Originally Posted by Karl

Assuming you don't fluff any gear changes, and the run is otherwise identical your fastest actual time will be the run with the fastest 60ft time.

The faster you are doing at the 60ft mark, again assuming you dont fluff any gears and use the same gears (i.e. not changing into 5th) the faster you will cross the line because you are carrying more speed at the 60ft mark with a fixed amount of distance left to accelerate in. For that given distance if you are starting at a higher speed you will end up with a higher terminal speed.

As a very rough ball park we find that ever 0.1 saved on the 60ft time will save you 0.2 secs overall but obviously that is assuming each run is identical other than the 60ft time.

Changing gear just before the finish line is a complete no no! If you can hang onto 4th gear then do so, even if your power is tailing. It will give a quicker time.

Lastly remember your terminal speed is only the average speed over the last 60 ft of the run, not the actual terminal speed. For most cars that are'nt accelerating much at 100mph that won't differ much, but on hugh bhp cars it's a suprising difference. (up to 5mph more at the finish line compared to the 60ft average).

Hope that helps folk understand the drag strip a little more.