I realize this wasn't directed at me, but:

Its easy, practice your *** off.

Work on rolling the clutch off instead of trying to just let it out. If you get the car to roll a couple feet slowly and transfer weight before you just pour on the torque, the car will launch a lot better. I like 4800-5000 RPM's, any more and I get clutch issues, but usually the track is too slick to support it. I couldn't even get 2,500 to stick last week

 

With my clutch issues, I just did it at 2K to 2,500 max.

Clean off the tires, check for traction, then launch it at 2,500, and see how that goes, feathering the clutch out quickly.

It won't produce the best runs, but I managed my 13.2 doing that, bogging it off the line.

 

You'll get there.

 

man, i wish i had these conditions here, i get a 2.00x 60ft times to ur 2.2x, but at the end we're both running 13.4's. i really hope we have the same da over here in feb when our tracks open up as u do over there now, i'd finally be able to hit that 13.2

 

What worked ok for me was a little of what VeeTec and Peak350 both described. 2-2.5k launches, and let the clutch out in a slow controlled motion, and quickly adding throttle when the car gets going. Any higher rpms, or a quicker release just gave me nasty wheelhop or wheelspin.

Peak, maybe our tracks and/or cars are very different, but if I launched as high as you did, I'd have no tires left. My launches over 3500 left me spinning at the line, and aborted runs. (Maybe the 35 degree weather was the cause? I dont know)

VeeTec, by clean off the tires, Im guessing you mean a quick little burnout. I only did that for one of my runs and that was the run when I missed second gear. I'm a little superstitious, so I didn't do that anymore.

warmmilk, I got an record high 16 runs in on my last track night, with about 5 or so minutes between runs and experienced no clutch issues at all. While I was pretty happy with my 13.4, my goal of the night was a 2.1 60' or better, which was not obtained. I'm beginning to think Im stupid or something, because Im getting decent times but can't get that launch down.

 

^like said before me, practice is key

this was my first year drag racing, and basically, my 60's (and 1/4's) started improving with each visit. i had an outing where i had 22 runs in, but they were still all aobut the same. i think the key its to analyze what u are doing and figure out where the room for improvement is. i thought about it alot during the week, then when i went back on the week ends, my times improved.

also while the 35 degree temp had alot to do with ur spining, that not where the whole story is. cleaning off ur tires (quick burn out) is a necessity. it cleans off ur tires of all the debri u picked up driving upto and waiting in the lanes. the track has vht on it, which gets on ur tires, which makes little rocks and pebbles stick to it. if u don't clean off ur tires, that what ur are doing when u launch and ur tires are spinning. don't believe in superstitions, they dont exist, its all in ur head.

also, read everthing on this website
http://www.rangeracceleration.com/
while its aimed at vettes, most of it can be applied to a z, the only thing change is the burn out, he says to do it in second, i do it in first, and don't wait to see smoke. the reason being is the z06 has 325 wide tires, and it takes a little longer to make them warm, we only have 245. so if u spin to much, they'll get to hot and grip less. u really don't wanna over head street tires

and for anybody wondering, i also follow the clutch fluid change thing he has on his website, the vettes also have the slave cylinders in the bell houseing like the 07 z's, so its gets really hot in there, clean fresh fluid helps keep ur clutch pedal from dropping

 

I have a really slow clutch release to get that.

And thinking about it - I have clutch issues every time and just ignore it now. I'm able to get the clutch to hold by prying the pedal off the floor and I just do that once I let the clutch out. All in practice, but when I told someone at the track that their face went all weird and twisted....

The quick burnout is essential. I can't even touch rubber on my tires if I lay my hand flat on it (because of the rocks). With the burnout I can launch a LOT harder without spin. Definitely the best improvement I made to date.

 

^i don't know, the whole lifting the pedal with ur foot thing never worked for me. i lift it, but the clutch still doesn't grab, basically, i lift the pedal itself but not whats attached to it.

however, after i started changing the clutch fluid, once at home, right before i leave to the track, and once at the track, about mid way through the night, i haven't had any clutch sticking issues... at least not that i can remember. last time i went to the track was early october, the track closed for the season after that. but either way, clutch issue was far enough apart for me not to notice/remember


can't wait till feb. all these records and i'm stuck sitting on my *** and watching

ps. have u guys herd about the new z06 record, its now 10.98 at 129 on the stock tires, thats one insane car
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1876797
time slip in post 9

sorry for the hijack

 

It will make a big difference. Don't do it too much, just enough to clean off the tires, and heat them up a bit.

A couple of quick spins works best for the Base, due to open diff.

 

you should be able to hit 12s... someones trap was close to your and had 12s


R/T: 0.279
60': 1.796
330: 5.381
1/8: 8.311
MPH: 84.54
1000: 10.837
1/4: 12.947
MPH: 107.11

 

Not gonna happen on street tires.

And thats a high 1/8th mile trap. Its going to take dropping the 330' some more to get 12's, but a 60' like that on stock tires probably won't happen.

 

Should and can are completely different things.... Trust me I know.. As Peak said.. on stock tires thats asking a lot.

R/T: 0.774
60': 2.152
330: 5.746
1/8: 8.646
MPH: 85.35
1000: 11.112
1/4: 13.193
MPH: 108.59

That's a sweet 60ft... I would kill to pull a ~1.8 stock... damn.

 

Sick....

 

me to, just show me who

 

Yeah, I should say, its possible.

A grand touring with the 265 tread and a bit heavier wheel (less prone to spin) might be able to do it. Its like an M3 with traction and I have seen one 1.79 out of an M3. However - I've tried and I either get more clutch problems or less rubber on the tire as a result.

 

^i don't know, maybe the 1.7 was a timing fluke

i had a timing fluke one time where i "pulled off" a 1.5 60ft, but we all know thats not possible

i'm not saying it IS a fluke, just saying it could be

to bad everyone that buys the grand touring is a pansy and doesn't race their z
(talking trash to motivate)

 

I forgot you guys have a bit wider rubber on those... that would certainly help...these 245s are terrible to launch with...

I guess I could see it happening on a really well prepped track with great air.

 

I have a set of grand touring wheels going on my car this afternoon with 1,500 miles on them (I dunno if I'll be considering stock like that, but I don't really care, they look nice and I got a good deal on them.) and I know that wasn't a fluke. The guy ran a 12.7 overall and has many runs in the 12's to back it.

Lee Mathews....

 

Well if your car is still stock with 265s then I am going to be stock with 265 (or 275s haven't decided yet). LOL

 

The wheels came off a 2007 grand touring that now has volk 3-piece wheels on it. I wouldn't consider it stock, its a modification, but they are stock wheels are tires for a different trim level of the car, so if I can pull a 1.79 60' on them, that means the guy whose car they came on could have as well....