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dial in/bracket racing first experience and questions.

Gen 4: 2011-15 
902 views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  mattcarp 
#1 ·
Went to the track Saturday and they had a motorcycle class racing so instead of doing the test n tune I entered in the race. I got 3 runs in before the race and was running 10.5's. It was cooling off as it came time to race so I picked 10.52 as my dial in. I also got a look at most of the other bikes. Mine my 2 buddies and 2 other bikes were street bikes with various setups the other 15 were all purpose built drag bikes. So we were not expecting to do too well.

My first round I was paired up against a purpose built 07 zx14 and they guy on it had been racing for awhile. He told me he tries to make every race he can. He dialed in at 9 something. I ran a 10.54 and he broke out so I won.

2 of the other street bikes didn't win and were bumped out. One of my friends also advanced.

The next round I was paired with a badass turbo busa. I can't remember his dial in. I overheard him and some of the other riders talking in the staging lanes. They were the 3 guys going against us on the street legal bikes. They were all talking about who they were going to be racing next round, obviously overlooking us. I kept my dial in at 10.52. We lined up and were both staged then it took awhile for the starter to start us. I had a decent launch and was about 3/4 of the track when he flew by me like I was standing still. So I figured I really screwed up he broke out. Got to the end of the track and he told me congrats and said he ended up red lighting because we sat so long staged. I didn't even see the win light so I was surprised. Got my time slip and had run a 10.53 so I think I would've given him a run for his money had he not redlighted.

My buddy lost but the other guy on a street bike (a gen3) had won. So the next round was 2 street legal Zx10r's vs. 3 drag bikes (a badass busa, a turbo'd vrod and some other bike).
A car leaked on the track so it was down and they resprayed the track. The temp also started dropping due to sundown so I dropped my dial in to 10.51.

I went up against the busa and he dialed in at 10.35 so we started close. I came off the line and wheelied hard chopped the throttle instead of pulling the clutch like I should have. Then grabbed a handful of throttle and wheelied again but rode it out. The other guy jumped way ahead and then sat up and waited at the end of track then punched it for the win.

The other street bike also lost but I think its not to bad to tie for 4th at our first attempt racing. Especially with the guys we were up against. The first round the dragbike guys were really cool and bullshited with us and talked about the bikes. Then the next round it was like we walked into their clubhouse uninvited and they kind of gave us a cold shoulder. Then the third round they acted like we had pissed in their wheaties and weren't even standing there. The wasn't even money on the line it was a charity race and the only prize was a trophy. So I don't know if we did something wrong or if they were mad we were beating their buddies.

So what's the normal strategy for picking a dial in? Do you pick a slower time than you normally run and let off or do you play it safe and go just faster than what you normally run and stay in it? Everyone i went against asked what my dial was going to be? Do you base your dial in off the opponent's? The only strategy I was using was if I was ahead by a good amount at the line let off. If it was close or I was behind I'd stay in the throttle.
 
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#2 ·
I would suggest u do a lot of T-n-t first to see how consistent u can be and once u have the consistency down that's where u go and dial in ur time for bracket.....I would say if u ran 10.24 consistently then dial in for that but keep in mind that if u go any faster u will break out, with that in mind if u dial in and do any upgrades or anything to the bike to go faster then u will have to dial in another number....good luck:thumbsup:
 
#4 ·
Bracket Racing

You did pretty damn good for your first time bracket racing. I have bracket raced for many years. Getting the three passes is whats important to get your dial in right. Always dial what your fastest pass was to start. This will allow you to run a full pass and if your opponent makes a mistake you can roll off and not break out. You did awesome by adjusting your time to changing conditions weather and track. Bracket racing comes down to reaction time to the light and running your number. The drag bikes have an advantage especially if they are running wheelie bars their launch is much more consistant that a street bike as you experienced with your wheelie problems on the last pass. If you run on a sportsmans tree then they really have no reaction time advantage. If you run on a Pro tree then they have a reaction time advantage. The way to over come their advantage on a pro tree is to deep stage. I have beaten many drag bikes that way. Now go kick there ass. LOL
 
#5 ·
I've bracket raced for a few years now and all the advice I can give is try and do everything the same run after run. obviously "seat time" is key. keep faith in your dial in and bike..if racing a faster bike, Judge your opponent after the 1000 ft mark and decide whether to lift or stay in it. this way you'll have time record up to 1000ft to judge for the dial in for your next pass.


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#6 ·
Thanks guys. I've done a handful of test and tunes this year but haven't been to good with my 60 ft times that's where I need the most work. My 60's are anywhere between 1.8-2.4 sec range. Lately I've been in the 10.5 range fairly consistently but I haven't found the balance between a decent launch and too hard or a launch. I've lowered the rear using a soupys link and strapped the front the last 2 times I've gone and my launches are either really slow or too hard and wheelie too much. I guess I'll just practice more next year. Hopefully I can get a Quickshifter and build my skills. My goal for next year is to keep the bike stock wheel base and street legal and get to the 9's. I haven't seen any bikes make the 9's at the track I go to without air shifters and very experienced riders.
 
#7 ·
It's not about having the fastest bike or being the quickest rider, you can have a 9sec bike and run 11.50s with it, as long as you stay consistent and have a great reaction you're good. You can run 2.4 60 foot and win races as long as you do it over and over again. Some guys slow down to save their clutch and take it easy on their bikes and win races at our local track.
 
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