Driving technique
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina
Driving technique
Hi,
I got a my first Vette a couple of months ago, a C5 convertible with less than 50,000 miles on it. It makes me smile a lot!
I've never done any official drag racing. Was watching the open night at zMAX Dragway last summer and one of the guys mentioned driveline breakage, apparently from bad launching procedure. I want to try out the C5 on the strip soon but don't want to have to tow it home. I watched some intro to drag racing videos last night but didn't find anything that covered some of the finer points. My questions would be:
1. What driving error(s) commonly causes driveline failure?
2. Do you need to use the brakes when you warm up the tires in the burnout box? If so, do you just move your left foot quickly from the clutch to the brake or do you do like a heel-toe with the right foot on the gas and brake?
3. I've always read about sidestepping the clutch but the videos I watched didn't seem to advocate that. What's everyone's preferred technique?
4. Any good threads or videos I should look up that will answer my questions and more?
Thanks,
John
I got a my first Vette a couple of months ago, a C5 convertible with less than 50,000 miles on it. It makes me smile a lot!
I've never done any official drag racing. Was watching the open night at zMAX Dragway last summer and one of the guys mentioned driveline breakage, apparently from bad launching procedure. I want to try out the C5 on the strip soon but don't want to have to tow it home. I watched some intro to drag racing videos last night but didn't find anything that covered some of the finer points. My questions would be:
1. What driving error(s) commonly causes driveline failure?
2. Do you need to use the brakes when you warm up the tires in the burnout box? If so, do you just move your left foot quickly from the clutch to the brake or do you do like a heel-toe with the right foot on the gas and brake?
3. I've always read about sidestepping the clutch but the videos I watched didn't seem to advocate that. What's everyone's preferred technique?
4. Any good threads or videos I should look up that will answer my questions and more?
Thanks,
John
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,754
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
John, there are several threads in this section and the performance section about launching a manual trans C5 on the drag strip. A search will turn up some pointers.
Stock clutch, stock tires;
Do not side step the clutch. Releasing the clutch pedal quickly while feeding it gas works rather well. Starting around 3000rpm. Tire pressure round 20-22. You will spin OEM tires due to the stiff sidewall. The trick is to limit the spin as much as possible. (Duh).
Traction control off. Active handling on.
For the burn out, when you’re tires are wet, it’ll be a lot easier on the drive train when you release the clutch pedal at about 4000rpm and quickly step on the brake pedal. The first time I tried it, I stalled.
you’ll figure it out after a few attempts.
Have fun, be safe... it can be addictive.
Stock clutch, stock tires;
Do not side step the clutch. Releasing the clutch pedal quickly while feeding it gas works rather well. Starting around 3000rpm. Tire pressure round 20-22. You will spin OEM tires due to the stiff sidewall. The trick is to limit the spin as much as possible. (Duh).
Traction control off. Active handling on.
For the burn out, when you’re tires are wet, it’ll be a lot easier on the drive train when you release the clutch pedal at about 4000rpm and quickly step on the brake pedal. The first time I tried it, I stalled.
you’ll figure it out after a few attempts. Have fun, be safe... it can be addictive.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,699
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Ranger was known as a drag racing guru years ago. Here is his thread on his C6Z pass. In it are tips that he gives for burnout, launch etc.
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/06_Z06_DRs.html
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/06_Z06_DRs.html
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina
Ranger was known as a drag racing guru years ago. Here is his thread on his C6Z pass. In it are tips that he gives for burnout, launch etc.
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/06_Z06_DRs.html
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/06_Z06_DRs.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 9,251
Likes: 217
From: 2007 Nat'l Corvette Challenge 11.50 index Champ. New Jersey
Hi,
I got a my first Vette a couple of months ago, a C5 convertible with less than 50,000 miles on it. It makes me smile a lot!
I've never done any official drag racing. Was watching the open night at zMAX Dragway last summer and one of the guys mentioned driveline breakage, apparently from bad launching procedure. I want to try out the C5 on the strip soon but don't want to have to tow it home. I watched some intro to drag racing videos last night but didn't find anything that covered some of the finer points. My questions would be:
1. What driving error(s) commonly causes driveline failure?
2. Do you need to use the brakes when you warm up the tires in the burnout box? If so, do you just move your left foot quickly from the clutch to the brake or do you do like a heel-toe with the right foot on the gas and brake?
3. I've always read about sidestepping the clutch but the videos I watched didn't seem to advocate that. What's everyone's preferred technique?
4. Any good threads or videos I should look up that will answer my questions and more?
Thanks,
John
I got a my first Vette a couple of months ago, a C5 convertible with less than 50,000 miles on it. It makes me smile a lot!
I've never done any official drag racing. Was watching the open night at zMAX Dragway last summer and one of the guys mentioned driveline breakage, apparently from bad launching procedure. I want to try out the C5 on the strip soon but don't want to have to tow it home. I watched some intro to drag racing videos last night but didn't find anything that covered some of the finer points. My questions would be:
1. What driving error(s) commonly causes driveline failure?
2. Do you need to use the brakes when you warm up the tires in the burnout box? If so, do you just move your left foot quickly from the clutch to the brake or do you do like a heel-toe with the right foot on the gas and brake?
3. I've always read about sidestepping the clutch but the videos I watched didn't seem to advocate that. What's everyone's preferred technique?
4. Any good threads or videos I should look up that will answer my questions and more?
Thanks,
John
2)You hold the brakes only hard enough to keep the car from rolling forward during your burnout. On street tires I NEVER went through the water. You'll never get the water off the tire and will just spin on the launch. I did a dry 1st gear "rolling burnout" (I coined the phrase) where I'd rev up to about 3500 rpm's and dump the clutch and feed throttle to keep the rpm's at about 4500-5000. I'd hold the brakes just for a second or so, then release them while holding the rpm's still and have the car spin and roll forward till I got near the staging area. By then the tires were plenty warm and cleaned for street tires. No billowing burnouts on street tires.
3)As mentioned above, dumping (what I think you mean by side stepping) the clutch is a no-no.
4)Ranger's video should help you.
Good luck!
Ron
Last edited by Dr.Ron; Jan 3, 2020 at 12:20 PM.
