Shutdown Tactics

[KJ Jones]

I'm posting this message in all of the class forums. I'm just curious...honestly, my own curiousity...what do racers in various classes do with their cars--specifically the engines--immediately after clearing the finish line at Top End?

I'm just wondering whether the "norm" is to just let off the gas/brake/throw 'chute and stop with the engine running? Or, do a lot of you "click it (shut engine off w/trans in Neutral)" right after a pass and coast into the shutdown area? If you "click it," I'd like to know why you choose to do this? Is it to close out a data recording? Is it done to preserve/save an engine?

I talked to one racer who "counts to three," then shifts his tranny into Neutral, but keeps the engine running, at the end of a pass. Do any of you do this?

I guess in all of this I'm looking for what you all think is the "right" thing to do, and your reasoning why. I'm sure that the engine's level of sophistication has something to do with your procedures.

Again, this is question is asked just to satisfy my personal curiosity. I've always just kept the engine running and slowed down/proceeded into the shutdown area.

[junkyarddawg]

My procedure is lift the throttle and go to neutral simultaneously then cut the engine. The reason is I am nitrous and you must have a clean cut to get a good plug read. Second is because of aluminum rods; if you "engine brake" with aluminum rods it will try to pull the rod apart or pull the cap off the rod.

[KJ Jones]

My procedure is lift the throttle and go to neutral simultaneously then cut the engine. The reason is I am nitrous and you must have a clean cut to get a good plug read. Second is because of aluminum rods; if you "engine brake" with aluminum rods it will try to pull the rod apart or pull the cap off the rod.

Very interesting. The aluminum-rod info. Thanks!