Alright, our sports car club is organizing a drag meet at a nearby drag strip, and everyone keeps telling me I should go. Never been drag racing, it sounds like fun, but I'm wondering, how much harder is it on my transmission than autocross?

I've autocrossed quite a bit over the past 2 years, and all it consists of is one hard launch with the tranny locked in 1, some wheelspin (with high front tire pressures), and a shift into gear 2 lock for the rest of the time.

I've changed my Honda ATF every other oil change, and run a trans cooler that seems to help a bit. So far, transmission still shifts great, and no problems, so I'd like to keep it that way.

First things first, if I do bracket racing, I guess I'll leave it in D3, or D4 the entire time, from launch to end for consistencies sake? I guess at launch, it wouldn't be any harder or different than my current method of launching in gear 1 lock?

Also, what tires should I run, and at what pressures? I can choose between:

1) Stock 15x6" steelies with 205/60-15 Kumho KH11s (ok grip, softer sidewall).

2) 18lb 15x6" 240sx SE wheels with 205/50-15 Falken Azenis RT215s (lotsa grip, really stiff sidewalls)

3) 14x5.5" steelies with crap 400-500 treadwear used tires.

How about my stockers in the back, and azenis in the front?

Finally, anything else I should worry about? (motor, motor mounts, etc)

My '02 4cyl Accord is stock, except for the intake resonator removed, Ingalls front UCAs dialed in with -0.7* of max camber for auto-x, and a TL-S rear sway and front strut bar...

 

I'd leave it in D, don't power brake it on the start but for only a second, don't manual shift it, and let it cool between runs. Heat kills the trannys and Hondas are weak to begin with.