The Starting Line is a biweekly column for our Sportsman drag racers brought to you by Schnitz Racing. Every other week we will feature a frequently asked question and have it answered by a panel of experienced sportsman racers. Having questions answered by multiple racers will give our new racers several perspectives on the information they want. If you have a sportsman related question, submit it to editor@dragbike.com.

Do you have tips for going from ET to an Index class?

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Do what you have to do to remember what tree your on, especially if you’re a bottom bulb (no delay box) racer.  When I am two or three bikes back from the burnout box, I go through a mental visual of how I want to stage and what light I’m going to leave on.  Then if I can see the tree from where I am in staging lane, I’ll do a few practice hits of runs in front of me sitting on the bike.  If I can’t see the tree, I’ll just try to mentally visual the tree and take a few practice hits sitting on the bike.  I believe this makes it easier to remember what your going to do on the starting line.

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Whether you’re running an ET class or an Index class, they take the same dedication.  Just because you ran 8.88 in Georgia, doesn’t mean you’ll run 8.88 in Michigan.  Learn shift points to run index classes and use the same dial-in ET classes. Every time you take your bike off the trailer you will encounter a different set of variables. Take notes. Both classes demand they’re own specific respect. 

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The main focus going from an ET to an Index class is the tree. In the ET classes you run a full tree, and in Index classes you have to adjust to Pro tree. Races can be lost at the tree, so you will first want to mast a Pro Tree. Once you have that down, work on dialing your bike into the index you want to run and stick with a consistent set-up. Test, test, test, you can never be under prepared!

– Good luck be safe!

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Find a predictable way to make your bike run the index no matter the weather or track. Shift points, throttle stop, NOS tune, etc.

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 We’ll see you in two weeks for another edition of the Starting Line.