Friday, August 14, 2009

Riding Skils Series: A Good Race Launch - The Start

Launching At The Dragstrip Or Racetrack
From the June, 2010 issue of Sport Rider

Riding Skills Series Racetrack
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Keep your body as far forward... 
   
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Riding Skills Series Racetrack
Keep your body as far forward and as low as possible, keeping as much weight as you can on the front end to reduce the chances of a wheelie.
A good start is an essential part of a sprint race and practically the whole race at the dragstrip, making it important that racers at both venues master the art of a good launch. The trouble is that with just a handful of passes at a drag meet or a couple of sprints at a club event, practice is a bit hard to come by. There is a lot of action packed in just a couple of seconds of time, and whatever you can do to get to the strip regularly will pay off in better technique, for roadracers and dragracers alike.
Riding Skills Series Racetrack
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Avoid the temptation to watch... 
   
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Riding Skills Series Racetrack
Avoid the temptation to watch other competitors for your cue. Concentrate on what you're doing, watching the flag or lights for the start, then minding your engine rpm as you leave the line.
Dragracers constantly refer to a "launch rpm", and you'll need to find the best engine speed for your bike to properly leave the line. Remember, you want just enough power to be on the verge of wheelspin or a wheelie; for a big bike such as a Hayabusa or ZX-14, you'll need just a few thousand rpm showing on the tachometer. A high-revving middleweight like an R6 will need 10,000 rpm or even more for a clean launch. Pick a launch rpm, and have your engine spinning at that rpm a couple of seconds before the start. Avoid blipping the throttle and racing the engine; keep a steady throttle hand and the revs constant at your chosen launch rpm.

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