I've never been a drag racer, so my knowledge about launch techniques is somewhat limited. With the WRX in full force at local autox events, it is getting tougher and tougher to beat them with the AWD - it has been said that we are giving up as much as .4 seconds to them just at the launch.

What is the best way to launch the R at an autocross to minimize this time deficit?

 

Yes, you may be losing .4 seconds on the launch...but there really isn't an easy way to launch the R when you are running autox pressures. I say drop the clutch at 3-3.5k and deal with it. You should be able to make up the time without any problem as soon as braking and handling comes into play in the first set of turns.

 

w/ V700s I launched at ~4K
w/ azenis I launched at ~2.5K

on both, I semi-dump/feather the clutch to launch

about 1/2 the time, i'll do it just right where the car feels like it was shot out a slingshot

yshi - whose bEEn sEEing t00 many autox posts and is going into GFCP withdrawls *shakes*

 

Normally at the local auto-x events, the launch is not that important since the start light is positioned several feet (most of the time a car length) after the start line. It's very important to have a good launch when you're doing ProSolo since you start with the drag racing X'mas tree style start, and even your reaction time would affect your overall time.

 

At least half of the autocross events I have done didn't give you enough room at the start to worry about a good launch. Some of them started right into a corner and you just had to suck it up and go. The proper technique will change day to day. I think the start is like any other slow section of the course...there's plenty of ways to make a mistake, but there's no way to make up time. The reason the WRX gets you by .4 seconds is simply because the WRX can launch better. No technique will change that. And even a WRX can't launch hard into a turn, so the playing field would be equal there anyway.

 

When we where running the ProSolo series, against the AWD TURBO talon/eclipses we used to launch the car around 5600rpm, with a straight drop of the clutch at the 2nd yellow in the drag tree. That usually allowed us to launch more or less in vtec. Be warned this is a very good way to destroy your clutch But for regular non prosolo autox's i never found the ITR to be lacking in the launch. As was said above most course designer throw in a turn very soon after the start so its a moot point. In those cases be sure to line the car up properly before the start to optimize your line into the turn, and then just be smooth. As yoshi pointed out above...2500rpm on street tires will afford you little wheel spin and good launch. increase the rpms for Race Rubber.

Optimally you want a bit of wheel spin (as the timer is set back from the start line), and to reach vtec as quickly as possible. Takes some practice but you'll get it.

fais-who only ever went to the drag strip w/ ITR to learn to launch for prosolo

 

haha...funny I did the same thing before the El Toro ProSolo last year.

 

Launching at the auto-x? I'm such a newbie that I never did because the timer was a bit ahead of me. Doh

B2 - who sucks at auto-x but is determined to do better.

 

omg... 9k...

 

Never thought of that, Thursday test and tune here I come!