This is not a thread regarding racing on public roads

As you may be aware I have a rather large stretch of tarmac available for use. My colleagues and I have decided to have a company drag race.

Competitors are as follows:

1) Octavia - Jabba remap 220bhp

2) Octavia TDi 110 bhp

3) Ford Racing Puma

4) Jaguar XKR - Paramount performance remap 440 bhp

5) Audi 2.8 E Quatro (ancient 80's dinosaur)

6) Jaguar XJR (Supercharged V8)

Perosnally I think the 2 jags will wasts most of the competition over 1 mile. After that its going to be close between the Puma, my Octy and the Audi. Clearly the TDi will come last.

I've filled up with Tesco super unleaded (99.9p) from empty so that should gain a little for me.

However, I'm after some tips on starting techniques, tyre pressures etc. I thought I'd also have a quick check with VAG-COM to clear any fault codes before taking part. Considered leaving the spare wheel at home too though I'm not sure how much difference this will make.

A mile is quite a distance for a drag race so every little will help.

Loose as much weight from the car as possible (remove rear seats if possible), fold the mirrors in, keep all windows closed and AC turned off.

As you have access to vagcom do a throttle body alignment before hand too.

Change quite close to red line, it may feel faster changing earlier because you drop back into the torque but later changes will give better drag times as gear changes slow you down.

Throttle body alignment - haddnt thought of that one......... For anyone wanting to do this with VAG-COM:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/showpost.php?p=144162&postcount=9

If you ever suffer heatsoak you may also want to remove the drivers side lower grill to get a bit more air to the IC and remove the engine cover as it acts as an insulator.

Also try and keep your gear changes as quick and as smooth as possible.

Hope you'll be sharing all this info with the others, so it's a reasonably fair comparison :P:rofl:

Chris

Run with bugger all fuel too! Each litre of fuel weighs 1Kg!!!!

Also don't forget to switch off ASR/ESP as it'll ruin your start if it's on.

I think there are 2 choices on tyre pressures - slightly elevated pressure to help me along the way once moving or "normal" pressure for increased traction and stability under braking.

ASR will be switched off too

Sounds like fun.

As already said. tAke hte front grill out and the wheel arch liner.

Fill with as little fuel as you can. Loose wait.

The rear seats are really easy to take out, apparently, although I've never tried. Spare wheel definitely.

Something that's always puzzled me - how do you do a burnout? Must be impossible in a fwd car :confused: I assume with rwd you rev the engine with your foot on the brakes?

empty the washer bottle...that'll save you a good 5kg...

no spare wheel...don't need that jack either..

unscrew the grill from the front of the bonnet for better cooling and less weight

take your floor mats out...rubber mats must weigh a good 8-10kg

take your cds out

don't eat breakfast or drink any mugs of tea and go for a pre race slash/dump...and drive in your undercrakers..another couple of kilos saved..

get your hair shaved to a number one..another 20 grammes

Burnout in a FWD is easy given a strong handbrake and low friction surface. I suspect it'd be hard on concrete though.

SLightly off-topic though, Nick

Rear seats will be stayuing in the car as I dont want to look like a cheat.

The rear seats are really easy to take out' date=' apparently, although I've never tried. Spare wheel definitely.

Something that's always puzzled me - how do you do a burnout? Must be impossible in a fwd car :confused: I assume with rwd you rev the engine with your foot on the brakes?[/quote']

Rear seats are very easy and just require a big screw driver to open the catches, if you have 3 point centre belt then that also needs unbolting.

You don't really need the brakes as you can do a rolling burnout, basically just floor the throttle, they're easier at drag strips as they have a special puddle just before the strip specifically for this purpose.

Rear seats will be stayuing in the car as I dont want to look like a cheat.

Just say you've got some furniture to move later. Seriously the back seats weight ALOT.

unscrew the grill from the front of the bonnet for better cooling and less weight

I would expect the effect on aerodynamics would outweigh the gain in cooling. On the 1/4mile this wouldn't really matter but over 1mile I think it will have an effect.

One question...

Off the start line, how do you know exactly where to have the pointer at to get the maximum out of take off? Max torque rpm or bhp rpm?

One question...

Off the start line' date=' how do you know exactly where to have the pointer at to get the maximum out of take off? Max torque rpm or bhp rpm?[/quote']

None of those in a FWD car.

Why??

Because it will just spin the wheels and tramp.

Somewhere around 2500 is reckoned to be good in the Octavia.

Burnout in a FWD is easy given a strong handbrake and low friction surface. I suspect it'd be hard on concrete though.

SLightly off-topic though' date=' Nick

Rear seats will be stayuing in the car as I dont want to look like a cheat.[/quote']

I didn't think it was off-topic. If you can get your tyres warmed up and sticky, you will get better hookup off the line. I doubt the handbrake on the Octavia would be up to the job though unless you were on glass.

I doubt the handbrake on the Octavia would be up to the job though unless you were on glass.

..yep, on the Octy the handbrake seems to be fitted for aesthetic reasons only..

We're now discussing (in the office) sticking tape over the panel gaps (like Top Gear did for the Transit 'Ring lap)

One question...

Off the start line' date=' how do you know exactly where to have the pointer at to get the maximum out of take off? Max torque rpm or bhp rpm?[/quote']

Trying to launch at peak torque or power will mean you go nowhere! Traction is the key. In the Fabia, I try to pull away more smoothly from only about 2000rpm, either that or you sit there just spinning the wheels.

We're now discussing (in the office) sticking tape over the panel gaps (like Top Gear did for the Transit 'Ring lap)

tape over the gaps between the spokes of the alloys..