Perfect launch

anthonyyule · Post by **anthonyyule** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 1:59 pm

Hiya,

Im going out to the SIDC track day at Alford on Sunday, and as I have never done anything like this before, Im looking for some advice so that I don't make a proper tool of myself.

Any thoughts on the perfect launch?
I was going to go for a granny start, as the last thing I want to do is light up the rear's like a fool, or worse still stall.
I'm looking for a swifty no nonsense pull-away - with zero/ minimum wheel spin if at all possible - is that they way to go??

Post by **campbell** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:21 pm

I'm sure I read something about this recently...maybe in EVO magazine?!

All I recall from my boy racer days (!) is that mid-revs (say 3-4k rpm) works pretty good. If you side step the clutch, wheelspin v likely. If you let it in more gently (but still not toooo slowly), you'll get away with less of a song and dance but still plenty poke

Find a quiet bit of straight country road tonight and have a try!

However I would guess you will lose less time by focusing on getting corners right. Ali had some advice on the main thread.

Campbell

PS - that kind of abuse REALLY takes it out of the engine and drivetrain so don't go for it toooo often, mind.

Dominic · Post by **Dominic** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:23 pm

Do track days have standing starts?... At Alford I guess so:

Build revs, to 3 or 4 K approx, clutch up,.. slipping it a little initially to prevent bogging down (or wheel spin), as the weight transfers to the back of the car, bring in more revs, to try ang get maximum power down, and maximum traction. If it's wet, be weary of wheel spin as 2nd cam comes in. Be ready to grab 2nd gear, at about 35/40 mph (not sure about gear ratios).

If you can find somewhere to do some practice starts, that would be worth while. Many will leave start line at high revs in a flury of tyre smoke and wheel spin... that is not the most effective.

If being timed, by stopwatch, its always a good wee trick to rev the engine quite highly, before letting revs drop to 3 / 4K, hold revs briefly, and go. It's worth half a second I reckon at autotests, as it catches the time keeper unaware

Scotty C · Post by **Scotty C** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:43 pm

Remember and light up the rears before you reach the start line to get some heat in them.

Scotty C

Not sure if I will have time to come out as yet.

graeme · Post by **graeme** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 3:18 pm

If you're going to side-step the clutch, preload the transmission with the handbrake.

Just as the maximum braking is achieved just at the point before the wheels lock, maximun getaway is achieved just as the wheels start to spin. How many revs this happens at depends on FWD/RWD/4WD, wet/dry, tyres etc, so practice makes perfect.

jason · Post by **jason** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 5:43 pm

Dominic wrote:If being timed, by stopwatch, its always a good wee trick to rev the engine quite highly, before letting revs drop to 3 / 4K, hold revs briefly, and go. It's worth half a second I reckon at autotests, as it catches the time keeper unaware

Hmmm... interesting. V-e-r-y interesting

SteveBanks · Post by **SteveBanks** » Thu Aug 02, 2007 7:13 pm

I don't think it matters what technique you use with an S2 Exige, you always end up making lots of noise before pulling away at walking speed with nostrils full of burning clutch fumes

In other words, watch what you're doing as the Exige clutch is crap and will not take the abuse!

anthonyyule · Post by **anthonyyule** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:23 pm

noticed that today.

Practiced a couple of starts and was horrified at the smell in the cabin.
- then did it again just to make sure it was clutch smell

So, it will be granny starts for me then, until at least i can think about getting the clutch upgraded..........any ideas and thoughts on more beefy jobbies

Rag_It · Post by **Rag_It** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:43 pm

I remember doing it in a friends car, up the Cairngorms, left a long trail of rubber however i also nearly choked myself to death as the cabin filled up with so much smoke i had to adandon it until i could see inside again!

It's not big and it's not clever, but it is

SteveBanks · Post by **SteveBanks** » Fri Aug 03, 2007 7:05 pm

anthonyyule wrote:..........any ideas and thoughts on more beefy jobbies

http://www.bell-colvill.co.uk/LotusShop ... hapter=E12

Bottom of the page, TRD uprated £205 for the cover and £99 for the plate +vat...I think this is the same as the 240R clutch but not sure, maybe someone else can confirm

Post by **Shug** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:55 am

anthonyyule wrote:..........any ideas and thoughts on more beefy jobbies

Eat less fibre?

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 11:15 am

DOn't forget that the clutch change means splitting the gearbox and engine, not a trivial job, your looking at 5 hours labour plus for a decent garage.

Post by **campbell** » Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:41 pm

Meant to say, many others will have sprinting and hillclimb experience (Dom, Lawrence, Fergus, Ali C, etc etc) so they are the Knights Templar re: standing starts from that perspective