• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Can't win a round to save my life!

LemonWedge

Well-Known Member
Local time
4:30 AM
Joined
Dec 27, 2009
Messages
937
Reaction score
1,963
Location
Puyallup, WA
Im on the worst winless streak of my life! While I'm not a seasoned racer with dacades of experience, I've been doing this for a few years now. Last few years I've been pretty successful, yet to win a race but usually went rounds. Decided this year to race the local point series, racing more than ever before. Well, It's just not working out like I'd hoped. After a halfway decent start to the season, I'm now on a 5 race 1st round exit streak, and I'm doing it in every way conceivable. The last four races have yielded a breakout taking way too much stripe, then two 1st round redredlights; and last night the Coup De'Grau! I was #1 qualifier thanks to a .002 in Q2, 1st round had a slower car in the other lane. I put almost .06 in the bank at the tree (.019 to his .075) caught him at about 1000 ft, fendered...... then SOMEHOW gave away the stripe by .006!, and threw away a 2nd round bye in the process.
This hobby can be so fickle. I'm frustrated, but trying to just focus on having fun with the car, which has been stellar by the way. The Lemonwedge is doing its part for sure. It's never been more consistent; within a couple of hundredths every run, every time out, and yet I'm inventing ways to throw it away. UUGGHH!!

Rant over.......... hoping for some FBBO encouragement.
 
Stick to it it'll turn around, it could be worse you could be in my shoes sitting in the grandstands waiting for your motor and watching everyone else race
 
At least your racing!
Ive been out of commission for the first 4 months of racing season.
Seems like there are definitely "streaks" associated with winning and losing.
You'll get back to winning.
Stick with it.
 
Haven't raced in years either but it took me years to win one. That happened when I finally decided to just make the car consistent and run my own race and not worry about who was in the other lane. Another thing that usually made me lose was not being consistent on the light. I usually get quicker once I start going rounds but my early rounds usually sucked. Hate to say this but I usually go at least 3 rounds before losing. Every now and then I red eyed but most times, my light was a bit better than the other guy/gal but had to amp myself up for the early rounds and then slow myself down in the later rounds. Trying to relax in the early rounds only produced late lights but I had to figure out how to do that in the later rounds if I made it that far lol.
 
I haven't raced since my early 20s... Remember what you are out there for...fun!!!... don't turn it into a job as hard as that sounds...
One thing I noticed in everything I ever competed in, racing, softball, basket ball, take kwon do was that, as hokie as it sounds, everything had a rythm to it.
Youll find it, I'm sure just keep plugging away.
Best of luck!
 
Last edited:
Never raced cars but raced motocross for years and know all about it. It's a head game, the more you screw up the more you worry about screwing up and the cycle just takes off from there. Put it aside and get back to it.
 
Agree with all above, get your nerves under control.
 
Try racing in 1963...lol....I ran at NHRA tracks with my 1963 max wedge aluminum nose plymouth....our handicap was the NHRA national record for SS/AA. There was no way I could run even 2/10ths close to the Factory guys who were setting the records. I.was a 21 yr old speed shop owner with my first real race car....had memories I wouldn't give up
We had 1/4 mile ET and MPH. No 60', 330', 660', or 1000' clocks...I had a picture of me and my car in the staging lanes at the 1965 US NATIONALS at INDY alongside Strickler, Sox, Harrop, Leal, etc,etc, BUT LOST IT OVER THE YEARS.
 
bracket racing is one of the hardest racing to win in,not like the old days when it was so easy,these days it takes a perfect light and run dead on,it can be mastered,but takes a lot of work,and many runs,to make car and driver as one,not only do you have to tune yourself as getting in the right mind and run your own race and who cares in the other lane,car must be able to perform above and beyound,i use to bracket race alot,but havent in a year,instead of me just being a sitting duck and can be known as a easy win,i decitied to sit out until i have a car and can get in the right mind,local track had index racing,which i was good at but they dropped index racing,my advise is to see what the winners are doing,hang out with them.see there tricks,lots of forums to get lots of info,if you really want to bracket race then make it happen and hang in there,the wins will come,but not without hard work and lots of money,may take years or never will,when its your day its your day
 
At least you are racing man! Good on you! I'm just a street cruiser so I have much respect! It ain't easy or cheap to race!
 
theres a thread on moparts about this,all in the mind and the ability to react,have to train yourself
 
When I go to a race I never know who's going to show up, the semi-competitive me or the donated entry fee me. The mental part of racing is fascinating. Bad streaks will pass. Just remember to wear your lucky socks.
 
You and I are in the same spot. However, This is my first year

I have learned to record everything on my log book page.

If your car is dead consistent that makes dialing easy.
My car will take .01 out every time I peddle my car

So if I peddle three times I’ll take .03 out and then get back on it.

Padding the dial like .01 can help as a built in safety net should you feel a spin off the line

However if it hooks, be ready to peddle

If you go flying by the other racer just do what you have to do to not breakout.

Experience and being comfortable to look over once you’re in high gear helps me a lot

I've never just let off, i peddle unless it's that obvious.

Tough in a sea of experianced guys.

My attitude is practice, practice, practice!!

Michael
 
The frustrating thing for me is that driving the stripe is something I had a good feel for a did well on multiple occasions last year. But now 2 brain farts in the past 4 races. The redlights are somewhat normal for me. I live in the .02X range and from time to time I'll get red by .00X. I have been focused on fixing that, so mistakes at the big end have me second guessing.

I'm still confident I can turn this around. These are all good points and suggestions, the most comforting thing is that there's not much here I disagree with or haven't already thought of, so it reassures me that my focus and mind are in the right place.

Thanks for the help and encouragement to all! I'll be sure to report back with smiles once Inturn a few winlights on!!
 
The more you race the more your not a unknown also. Keep good records and doing your thing and it will come, I think it took me my 3rd year before I won a race. Then had 4 yrs as season runner up before I went on a streak of 4yrs as track class champion. If your car is as consistent as you say then dial the # and run it out unless your ahead. I had a bike that I could almost put my dial in on before time trials it was that good. So all I had to do was cut a light and hit the gears. Good luck and stick with it.
 
We've all been there at some point, keep at it you'll get better!
 
We've all been there at some point, keep at it you'll get better!

Good info here. Encouraging. This is my first year too and the only race I've won was in a test pass. But it's gonna come, that's for sure.
 
Bracket racing is tough. Once you win a few races guys don't want to line up against you. You get the feel for the light & learn how to drive the big end. Don't beat the other guy by very much.
 
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top