How To

How to Make Adjustments to Your Car in NHRA Racing

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By eHow Contributing Writer
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An NHRA drag car has thousands of adjustments that can be made to it. Nearly every inch of these racers can be tweaked and tuned to meet specific needs of the driver, the track and the weather. While knowing how to make many adjustments requires years of experience to apply expertly, there are a few basics that every racer should know.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Burn off a layer of rubber on your new tires. NHRA racers are famous for the peeling out before a race and sending clouds of white smoke into the air. While this looks impressive, it severs an important purpose. By burning your tires for a few seconds you take off the slick new layer of rubber and heat the tires so they get better traction off the start.

  2. Step 2

    Remove all excess weight. One of the most important aspects of having a successful NHRA car is the weight to power ratio. While it's important to have a strong engine that will carry you to the finish line, it is also essential to strip your car down to the bare essentials without sacrificing safety. The lower the weight the faster you will go.

  3. Step 3

    Experiment with your throttle's sensitivity. Another key to being a successful drag racer is being able to beat the other car off the starting line. Adjust your throttle so the slightest pressure on the pedal sends the car flying forward.

  4. Step 4

    Check to make sure your steering alignment is perfect. While the goal of an NHRA racer is to go straight, you will waste precious tenths of seconds steering to keep your car out of a wall.

  5. Step 5

    Practice your ability to read the start light. By anticipating the light and getting off faster than your opponent, you will give yourself a huge advantage.

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