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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â Just because you ran 8.88 in Georgia, doesn’t mean you’ll run 8.88 in Michigan. Â 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.Â
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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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