basically trying to make no audible engine note change, with no change in front suspension movement & no sudden forward or aft movements. It nipped me in the butt when 1st started working on it. Not so sure I want to share the story, but I did get some pay back with one of my tricks.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: B KING,

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:
Whether you hold a little or hold a lot I think it is a trap to do same thing every time. Two reasons , 1. The others will soon learn how you race. 2. Changing things up a little keeps you on your toes on on top of your game.

I've raced like this for a very long time & I'm sure most have caught on. That's why I used this one strategy as an example & I'm positive many others are doing the same.

There are other strategies/changes; I'm using to keep me on my toes/on top of my game, along with other Racers doing the same.

The best are taking their game way above my level. I'm trying to keep within arms reach distance of them to learn & hopefully implement a few new/old strategies.

Why would I talk about my ways of racing? I might have to race some of you yahoos some day. LOL

15 or better total with a jive down track is typically pretty competitive. You need the jive because there are plenty who can get in on 10 total. Few will try to get in on what looks like zero or less total. There's no miracle approach, carry what you can kill.

I could drive something with poor rear visibility no problem, as long as I'm working on it. When you're slow ya better know. Visibility is overrated in comparison to work ethic and approach mechanically.