launching techniques

bulldog5046 · Oct 30, 2007

with Santa Pod RWYB fast approaching and new tyres not being fitted until thursday i have practically no time to practice launching my rather front end heavy FWD slow-mobile

soo, does anyone have any good techniques for getting such a heavy car to move off the line?

really feel i need to get the launch underway otherwise i will never be able to reclaim the ground against the smaller cars

Ry

Chas Uno · Oct 30, 2007

This should do the trick

Jai · Oct 30, 2007

make sure there are no corners

or the road is wet

or any ditches

or poles

or the wrong sort of tyres on your car

that all the planets are aligned

and beau is no longer a virgin

well now your ****ed.................

Chas Uno · Oct 30, 2007

Or get these guys to give you a hand at the start line

AppleSei · Oct 30, 2007

Hope they stall because frankly its a two tonne barge and it isnt going to be quick off the line no matter what you try end of

kayl0rz · Oct 30, 2007

maybe if you take the engine out... it wouldnt be so heavy at the front? :chin:

bulldog5046 · Oct 30, 2007

Jai said:
make sure there are no corners

or the road is wet

or any ditches

or poles

or the wrong sort of tyres on your car

that all the planets are aligned

and beau is no longer a virgin

well now your ****ed.................

ah bugger it! :bang:

AppleSei said:
Hope they stall because frankly its a two tonne barge and it isnt going to be quick off the line no matter what you try end of

1.3tonnes

StevenRB45 · Oct 30, 2007

1: 4000rpm
2: Drop the clutch
3: Cry as your gearbox hits the tarmac and retire

bulldog5046 · Oct 30, 2007

4k launch is more liek a burnout lol, poor car wouldnt move.

if i just dump the clutch at about 2.5k its a fine balance between too much spin and the engine bogging out.

Stew has been explaining his technique to me but its really harsh on the clutch so a bit put off, i guess there isnt much alternative

dan-the-man · Oct 30, 2007

you should try a santa pod run in a selespeed thats interesting

bulldog5046 · Oct 30, 2007

do you do like on top gear in the ferrari and hold the brake and rev?

StevenRB45 · Oct 30, 2007

You'll have to be quite harsh on the clutch with a heavy car if you want to stay anywhere near the power band, on a punto if you dump it in first it pretty much leaps forward, due to light weight and short gears. I'd imagine the marea would require either wheel spin or clutch slip to keep the engine from bogging down.

Si · Oct 30, 2007

1.3t? Damn, my (for Dave) non fiat weighs the same yet it must be half the size!

Could always start in reverse, rear wheel drive and all the weight in the rear

J turn and then floor it!

Seriously, worried about spinning it, start in second, hold the revs high 2.5-3k and then go for it...

Chas Uno · Oct 30, 2007

On a serious note, tyre pressures are crucial for a good launch so try lowering the front tyres by about 3 - 5 psi. The reason for this is that a tyre that is running reduced pressures will create more drag. More drag will mean more grip at the start line, which should help you get a better launch.

Also find out what point in the rev range your engine produces maximum torque and try and make gear changes drop down to this point. Maximum torque will produce maximum acceleration.

Another trick is to change gear early from 1st to 2nd after a launch. If you do it right you'll help prevent wheelspin and then allow the torque curve in second gear to pull you along without lighting up the front wheels.

You could even try adding some octane booster to the petrol for more of an advantage, though don't go being silly and start adding methanol. That's for the real drag cars and will probably blow your engine up if you were to try it in the family wagon

dan-the-man · Oct 30, 2007

bulldog5046 said:
do you do like on top gear in the ferrari and hold the brake and rev?

kind of, but the ferrari had launch control which i assume when he lifts off the brake the semi-auto box dumps the clutch.

but on mine I held my foot on the brake then built the revs up to around 2k but the clutch in engaged so the car is trying to move only the brakes are stopping it, off brake and hardest part is getting the throttle right (traction control off) too much and you'll be sat there for ages wheels spinning, not enough and you'll tootle off the line.

bulldog5046 · Oct 30, 2007

Si said:
1.3t? Damn, my (for Dave) non fiat weighs the same yet it must be half the size!

Could always start in reverse, rear wheel drive and all the weight in the rear
J turn and then floor it!

Seriously, worried about spinning it, start in second, hold the revs high 2.5-3k and then go for it...

you must drive a diesel!

second gear launch at 2.5-3k lol!

the 20v's dont seem to like launching in second

1986Uno45S said:
On a serious note, tyre pressures are crucial for a good launch so try lowering the front tyres by about 3 - 5 psi. The reason for this is that a tyre that is running reduced pressures will create more drag. More drag will mean more grip at the start line, which should help you get a better launch.

Also find out what point in the rev range your engine produces maximum torque and try and make gear changes drop down to this point. Maximum torque will produce maximum acceleration.

Another trick is to change gear early from 1st to 2nd after a launch. If you do it right you'll help prevent wheelspin and then allow the torque curve in second gear to pull you along without lighting up the front wheels.

You could even try adding some octane booster to the petrol for more of an advantage, though don't go being silly and start adding methanol. That's for the real drag cars and will probably blow your engine up if you were to try it in the family wagon

i was thinking of lowering the pressure a little but wasnt sure how much, i guess about 30psi should do it.

as for octane boosters, you not see the thing on 5th gear? all reduced power by 1% lol!

Si · Oct 30, 2007

Yeah admittally I've got used to launching me coal burner from second, first gear just doesn't happen! Little out of touch with petrols...

SeicentoS · Oct 30, 2007

I take mine to 3.5-4k, then dump the clutch and if I have to slightly feather it..

bulldog5046 · Oct 30, 2007

both me and Stew have found you tend to not go anywhere and just burn the clutch out

SeicentoS · Oct 30, 2007

lol unlucky, my quickest launches were feathering etc.. never had any problems with clutch :O

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