10 Ways to Make Sure Your Car Can Win the Next Street Race
In recent years, street racing has become very popular in the United States. But what is required to win the next street race? To most, the answer is quite obvious: to drive as fast as you can until the checkered flag waves at you. However, getting your car to the finish line takes much more than that.
One of the most crucial tasks when racing a car is consistently practicing the craft. Getting ahead in the race requires skill, good equipment, and sound engineering to back up your equipment. While the car that wins the race is sometimes the fastest, there are other vital aspects you need to have in mind. This article outlines the top tried and proven strategies to ensure your car can win the next street race.
1. Practice on Asphalt
Asphalt pavements offer numerous benefits to motorists. According to the Virginia Asphalt Association, asphalt paving provides smooth driving surfaces and excellent traction suitable for a drag race. In addition, laying down asphalt considers the safety of top-speed racers.
When racing, the surface provides excellent grip between the tires and the asphalt. In these circumstances, the driver is confident that the car turns as soon as the steering wheel turns. Moreover, asphalt traction makes accelerating through corners easier. You gain more confidence and understanding of the roads’ nature when you practice constantly on the asphalt pavement. It, therefore, becomes a breeze for you to win the next street race.
2. Practice on Concrete
If you want to win the next race, you will want to practice on different surfaces. You can think of both concrete and asphalt roads as relatives. They both use aggregate. However, while concrete uses a cement binder, asphalt uses bitumen to hold it together. Generally, concrete tends to have more grip.
Installing a concrete racing track requires an expert concrete contractor to ensure it has the perfect rigidity and load distribution for racing cars. While none is better than the other, if you desire to win the next street race, you must take time to understand the nature of both roads in terms of friction and grip level.
3. Get Necessary Repairs
If your vehicle is not in perfect shape, it won’t matter how quick of a driver you are. You are likely to experience problems with speed, maneuvering, and concentration. Ultimately, you set yourself up for losing. Therefore, ensure your car parts are in good condition before entering the competition. Expecting to win the next street race with defective components is quite far-fetched.
Car parts work in tandem. It is risky to ignore maintenance as it can lead to the failure of the entire system of your vehicle. The best way to curb such issues is always to stay prepared. Understand how your vehicle works to detect problems early enough. Also, liaise with professional and reliable local auto repair to ensure your car is always in top-notch condition. Some of the most common auto repairs include:
- Fuel cap tightening – It is the main reason for the unwanted ”check engine” light on your dashboard. It affects fuel economy, making you refuel your tank more often.
- Spark plug replacement – Spark plugs ignite fuel in the engine. Failure to replace them in time can lead to poor or lack of acceleration.
- Oxygen sensor replacement. Oxygen sensors are responsible for the optimization of energy performance and emissions. Getting a professional to check your oxygen sensors can prevent future damage.
- Brake work – Most car accidents are caused by brake failure. Brakes repair service is crucial for any driver to stay safe on the road.
- Ignition system- If a car’s ignition system isn’t working, your vehicle may fail to start or stop in the middle of your drive. Constantly evaluate your car’s ignition if you want to win the next race.
4. Don’t Ignore Dashboard Lights
A car’s dashboard comprises climate control, entertainment, and gauges. All these lights communicate to the driver that something is amiss. Therefore, you must find and address your car’s problem when a dashboard light appears. The last thing you want is to experience problems in the middle of the race.
The check engine light is perhaps the most worrisome warning light. Remember, the engine is your vehicle’s heart. If it’s defective, moving, leave alone racing, will be an uphill task. The check engine light could be a telltale sign of different issues but mainly indicates problems with fuel, emission systems, or your car’s ignition. For your safety purposes and that of other road users, you should have your car checked as soon as the dashboard warning lights flicker. These precautions will give you an upper hand in ensuring you win the next street race.
5. Make Sure Your Brakes Are in Good Condition
Most drivers overlook their car’s brakes until it’s too late. When you realize your pedal is getting softer and gradually your feet start touching the floorboard, it’s time to raise the alarm. Not only will brake failure decrease your chances of winning the next street race, but it may also cost you your car or, even worse, your life.
It is crucial to assess your brake condition before driving and take your car for brake repair service often. It’s one of the most overused parts of the vehicle, and maintenance of this crucial component is a continuous affair. In any case, how would you race and maneuver corners with a faulty brake?
You are probably wondering; how do I know the brakes are in bad shape? It is crucial to recognize common brake issues that occasionally arise to stay safe on the road. If you notice your car shaking after applying brakes, loose brake pedals that move up and down, or a steering wheel that shakes when brakes are applied, it’s time to visit the garage. Soft brake pedals or a weird sound when you brake are also telltale signs of defective brakes.
6. Get the Right Tires
If you are about to go on the race track, ensure you are using the right tires. Poor tire choice could be dangerous for you and negatively affect your car’s chances of winning the next street race. But how do you know it’s time to give your car some new tires? Here is a breakdown of the signs you need to watch out for to tell your tires aren’t up to standard.
- Loss of traction. Traction loss is evident when your car starts to slide or slip during wet weather.
- Lack of pressure on the tires. Continuous pressure loss can be caused by debris forming between the rim and tires, damaging the side walls.
- Visible damage. Clear signs such as misalignment, noticeable wear and tear, or improper pressure fluctuations indicate the need for tire replacements.
- Car Vibration. When you feel a vibration in the steering wheel, it could be because your tires are worn out unevenly. However, a professional must determine the cause of the vibration.
Tire selection is a process on its own. Familiarizing yourself with the track you are racing on, the terrain, and the seasons when you will be driving will help you match your driving style with the perfect tires. Remember, there are different tires for different weather conditions.
For example, winter tires are designed to handle extreme snowy conditions because they have deeper treads. They wear down quickly if you use them on warm pavements. Pay attention to the weather and road conditions to determine if you need new tires for your next race.
7. Consider Transmission Upgrades
Your car’s transmission system is one of the most complex but vital parts of a car system. It transmits power from the engine to the wheels. If the transmission system is defective, the gears can’t get power from the engine. As a result, the engine stalls or idles when you shift gears. In fact, the car might fail to move. You can’t race and win when the car is not moving, right?
You must service and upgrade your transmission to win the next street race. An upgrade ensures your transmission hits can handle more power, boosting its peak performance and power. You can drive at higher speeds and win races. For instance, you can install a gear splitter or add an overdrive kit.
Poor driving habits, towing or carrying excessive loads, and operating conditions can affect transmission performance. To guarantee your peace of mind on the race track, frequently check with your transmission services professional to ensure all your car parts are functioning correctly before you hit the road.
8. Get an Aerodynamic Paint Coating
Your car represents your style and image on the race track. How you take care of and protect it reflects your taste and style. Today, applying a paint coating is the most preferred method of preserving your car’s paint job. Visit a ceramic coating service to give your vehicle a fresh coat of paint.
Ceramic coatings protect the original car paint from external damage, protect the exterior from harmful UV rays, keep the car cleaner for a more extended period, and give your vehicle a remarkable shine. Aerodynamic paint coating does much more. It is designed to reduce drag while racing. The aim is to help you cruise faster and win the race.
9. Install Useful Accessories
Your long desire to win the next street race needs you to feel more comfortable as you move around. Auto accessories go a long way in providing comfort and convenience to ensure you achieve maximum performance as you navigate. An auto accessories shop stocks numerous accessories on the market to suit your needs.
For example, a phone mount holder can help you keep track of your GPS without getting your hands off the wheel as you drive. A USB car charger that fits right next to the driver’s seat ensures your phone’s battery doesn’t run out when needed most. Additionally, a kit with all the emergency essentials comes in handy just in case tragedy strikes unexpectedly. Below are other important accessories you should consider.
- Head-up gear display
- Dashcam and a rearview camera
- Car performance monitor
- Air freshener
- GPS indicator and map
10. Keep Plenty of Gas on Hand
You wouldn’t want the distraction of a fuel light indicating fuel shortage in the middle of a race, so make sure you have plenty of fuel stored in your garage. Imagine your car stopping mid-race because the fuel has run out. You will definitely lose. In addition, low fuel tank capacity damages the car’s engine.
You can harm your vehicle if you wait for the engine to drain the fuel before you refill your tank. The excessive accumulation of tank sludge that settles at the bottom of the tank can clog the engine, affecting its performance. Other car components can malfunction when your vehicle pumps too much air due to a low fuel tank.
Your vehicle stalling on the runway because of low fuel could also be dangerous to you and other drivers. Also, the confusion and anxiety caused by low fuel light could lead to distraction and accidents. For peace of mind, it is better to check your fuel level before the race and fill it to capacity.
Now that you are ready to set out for the race track, the tips above will steer you toward success. Study the racing track before time to understand the turns, dynamics, and crucial aspects required to keep you ahead of the race. With these guidelines in mind, you can easily win the next street race, and with a little luck, of course.
