Pro Solo Launching - Help

[Jayson Woodruff]

Is that actually legal in the lower prep classes?

Jay W

[snob mode]

Some people tape down the knob on the parking brake to make it easier. I'm not one of them as, being English, we are taught to use the handbrake on any slight hill in regular road driving.

[\snob mode]

[Jason Uyeda]

Don't forget there's often a slight uphill slope at El Toro that makes you roll back out of the stage. So practice that heal toe, or parking break hold.

Jay W

You can also try turning your wheel a little if the slope is slight enough, just remember to unwind when you launch.

[Rick Brown]

Hmmm, seems to me I remember something in Brian Beckman's Physics of Racing that wheel spin was never the fast way to launch. Have to look it up.


Edit: http://phors.locost7.info/files/Beckman ... Racing.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; search for "launch".

[Collin Webster]

Here's my $0.02. The course will be somewhere between 50 - 75 seconds, if last year was a guide. That means that shaving .5 second on the launch is essentially a rounding error. This is still an autocross. Focus on the rest of the course, looking ahead, getting the right line, and positioning your car to handle the rest of the course. Frankly, I think of the starts as a distraction that too many drivers focus on, and they loose sight of the bigger picture.

Now what will be hard for me is choosing which car. Last year I did this in my MazdaSpeed 3, which is FWD. This year I have a choice between the Speed3, which I know well, and an '89 RX-7 Turbo that has too much HP and not enough tire, and I'm very new to. The Speed 3 will be faster just due to tires and experience, but the RX-7 will be more fun. Neither will be competitive, so I just have to figure out what kind of fun I want to have.

Cheers,
Collin Webster

[Collin Webster]

Oh yea, the Evo School is also very helpful, and I think they were the ones who told me how minimally important the launch is last year

[Bob Beamesderfer]

[snob mode]

Some people tape down the knob on the parking brake to make it easier. I'm not one of them as, being English, we are taught to use the handbrake on any slight hill in regular road driving.

[\snob mode]

Tape FTW! or as in my case, 12th in class.

[Rick Brown]

Who remembers the "good old days" when we could have an assistant who helped stage you and put a rolled up rag under a tire to keep you from rolling out of the lights?

[Craig Naylor]

Who remembers the "good old days" when we could have an assistant who helped stage you and put a rolled up rag under a tire to keep you from rolling out of the lights?

I do!!!

I also remember the abbreviated course at Fontana (due to Lake Fontucky) that you rolled forward on one side. That was much more difficult to deal with than the roll backwards.

Third yellow is a good starting point. But it can be even more specific than that. Some above mentioned to go when it starts to light, in the Integra I had to wait for the light to wain before going. I miss those consistent .5xx lights I used to get in the Integra.

[Marshall Grice]

Hmmm, seems to me I remember something in Brian Beckman's Physics of Racing that wheel spin was never the fast way to launch. Have to look it up.


Edit: http://phors.locost7.info/files/Beckman ... Racing.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; search for "launch".

i acknowledged the tiny window where minimal slip is better than excessive slip. but given that you're going to screw it up almost guaranteed (not like we're all John Force here), a spinny launch will be faster than a bogged launch. It's like saying ABS is slower than senna style threshold braking, while true us mear mortals can't pull that stuff off consistently.

[Marshall Grice]

Here's my $0.02. The course will be somewhere between 50 - 75 seconds, if last year was a guide. That means that shaving .5 second on the launch is essentially a rounding error. r

typically classes have a margin of victory on the order of a couple tenths of a second. considering how easy it is to leave .5 or more secs on the reaction time it's pretty tough to win a class if you're cutting sleepy lights. The 60' time is usually of less importance because the way cars are classes you will be grouped with cars that get similar 60' times.

i do agree though, the start is very challenging to deal with mentally. you have to switch from drag racer to autoxer about 2secs into your run which is not easy to do. the first several pro solo's I did I was a complete mess by the first turn.

[Aaron Goldsmith]

The 60' time is usually of less importance because the way cars are classes you will be grouped with cars that get similar 60' times.

:unimpressed:

[Will Kalman]

The 60' time is usually of less importance because the way cars are classes you will be grouped with cars that get similar 60' times.

Do you think your non-AWD BSP competitors would agree? ;)

[Will Kalman]

It's like saying ABS is slower than senna style threshold braking

Not even Senna could modulate four wheels independently.

[Marshall Grice]

The 60' time is usually of less importance because the way cars are classes you will be grouped with cars that get similar 60' times.

Do you think your non-AWD BSP competitors would agree? ;)

hey i said "USUALLY"

}:)

[Marshall Grice]

It's like saying ABS is slower than senna style threshold braking

Not even Senna could modulate four wheels independently.

only because they didn't give him 4 brake pedals.

[Christine Grice]

It's like saying ABS is slower than senna style threshold braking

Not even Senna could modulate four wheels independently.

only because they didn't give him 4 brake pedals.

I feel like this is leading toward a Chuck Norris quote, but I just can't figure out what it will be.

[Rick Brown]

Not even Senna could modulate four wheels independently.

only because they didn't give him 4 brake pedals.

I feel like this is leading toward a Chuck Norris quote, but I just can't figure out what it will be.

Chuck Norris doesn't need ABS, he drives barefoot and uses one toe for each of 4 brake pedals and one for the clutch.

[Steve Towers]

Please refresh my memory about launching from the christmas tree. My recollection is to start the launch when you see the last yellow. Is that right?

Wow, I'm glad I asked. Great thread!

[Theo O.]

...
only because they didn't give him 4 brake pedals.

I feel like this is leading toward a Chuck Norris quote, but I just can't figure out what it will be.

Chuck Norris doesn't need ABS, he drives barefoot and uses one toe for each of 4 brake pedals and one for the clutch.

Nice one Rick

[Sebastian Rios]

3. The second (2nd) driver will grid in the Second Driver Grid adjacent to the
regular Grid, after the first (1st) driver has completed all of their runs for that
Heat. The second (2nd) driver will be held a minimum of five (5) minutes
before being directed to the stage lanes.

9. While the cars are in the Grid (not the Stage Lanes), any adjustments may be
made. This includes tire pressures, tire cleaning, cooling, suspension
settings, etc. If vehicles are being refueled in the Grid Area, the engine must
be OFF and another person must be standing by with a fire extinguisher. Any
spillage of fuel may result in a DNF for some or all of any remaining runs in
that Heat at the sole discretion of the Chief Steward.


Does this mean that in a 2 driver car, wheels/tires could be changed during the driver change?

[John Stimson]

If you can get it done before you are called to the line, yes. If you're not ready when they call you, it could be a DNS.

[Bob Beamesderfer]

It's like saying ABS is slower than senna style threshold braking

Not even Senna could modulate four wheels independently.

"Traction control is my right foot." Ayrton Senna

[Jason Uyeda]

If you can get it done before you are called to the line, yes. If you're not ready when they call you, it could be a DNS.

You can also call a, "time out" if you need more time.