Hey all. See information here

So this is my first drag race. It is a 4-speed. I would appreciate tips on stageing and what not. Also tune up tips and parts I should check before racing. I will do a valve adjust and change my spark plugs and wires. I may also change my headgasket. Also what are your opinions on tire pressure? I'm thinking i'll remove the front bumper and my passenger seat. Keep the rear bumper and louvers for the weight on the rear wheels? What should my launch strategy be? I've practiced once before, reved it high, floored it and dropped the clutch, I got a good bit of wheel spin which made me slower, but I don't recall how much gas I had in the tank. So should I go for a full tank of gas and do a hard launch for a possibly better 60ft time. Or do a softer launch without the bumper and louver and only 1/4 of a tank to pick up faster acceleration down the track?

Just avoid those sleeper Pintos and the Yugos with NOS stickers, and you shouldn't get whipped too badly. Just kidding, just kidding! Hate to admit I don't know squat about drag racing, so I actually do follow the preceding advice.

Lighten the car , leave the spair tire, passanger seat home . I wouldent pull the head to change the gasket unless it is faulty. Make sure all is in tune , adjust the valves , and ballance and adjust the carbs. I would set them a little on the rich side . You DONT want a lean pop from the carbs when you floor it . Fresh plugs wont hurt any thing. As for the fuel run with 5 gal. and for wheel spin , get off the line with as much power as you can with little wheel spin . Wheel spin will raise the ET times and lower the speed usually.Watch the tree and punch it when the last yellow light comes on, and if you are like most people , you will be right on when the green light flashes. Shift at the proper RPM when making the most torque. Running the engine to redline will yeald slower times.The shift points will be dictated by the cam you are running. Also if you have the stock 240 air filter remove the air cartridge but leave the filter base , it has the horns mounted in it that are tuned for the engine. I am assuming you are running SUs .