I did a search about launching and read numerous threads where people talk about feathering the clutch off the line to get better 60' times. I understand that feathering the clutch is to control tire spin with the clutch rather than the gas. My question is at what RPMs should I be launching? and do I just floor it on the 3rd amber and feather the clutch or what amout of throttle seems to work while feathering the clutch? I have a 2000 gt 5-speed running street tires. I'm trying to find some techniques to improve my best 60' (2.12) and 1/4 (14.07) times. (only been to the track once). Any advice is appreciated.

 

this is harder than it seems but not actually difficult. It's a familiarity thing.

You want to let the clutch engage to the point that the tires are just about to lose traction but not all the way. It's different on every track and every car. I like to leave pretty hard... 3000 rpm or so and keep the gas at one place in the pedal travel while I get the clutch to near full engagement (breaks me off the line) then it's just a matter of keeping the RPM's up and the car moving as much as possible till you feel like you've got enough actual forward motion to drop the rest of the clutch and firewall the go-pedal. I have to do that all the time around here when I'm doing stoplight drag races with the locals.

2.12 isn't bad for your first time out. Don't expect too much on street tires either... they're not the ideal for solid short times.

 

Ok I think I get what your saying. I'll have to give a few practice rips on the street in front of my house just to have a feel for it before I go back to the strip. I know what you're saying about not expecting much more from street tires but I've read to many threads about people getting 2.0x 60s and getting into the high 13s on street tires. Thats my goal for the next time I go out. I'll be happy with a few more 14.0's considering my few mods and lack of strip driving experience. You've got to shoot for something.

 

Sounds like a plan. Just remember RPM=energy so keep the RPM high enough that it'll have the energy to keep you moving. The slipping clutch will absorb some of the energy of the engine so it takes lots more to move the car than normal. Upshot is better chance of not blowing the tires off.