My wife got me tickets to the Test & Tune at the Route 66 Raceway in Joliet IL and I had a few questions. It is for Sat. Aug. 15 2009.

Is a helmet required?
Is it only limited to the drag strip? (dirt track, race track)
Do you have to pay for parking if ur racing?
Is there food there?
Can you leave and come back for lunch or dinner?

Any other info would be appreciated.

 

it sounds like you've never been to a track before.

1. If you run faster than a 13.99 then yes a helmet is required at all tracks.
2. The Oval and other tracks are not at the same location as the strip.
3. If you are racing the money you pay covers parking, but if you already have tickets bought then I'm not sure how much your going to pay.. if you'll have to pay anything.
4. Nearly all racetracks have food. Let alone Rt. 66 being part of the NHRA schedule. But, it being a T&T session I'm not sure if all of the stands will be open.. maybe only a select few.
5. You'll have to ask that question when you come into the gate.. some tracks allow you to come back in if you show your ticket stub, but others try to make you pay again.

 

Just a word of warning: Rt. 66 test and tune nights tend to be packed. I've made it down there for a few Tuesday night sessions, and I've been lucky to get three runs in all evening because of the lines. I have no idea how things work now that they've moved to a Saturday schedule, but I assume they'll be even more packed. I'd suggest calling ahead to find out how early you can arrive.

Other than that: 13.99 is the time cutoff for a helmet, and you should probably have one regardless. Helmet selection, though, is tricky: a DOT-approved helmet (ie. a motorcycle helmet) is fine for drag racing (and any strip will let you in with one), but if you ever plan on doing an HPDE/time-trial/road-racing event, you'll need an helmet with an SA2005 (or newer) certification sticker on/in it. Something to think about, if you plan on using the steering wheel as well as the throttle, you might want to just get an SA-approved helmet instead. (As a bonus, they tend to be more comfortable. )

The last time I was at Rt. 66 for a test and tune, I had no problem leaving and coming back (the fellow I was meeting there made the mistake of wearing shorts, so we had to make a quick run to Walmart to get him some long pants). That's another thing to make note of: no shorts, long pants only.

Rt. 66 is probably the toughest track in the region when it comes to tech. Looking at the mods in your sig, you'll be just fine, but those of us with more heavily modified cars (my DSMs in particular) get the "fine-toothed comb" treatment. They're a world-class track, though; it's one of the nicest facilities I've ever raced at, and it's right in our own back yard.

Anyway, have a good time, and let us know how you did!

 

Yea it's my first time. I'm very nervous and excited. any other tips and and tricks?

 

slip the clutch for a good 60'!

If my clutch wasent toast I would probly Join you there.

 

Definitely don't side-step the clutch. In fact, don't worry about your 60' (your launch) the first few times you stage the car. Just get the car off the line smoothly and concentrate on your shift points. Then start working on launching the tires off the car.

 

I drive an RA so I have an Twin Clutch SST auto trans. The most important part about this car is the launch. Gotta watch the RPMs as no to put the trans into safe mode. Ive read the sweet spot is around 2500-3000rpms for the launch. When I put the trans into Sport mode it will shift at around 6500+rpms. Is there any difference if I use Tarmac, Gravel or Snow?

 

If you were going in September, I'd go down.. but I can't this weekend. As far as a difference between the 3 differential settings, I'd say just leave it on Tarmac. I've heard of some people putting it on Gravel and running faster, but personally I don't see the point in doing that unless your spinning through first gear to help get traction.