Proper 1st Gear Launch ("racing") - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

ALittleLuck · 24th January 2002, 22:04

Hi all - wondering if u guys can help me with my 1st gear launch for "racing." (or guide me to a link, I've searched threads but couldn't find anything regarding this)

Right now, I'm ok going into first but still quite slow all things considered. I would no doubt easily trail a slower car even though I'm behind the wheel of the Beast. Embarassing yes, but I've only been behind the wheel for 1 month.

It's much easier to catch up to cars once 1st is fully engaged or in 2nd gear (all you do it floor it.) But its way embarassing to always be behind the pack off the light (in regular traffic, I'm no racing fanatic or anything).

But whats the "best" way to get the quickest launch - little gas to engage quickly, gas it alot and force the car into 1st, or something else??

Thanks in advance all u vets...

CM5GO · 24th January 2002, 22:11

Greg's video on this topic is awesome. Does anyone have the link to virtual M5 driving school?

Diamond Dave · 24th January 2002, 22:16

Chris Z,

Here it 'tis:

http://playground.sun.com/greg/

DWP

AndyMenard · 25th January 2002, 02:31

Quote:

Originally posted by ALittleLuck
Hi all - wondering if u guys can help me with my 1st gear launch for "racing." (or guide me to a link, I've searched threads but couldn't find anything regarding this)

Right now, I'm ok going into first but still quite slow all things considered. I would no doubt easily trail a slower car even though I'm behind the wheel of the Beast. Embarassing yes, but I've only been behind the wheel for 1 month.

It's much easier to catch up to cars once 1st is fully engaged or in 2nd gear (all you do it floor it.) But its way embarassing to always be behind the pack off the light (in regular traffic, I'm no racing fanatic or anything).

But whats the "best" way to get the quickest launch - little gas to engage quickly, gas it alot and force the car into 1st, or something else??

Thanks in advance all u vets...

Chris is right, you need to view Greg's videos on this subject - over and over and over again! It is great stuff!

Just be careful that your clutch is fully engaged (ie: your left foot is completely off the pedal) before you give it FULL throttle... otherwise, you will roast your clutch!

Have fun, but be nice to the BEAST!

Black M5 · 25th January 2002, 05:34

ALittleLuck,

I might help you greatly here. I learnt my launching technique from MT December 99' issue. I still have the magazine with me because it was the first magazine to test drive the Beast!!! I will type the part from the magazine you are dying for!

Ok now you can wipe the annoying smirk off the face of that megabuck sports car driver in the next lane. Reach down and switch off the traction control (DSC), then switch on the sport button. Rev to a mere 1000 rpm (any higher and you'll smoke the tires), flash your opponent an equally snotty look, and wait for the green light. GO!

Come off the clutch quickly but don't immediately floor it..feed in the throttle progressively, or you'll spin those big P275/35 ZR18 Dunlops too hard. Grab second gear and feel the fat meats lay down another 20 feet of rubber on the upshift. Remember to shift just shy of the 7000 rpm redline to avoid touching the rev limiter, and if you perfectly nail third, there'll be another 10 feet of thread on tarmac for your teeth-gnashing foe to witness.

You've just run a 0-60 in 4.7 seconds, blitzed the quarter mile in 13.2 seconds at 107.4 mp/h, and irritated the living hell out of your opponnet

I would recomend you try your runs using G-tech pro. Although its maybe 0.1 off but it can help you alot. I remember starting from 5.2 to the high 4's to 4.6 when i perfected it. Practice makes perfect. Note: Try to keep going with momentum when you launch. It must be a one go shot just like an automatic launch. Oh one more thing, look for an empty road or area for your runs and to stay out of trouble.

MEnthusiast · 25th January 2002, 05:46

Yep- thats all you need- its not the kind of car where you give it a lot of revs. Also- I find that sometimes if youre not driving aggressively- you just poke it into 1st and give it some revs slowly and some leadfoot in anycar will skip past you because you know that at any time you can just give it more throttle. this happens to me often but I dont care as Im not racing these people.

atomic80 · 25th January 2002, 07:54

They did teach us how to properly modulate the clutch/gas pedals at the M5 driving experience!

Apparently you're just as BlackM5 posted, supposed to ease down the gas pedal as you let the clutch out..it's not an on/off switch folks. You'll just end up smoking your clutch badly if you treated it like that. You want to push it down fast enough while letting the clutch up. The clutch in the M5 is very easy to modulate and it also gives good feedback enabling one to tell what's going on down below!

Taipan · 25th January 2002, 12:11

THat goes for any stick.. Only the revs alter from car/make... U to get a smooth take-off just slide the the clutch off and the gas in progressively.. I´ve always driven a stick (only testdrove an auto) around 20k miles of experience.. Albeit with no M5

william996TT · 25th January 2002, 14:45

A good launch, RPM should vary according the traction of the ground also tires temputures and other factor like(rain/cold day). Shouldn't always stay at 1800rpm. Most of what Greg's video show should be basic knowladge for any manual drivers. You should learn up before pushing the car.

Also, one of the most important thing. Turn off the A.C.

you will be surpise with the difference

greg · 25th January 2002, 16:28

Let me add that my videos how to get a good performance launch without endangering the clutch. But it IS NOT a "MAXIMUM" performance launch, which will indeed sacrifice some clutch and tire.

The most important thing is to ABORT - immediately lift the throttle - if it ever gets away from you - that is, the engine is racing and the clutch isn't fully hooked up. Never, never, never, either launching or shifting, just "wait" for it to hook up while your foot is to the floor. It WILL - but only the first or second time. Then you'll be at the dealer getting a new clutch.

Shotoverhill · 25th January 2002, 18:39

Quote:

I would recomend you try your runs using G-tech pro. Although its maybe 0.1 off but it can help you alot. I remember starting from 5.2 to the high 4's to 4.6 when i perfected it. Practice makes perfect. Note: Try to keep going with momentum when you launch. It must be a one go shot just like an automatic launch. Oh one more thing, look for an empty road or area for your runs and to stay out of trouble.

Black M5 - what is a G-tech pro (digital timing device?), how much does it cost, and where can I get one ?

Dirim · 25th January 2002, 18:52

Quote:

Originally posted by Shotoverhill

Black M5 - what is a G-tech pro (digital timing device?), how much does it cost, and where can I get one ?

You can find many sources if you search on it but I'll give you one here:

G-Tech Pro

Dirim