How to get a good launch start?

[SleepingDuck]

Hi everyone, I'm kind of new to racing sims. I just want to know how to get the best launch from the starting line using manual, and traction control off. The AI drivers seem to be better at this.

So far I just push the pedal in 80%, then shift it up to first from neutral. Is this the correct way to launch?

[Hermann Knallfeiss]

In anything but supercars, just floor it. As soon as the light goes off, shift into first and youre off like a rocket. The start of the race is essentially a drag event. Start with the smaller cars, the supercars really takes some practice (and/or a steering wheel). before the update my favorite cars was the older BMW's.

edit: Just like in real life actually. Most of us would crash a supercar if we tried to drive it like we stole it. There is a reason that some of the makers require you to take courses with profesional racing drivers before they let you anywhere near their cars. Even if you have the cash in a suitcase with you, to buy it. It takes so much skill its not even funny. The smaller cars however, are really a hoot. And all this translates really well in AC so far. Sure, I can drive the supercars really fast but I'm not having fun as much as its intimidating and scary.

[SleepingDuck]

Ok thank you for the comment. So I might need to do some more practice on the drag strip and find some more tips for the faster cars.

[Marty]

All cars are different I wouldnt agree with the method suggested above, may work ok in some cars but throttle control is critical for the best starts. If you use the clutch this makes it easier as I tend to have the revs up but at different levels depending on the car and gearing. Clutch helps you keep up the revs so avoids bogging down as soon as the lights go out. So depending on the car you either dump the clutch or ease off along with throttle percentage. Each car being so different it will take a couple starts in each just to get a good feel of how to get the most out of it.

Saying you should just floor it is rather a simple approach and will very rarely get you a great or even good start unless using TC or other aids where things are very different. With TC full throttle is what you need but your launch will be worse then a good driver in full manual mode most of the time.

[Hermann Knallfeiss]

"Saying you should just floor it is rather a simple approach and will very rarely get you a great or even good start"

Nonsense. I use that method to get into 5-6th position in the first stretch. However, you can only use it for lower tier cars as clearly stated. I dont use any assistence.

Edit: You don't have to take my word for it either. Got hold of some grabbing software and fired up the game to show you. Autoclutch because its 3 in the morning here and I'm getting really tired.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d3c4c_0Ips
(Gotta love that redneck AI driving like its a destruction derby, and breaking mid turn for no apparent reason!)

[SleepingDuck]

Just tried the full throttle and shift up technique and it works perfectly(even for supercars)! Except in drag races, the AI are just too good there.

Edit: I dont use clutch

[Hermann Knallfeiss]

Are you using full simulation? "Pro" under settings, because if you are, you must be a driving god to get away with floored starts in supercars. How do you keep the thing straight?

[Marty]

Cloak&Dagger Inc. lähetti viestin:

Nonsense. I use that method to get into 5-6th position in the first stretch. However, you can only use it for lower tier cars as clearly stated. I dont use any assistence.

Edit: You don't have to take my word for it either. Got hold of some grabbing software and fired up the game to show you. Autoclutch because its 3 in the morning here and I'm getting really tired.

You only actually got to 10th out of 12 before the braking point in the video, no idea what AI level thats at too but you can get much better starts with some throttle control in these cars.

I still stick with what I said to say that you can simply floor the throttle and get the best start possible is a simple approach and nonsense too :) It may work ok in some cars but far from the best method in any and will be terribly useless in others.

[SleepingDuck]

im using racer with traction off, i'll try pro soon :)

Edit:
I just tried pro and its the same except theres no ABS

@Cloak I just keep the car straight and let the car get up to it's max speed in 1st gear then shift up

Also Im using a steering wheel

[Hermann Knallfeiss]

Marty Cerven lähetti viestin:

You only actually got to 10th out of 12 before the braking point in the video

yeah. It was early in the morning and I havent slept. I just wanted to demonstrate the idea. I was 4th comming out the first bend and going for 1st. Nitpicking much? Are your ego that fragile that that you need to resort to ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ like that?

[Hermann Knallfeiss]

nivek750 ( T 3 T ) lähetti viestin:

Also Im using a steering wheel

There you go. I knew it could not be with a controller like I am using because to me it feels like driving a fish waggling its tail all over the place.

[Marty]

Cloak&Dagger Inc. lähetti viestin:

Marty Cerven lähetti viestin:

You only actually got to 10th out of 12 before the braking point in the video

yeah. It was early in the morning and I havent slept. I just wanted to demonstrate the idea. I was 4th comming out the first bend and going for 1st. Nitpicking much? Are your ego that fragile that that you need to resort to ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ like that?

Simply you make a claim and then show a video to prove your claim but it doesnt. Nothing to do with my ego but the topic is about getting a good launch. Outbreaking slow AI into the turn has nothing to do with the launch so its how many cars are passed before braking starts as that is the actual launch not how you outbreak others into the first turn.

Cloak&Dagger Inc. lähetti viestin:

Nonsense. I use that method to get into 5-6th position in the first stretch. However, you can only use it for lower tier cars as clearly stated. I dont use any assistence.

5-6th down the stretch in the Launch phase out of 12 cars is rather different to 10th out of 12. Sorry to hurt your ego, Im not saying it doesnt work but its far from the best approach even in that car you can get a better launch with a little less then full throttle and full throttle in most cars is not the best method though your saying people should simply just do that as its the best.

nivek750 ( T 3 T ) lähetti viestin:

I just want to know how to get the best launch from the starting line using manual, and traction control off.

Ot wants the best way to launch a car and not the easiest simplest way that will only work somewhat in some cars and be far from the best in any higher powered cars.

[Marty]

As an alternative here is me launching close to full throttle but also using clutch and easing the throttle in just a little. Same car no aids vs Alien AI and you can see I have passed quite a few more cars before getting into the brake zone compared to your very simple method. The full throttle approach works with this car but taking off just a little will give you some more traction and speed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-O7fTTR3HI&feature=youtu.be

I did try slower AI after and they pretty much get off the line much the same just brake much earlier and take turn 1 quite a bit slower then at 100% where they are still a little slow into the first few corners but darn quick on their own so hard to make up much time lost to the leader in the first half of the lap.

This method will work with every car you just need to figure out how many RPM to have pre start then give it just enough gas to get some wheel spin to avoid bogging down but not enough to lose traction slowing you down too much.

[Mukatahren]

Use the clutch.

[SemmyRace]

With turbocharged cars, when still in N i try to keep them past red line, but not revving because i noticed the turbo rpm go down if you rev. I am talking about cars like the ktm xbow, car with i can't get a decent start.
I was also asking myself how to get a perfect launch, because I noticed that what i feel like a good start looking at the rpm, sometimes isn't a good start when i compare with the AI.

[Rexxyboy]

Old thread, but yeah, make sure "Automatic Shifting" is OFF in your assists if you're using a GT car or a paddle shifter, and full throttle while riding the clutch till you get a good starting balance of grip versus spinning wheels. It will take a few practice starts and each car will be slightly different to get it nailed but it's the best way. Once you're away you can paddle shift as normal (no need to use the clutch for the rest of the race).