Race starts and how to improve?

[FROSTY]

Guys N gals im totally tearing my hair out and to be honest really disheartened at this whole racing thing.
I've got as much track time-and more than other guys yet my results --well they basicly suck.
My lap times have steadily improved at the two tracks im racing at but I seem to be slipping behind rather than getting ahead.
My major issue seems to be launching off the line.
Every time in every race i get a piss poor start and either play catch up or get frustrated at myself and drop back further to guys that I know Im faster than.
The problem is definitely the rider not the bike -the bike has a totally rebuilt clutch so it can't be at fault.
I'm looking for SERIOUS advise here preferably from guys who have had a similar problem.

[svs]

Ok, I'm hardly one to teach great starts, but I found that my starts were getting worse the harder I was trying. I'd end up lofting the front wheel and getting it all wrong and have to back off.

I just relaxed a bit and don't try quite as hard, but having an average start is better than a crap one.

Aside from than we just need more practice

[TwoSeven]

I used to be pretty good at the actual start but I tend to lose out on the corners as not so good with the elbows and kicking :)

Couple of things I found with the bike is to make sure your chain is mint and tight (adjusted properly) - its good for a couple of bhp. Also on cibby 600s (not sure about others) shims need to be adjusted to the limits - good for another few bhp for a couple of starts. If you are really serious at starts then perhaps take a look at what sprockets you are using - might be good for a bit of extra torque simply going up or down a tooth on the appropriate sprocket - but its a trade off on the rest of the track.

But bike tuning aside.

For my cibby I have a mark on the rev counter I made that I hold the revs to on the start. I know I can drop the clutch fully and the wheel will only come up a foot at most if I'm over the front screen. Then its just a matter of following the throttle up the power curve till the gear change.

Cibbies (not sure about these newer ones tho) also have the rev counter set so that peak power is a 12 oclock on the dial and start of the power band is at 9 o clock (fully - but often start below) so its often a good idea to start looking around 10 o clock for a good set of starting revs.

I knock the bike up to the appropriate revs and hold both brakes on with the clutch in. When i'm pretty sure the flag is about to come down (or lights change) I slip the clutch so the bike wants to move - you can start to pick your feet up then and balance so not to fall over (you should be able to balance on the bike while its stopped). Then drop the clutch and release the front brake as the bike starts off, let go the rear brake (mostly easier to let go both brakes at once) - a little bit of drag on the start can reduce the wheelie effect.

The trick is to know how far the revs will drop when you let go the clutch and have that below the wheelie point - on some bikes you may have to back off a little more as the bike picks up revs to stop it going back into the wheelie zone, then follow the power curve up.

Also helps if you can keep an eye on a couple of other riders (perhaps someone next to you or in front) as you will see them tighten up as they begin their start procedure - just match your moves to theirs and at least you wont go too far backwards.

Knowing the flag marshal and his/her starting technique is also good coz you can second guess everything.

On the first corner unless you've got a good gap behind its an idea to pick the blocking line round rather than the fast line. Stops many riders sneaking past. Different people have different ways of getting round the first corner - sometimes its better to take the outside line if there is a jam in progress.

And I think having the tire warmers on as long as poss and set to the ideal temp is also good for some extra first corner confidence.

Thats just my thoughts by i'm sure others will have better ways and tricks for doing it. I'd be interesting in seeing what others do as well :)

[Hoon]

Firstly (if you haven't already), you need to rule out whether your poor starts are due to your flywheel lightening and total loss mods. If your engine still isn't pulling you may need to look at your mid range, carb balance, maybe even drop a tooth on the front sprocket. We should've swapped bikes and drag raced each other...that would've been a good test to confirm whether it is a rider or bike problem.

Otherwise practice, practice and more practice. On my TLS I did a bit of drag racing at Meremere and this did wonders for my launching technique. These skills have transferred over to other bikes and I could even get reasonable launches out of my RGV250. Out of habit I still adopt the drag racer stance during race starts, i.e. both feet on the ground, hunched over tank with my throttle elbow in the air even though it isn't necessary anymore.

The trick is clutch control. Basically I bring the revs up to say 10K (14k redline), roll on the throttle to full as I release the clutch and modulate the clutch as the revs dip/climb to keep it above 10K (full throttle all the time). With enough practice it becomes second nature and your clutch hand will slip/release the clutch as you hear the revs change without even having to think about it. With even more practice you can hit the sweet "clutch spot" straight away and then just ride the wave until it bites.

[Two Smoker]

The trick is clutch control. Basically I bring the revs up to say 10K (14k redline), roll on the throttle to full as I release the clutch and modulate the clutch as the revs dip/climb to keep it above 10K (full throttle all the time). With enough practice it becomes second nature and your clutch hand will slip/release the clutch as you hear the revs change without even having to think about it. With even more practice you can hit the sweet "clutch spot" straight away and then just ride the wave until it bites.

I second this, i use about 10-12k rpm and then let the clutch out till it is slipping but not biting.. Too much bite and the front will lift followed by the engine bogging.. not enough bite and the take off wont be as fast as it can be.... I have heard that some drag racers slip the clutch all the way through first..... I dont do this, but im no drag racer and im not as good at launching as Hoon...

Ah well, find a deserted street and go practice....

[FROSTY]

all good advise thanks a million guys.
Hoon--It isnt the total loss thing -I always get crap starts.
Ya aint wrong about the bike swap thing -Itd confirm or deny my suspicions about old blokes and reaction times.

[Mongoose]

all good advise thanks a million guys.
Hoon--It isnt the total loss thing -I always get crap starts.
Ya aint wrong about the bike swap thing -Itd confirm or deny my suspicions about old blokes and reaction times.


A rude person would suggest you contact one of our street racing cop dragging cage passing pro's and ask them. But the again I am not a rude person so would never suggest such a thing :spudwhat:

[Quasievil]

Use the force my son, the force

[DEATH_INC.]

When I'm dragging,I use the same technique as Hoon,bring the rpm up to where the power is,nail it on the lights and use the clutch to keep the front down/rpm up.I will warn you however I've killed many clutches with this method :thud:
You should consider the drag thing to practice,I've raced Lance Lowe,Jarrod Love and Steven briggs down there at one time or another....Got a big kick outta beating Jarrod on his R1(I was on my 750...) and Steven on the BSL(I had the 12),but Lance always got the better of me....

[Paul in NZ]

Your problem (if you can call it that) is you know far too much about your bike and how it works thus you cannot stand abusing it...

Ride it like you stole it and like you have a team of pit crew waiting to whack in a fresh engine... ie ABUSE it...

It's the only way!

Paul N

[FROSTY]

Your problem (if you can call it that) is you know far too much about your bike and how it works thus you cannot stand abusing it...

Ride it like you stole it and like you have a team of pit crew waiting to whack in a fresh engine... ie ABUSE it...

It's the only way!

Paul N
No NO NO NO--I cant abuse my poor lil mella yella.--He looks affter me if I look after him.

[digsaw]

this is the secret,Knowing the flag marshal and his/her starting technique is also good coz you can second guess everything.

[Ghost Lemur]

I think Death and Paul have a very good point. You've admitted it yourself, you treat the bike too nicely.

It's a race bike.

The Psychology of it would I suppose be comparable to learning to do wheelies. You don't want to hurt the bike so are barely getting the front wheel off the ground. What you have to do is go "ah fuck it" and try flipping it. At which point you'd discover "wow it can come up soooo high and yet I'm still in control, this is pretty easy".

To revert the analogy back to your starts, give it shit, take the fuck it if it breaks attitude, and push to that first corner like your life depends on it. By the sounds of it, you know the technical aspects that have been mentioned, which means it's all psychological.

just do it.

:D

Just remember it's only a bike, parts are replacable and you's got the skills, so a fried clutch or whatever the worst that can happen is isn't going to hold you back for long.

And so ends my no-nothing opinion.

[Racey Rider]

No NO NO NO--I cant abuse my poor lil mella yella.--He looks affter me if I look after him.

Yer right!
Is that why your selling it!?

Casting it aside like a used condom. <_<


Truth be known,, Mella Yella looking forward to a rider who can rock his world off the line!

Do yourself a favour Frosty,
Buy yourself a honda F3 bike.
Then you can just blame your tools! :whistle:

[Motu]

Rossi does crap starts,doesn't seem to hold him back.....??

[FROSTY]

Yer right!
Is that why your selling it!?

Casting it aside like a used condom. <_<


Truth be known,, Mella Yella looking forward to a rider who can rock his world off the line!

Do yourself a favour Frosty,
Buy yourself a honda F3 bike.
Then you can just blame your tools! :whistle:
yep youre right dude --im a fucking useless rider -I cant start for shit -I cant pass for shit and im as slow as a wet week --But ya know what --Im out there doing my best -even if it aint good enough Im still doing my best.

[Mongoose]

yep youre right dude --im a fucking useless rider -I cant start for shit -I cant pass for shit and im as slow as a wet week --But ya know what --Im out there doing my best -even if it aint good enough Im still doing my best.

You forgot "And having fun" :niceone:

[FROSTY]

That was gonna be my next comment--Hey Im out there doing it -which is a lot better than a lot of guys.
And i tell ya what if there was a prize for the bloke having the most fun--Yep I reckon Ill be up there to collect it.

[Riff Raff]

And i tell ya what if there was a prize for the bloke having the most fun--Yep I reckon Ill be up there to collect it.
And that is what it all boils down to. Keep enjoying it Frosty. :)

[Paul in NZ]

Rossi does crap starts,doesn't seem to hold him back.....??

Sometimes I think Rossi does that deliberately... Must get boring without anyone to spar with...

Paul N

[Paul in NZ]

That was gonna be my next comment--Hey Im out there doing it -which is a lot better than a lot of guys.
And i tell ya what if there was a prize for the bloke having the most fun--Yep I reckon Ill be up there to collect it.

Thats well and great but you were asking about the starts... Honestly, I have seen this in the classic bike racing. Rider / mechanics can often baby the bike, especially at the start. Why? Same reason I don't try to wheelie my Guzzi... (stop sniggering - it can be done - with a crane)

It's hard to do it when you know you didn't pack a spare motor or clutch and you know how hard it is on your kit. However, the good starters just shut that out and give it death...

Hey! Just reporting what I see... I could not make a fast get away if my life depended on it... And as for lap times? You could time me with a year book or a desk diary (on shorter tracks)...

Paul N

ps - I also wonder if you have a little bit of a flinch. ie, you unconciously avoid the heat of turn one due to previous injury etc etc? I know I do...

[TwoSeven]

I dont think its a requirement to murder you clutch. Thats the way I was originally shown, but i've since found its better to learn proper throttle control and just use the clutch normally.

[FROSTY]

Well I think there is only one answer--go out and practice practice -practice.
Im gonna put the drag race theorys to the test and se what happens.
hey hoon --theres a really deserted road i know--maybee you could come and teach me how.
Paul being serious for a moment .I carry a spare clutch kit and front plate for my bike (the bit that goes bang when the clutch goes.
I really think its something I need to practice -Im not totally convinced at the rev the nuts off it theory because I think my clutch is a bit grabby being heavy duty. One guy on a zxr said he never revs it up but simply gently drops the clutch and just winds the power on.--He gets better launches than I do.
Im hoping there will be a ride wot ya brung drag race at meremere so I can go down and practice.

[Motu]

I'm no racer and don't want to be - but when I was racing on the dirt track on the start line with all the other noisy bikes,I prefered a slow start,no looping,no stalling - I'd be mid pack first corner and settle down to pick them off one by one,I really enjoyed that.I was a bit too good at that,so they used to handycap me on a good day - I would go up the the fenceline of the last turn and put my tyre against the wall,then I could do a full throttle dump the clutch wheelspinning wheelstanding start,I'd be on race pace at the first turn with only a couple of bikes in front coming out.

It's really what you get out of racing - if you are soooo competitive that you must win at all costs,or beat as many guys as possible,then you may be a good racer.....but the fun should be there too,it's a learning game...learn something,get on with next bit,you should find enjoyment,not disapointment.

Dunno....guess I'll never be a racer eh?

[FROSTY]

It's really what you get out of racing - if you are soooo competitive that you must win at all costs,or beat as many guys as possible,then you may be a good racer.....but the fun should be there too,it's a learning game...learn something,get on with next bit,you should find enjoyment,not disapointment.
Dunno....guess I'll never be a racer eh?
Mate don't missunderstand me -If I wasn't having a ball i sure as hell wouldn't be doing it.
Im a bit of a perfectionist -probably my own worst enemy.
I know its possible to get better starts .I know Im fucking it up and I hate it

[Motu]

Mate don't missunderstand me -If I wasn't having a ball i sure as hell wouldn't be doing it.
Im a bit of a perfectionist -probably my own worst enemy.
I know its possible to get better starts .I know Im fucking it up and I hate it

I know,it hurts when you know you can do better,the more you try the worse it gets.You should take up trials sometime - I don't know any rider who hasn't been humbled big time when they get on a trials bike.It's so embasrsing for me I don't know why I do it...but have a need to improve myself,I get some satisfaction from it.

[madboy]

My 2 cents... and I must start by qualifying my comments... i've never raced a bike nor been on the track. I have, however, raced/rallied a few years ago in cars - never at an overly competitive (read - expensive) level though.

My opinion - unless you're racing for the championship and the 1/1000th of a second that making a tiny adjustment to the bolt just next to the bigger bolt with the thingey on the end of it is gonna make or break your result - it's all completely psychological.

I learnt to drive by being a complete idiot on the road, and when i went racing (and initially got my butt handed to me by underpowered pieces of crap) I started with a similar approach. Never afraid to bin it, never afraid to break it. Once I realised what I could and could not get away with (and how much it cost to fix!!) I then knew my limits. Had I had more sense at that age (i.e. if I was doing it now), I would have stuck within them. But I can attest to the strength of my roll cage!!

On a bike, I don't quite have the same deathwish, and I'm a lot more aware of the consequences of dumping it, hence why I'm probably a better car driver than biker (if we're judging it by handling the machine on the limit).

It sounds like you might have a little too much mechanical sympathy, and be thinking a little too much about the consequences. Otherthinking the situation. The more I thought about it, the worse my day went. Top rally drivers apparently are thinking two corners in advance, the actual corner they're going around they are doing basically on auto-pilot because their skills are just that damn good.

Times matter to those at the front, and if you don't have the deathwish or a shitload of skill (or both) you probably won't be at the front. I wasn't. But hey - I was in it for the fun, and you sound like you are too - and so long as the fun keeps coming, that's the most important thing!!

[Paul in NZ]

Well I think there is only one answer--go out and practice practice -practice.
Im gonna put the drag race theorys to the test and se what happens.
hey hoon --theres a really deserted road i know--maybee you could come and teach me how.
Paul being serious for a moment .I carry a spare clutch kit and front plate for my bike (the bit that goes bang when the clutch goes.
I really think its something I need to practice -Im not totally convinced at the rev the nuts off it theory because I think my clutch is a bit grabby being heavy duty. One guy on a zxr said he never revs it up but simply gently drops the clutch and just winds the power on.--He gets better launches than I do.
Im hoping there will be a ride wot ya brung drag race at meremere so I can go down and practice.

OK! If the mechanics of your start are OK then perhaps it's that you are taking off like you would at the traffic lights. ie Waiting for the guy in front to get moving so you don't run up his arse. Maybe ya just gotta go and hope he does too?

Paul N

[Hoon]

Hmmm I've raced a lot with Frosty and I definately wouldn't say he goes easy on his machinery - in fact he can be downright brutal sometimes and even has me shaking my head in disbelief!!
From some of his posts a few of you have got the impression he is too nice to his bike but like any of us F3 racers will tell you, what Frostys does and what Frosty says doesn't always match up haha:)


Well I think there is only one answer--go out and practice practice -practice.
Im gonna put the drag race theorys to the test and se what happens.
hey hoon --theres a really deserted road i know--maybee you could come and teach me how.

Yep...I'm putting my race bike back on the road for summer (after a few cosmetic repairs) so I'll be in! Maybe we could organise a KB visit to the Meremere Fri night Dragwars (http://www.championdragway.co.nz/)??

[FROSTY]

who me--Im not hard on my bike. -well at least not to bits I dont plan on replacing-like tyres and suchlike

[Kwaka-Kid]

Your problem (if you can call it that) is you know far too much about your bike and how it works thus you cannot stand abusing it..

AMEN TO THAT!

Frosty i think this is possibly your biggest problem, its certainly mine.

To be perfectly honest, the method hoon said is basically the only method there is! lets face it, revvs have to be up, and the engine cant be let to bog, so i dont understand what some of you say when you say "this method"

I flex the revvs between 7-9 up and down untill the flag drops, as soon as it drops i catch the revvs on their way up at around 8 and hold the throttle wide open (identical to everyone else, its the only way, how else would u take off?) and keep the clutch half pulled untill the rear wheel matches the engines speed hopefully at the higher side of 8,000rpm. But the problem is listening to all that clutching damn near makes me throw up, so i end up trying to get off that clutch as soon as i possibly can which last meeting resulted in me bogging it every single time - what i need to improve? Is for my father or someone i trust to tell me before every race (as he has done in the passed) just do it and do it hard! dont worry about the clutch you have a spare one ready to bolt in in the garage, and if i do burn it out it will be a good thing in that we get to rebuild it as a proper race clutch.

So yeah tony, unfortunatly you just have to slip that clutch for longer then your gut tells you to! :no: I reckon Aff-Man would make the best drag racer of us - absolutly no regard for his friction plates at all eh aff-boy :shifty:

[Cajun]

Hmmm I've raced a lot with Frosty and I definately wouldn't say he goes easy on his machinery - in fact he can be downright brutal sometimes and even has me shaking my head in disbelief!!
From some of his posts a few of you have got the impression he is too nice to his bike but like any of us F3 racers will tell you, what Frostys does and what Frosty says doesn't always match up haha:)



Yep...I'm putting my race bike back on the road for summer (after a few cosmetic repairs) so I'll be in! Maybe we could organise a KB visit to the Meremere Fri night Dragwars (http://www.championdragway.co.nz/)??
Hoon i am looking setting a kb nite at the dragwars to have a but of fun with the boy racers, (c:< more the merrier

What time should we make it hoon?

[Quasievil]

Hoon i am looking setting a kb nite at the dragwars to have a but of fun with the boy racers, (c:< more the merrier

What time should we make it hoon?:2thumbsup when fella

[Hoon]

What time should we make it hoon?

Well from the site the next night is 4th February - suits me!

I'm not sure what the story is for race bikes though?? Also you will need headlights unless you are happy to stop racing when it gets dark.

[Cajun]

Well from the site the next night is 4th February - suits me!

I'm not sure what the story is for race bikes though?? Also you will need headlights unless you are happy to stop racing when it gets dark.
ok 4th it is

[flipper]

Hey, I had a similar situation to the original post in this thread.

Always qualified ok at club level in F3, but so slow off the line that I was dangerous at times. But (for other reasons) blew a motor resulting in a burnt out a hrc cdi tacho sender (but not the primary HRC Cdi ignition function so bike ran). Afterwards never had better starts in my life (with no tacho).

Found was less focused on xxx revs and more on feel/instinct.

[DEATH_INC.]

Woohoo,I haven't been to a nightwars for over a year now......I've got a spare clutch too!!

[Two Smoker]

Woohoo,I haven't been to a nightwars for over a year now......I've got a spare clutch too!!

ooohhhhh Nightwars :shifty: i might be able to jimmy up a headlight for my 400 :shifty: MR you keen????

[k14]

I might be keen to drive up from here to do the drag wars. Should be some fun. What time do they run from? Can probably leave work around 3 and then get up there about 6.

[FROSTY]

sounds like a fantastic idea--thanks a million Hoon

[FROSTY]

guys Ive been puttting a lot of thought into this. Drag wars is a definite go.
BUT -I think I need to actually figure out what I am doing not what I think I'm doing.
I've found a bit of road out in the country that I can practice starts on.
I was thinking some hardy person sould actually stand next to me and film a couple of my starts.Thinking about it I'm probably not actually doing what I think Im doing.
Offers accepted willingly here
d

[That Guy]

Hey Frosty just read this. I was pretty good at starts at motocross, but as Hoon knows I am a crap starter at road racing so have been reading this with interest. Having done only 2 road races but about a billion mx races I reckon MX is far madder. 40 riders lined up side by side trying to get to one apex together. I've found in the 2 road races I've done people are a lot more timid into turn 1 compared to mx. MX it's all elbows and handlebars and kicking....perhaps national level road racing is more serious....but anyway despite crap launchs on the RGV each time I've managed to make up a lot of places in turn one....keep that in mind if you do muff your launch.

In MX it was 2nd or 3rd gear starts, rev the shit out of it before the gate drops, slip the clutch for about 20-30 metres and as long as the thing doesn't bog you'd be away. Keep the left foot on the peg to feed in the next gear, and don't throttle off when you do; just jab the clutch a little. And stick your elbows out and get ready for contact....The other thing was in road racing I've found you don't get the opportunity to practice starts - in MX I might practice 3 or 4 starts before a race on that day.....practice is the key, and it's what I need to sort me RGV start technique out!

[magnum]

i think you need to stop over analysing everymistake you make

[TwoSeven]

For those of us that dont live up in that there north island, perhaps people may want to have a race start session at the next ruapuna outing or something.

I know there are also a lot of new riders out there I've seen grid up without anyone showing them what to do, and i'd be interested in having a look see as there is always something to learn.

[speedpro]

Lots of drag racing is good for the starts. Hold the revs you want to launch at, don't blip the throttle. Throttle and clutch together keeping the revs on or above your launch rpm. You need to practice as you can't afford to be looking at the tacho during a start. If the clutch packs it in get a better one to replace it. You also have to position yourself on the bike to compensate for it's tendancy to wheelstand or the tracks lack of traction. At Thunderpark I had to be right over the front of the instruments as the track had real bite but at Meremere I had to sit back a bit to get it to hook up. With practice you could get the front 20mm off the ground right through 1st and 2nd. Thunderpark "was" the best track but my best time was 11.3 @ 121mph on the old (stock) GSX1100 at Meremere. With a good start at Pukekohe I beat Freeth and Farrow into the back straight "once" on my old Z1, them on McIntoshs.

Back in the good old days :cool2: sigh!

[Pickle]

Thunderpark "was" the best track but my best time was 11.3 @ 121mph on the old (stock) GSX1100 at Meremere. With a good start at Pukekohe I beat Freeth and Farrow into the back straight "once" on my old Z1, them on McIntoshs.

Back in the good old days :cool2: sigh!


Shit Speedpro those times get faster every year

But really the suggestions that you made are the way to go, practice the drag starts, DONT blip the throttle because as you let the clutch out your revs will drop. As said previously watch the moto-crossers they go fast from the line.

[speedpro]

Shit Speedpro those times get faster every year

But really the suggestions that you made are the way to go, practice the drag starts, DONT blip the throttle because as you let the clutch out your revs will drop. As said previously watch the moto-crossers they go fast from the line.

Still have the time slip actually. :moon: - the only view DG ever had of me at the drags.

[FROSTY]

ok speedpro Its been driving me nuts--i know I know ya --just cant figure out who you are.

[avgas]

im gonna lose....... :sweatdrop :banana: :yes: but its gonna be fun.
I should practise, but i cant afford a new clutch (till feb) so ill leave it to die after dragging a few times.
So are we actually racing cars as well (so i can stand a chance), or just bikes now?
ill be happy if i break 14sec.
Do you literally just line up till the lights indicate your in position, then wait for the lights to change - or is there more too it?

[FROSTY]

basicly dude you race 2 at a time in a straight line.
Soposedly you take off when the lights turn green. I think I used to launch on the last orange -reaction time meant that i actually started moving on the green -memory is a bit cloudy though

[speedpro]

im gonna lose....... :sweatdrop :banana: :yes: but its gonna be fun.
I should practise, but i cant afford a new clutch (till feb) so ill leave it to die after dragging a few times.
So are we actually racing cars as well (so i can stand a chance), or just bikes now?
ill be happy if i break 14sec.
Do you literally just line up till the lights indicate your in position, then wait for the lights to change - or is there more too it?

As you roll up to the lights the "staged" light will come on. There's actually a small distance where the light is on, you want to be right at the back of that range. This allows you to start rolling a bit before you "red light". The most likely scenario with the lights is that you will get 3 or 5 yellows in sequence and then the green. You can't leave the "staged" area till the green comes on. However if you stage shallow as described above you can actually be moving before the light comes on. Because of reaction time you will have to leave on the last or 2nd to last yellow depending on your reaction times. You just need to try that out when you get there.

To stop from accidently rolling and getting a red light once you are staged stop the bike with the front brake. Hold the clutch in, check the gear position then put your left foot down and put the rear brake on to hold the bike in position. This will allow you to release the front brake and adjust your grip ready for the start. I found a sort of motocross attack position with the elbows up worked pretty good, then when you pin the throttle your elbows are down just right for tucking in. Don't bother with the clutch when shifting, just feather the throttle instantaneously and shift like normal - but without the clutch.

If you run in Dial-Your-Own (DYO) handicap class your opponent may leave before or after you so only watch your own side of the tree. If you do run DYO don't be too optimistic when specifying the time you expect to do as all that does is handicap you more than neccessary. Ideally you would want a dial-in about a 10th of a second(or less) faster than what you can actually manage. If you find you got it wrong don't be afraid to go see the tower and change it. If it rains definitely change it. It always amazed me that hardly anyone used to do that. I used to think about it a bit whilst drinking the champers later at home.

Just for DG, those time slips were for 21/2/82, ET=11.33, speed=120.64. It wasn't 121mph, sorry, slight exageration.