popping the cherry?

thank you guys for all the help,i really don't want to piss the wrong people off(and i'm sure the tech's will know i'm a newbie ),and i'm not shy about letting people know that i DON'T know,i found you get more help being clear about that,and will certainly talk to the other racers,my runner has driveshaft safety loops,seat belts,i gotta get a helmet.i will be trailering it up so i got a place to keep tires and tools plus parts,also so that i wouldn't need to worry about pushing it,knowing it would have to get me home afterwards.another post here about staging got me to ask this,either racer just stage to the first light then wait for the other to stage first light,then stage double light and watch nothing but the tree? drive around water box then back in? or avoid water box? sorry if this seems stupiedly trivial,and appreciate your guys's help

Nothing is trivial when you are talking about safety and learning! Ask away!
Water depends on your tires, slicks yes, street treaded, not so good. Each track is different, so ask the track staff.
As for the starting, Understand that your first few trys will not cause the top fuel teams to offer you a contract and millions, so just try to be safe and not do anything stupid. It's quite alright to go sit in your car in the garage and visualize the whole process. Helmet on helps too.
When you leave your pit area, you and the car should be ready to run. When you pull up to the front of the line, you should be watching the track guy for what to do (hopefully, you have already talked and he knows that you are new).
When you are in the burnout area, don't do anything until the track guy signals (watch a few races to see what he does). When you pull up to the line, watch the starter, keep the car straight and then watch the prestage lights. When both your and the other car's prestage are lit, either can stage. Pull forward carefully, it's only a few inches. Try not to go too deep, causing the prestage to go out. When both are staged, the starter will press the button and the tree will count down, sending you off. Just as you cross the finish line, let off and apply the brakes. Find out before hand what the track etiquette is for who goes into the turn off first. Usually it's whoever is first down there.
Pull off and go to the timing area and pick up your time slip. (you did check where it is, right?)

Slicks or stock street tires?

thanks guys,and i'll be running slicks,i have 3;55 in it now,but i also have 4;86 center pumpkin that is new and came with the car when o got it,since i'm trailering to the track i thought i should put the 4;86's in for better bite off the line? then practice what you great folks are sharing with me see how i do

What size slick?

a buddy is loaning me his slicks to get me on the track 10" M&H i believe i'm actually picking them up after work tonight,the car in the 70's ran in a class F S/A, don't even know if that is still an existing class (factory stock? not sure,i'll be asking the tech and other racers what class i should be in,that's how novice i am

also reading other posts,so i'll need to drain my antifreeze and run straight water? i'll be running at N.E.D.. thank you

Does it have a drive shaft loop? you need one if your going to run slicks..Have fun and be safe....Phill

remember one thing the most important thing have fun, bring lots of friends, smile cause this stuff we do is awsome,say hi to everyone you could make a friend for life and be safe. was that one thing?

yes i have driveshaft safty loops,i plan on being safe and talking to anyone who will listen ,do i need to run just water? i'm thinking antifreeze a no no?thanks

yes and yes water only

Darren , I'll be there so I help you anyway I can, don't forget a helmet with a Snell 2005 rating and go with the 3.55's , 4.86 will RPM too high unless those slicks are real tall.

Water is a good idea just in case , but they won't send you home because of it . make sure nothing is leaking like oil or trans fluid . does the trans have a manual vb ?

The manual VB question gets to my question....How to do a burnout with a stock Valve body....?

thanks John,always there to help me out(means you'll get the first laugh at the rookie) watch the weather saying showers,so i hope that clears before saturday,what are you driving so i can look for ya?thank you again and i'm leaving in the 3:55 for this run go from there.