This is obviously my first Pro Solo. I have a bit of National Tour expirience, but never anything that relies so heavily on a drag start in the s2000. As AS finished up and day 1 ended at the Toledo Pro Solo (7/25/09), I am pretty far off the lead. First runs were in the wet so nobody got fast times and we were on street tires leading the pack. The second half was in the dry. Half of the time left out there (0.3 - 0.5) is due to driver error according to the datalogger as I plowed 1 time on each of my fastest runs. The rest of the time is left in my launch. I thought I was decent launching the S until this

I have my reaction times down in the .600+- range now that I'm getting used to it but my 60' times are killing me. Im averaging around 2.4-2.5. The Kozlaks are 1.7-1.9 and as a result in 1st and 2nd matched with thier driving skills. Cashmore is in 3rd and is running 2.0s consistently. Im sitting back in 4th with another s2000 (Keith Vail)driver on my tail. Keith is pulling off 2.1-2.2 60' runs on this sticky concrete.

My question to you guys ... how in the world should I launch an AP2 with Hoosier A6s to get better 60' times without smoking the clutch or engaging the CDV. What technique would be better or best? I do a 5-6k part throttle launch (to keep the revs up) and floor it immediately as I let out the clutch. This gets the tires spinning without bogging it too much. The S2000s are catching and passing everyone else (given the start disadvantage) and on par with Lynn in the 993 (she is very fast).

I feel there is a victory out there in an s2000 if we can get in the 2.1 60' range matched with better driving. Any thoughts? Is that even possible? Thanks!

-Marc

 

My advice may be old but since no one else has chimed in since you posted I'll try to help. The method you described is what we used to do. The RPM is going to vary depending on surface and tire size but the goal is to launch in VTEC and sacrifice the tires to keep it there. The theory was by the time the tires caught you were in VTEC and the car kinda took off like a shot. I don't remember our 60' times being particularly good but anything less bogged the car or toasted the clutch. Never tried a launch with an 06+ however so I can't say what the CDV is going to do. Since Keith is able to pull out a 2.2 to your 2.4, get yourself or your co-driver to try to watch his launch and try to determine what RPM he is launching at.

Lynn is very fast and that damn 993 is a launching machine. Helps that all the weight in on the rear tires.

Personally I love Pro's. I miss doing them but I needed to spend money on other things (like a house). I hope to get back into the mix soon.

Good luck!
Pete

 

Marc come talk to me in the morning if like and we can discuss launching a bit more. I am using 6500 rpm but will likely use more tomorrow if it is dry.

 

[QUOTE=keifla123,Jul 25 2009, 05:47 PM] Marc come talk to me in the morning if like and we can discuss launching a bit more.

 

Try having the Kozlacks in your home region... :/

--kC

 

Sounds like you figured it out Marc - I was most successful(would get sub 2.1 60's from time to time) holding it right at 6200 and effectively side-stepping the clutch so my right foot hit the floor as the 3rd light came on. That was usually good for around a .550 light and 2.1 or less 60ft.

 

You're lucky. We'd all be better drivers if we did.

 

Thanks! Holding the throttle as opposed to puching the throttle (or blips) seemed to make the big difference. Flooring it and dumping the clutch almost always resulted in smoking the clutch in an AP2.

Sub 2.1s? That is really fast!!!

I'm with Jeff, I would love to have some guys (and girls) like the Kozlacks to constantly run against. That is one reason I tried to make many National events this year.

 

I know this is a little late, and from personal experience with an AP1 on 245 A6's.

Hold the rev's around 7-7.5K, as the third yellow light comes on, floor the gas pedal as you dump the clutch.
At the Packwood Pro 2 weekends ago on asphalt, I managed a sub 2.1 60 ft'er. Sorry, it was 2.019 with a sleepy 0.800 reaction time.

http://scca.com/documents/resultfiles/RT%2...0Packwood.1.pdf

Anything less than 7K rpm's got me 2.2-2.4 60'fters.

 

Marc, Mark, and Keith, good job this past weekend, considering that this was your first Pro solo ever ( Marc and Mark). From the sound of it, you guys are convincing me to start doing Pro Solos next year, as it sounds like a lot of fun. I guess I better start practicing my launches, since it appears that we're getting hammered by pretty much everything else in the class when it comes to the start part. I'm looking forward to see/hang out with you guys again in Lincoln.