Looks like ECHC will be doing standing starts this year after all. One thing I notice about them is that I consistantly get hosed. Don't have problems with getting the car launched (except when I can't see the starter ), but always seem to get hung up behind someone or way out of position for the first turn. Maybe I'm just being too cautious.

Any suggestions from successful starters? How do you:

- Line up - Straight? Angled towards the edge of the track? Do you have a plan or just go with what happens?

- Pass - Head for any hole you see? Plan to go inside/outside the guy in front?

- Set up for the first turn - Try to get to the inside? Stay where you have the clearest path?

Getting past someone on the start means you don't have to pass them later on. I've been on the wrong end of this equation, and would like to try it from the other side.

 

I always shot for the inside when possible. Less chance of getting run into there, IMO. But sometimes it isn't possible, so you've got to be ready to go into T1 from anywhere.

Have you ever taken the CRX to the strip? Quite a few of the younger guys you're racing against in ECHC spent considerable time at the drag strip before they found road racing.

I always felt T2 or T3 was a great place to pass people on the first lap. Those guys that blow T1 by being too aggressive (or too timid) will be off the pace and you should be able to get on line and up to speed if you play it right.

 

*Jump* the start. Anticipate the flag, don't wait for it.

Look for any hole and take it. In the grass if necessary (assuming its dry).

Be aggressive. If you don't you will lose spots.

Scott, who had/has a reputation for great starts (following bad qualifying) and its all a matter of aggressiveness.
<And no, I've never hit anyone nor have I been hit... Yet>

 

here's some advice i got on Rolling starts, theres a lot of good info in it and i imagine some of it is still applicable.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=200789

 

jerry......go street racing.....

hehehe


as someone stated go to the drag strip.....do it at the street lighs too....antisipation....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chad &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">jerry......go street racing.....

hehehe


as someone stated go to the drag strip.....do it at the street lighs too....antisipation....</TD></TR></TABLE>

chad
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Geezer
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Full Name Jerry Birchmore
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I was streetracing when you weren't even a gleam in your daddy's eye, Boy . Would've had the '66 Mustang GT back then.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Geezer &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I was streetracing when you weren't even a gleam in your daddy's eye, Boy . Would've had the '66 Mustang GT back then.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Damn chad I think Geezer just OWNED you hehehe

 

Its all about the flag Jerry, and being agressive.. You MUST get that extra .01 hundredth of a second better reaction time then the next guy, it matters that much in drag racing, it would in ours even more so, because we drag much less than a 1/4 mile where HP would make up a small difference in reaction time..

 

Its all about the flag Jerry, and being agressive.. You MUST get that extra .01 hundredth of a second better reaction time then the next guy, it matters that much in drag racing, it would in ours even more so, because we drag much less than a 1/4 mile where HP would make up a small difference in reaction time..



or you could just own CJ outta da hole and never look back YO!

 

It really is all about nailing the timing on the start and being aggressive in turn 1. The same principles apply to a rolling start as a standing one. The biggest difference being that if you jump on the gas too early in a rolling start you might find yourself on the brake (to keep from rear-ending someone) when the green waves. This... uhhhh... sucks. You find yourself just driving down the middle of the track while cars go 3 and 4 wide going around you.

Its easier said than done, but just be ready for anything and no matter what never hesitate. Make a decision and go with it immediately. Things just happen too fast to be weighing pros and cons. When Depew stalled on the start at Summit 2 years ago, I went left 4 wheels into the dirt. No thinking, just doing.

2 weeks ago at VIR on a rolling start I anticipated the flag perfectly and passed 7 cars by the time we exited turn 1. By the time we got to Oak Tree I had put enough distance (and cars) between me and the 2nd place ITC car that the race was pretty much already over.
I've also done the opposite and completely blown a start (Roebling last year for example) and found myself spending the entire race getting frustrated trying to get around slower cars. That one race ended up being my worst ever (6th place, an off, and some M2M contact).

The old saying is that you can't win the race on the start but you can lose it. Its true and not true, depending on the situation. This racing stuff... Man its hard.

Scott, who won a race at the start 2 weeks ago &lt;shrugs&gt;

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B18CXr &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Its all about the flag Jerry, and being agressive.. You MUST get that extra .01 hundredth of a second better reaction time then the next guy, it matters that much in drag racing, it would in ours even more so, because we drag much less than a 1/4 mile where HP would make up a small difference in reaction time..



or you could just own CJ outta da hole and never look back YO!</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh yea, when did that happen?

Corey - who owned jack through 3 gears at summit standing start.....

 

[QUOTE=Catch 22 In the grass if necessary (assuming its dry).[/QUOTE]

Exactly! Dont be afraid to go off roading because chances are the other people wont be as willing to do so! Thus clear track and psycological advantage

 

I recommend qualifying very well and then having a car stall in front of you. That way you lose all those hard earned qualifying positions. What a fun time that is

Seriously, interested to hear the feedback. I too am not much good at the standing starts (although they are still great fun)