Drag strip launch question
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 184
Likes: 8
From: Berkeley Heights New Jersey
Drag strip launch question
Interested in launch techniques for anyone running the stock run flats with manual trans. I'm coming off at about 2000 RPM applying the clutch slowly and still getting some wheel spin. 60 foot times are consistently 2.2 to 2.4 secs. Would like to see them below 2 seconds. I'm running 30 lbs cold pressure front and rear. Or is sub 2 seconds not possible with these tires?
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 54,204
Likes: 180
From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
on the factory tires and 3.42 rear (and with the stock converter) , my 2002 A4's best 60' was 1.96.
And after I practiced enough to get the feel for it, I could always get 2.0x... with an occasional 1.9x.
Powerbrake @ 1400rpm, on the third yellow, release brake as I pushed the pedal to the floor... but not instantly to the floor. I took about 1 to 1.5 seconds for the gas pedal to make it all the way to the floor.
EDIT: sorry, I just realized you have a 6 speed.
And after I practiced enough to get the feel for it, I could always get 2.0x... with an occasional 1.9x.
Powerbrake @ 1400rpm, on the third yellow, release brake as I pushed the pedal to the floor... but not instantly to the floor. I took about 1 to 1.5 seconds for the gas pedal to make it all the way to the floor.
EDIT: sorry, I just realized you have a 6 speed.
Last edited by Mike Mercury; Aug 15, 2007 at 10:52 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 3
From: Winter Park FL
I see your in Jersey, what track are you going to?
Ive never had any experience with runflats but I believe you do not need to do a big burnout. Just spin them to clean them off. Slide the clutch, dont dump it and squeeze the gas. You just have to get used to the right amount of gas and you should be on your way to 2.0 60s. It just takes practice, practice, practice. It could just be bad track prep that is giving you trouble. You may want to think about going to E-town on a corvette challenge day. You will find plenty of guys there that will help you out with launch techniques.
Ive never had any experience with runflats but I believe you do not need to do a big burnout. Just spin them to clean them off. Slide the clutch, dont dump it and squeeze the gas. You just have to get used to the right amount of gas and you should be on your way to 2.0 60s. It just takes practice, practice, practice. It could just be bad track prep that is giving you trouble. You may want to think about going to E-town on a corvette challenge day. You will find plenty of guys there that will help you out with launch techniques.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,223
Likes: 278
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
Stock run flats with stock 3.15 rear and TC, best 60' 1.936. I can get consistent 1.9xx in good weather.
I have long tubes, high flow cats, and honker intake. No tune.
I go around the water trap and do a small burn out untill i feel the tires hook.
I have long tubes, high flow cats, and honker intake. No tune.
I go around the water trap and do a small burn out untill i feel the tires hook.
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,715
Likes: 1
From: cAshburn VA
Start working your way up from 2500 in 250ish, up to about 3750 tops. Lower your tire pressure down to about 20 (you will get alarms).
Rev it up as soon as you stage with the clutch as close to the engage spot as you can without rolling. When the third yellow hits (if you are trying for reaction time, if you are just going for best e/t or 60' time, dont worry bout it) lift your left foot, but dont just pop it off, let it out, dont pop it out. Then most importantly, wait until the car sets/squats, just as the wheels catch it will do this, then do a steady push on the accelerator to the floor, dont stomp it, kind in a one-thousand-one count. By the time you get to the floor you should be just about ready to shift into second.
Let us know how it works out!
Rev it up as soon as you stage with the clutch as close to the engage spot as you can without rolling. When the third yellow hits (if you are trying for reaction time, if you are just going for best e/t or 60' time, dont worry bout it) lift your left foot, but dont just pop it off, let it out, dont pop it out. Then most importantly, wait until the car sets/squats, just as the wheels catch it will do this, then do a steady push on the accelerator to the floor, dont stomp it, kind in a one-thousand-one count. By the time you get to the floor you should be just about ready to shift into second.
Let us know how it works out!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 124,223
Likes: 278
From: .... NJ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '19
Start working your way up from 2500 in 250ish, up to about 3750 tops. Lower your tire pressure down to about 20 (you will get alarms).
Rev it up as soon as you stage with the clutch as close to the engage spot as you can without rolling. When the third yellow hits (if you are trying for reaction time, if you are just going for best e/t or 60' time, dont worry bout it) lift your left foot, but dont just pop it off, let it out, dont pop it out. Then most importantly, wait until the car sets/squats, just as the wheels catch it will do this, then do a steady push on the accelerator to the floor, dont stomp it, kind in a one-thousand-one count. By the time you get to the floor you should be just about ready to shift into second.
Let us know how it works out!
Rev it up as soon as you stage with the clutch as close to the engage spot as you can without rolling. When the third yellow hits (if you are trying for reaction time, if you are just going for best e/t or 60' time, dont worry bout it) lift your left foot, but dont just pop it off, let it out, dont pop it out. Then most importantly, wait until the car sets/squats, just as the wheels catch it will do this, then do a steady push on the accelerator to the floor, dont stomp it, kind in a one-thousand-one count. By the time you get to the floor you should be just about ready to shift into second.
Let us know how it works out!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 10,649
Likes: 31
From: Central Florida
Jerseyvinny,
I'd suggest dropping the rear psi to 27-28 (hot). That reduced pressure provides a little cushion to the launch and shifts.
Your profile says the car's a 99. If you have the Active Handling (AH) option, enter Competitive Driving mode. That setting will help if the car gets loose from the rear tires encounter something slippery on the racing surface. If that happens lift the throttle. If the car doesn't have AH, turn off traction control. Just be sensitive to a fast throttle lift if the rear gets out of shape.
As others have written, the launch has three components
(1) launch rpm
(2) clutch release
(3) throttle squeeze
The error to avoid is further squeezing the throttle during the clutch release.
Good luck at the track. Enjoy the process of whittling down your times.
Ranger
I'd suggest dropping the rear psi to 27-28 (hot). That reduced pressure provides a little cushion to the launch and shifts.
Your profile says the car's a 99. If you have the Active Handling (AH) option, enter Competitive Driving mode. That setting will help if the car gets loose from the rear tires encounter something slippery on the racing surface. If that happens lift the throttle. If the car doesn't have AH, turn off traction control. Just be sensitive to a fast throttle lift if the rear gets out of shape.
As others have written, the launch has three components
(1) launch rpm
(2) clutch release
(3) throttle squeeze
The error to avoid is further squeezing the throttle during the clutch release.
Good luck at the track. Enjoy the process of whittling down your times.
Ranger
Last edited by Ranger; Aug 16, 2007 at 08:47 AM.
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