I'm entering a bracket race with my Evo this weekend. This is the first competition that I have entered with my car. There are two catagories, one allowing electronics and the other not allowing electronics. I have launch control and anti-lag on my Evo. Are either one of these features considered to be "electronics?" Typically is one bracket considered to be more competitive than the other? I'm a newbie when it comes to this type of race, which bracket do you recommend? BTW, I typically run between 11.4 and 11.7 @ about 125 mph without launch control. Launch control and anti-lag will be a new feature for me. Should I use it at this event for the first time? Thanks in advance for your response.

I also live in Colorado - about 6000 ft above sea level. I'm hoping for the low 11's.

 

Bracket racing is about consistency and cutting a good light. Try to get some test runs with the launch control before the competition to dial the car in to where you can run the same time all the time. Even if it is a little slower than your normal time consistency and a good light are what wins the race.

Also no. Those items I don't think are considered. What they are talking about is the built bracket cars with delay boxes etc.

 

I am guessing what they mean by electronics is any device that senses the change of light coming from the tree. Though I'd suggest that you give the track a call and find out exactly what they mean. There's nothing worse than practising on one setup then having to switch on race day.

 

when they are referring to "electronics" its basically a computer that times the tree lights and helps get you perfect reaction times. You should be fine with using anti-lag/launch control... however I never liked using this. It will take some time to perfect and when your in bracket racing, you don't have time to think about launching.

 

If you want to do any good bracket racing, you need to go to the track in a car with an automatic transmission. You will not make it to the finals. You cannot be consistent enough with a stick.

 

umm....that is TOTALLY not true. ive won several bracket racing competitions and made it into the finals on many other occasions as well and i drive a stick. basically as long as you can get a decent launch and repeat it, you should do very well. its all about launching off the line to cut a good light.

 

I guess it depends on your competition.

I race NHRA and IHRA Super Stock for about 1/3 of my yearly income. Sticks don't stand a chance against me or the other autos.

I run a Chevy 327 bolted to a powerglide trans through a 12 bolt rear end. 10.30's at high 120's. EVERY TIME. Of course the only change comes with track elevations and weather.

In any stick car I have ever run down the strip, it is EASY to vary your time a couple of TENTHS. To win in a competitive setting, you need to be consistent to the .01 and sometimes a race is determined by .0001.

Ok, you're right. Can you win with a stick? Of course. Is it easy, feasible, probable, or cheap? No.

 

hehe good one......competition......lmao. its pretty much all about the driver buddy. i make a good amout of money in competition also, so i can say autos dont stand a chance against me either. my times are always consistent to the .01. and just like i said before, its all in the launch. thats basically the only way the time is gonna get thrown off. and my lights average around .090, thank you.

 

Last time I ran I put down 8 passes all with-in .4 hundreths, not bad but it would be hard keep that consistancy up. An unstressed v8 with a PG will always be more consistant then 4shifts on a turbo motor. Not to mention the ease of launching with a t-brake.

 

You are totally correct. No electronics refers to delay boxes and similiar equipment designed to cut that "perfect light". The electronics in your EVO should be no problem with the track rules. Good luck in the brackets.

 

That's fine! Let me know when you are ready to do some racing that matters nationally. Bring it! haha. Hey man, if you think you can't be beat, that's cool. I'm not here to argue with a fellow racer. I'm just saying that by bracket racing with a stick, you are making it that much harder to win. Peace.

 

ok, now that is true. i never said it wasnt hard, just that it IS possible to perform decently with a stick. it is very hard to be consistent time and time again, it all just depends on the driver.