well this morning 5:30 am (roads fairly empty) I was taunted by a Celica GT-S w/ INJEN license plate surround. I goosed it few times from the stop lights w/ him behind me nothing serious.
He pulls alongside me at the next light... I did not know what he was gonna do...I do a normal launch (not know he wanted to race) so he jumps it from the light, I instantly floor the SC but by then he had a 3/4 to a whole car length on me, I am pulling up on him in 1st, grab 2nd and jump a 1/2 a car length ahead and quickly hit the brakes as we are coming up on a red light.
ROUND 2
So we are side by side at the next light and I vow to do a better launch. We take off and he has an easy 1/2 a car length on me in 1st gear, grab 2nd and BAM jump a full car length plus some on him, go to grab 3rd and miss the shift (ARRRGH!), that brought him almost even w/ me.... I finally get 3rd and I run him by a 1/2 a car length up to 90 and hit the binders (no where go, red light ahead).
CONCLUSION
I have read that the GT-S is a quick car (180hp w/ 6spd / 2500-2600 lbs), and that it is..... but, it's not as quick at the SC .... moral of the story, I need help w/ my 1st gear launches.... anyone in the Chicago area wanna help me?

regardless, it's my 1st kill!!!!

 

Good kill! Keep practicing, you'll get that launch down in no time. I see you have the Ingalls TD, that should be helping you. Do you still suffer from wheel hop? If so, adjust that TD a little stiffer.

 

Laucning is such a science, especially in a car as tempermental as these. It's just practice and getting a feel for what works best...what RPM to launch at and how to slip the clutch. This is something I need to work on as well, though I dont race hardly ever, so...

 

thanks, I'm happy w/ that kill
wheel hop is gone.... wheelspin is rampant!!!
did more research on the GT-S, they have 0-60 times of 6.6 stock... not to shabby for a 1.8

 

Yea i use to have a celica, pretty descent car.

 

should be able to get a descent launch at about 1500 with that TD... i lauched there with no TD and i get a descent launch

 

GTSs can be low 14 high 13 second cars with mods. Monkeywrench racing ECU, Intake, bored stock exhaust manifold and TRD Kazuma exhaust.

Here's the killer though, even fully loaded GTSs with leather, are usually under 2600lbs and in the 2400 pound area with no leather or side air bags. With a lightweight flywheel and lighweight rims these can be very formidable from a dig or roll. If you are stage two and he was giving you some problems, he was probably fairly well modded.

You should check out www.newcelica.org and see if he is on there and mentions the race!!

 

I never like the GT-S, thought 6 speed manual was too much for it. I drove a 5 speed GT, little less power but a very nice ride

 

my launch was horrible.... 1st run I didn't even launch for a race (didn't know we were going there), 2nd run I had a weak launch and then some wheelspin.
all I have is the ingalls TD and GMPP honed exhaust manifold. I have always had respect for GTS's.... I know he had an Ingen CAI. the race was from a dig... If I had my launch down he would have been toast!!!

I am not a dragger at all.... I prefer running road courses

all hail to the mighty SC

 

Nice kill, good job man.

 

Oh ok..well he probably wasn't modded to hell and back then...but in case I didn't say it before....GOOD KILL..!!!

 

I have a buddy who is modding his girlfriends celica. They are really light(2425lbs). He is installing a turbo and its making me a bit nervous. I think he could run 6 psi and make about 210hp. That would be a serious match.

 

that would be cool, I love celica's. It's too bad they stopped making them. Stupid Toyota, let's stop making cool cars IE supra and celica's!

 

what an embarrassing win

 

How so? A modified GT-S can be quit formidable.

 

thank you! that is why, I am looking for help w/ my launch so my next win will be .....hmmm still a win, just by a greater margin.
street racing (draggin') is not my forte....although I will beat most through any section of corners, simple or complex, wet or dry, smooth or bumpy.... most anyone can go fast in a straight line....it's the corners that seperate the men from the boys!

going to race track today to hone the skills...full circuit click
http://www.autobahncountryclub.net/track.html

so you got any launch advice?

 

Launching at the track=Very different than launching on the street. TONS..TONS..of traction at the track due to all the rubber laid down.

If you want to get good, practice both. Street and strip launches.

 

I imagine "Launching at the track=Very different than launching on the street"!! I would like to try the dragstrip at least once.... my fear is breakage w/ those hard launches! hence I limit my practice.

The balt did very well yesterday at AUTOBAHN..... for what she is...... there were only 4 cars there that I considered competition... a stock S2000, a stock RX-8 and a prepared Porsche 968. only the S2000 and RX-8 were on street tires, the 968 was on Hoosier slicks. I brutalized the RX-8, I was pretty close to the S2000 and 10 seconds behind the 968 on a 3.56 mile course. My lap times were consistant 3:11's w/ one dip into the 3:10..... people where coming up asking about the balt...most thought it was RWD pushing at least 250 and that it was modded....they were very surprised when I informed them she is FWD and basically stock.... when I get STAGE 2 then I will run w/ that 968 or beat it!!
BTW ....I was riding shotgun in a stock Porsche GT3 on Hoosier's and it was lapping consistant 2:50-2:52
only 20 seconds faster that a stock balt SS/SC on street tires.

 

the only thing that i can tell you about your launching is practice makes perfect, plain and simple, everyone can tell you what to do, but if you dont get it down pat in the car with the knowledge your given it wont make a difference