New to stick
 

So I just got back from my first trip to the track since picking up my manual. Ive been driving stick for about 2 months now and needless to say I was disappointed. My best time was a 14.2 and my worst was a 17.8. My 60 foots ranged from 2.2-3.1 seconds. RIDICULOUS! I couldnt figure out the launch and would just spin my tires through second gear! If I did hook then I would do something stupid like miss third gear. Any tips on launching on street tires?

I'm not familiar with your car other than guessing that it is an '02...mind sharing the specs?

Simple tip on launching with street tires is to drop the pressure in the tires a little bit to give you move of a contact patch and just be gentle on the drop. Don't just let her loose, you kind of have to feather the clutch a bit unless you've got drag radials.

You need a Driver mod.

Just kidding. Get some radials.

With your mods you should definitely be mid 13's at least. On streets.

Do the driver mod. Practice.

Check out the drag strip sticky at the top!

And practice practice! I have not raced on street tires in 4 years and tonight I am gonna try it again. Should be hilarious. I used to cut 2.0X 60' times on stock 245 tires all day long. But once I switched to drag radials it was a different game. Gonna see if I can remember how to do it well tonight.