Went to the drags. Launch Control Question...
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Went to the drags. Launch Control Question...
I had a chance to take my GT3 to Bandimere again, and I did a total of 5 runs. The only other time I went to Bandimere my best and only 1/4 mile time was 12.66. My first three runs went like this...
12:431 @ 113.75 MPH - .262 R/T
12:384 @ 113.60 MPH - .164 R/T
12:363 @ 113.86 MPH - .172 R/T
The first run was at 4:51 PM. The second was at 5:10 PM, while the third was at 6:16 PM. The temperature was around 78 F at 6:16, so I decided to wait until 7:30 PM to do my 4th run, since it had cooled down to 70 F.
Here was my next two times...
13.241 @ 113.51 MPH - .196 R/T
13.140 @ 113.54 MPH - .515 R/T
The car broke loose on the 4th and 5th runs, as if launch control just wasn't working well. A couple of things come to mind.
Since I drove to the track, my rear tires still had some heat in them on the first 2 runs. The 3rd run was at 6:16 PM, so it was still warm out. The 4th run was an hour and 15 minutes later, and the temps had dropped about 9 to 10 degrees. I am thinking the tires just lacked heat on the last two runs, and launch control was not able to give me a decent launch. My MPH speeds were consistent, and the car shifted hard, even breaking loose in second gear on the 4th run, so the engine felt strong. My 60' times were just bad on runs 4 and 5.
It was a bummer because I felt the added power, but was unable to put the power down. And...the 4th run (my only loss) was against a motorcycle cop who was part of the event. Really nice guy, and we talked for probably 30 minutes before racing, and after the race he met my wife, and we sent the race video my wife took to his phone. You just know he will be bragging tomorrow. I beat a GT3 boys! LOL
We had a good laugh about that, and he does have the proof now. I will post the video once I get it uploaded to YouTube.
Overall great fun, except for losing the 4th race! He ran a 12:84 so I should have had him. Crap! LOL
BTW, I did not drop the rear tire pressure, or do a burnout before racing each time, so I think that was the problem. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Not a super experienced drag racer yet!
12:431 @ 113.75 MPH - .262 R/T
12:384 @ 113.60 MPH - .164 R/T
12:363 @ 113.86 MPH - .172 R/T
The first run was at 4:51 PM. The second was at 5:10 PM, while the third was at 6:16 PM. The temperature was around 78 F at 6:16, so I decided to wait until 7:30 PM to do my 4th run, since it had cooled down to 70 F.
Here was my next two times...
13.241 @ 113.51 MPH - .196 R/T
13.140 @ 113.54 MPH - .515 R/T
The car broke loose on the 4th and 5th runs, as if launch control just wasn't working well. A couple of things come to mind.
Since I drove to the track, my rear tires still had some heat in them on the first 2 runs. The 3rd run was at 6:16 PM, so it was still warm out. The 4th run was an hour and 15 minutes later, and the temps had dropped about 9 to 10 degrees. I am thinking the tires just lacked heat on the last two runs, and launch control was not able to give me a decent launch. My MPH speeds were consistent, and the car shifted hard, even breaking loose in second gear on the 4th run, so the engine felt strong. My 60' times were just bad on runs 4 and 5.
It was a bummer because I felt the added power, but was unable to put the power down. And...the 4th run (my only loss) was against a motorcycle cop who was part of the event. Really nice guy, and we talked for probably 30 minutes before racing, and after the race he met my wife, and we sent the race video my wife took to his phone. You just know he will be bragging tomorrow. I beat a GT3 boys! LOL
We had a good laugh about that, and he does have the proof now. I will post the video once I get it uploaded to YouTube.
Overall great fun, except for losing the 4th race! He ran a 12:84 so I should have had him. Crap! LOL
BTW, I did not drop the rear tire pressure, or do a burnout before racing each time, so I think that was the problem. Anyone have any thoughts on this? Not a super experienced drag racer yet!
Last edited by robmypro; 09-01-2016 at 03:35 PM.
#2
If you look at your 60' times you will see where you lost traction on the last two runs.
This could be tire pressure, tires hitting the splash box, etc. Lots of variables....
Overall good times for being at such high altitude.
This could be tire pressure, tires hitting the splash box, etc. Lots of variables....
Overall good times for being at such high altitude.
#3
Race Director
Thread Starter
Thanks. Yeah, 60' times were bad on the last two runs. I did not hit the splash box (went around). It looks like I will be paying a trip to them from now on.
#4
Race Director
Thread Starter
#5
Rennlist Member
I've had similar results with multiple launches over a couple hours. Launch control works best with a warm engine and warm tires.
Launching 4-5 times, each 50 minutes apart does not make for consistent results.
Launching 4-5 times, each 50 minutes apart does not make for consistent results.
#6
Intermediate
#7
Race Director
Thread Starter
Okay thanks guys. Appreciate the feedback. Next time I will drop the pressure and heat them up.
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#8
Keep avoiding the splash box. That is for guys with drag radials...
You can audibly hear how well you hookup. As others have mentioned, drop pressure to help eliminate squeal.
You can audibly hear how well you hookup. As others have mentioned, drop pressure to help eliminate squeal.
#9
Race Director
Thread Starter
Okay I will try that first. Just to be clear, on the last run I did the rear tires broke loose big time and I even felt them lose traction when shifting into 2nd. So it wasn't a squeal. It was complete traction loss. Just wanted to make sure that was clear.
#10
Race Director
Thread Starter
Even with launch control, launching these cars isn't automatic.
#11
Race Director
Thread Starter
Video added.
#13
Race Director
Thread Starter
I did see the message pop up saying Launch Control Activated or similar. I know R/T does not factor into 1/4 mile times, but I do think it shows progress!
#14
Rennlist Member
Amazing how much the elevation and temps affect the performance. The one and only time I ran my car I rolled up to the light and hit it straight off the street. No burnout, cool down, or anything. It was February, 50 degrees, and 100 ft above sea level though