When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Ranger,
When will you be tearing up Crapitol next? I'd like to come watch.
Steve
Hey Steve, I am getting ready to sell my 02 Z06, in anticpation of the arrival of my C6 Z and I put in a fresh stock clutch for whoever will be its new owners. So I want to sell the car with zero launches. Long way of saying that I won't be racing again until the new Z arrives, hoping for August.
There is a big Corvette event at Cecil County on June 18th. I plan to go watch and would be happy to hook up there.
MAN, i tried these technique on my sticky RII Nittos and had 0 luck hooking up at the track and had horrible 60 ft times. Just need more seat time and find that sweet spot between letting out clutch and applying throttle, etc. Practice makes perfect....
The technique that works best for me is to (1) hold the launch rpm and don't move that right foot again until (2) the clutch foot is all the way out. THEN and ONLY THEN (3) progressively squeeze the throttle to the floor.
The bad 60' tend to come when the driver does (2) and (3) simultaneously rather than as TWO actions, separate but synchonized.
Ranger, I just printed out your launch techs for the third time over a period of time. I have a couple questions on launching on the BFG Dr. Were you using the old style in the 17" size? I am picking up my 315 30 18's in the newer tread pattern and was wondering what type of burn out and starting launch might be good. I was thinking 4500 for the launch, and a medium burn out? I do have the stock clutch in good shape and no dte or hardened shaft. My first time out with the stock tires I was able to get a 1.9x with spin launching about 2500rpm. Thanks ahead for your advice and insight. Dr Ron and any others can feel welcome to give input.
Ranger, ...on the BFG Dr. Were you using the old style in the 17" size? I am picking up my 315 30 18's in the newer tread pattern and was wondering what type of burn out and starting launch might be good. I was thinking 4500 for the launch, and a medium burn out? I do have the stock clutch in good shape and no dte or hardened shaft...
Hey Robert.
I used to run the BFG 315.35.17 Comp/TA, sometimes referred to as the old tread style because it's different from the newer 315.30.18s.
With that as background, the tread compound on the two types of BFG are very similar. So, I suggest 18 psi and similar launch rpms and burnout approaches to those in my write-up on launch techniques. I'd start at 3600 and adjust from there.
With new BFG DRs, I'd suggest a very strong first burnout. Then normal ones, IAW my write-up thereafter.
i notice you say "let the clutch out slowly rather than a slip". what is the difference, i always understand slipping the clutch to mean letting it out slowly? thx!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
i notice you say "let the clutch out slowly rather than a slip". what is the difference, i always understand slipping the clutch to mean letting it out slowly? thx!
Not sure to whom your question is addressed.
If you are asking me, I don't remember ever writing to let the clutch out "slowly." On the contrary, I suggest a fast release, with the pedal all the way out within the first 3-10 feet of forward movement.
Some drivers do slip the clutch A LOT to keep the revs high during the launch. I don't do that because I want my clutch to give a decent service life. Those that use a big-slip launch, get 30-60 passes per clutch. That's too few for my tastes.
I'd also argue that a big-slip launch (stock rwhp and clutch) gives neither a better 60' nor a better 330'. But opinions vary.
But for sure a big slip will wear out the clutch faster.
From: 2007 Nat'l Corvette Challenge 11.50 index Champ. New Jersey
Originally Posted by Robert56
Ranger, I just printed out your launch techs for the third time over a period of time. I have a couple questions on launching on the BFG Dr. Were you using the old style in the 17" size? I am picking up my 315 30 18's in the newer tread pattern and was wondering what type of burn out and starting launch might be good. I was thinking 4500 for the launch, and a medium burn out? I do have the stock clutch in good shape and no dte or hardened shaft. My first time out with the stock tires I was able to get a 1.9x with spin launching about 2500rpm. Thanks ahead for your advice and insight. Dr Ron and any others can feel welcome to give input.
I was running that exact tire on ZR1 style rims. As Ranger stated, a good 1st burnout followed by burns until you see solid smoke. Try starting at like 3500rpm's and adjust (hopefully up) depending on track prep...I'd look into a hardened OP shaft & DTE brace if you plan on running frequently on the DR's. Don't ask me how I know...
Ron
Great post Ranger. I've come to the same basic conclusions about launching my car. I am an old street racing guy. I got my license in 1964. I use identical techniques by way of the old school of "trial and error." Your post is superb
If you were driving a car with an M6/M12 tranny rather than your automatic with a stall-converter, suspect you'd better appreciate why launch technique guidance is timeless and still worth reading.
Old thread, but not dead. Taking her to the track for the 1st time
she has fresh DOT 4 castrol, and a newly installed PCV oil catch can.
I still need to take the intake manifold off and clean it since this was car ran (previous owner) without an air filter and all the blowby with the dust that went through, it must be nasty in the intake. It'll give me a good idea on what the car did before and after cleaning
Hopefully these launch techniques will help! my turbo TA was auto, and the only manual I took to the track was a 03 E36 bmw, so nowhere as near the same power.
and I can't believe I'll only get like 30-60 passes on the stock clutch!?
I'll probably just do like 2-3 passes then. and then 2-3 more when the car is done with all the fixing, and that's it for this year lol