AutoX Launch Etiquette

[Silver Ignition]

I'm wondering if there's any rule, written or unwritten about launching your car from the start line?
So many times I'm sitting there wanting to drop the clutch while bouncing off the 5500 RPM two-step but I always bitch out because I don't want to spit dust in the face of the start line volunteer or kick rocks and other junk at the beautiful car behind me…

If not, how else do you guys warm and scrub up your tires for more grip besides wasting your first run going wild?

[celica73]

If there is room, then you launch the fastest way possible. In a game of hundredths, why give up tenths at the line?**

I don't pull up right behind the car at the line for a reason.

**The owners/managers at some of our sites are a bit particular about them getting torn up. Sometimes hard launches will break up already weak asphalt. In those cases there might be a request from the event organizers to take it easy. However, they should also design the course to discourage a clutch dump at the start line.

[TylerLieberman]

I feel like a 5500rpm launch wouldn't do very much for times. I could be wrong though.

I would just ask the people in charge of the event and if somebody is standing next to you at the start line, let them know your intentions before actually taking off.

If it were me, I'd be doing more along the lines of a 3500rpm jump, just to scrub the rear tires a bit on take off. I've only done auto x once though years ago so idk much on the topic lol.

[chriskory]

http://instagram.com/p/xNsHHVl72q/?modal=true

[JB86'd]

I try to launch around 3500-4000, when I get it right I get a little wheelspin and it bites and I'm outta there! It's a good medium between a weak launch and a burnout.
Traction control off, z2's on stock suspension.

[Silver Ignition]

Originally Posted by celica73

However, they should also design the course to discourage a clutch dump at the start line.

Most of the time there is a hard right-left before the starting light that discourages a full-on launch. I just mean something to scrub up the rear tires to keep the ass from sliding out.

Originally Posted by JB86'd

I try to launch around 3500-4000, when I get it right I get a little wheelspin and it bites and I'm outta there! It's a good medium between a weak launch and a burnout.
Traction control off, z2's on stock suspension.

I may try setting the two-step a little lower...maybe 3800 and see how she comes off the line

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

I usually do 2500-3000RPM with my 255 wide Z11s, lots of guys just bounce their cars off the limiter I find.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by TylerLieberman

I feel like a 5500rpm launch wouldn't do very much for times. I could be wrong though.

data!

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showt...ghlight=launch

[raul]

Originally Posted by Silver Ignition

I'm wondering if there's any rule, written or unwritten about launching your car from the start line?
So many times I'm sitting there wanting to drop the clutch while bouncing off the 5500 RPM two-step but I always bitch out because I don't want to spit dust in the face of the start line volunteer or kick rocks and other junk at the beautiful car behind me…

If not, how else do you guys warm and scrub up your tires for more grip besides wasting your first run going wild?

It is the responsibility of the person behind you to keep their distance to avoid kicked up rocks. You're thinking too much about this. They have a choice in how far they move up, if the grid worker tells them to move up too close, they can refuse.

[7thgear]

we actually have clearly outlined markers for cars on the start line and the cars following up on the grid, usually 1 car length, if not more.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by Arigh

For curiosity's sake, did guys ever do multiple runs to compare this? Trying 4000, 4500, 5000? Also swapping dump/slip on each?

Optimal launch will definitely change due to asphalt/concrete grip levels, tire temp, and tire wear, but a general idea what's fastest at your usual lots seems useful.

I wouldn't dump on street tires, I found feathering to be optimal in stock.


whatever you do, i'm convinced you want to aim for a little bit of slip. With the importance growing the longer the first straight is.


and yes, me and my friend have a few dataloggs between us. My launches (when there is a runway) result in faster 1st section times.


the power difference between 4000rpm and 5500 rpm is huge. At 4000 I feel like the car bogs.

[mav1178]

Why speculate when you can just ASK the event host or course workers?

What's the worst thing that will happen when you ask, they kick you out?

-alex

[Silver Ignition]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Why speculate when you can just ASK the event host or course workers?

What's the worst thing that will happen when you ask, they kick you out?

-alex

Originally Posted by Arigh

Seeing as he's running with the Long Island SCCA, that wouldn't happen. They're a really nice bunch, and from the few times I've run with them, I seriously doubt they have any issues with a hard launch.

He should definitely ask, and ask for launch advice from people that run on that lot often in the twins.

Yeah I fully plan on bringing it up, I just wanted to know if there was a certain etiquette about launches and tire spinning

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by Silver Ignition

I just mean something to scrub up the rear tires to keep the ass from sliding out.

Heat up the rears too much and you'll have a ton of push into the first real corner, not ideal either.