Launch Tips Please!!!

[AutoBox]

i finally got a chance to hit my local drag track for the first time.......sadly i did horrible.....16 flat.....2.6 60ft.....88mph traps.....i set my tires to 30 psi but no matter what i did i either bogged or spun......any tips to get my times where they should be...another stock msp there was puttin down mid 15s all day but the guy was never by his car by the time i finished my run.....any pointers is helpful autocross in a couple weeks...lets hope i dont fock that up too

 

[fkmp5]

hey man, what track did you run at? Cecil or Capital?

Sorry, I have no tips for ya though Next time let me know when you're going.. I'll take the P5 and make you feel a lot faster... hehe

 

[noclue119]

i finally got a chance to hit my local drag track for the first time.......sadly i did horrible.....16 flat.....2.6 60ft.....88mph traps.....i set my tires to 30 psi but no matter what i did i either bogged or spun......any tips to get my times where they should be...another stock msp there was puttin down mid 15s all day but the guy was never by his car by the time i finished my run.....any pointers is helpful autocross in a couple weeks...lets hope i dont fock that up too

I launch at 3200-3500 rpm... no tire spin or bogg. I think u are also letting the clutch out too fast. i just keep the car rpm around 3200 until i'm completely off the cluth. I've timed myself to get 0-60 around 7.3 that way in 2 gears.. just watch teh grind on the 2nd gear.

 

[AutoBox]

hey frank i went to capitol yesterday.....im plannin to go back the 28th i think....i need to do better before i kill myself from depresstion lol

noclue- thanks...it wa smy first time out and i was a lil nervous....i think u maybe right on the clutch drop...i think i was just holdin 3k and dumpin the clutch.....do u have 60ft times for the launch ur describin? im gonna try it out in a couple weeks...thanks again

 

[Metal MP5]

yea ... that grind when you go to 2nd gear sucks =\ especially when you're at the track and lotsa people are watching you hehehe. I did that with my P5 last year ... omg

can't wait for the track to open again ... still too cold

 

[noclue119]

nope sorry but i think it would be like around 2.3-2.4 i guess. If you want I can use my tt to get the time for u

 

[AutoBox]

nah i was just wonderin....i know i got the traps to get 15s.....just need to get my 60ft down......im gonna feather the clutch some like u said and see how that does...thanks again

 

[noclue119]

nah i was just wonderin....i know i got the traps to get 15s.....just need to get my 60ft down......im gonna feather the clutch some like u said and see how that does...thanks again

oh ya btw my car has been flashed, so i have that bump arund 3250. U might wanna go alittle higher if u don't have the flash

 

[Lt. Dan]

Tires pressures are too high!!!

Dan

 

[mazdaowner123]

Yeah, tire pressures are too high like Dan said. I launch at 3000-3500. Let the clutch out just fast enough to be getting off the line quickly but not spinning tires much, if any. As your let out the clutch give it gas so the RPMs kinda stay steady as you're accelerating. I don't have any times for this technique, but it seems to be the best way I've found. Just make sure you don't dump the clutch or you'll just spin the tires. Good luck next time, and don't feel bad about your time, it'll get better!

~brian

 

[Mike R]

One word...FEATHER! LOL. Turbo cars a a PITA to launch(especially FWD, n/a or FI). My turbo stang was a royal pain. You think just the 2nd grind is bad, I ran a t-5 w/ wasted syncros-ground every single gear, but it'd go like hell.

 

[mspmike113]

I know i have definetly grinded that 2nd gear hardcore on a couple of occassions myself. I plan to go to the track April 2nd. It will be a closed event so i should get in a good amount of runs. It will be ny first time at the track like your self. I hope i dont choke and make an ass of myself

 

[AutoBox]

I hope i dont choke and make an ass of myself

u tryin to say i choked and made an ass of myself!!! lol i def choked....im gonna drop my tire pressure down to 28psi and feather the clutch more.....i def was dumpin the clutch cus i figured a drag track would have better traction them street (huh) .........im goin back the 28th so ill see how i do.....thanks again guys

 

[DistantTea]

Drag racers.. feh. Autocross launch is from about 5 grand on 38psi 215/45/16 Falken Azenis Sports... on wet blacktop. Lots of tire spin foir the first 10 to 20 feet. Because tire spin is a good thing to keep the engine pumping at boost.

I'm assuming that would not be a good drag launch though because your time starts the second that light turns green. For us it starts as soon as we trip the start lights 15 feet down the track. So the wheel spin is neccessary to have the car at maximum thrust at the lights, regardless of the speed it take to make it to those lights.

Plus the slightly lower gearing of my falkens makes for some freak'n fast 1st gear stints... very nice.

 

[atxpro5]

heh.... i ran almost as fast as you with a p5. my 1st time at the track aswell

 

[fkmp5]

heh.... i ran almost as fast as you with a p5. my 1st time at the track aswell

what did you run in your P5? I assume it's an automatic by your username?

 

[Lt. Dan]

probably means "autocross Protege 5"

 

[redrims]

I'm assuming that would not be a good drag launch though because your time starts the second that light turns green. For us it starts as soon as we trip the start lights 15 feet down the track. So the wheel spin is neccessary to have the car at maximum thrust at the lights, regardless of the speed it take to make it to those lights.

Reaction time starts once the light turns green, but ET sensor time starts when you actually start moving. So you can sit at the light and drink a cup of coffee, but your ET won't start until you start.

But to answer AutoBox, the only thing I can suggest is practice, practice, practice. Feathering the clutch is very important. Then you will suddenly get a true feel for the car.

 

[brentw1584]

I ran a 15.1 at cecil county two friday nights ago. I expect to go again soon.

 

[AutoBox]

awesome....i may hit up cecil one day since my gf lives in joppa its not too far.....im goin to capitol again the 28th...i got the featehring down...i just dumped the clutch at the track...hence horrible off boost launch lol...