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Drag racing, a competition between two cars starting from a complete stop over a distance of 1/4 mile (1,320 feet), relies heavily on the first 60 feet of the race or launch. The technique used for launch varies greatly depending on how the car is equipped. The type of transmission, which wheels are driven, tires, power, suspension and track preparation all play a key role in how you get the best launch possible from the car.
Improvements in the time it takes for the car to travel the first 60 feet of the track have significant implications for the final ET. As a general rule of thumb, 60ft time improvements are multiplied by 2 on your final ET. For example, a Dodge Viper GTS running 12.2 @ 120 MPH in 1/4 mile with a 60ft time of 2.0 can significantly improve your 1/4 mile times by getting a better launch. If the Dodge Viper GTS is able to shave 0.2 (two tenths) of a second, that is a 60 foot time, by covering the first 60 feet in 1.8 seconds, its final ET for the 1/4 mile would be about 11.8 @ 119 – 121 MPH. More examples can be found by searching the thousands of 60-foot records in the drag racing database at http://www.dragtimes.com.
The best possible launch is achieved by achieving the optimal balance of putting the most power to the ground with the least amount of wheel spin. If too much power is applied during the launch and the tires slip, the resulting 60-foot time will be poor. The same goes for not applying enough power, causing the car’s engine to stall and the car to slowly roll off the line.
When launching a car with an automatic transmission, a technique called assisted braking is used. After successfully positioning the car in the parking lane of the race track, firmly press down on the brake with one foot, while slowly applying the accelerator pedal with the other foot. The car’s engine RPM (revolutions per minute) should slowly increase to a point where the car will begin to move or begin to spin the tires. Hold down the brake and gas pedals just below the point where the car starts to move or spins the wheels. When the Christmas tree lights reach the last amber light before the green light, lift off the brake and slowly push the gas pedal all the way down. The correct RPM to launch will be different for each car based on all the variables mentioned above. Start conservatively with the first launch and keep increasing the RPM the car launches at during subsequent runs. If the car starts to spin the wheels after launch, lower the launch RPM and try again.
When launching a car with a manual transmission, come to a complete stop after the car is properly prepared. Press the clutch all the way down with one foot while pressing the gas pedal down with the other foot, raising the engine RPM to a moderate steady level for the first launch. Raise the clutch pedal to the point where the car is about to start moving and keep both pedals still. When the Christmas tree lights reach the last amber before green, slowly release the clutch while quickly applying the accelerator pedal just enough to launch the car quickly, but not too much to induce a large amount of wheel spin. Start conservatively with the first launch and keep increasing the RPM the car launches at during subsequent runs. If the car starts spinning the tires too much after launch, lower the launch RPM and try again.
For better launches and to reduce 60 foot times even further, the use of full slick or drag radial tires can be used on more powerful cars that have trouble launching at any RPM with regular street tires. Drag radials and full slicks generally require a burnout to heat the tires and clean them of debris for optimal performance. A scuff is a rapid turning of the car’s tires while the car remains relatively still.
All Wheel Drive (AWD) cars are usually the easiest to launch because the power of the engine is distributed to all 4 wheels instead of both. Rear-wheel drive (RWD) cars generally launch better than front-wheel drive (FWD) cars due to the transfer of weight to the rear tires during launch, causing an increase in traction. If the car has aftermarket adjustable suspension, drag racing-specific adjustments can be made to increase weight transfer to the drive wheels.
The preparation of the track’s launch pad also plays a big role in how well and how hard the cars can take off. The launch area is usually prepared with traction compounds to increase track grip. A well-prepared track will definitely help drop 60-foot times and result in lower 1/4-mile times.
During breaks and cool-down periods between endurance runs, take detailed notes on how you launched on the back of each schedule. These notes can help you diagnose launch problems, adjust subsequent launches, and show improvements in your quest for the perfect launch.