Thread: How you got started?

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How did you guy's get started in drag racing and when was it and how long has it taken you to get to where you are now in drag racing? I would like to start drag racing cars or bikes but really don't know where to start and don't know anyone here that does it that can help me out.

I got started in "RACING" when i was asked to help pit for my nieghbor a classmate of mine in high school. It was left turn racing but racing none the less. We where at the track every Friday night all summer long. I chopped up a Nova body in shop class one year as a shop project. We ran a 427 3 duces on alcohol. Then it progressed into a group of guys from several small local towns (They were all small towns around there) started racin' street rods on weekends. I got hooked on drag racing cuz' you could race what ya' brung'. Did a fair amont of street racin'. Back then in rural Iowa you might not see a car go by fer hours, so it wasn't like we were racin' in traffic. I was out of it for awhile. Then my son bought a camaro & I got the bug agian. Also, a few years ago they opened the new Rt. 66 raceway just 15-20 min. from where I live. That's kinda' like puttin' a bottle of Jack D. in front of an alcoholic.

Sweet man, sounds good. I used to live right near the old Route 66 in San Bernardino in a place called Devore. It is closed off now and near a rail road track. That was when I use to live in California. Sounds sweet though. Any more tips on what I should do to try and get started, kind of like umm goals I guess or where I should get a start on it? It's kind of hard to explain the question but I think you guy's might get what I mean. Thanks again.

Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
Sweet man, sounds good. I used to live right near the old Route 66 in San Bernardino in a place called Devore. It is closed off now and near a rail road track. That was when I use to live in California. Sounds sweet though. Any more tips on what I should do to try and get started, kind of like umm goals I guess or where I should get a start on it? It's kind of hard to explain the question but I think you guy's might get what I mean. Thanks again.

I would start by going to races. Go in the pits and see what there doing. Go to test N' tune races and see what the locals are bulding. I'm going to tech. inspection next weekend just to see what's new. Just watch and ask questions. Maybe buy a rule book to see what's involved in building a race car. Nice thing about drag racing you can race anything that passes safety inspection. There's no better teacher than experience.

Alright I think I will do that. Would there be a site I can look at that has the rules do you think? And if not then how much is a book and can I order it online?

Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
Alright I think I will do that. Would there be a site I can look at that has the rules do you think? And if not then how much is a book and can I order it online?

You can get one from any local track or go to www.NHRA.com. Mine cost 10 bux.

Alright thanks a lot man. I am going to try and go down to the strip near me soon once I can find out what races are when and check it out and watch some races and all and might buy one while I am there.

My dad started me into drag racing in my teens. But that is the best way is go to the track and talk to the local guys. Most are more than happy to talk to you about their cars... what they have in them and what it took to get them to the place they are now. Some places will even do a mini how to class. I use to teach the High School Racing Class how to stage, dial in there ET and most of all curtosy staging! But you don't have to have the biggest, baddest thing out there so you can even start with your daily driver.

Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
[ Any more tips on what I should do to try and get started, kind of like umm goals I guess or where I should get a start on it? It's kind of hard to explain the question but I think you guy's might get what I mean. Thanks again. [/B]

Your enthusiasm is quite evident-Great. To persue your dreams further, an abundance of good advice is available from many sources, some on these forums. Spare time is best spent Reading, Reading! Be a sponge for knowledge and you will suceed. Best of luck in your endeavours.

Thanks a lot for the statement you made there Walt, at least I know that someone know's how much I am interested into learning more about this stuff.... I am not like most teens you might think of, I don't like to just put parts on a car and say "hey I got a car with this and that and a blower and it will smoke your car," I like to know what works with what, what you got to do to make a car better and how and why it does it and learn what it all does and how it does it. No half assing things. Thanks for all the help and advise guy's and if anyone has anymore then it will be appreciated.

Oh yeah Walt, I wanted to add... If you do have a 52 Studebaker then that's a sick ride!

Originally posted by FMXhellraiser
that's a sick ride!

I'm a ''geezer'' so I can only guess that that's a good thing

Kind like that's the kat's Meow
or That's Keen HE HE HE

Yeah sure is a good thing.... better than good actually, I guess teen's are good for the geezer's by the way, it is like we are teaching them and they are teaching us, we both learn from eachother..... Maybe the geezer know's more but I don't know they like it more old school and teen's don't (besides me)

Us really ole geezers had a term, ie; "man- that's away from the shed."

FMX,

One good way to learn is offer to help someone. Go to the track on Grudge night, test & tune or times when it is not a big meet. Look for the guys that are there working and running their car by themselves, or maybe with just their wife or kid. Go and watch them for a while and ask some questions about thier car to strike up a conversation. If it looks like a friendly situation ask if you can help. And then don't be disappointed if he only asks you to help with simple tasks. He will probably be watching to see how you do things. No matter what the task, do it with enthusiasm. If you get a chance to hang around while he and other racers are talking, listen a lot and talk very little. Hopefully he might introduce you to others. If you have the opportunity, offer to come by his place and help during the week. Make sure your parents know about this and hopefully will come and meet whoever you hang out with. And don't be discouraged if you meet with some rejection, just keep trying.

It may take a season of hanging around the pits to develop that kind of friendship, but it will be the best way to learn and get involved. Many racers got started when someone took them under their wing.

Good luck

Pat