-----Original Message-----
From: Steven N. Burkett <sburkett@ooi.com>
To: autox@autox.team.net <autox@autox.team.net>
Date: Friday, July 07, 2000 5:34 PM
Subject: Re: ProSolo questions and launching
>
>On Fri, 7 Jul 2000, David Hawkins wrote:
>
>> Very few of the NTs or divisionals I have attended had a drag style
>> start (straight line to the first technical part). Most Solo II
>> courses have a start followed by a rather sharp turn to discourage
>> clutch killing launches.
>
>Can someone explain this to me? I realize that most non-pro courses start
>out this way, but how does this discourage a drag launch?
>
>To my inexperienced mind, faster is faster. If you're *serious* about
>going as fast as you possibly can, shouldn't you always execute your best
>"pro style" launch?
>
>Even if you then lift immediately, or brake, you still covered the first
>few feet a little faster than the person who babied their clutch.
>
>Right?
Yes, but the first few feet are not timed.
In autocross, the time starts when you cross the start line, wherever the
organizers put the timing light. This can be placed so that the violence
level of the launch is totally irrelevant. Or not. Designers with mercy
for driveline components set up the start to be kind.
In Pro Solo, the time starts when the light turns green, whether you are
ready or not. I perfectly-timed hard launch is vital to competitive
success. Sounds good for "pro" stuff, but those of us with limited means
and fragile cars would rather keep it out of our local events.
Phil Ethier Saint Paul Minnesota USA
1970 Lotus Europa, 1992 Saturn SL2, 1986 Chev Suburban
LOON, MAC pethier@isd.net http://www.mnautox.com/
"If I can do it, it's not art" - Red Green
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