What is the best way to launch a fwd car off the line?

Question

I want to minimize wheel spin and launch early so I trap good any tips?

Answer 1

Air your front tires down to about 25 psi. Inflate the rears to the maximum on the sidewalls. Remove everything from the car that isn't glued or riveted on - floor mats, trunk mat, spare tire, all the junk you carry around, any speakers or amps that didn't come with the car, etc....

Determine the torque peak rpm of your engine, using the owners manual or find the engine specs online. Using the speedometer, determine what speed corresponds to the torque peak in each gear. These are the speeds at which you want to be shifting into each gear. At the line, hold the engine slightly above torque peak rpm. When you launch, let out the clutch and modulate the throttle so that when the tires stop spinning(a little wheelspin keeps the engine from bogging and the clutch from incinerating) the engine is at its torque peak and then you should be able to get on the throttle. Shift to the next gear at the speed corresponding to that gears speed at torque peak. Using these methods, which were explained in Car and Driver about 20 years ago, I used to beat cars that would have been entire seconds faster than my own in the hands of competent drivers.

Answer 2

Even street radials can use some extra heat in them to improve traction on the launch. It will take some practice to find out what works best for your car, but a set of slicks will improve traction a bunch. The big trick is to not spin the tires, but keep the engine up in the power band.

Answer 3

If your car is a standard, drop the rpms down to about 3,000-3400 and do not pop the clutch...just let it out quickly and  do not punch it...moderately depress the accelerator to keep the rpms up and as you feel the tires grab...then punch it...this is a trial and error process and involves timing on your part and all has to happen like in 1-2 seconds, but you should be able to feel the front tires grabbing...so adjust the above until you get the feel. You will almost always get some tire spin, but if you make the adjustments, you can control it. The type of road surface will also affect how much tire spin you get.

Good Luck!