Last weekend I had my ZO6 out at the drag races. I had not run this car before and was having trouble with excessive tire spin. I know this is ruining my time and speed. Can anyone give some advice on how they launch their ZO6 (or any Vette) to obtain maximum traction? The car has stock tires on it so suggesting putting drag tires on is not the answer I am looking for. Thanks in advance.

 

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Hey DakotaVette,

A link to the write-up I did on Z06 Launch Techniques is in my signature. Once you read and digest it, post any specific questions you have.

Here are a few other thoughts....

Wringing the best times from a seriously traction-limited, manual-tranny car, such as the Z06, requires seat-time, even for a super driver. There are a lot of things to get right,
(1) proper burnout without getting water into the wheel wells
(2) the launch rpm
(3) the clutch release
(4) the throttle squeeze
(5) three shifts without kissing the limiter
(6) the throttle position and hook on shifts
(7) the shift points

If you think there is inadequate prep at your track, try some experimentation with
(1) tire pressures
(2) burn-out duration, are they hot enough
(3) amount of water you apply to the tires (none into the wheel wells)
(4) clutch release
(5) throttle squeeze, not one motion but a squeeze

With those optimized in combination, your track will probably take a higher launch rpm than you been able to use thus far.

To those, I'd add avoiding the classic launch error: engaging the clutch and hammering the throttle simultaneously. Rather, hold the launch rpm and then quickly but smoothly releasing the clutch with a full engagement occurring over the first 4'-10' of forward movement; don't feed more throttle until the tires are hooked. Then and only then, squeeze the throttle progressively to the floor. Drag radials will take throttle quicker than the stock tires but even with DRs it's still a "squeezing" action rather that just "hammering it."

The goal is to getting a bit of spin which gives way to a rapid rise in engine rpm rather than a bog. If it bogs, raise the launch rpm a few hundred on the next pass.

So it takes seat time and passes to embed the techniques in muscle memory and learn to read what the track surface and conditions dictate on any particular day.

Early on, to that end, I wanted to learn where I was wasting time. So I began loading my passes in an MSExcel spreadsheet. Mine is set up to calculate all the incremental times (eg 60-330, 330-660, 660-1000, 1000-1320, 60-660, 60-1000, 60-1320 etc.) By sorting the spreadsheet I quickly can find areas of inconsistency and apply corrective action to my techniques.

Not everyone has the inclination to keep a log. But if you do, I guaranty it will make you a more consistent and faster driver.

Ranger

 

Ranger, thanks for the information, it made sense and I think it should help. I know practice is one of the big keys to be consistent and that is also something I need to work on. It looks like for your shifting from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd is at or above the 6,000 rpm range, but not at the limiter. I think, and this is just a guess, the limiter kicks in before you hit the red line. Is that correct? About when should I be shifting and also, it sounds like you are not powershifting either. Thanks again for the information!

 

On a stock C5Z06 the rev limiter is at 6600. Redline is at 6500.

I tray to shift as close to the limiter as possible without kissing it. So where you start the shift depend on how fast you can execute the shift.

I don't powershift the 1-2 or 2-3 unless the traction is extremely good, which is very seldom the case on stock tires, even when heated. I did generally powershift the 3-4, but not before I'd done thousands of iterations of my shifting drills.

Missing a powershift is harmful to the tranny.

Ranger