I figure since I had a .036 (.536) and .080 (.580) reaction time on two of my four runs last thursday, (with a -.014 rt and even though that run was a foul, it had the potential to be damn close to perfect..) I'd share with you my technique.

After you finish staging, make sure you stage as SHALLOW as you can. That is, ease into the staging area and as soon as the second stage light lights, stop. Your tires should be just in the line.

On a regular tree, I left on the second yellow. As in, as soon as I even saw yellow on that second light, I just started my launching process. Don't forget, each light is only .5 seconds long, so acting as soon as you see it gives you about a second to make sure you're pressing the accelerater right, and lets you concentrate on easing the clutch properly. At least psychologically it works for me, since I know I can take my time, not have to look at the tree, and not have to worry about overclutching.

This got me two beautiful RT's which I'm confident I could repeat over and over. I guess i'm trying to say that you should not be afraid to leave early if you shallow stage.

The added bonus of this is that the car lined up next to you will be confused, jump the gun and foul, or get flustered and misclutch. On two of my runs, the cars next to me got 1.3xx (1.8xx) and above for their RT's. Of course, I can't prove that it was because of me leaving so early, but the occurence seems like it's more then just coincedence (i'll find out next time I go).

Remember, this technique might not work for everyone. Some of you may want to leave a little later, or maybe, even leave a little earlier, depending on your driving style, grippyness of your tires, and how powerful your engine/clutch is.

Hopefully I'll get Daisy to the track and give that a try sometime in the near future. Sounds like a decent idea. :thumbsup

i usually deep stage (scroll up until it says you've gone a little too far then back up carefully until both sets are on) and go on the 3rd light, i seem to get the best reaction times (.520, .540, etc...) that way.

i suck at staging, i always have to use my e-brake to keep both lights on and then take off, but my best RT is .586 or somewhere close to that!

to keep from rolling in (so you dont have to use your e brake) try stomping on the brake HARD!! I had the same problem but my dad told me to try it and it works....I deep stage, roll up until only the stage light is on and the prestage light is out. But this idea makes sense and will be worth a try..

From everything that I read, and all the people that I talk to, deepstagings is only for those who want that extra foot lead. It's for the pros really where the different of a hundreth of a second could mean winning or losing.

read this one article where the pit chief kept telling this pro driver to shallow stage whenever he went up against someone that he knew had a slower car. More room for error.

Yeah, shallow stage unless your ET racing.

I can't wait for the track to open this year. I just wanna practice launching and shit. I had fun in the parking lot with my g-tech but I don't know how accurate they really are...1/4 mile = teh funnest!