Hi everyone,

I recently got a set of DOT legal R compounds on the car (Dunlop SP Race), and was wondering if someone could give me some advice on how to launch my car at auto-x's. When I had the RE070's I would just rev it to 5 and drop the clutch, which worked just fine. My concern at this point is that I might damage some drivetrain components when trying this technique with the R-compounds because they are so sticky. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

ernie

:lol: :lol:

7K drop the clutch.

Really.

My concern at this point is that I might damage some drivetrain components when trying this technique with the R-compounds because they are so sticky. The only way to not break anything, is to not do it.

-Tom

:lol: :lol:

7K drop the clutch.

Really.

The only way to not break anything, is to not do it.

-Tom

So says the guy that has broken eleventybillion transmissions.
:devil:

Hi everyone,

I recently got a set of DOT legal R compounds on the car (Dunlop SP Race), and was wondering if someone could give me some advice on how to launch my car at auto-x's. When I had the RE070's I would just rev it to 5 and drop the clutch, which worked just fine. My concern at this point is that I might damage some drivetrain components when trying this technique with the R-compounds because they are so sticky. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

ernie
Gee, I really hope that's not SCCA auto-x or anyone that has rules based upon them. They're not legal for auto-x in the SCCA.

I would look into your clubs rules.... ;)

--kC
(SCCA rules state the tires have to be sold in 4 different diameters in at least 6 sizes... the Dunlops fall short by two wheel sizes.)

So says the guy that has broken eleventybillion transmissions.
:devil:
On street tires.

To answer the question tho... auto-xes shouldn't have hard launches. Just roll off the clutch and get to 2nd. No need to launch super hard 95% of the time. Besides, you have an STi... I don't think I've heard of one blowing up from hard launches.... yet.

They aren't that sticky, they'll still spin. Especially if you do your events on asphalt.

So says the guy that has broken eleventybillion transmissions.
:devil:
He has an STi ;)

-Tom
who has broken 1 transmission (and not even autoxing ;) )

Besides, you have an STi... I don't think I've heard of one blowing up from hard launches.... yet.When is Tom getting his STi again? :devil: (NASIOC really needs an "innocent angel" smiley to go with the devilish smiley....)

When is Tom getting his STi again? :devil: (NASIOC really needs an "innocent angel" smiley to go with the devilish smiley....)
It will be worth teh wait!

-Tom

An STi can spin all four quite easily with an autox style launch. I actually had issues on the north course (immediate left turn off launch) with my ESP STi on 275 Hoosiers.

Just come off the clutch smooth, get a touch of spin, and be ready to grab 2nd gear!

Chris H.

just drag the clutch, and then youll be ok launching in boost

just drag the clutch:confused: "What's that burning clutch smell??" :p

The advice we got from Larry Fine (based on his experience with both the WRX and STi on R-compounds) was to step off the clutch quickly. NOT to side-step it, but to quickly lift off the clutch. That advice seems to work well.

:lol:

Exactly.

"dropping the clutch" to me, is to just to lift your foot off of it. Not sidestep :)

-Tom

When I did my first run at the National tour in SD this year ... with 245/40 S-04's ... I thought I was going to have a lot of extra stick at launch. Took it up to 5K ... did the quick lift off the clutch ... went sideways and knocked over the first cone on the course!!! :lol:

Yah their extra sticky ... and they pick up so much gravel that you can very easily spin them! ;)

Surface varies of course. With Hoosier A3S04's we have a slippery lot that can spin all four easily at 3k, and then there was Wendover concrete in August that wouldn't spin them at all even with a 6k clutch drop -- just bogged. At most of my events I don't worry overly about the launch, but it's important at the Pro Solos. A 5k clutch drop (meaning instant foot lift) with RE070's would yield a huge amount of wheel spin at most of the places I autocross. I rarely do a clutch drop but instead do a fairly quick and smooth lift. Too slow (dragging) and lots of RPMs yields a bad launch and horrible clutch smell. :mad:

Different regions have different philosophies about the start. One I have gone to likes to do straight shots into offset gates, where I just shrug and say "if that's the way you want to play, I'll take advantage of it". Another does immediate turns at the start with the timer in the turn to make launch almost irrelevent. My local ones generally do stuff in-between.

This is an example of how I launch from a standing start on R compounds. Try to ignore the guy in front of me that jumps the start.

http://www.teamsmr.com/movies/Launch.wmv

I hold at about 6k rpm and do a relatively quick/smooth transition off clutch and full throttle. There's a lot of noise from other cars around, but watch for my left knee to come up off the clutch to get an idea of how quick this happens.

Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com

haha, that was pretty funny. (the other guy)

thank you all for all of your great advice. I think I will try revving it to 6 and coming off the clutch quickly (as Gary suggested). I will let you know how it goes. thanks again.

Ernie