Optimum Autocross launch and 1-2 shift?

[Amm5890]

What’s up guys. Had my first Autocross in the FL5. Launching was not the smoothest for me for some reason or another. Probably because it’s my first event with a manual and I’m still just a noob at driving it harder than my daily commute. All of my runs were mostly in second gear but I feel like I left a second and half on the table because my launch and 1-2 shift wasn’t optimum (waiting for revs to match into second). What’s yalls go to method for getting off the line and hitting second fast, nice, and smooth? Also tried a run where I went with a soft launch and shifting into second and getting on throttle as soon as I could (which caused a bit of a buck).

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[optronix]

It's gonna depend on how the course is laid out. The event I just tried this past weekend had a hairpin right after the start so I had to short shift into second anyway.

That said, it just takes practice, and to be honest it's one of the traits that could easily separate a guy in the middle of the pack and someone shooting for FTD. That's part of the joy and frustration of autocross- there are countless variables. I recall when I had my 718 with a PDK, it was almost like cheating with launch control. Here's an example:



Personally though, I have a DE5 and it might be slightly different, but I turn VSA completely off (i.e., "pedal dance"), with the one exception of like this past weekend where it was near-freezing and wet, where I'll just do the single press to turn off traction control. I suppose that's the equivalent of leaving the FL5 in anything other than +R mode and a "short press" of the VSA button?

Anyway, if given the space to get a full 1st gear pull (pretty rare if I think about it...), I feel pretty confident in my ability to get off the line quickly. I just looked through some of the vids I've recorded and found one decent example. I shoot for minimal wheel spin but you're going to want at least a bit. Personally I haven't had much issues with wheel hopping although some others have complained of it. I don't go full throttle until I know the tires have hooked up. Hope this helps. Critiques welcome; I'm by no means an expert.



And one where I had to short-shift intentionally just for reference:

 

[Amm5890]

It's gonna depend on how the course is laid out. The event I just tried this past weekend had a hairpin right after the start so I had to short shift into second anyway.

That said, it just takes practice, and to be honest it's one of the traits that could easily separate a guy in the middle of the pack and someone shooting for FTD. That's part of the joy and frustration of autocross- there are countless variables. I recall when I had my 718 with a PDK, it was almost like cheating with launch control. Here's an example:



Personally though, I have a DE5 and it might be slightly different, but I turn VSA completely off (i.e., "pedal dance"), with the one exception of like this past weekend where it was near-freezing and wet, where I'll just do the single press to turn off traction control. I suppose that's the equivalent of leaving the FL5 in anything other than +R mode and a "short press" of the VSA button?

Anyway, if given the space to get a full 1st gear pull (pretty rare if I think about it...), I feel pretty confident in my ability to get off the line quickly. I just looked through some of the vids I've recorded and found one decent example. I shoot for minimal wheel spin but you're going to want at least a bit. Personally I haven't had much issues with wheel hopping although some others have complained of it. I don't go full throttle until I know the tires have hooked up. Hope this helps. Critiques welcome; I'm by no means an expert.



And one where I had to short-shift intentionally just for reference:

This is fantastic insight! I loved the video examples. Before the first gate, I was either short-shifting or roasting the tires in first gear and then slamming into second. Whatever I did seemed to make the car unhappy, leaving me feeling like I wasted a lot of time. I need to find a good spot to practice.

I agree that a strong start is crucial for the top competitors. Hopefully, one day I can rise to the top in B Street. It’s a tough class to compete in with the DCT Supras in the way and dominating, lol.

 

[optronix]

This is fantastic insight! I loved the video examples. Before the first gate, I was either short-shifting or roasting the tires in first gear and then slamming into second. Whatever I did seemed to make the car unhappy, leaving me feeling like I wasted a lot of time. I need to find a good spot to practice.

I agree that a strong start is crucial for the top competitors. Hopefully, one day I can rise to the top in B Street. It’s a tough class to compete in with the DCT Supras in the way and dominating, lol.

I've all but given up being competitive lol. You can probably notice from the videos; I know from past experience in my 718 how much of an advantage a DCT and/or solid automatic is in autocross (I'll go ahead and be that guy- the Supras have a ZF slushbox but it doesn't matter, still a much faster trans than a manual and arguably better than most DCTs that aren't PDKs), and I've already gone down a pretty significant rathole with just dorking around with the suspension after lowering the car. The Supras are a superior platform for this, they just are... an amazing driver can make up for a lot of course but there are some amazing drivers in superior platforms in B street! So I just do it for fun... still, this past weekend is a great example. It's more fun when you're fast! I've had good days in my Integra but also some not-so-great days... I got beat by a damn 15 year old Cayenne this past weekend! (It was a Turbo... and all-wheel drive... and on all-seasons in shitty cold/damp conditions... and I was still getting used to my car with -3.5 degrees front camber vs -1.5 my last event... at least that's what I keep telling myself).

To add insult to injury, FTD went to a 2018 Civic Si.

Anyway, glad the vids could help a bit. Hopefully some of the more skilled folks who are competing nationally chime in.

I just checked... apparently the G87 M2 is also B street. Good luck!!!

 

[AZCWTypeR]

Tarmac friction plays a big role. Ideally you slip the clutch until the engine picks up torque while allowing the wheels to slip a bit (I've read 15% slip is ideal).
No easy, but if it was everyone would get a good launch.
I've done some drag strip "run what you brung" nights in the past. These were good practice and the timing slips also record at 60 ft for launch feedback.

 

[Rhorn]

Off topic but how do you guys warm up your tires before your session? I just signed up for my first across event.

Im used to the track where I do 1-2 laps and ease into it to get the tires warmed. If I were to do a stint with car sitting the tires would be cold

 

[Amm5890]

Off topic but how do you guys warm up your tires before your session? I just signed up for my first across event.

Im used to the track where I do 1-2 laps and ease into it to get the tires warmed. If I were to do a stint with car sitting the tires would be cold

A lot of factors at play, i.e. tire compound, ambient temp, course temp, time between runs etc...

But I've seen guys with tire blankets at cold events. And then at hot events A LOT of people bring little garden sprayers to cool off tires. With 200tw tires you're probably fine to just send it without warming them up this time of year.

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