Burnout Technique
Discussion
In a couple of week's time I will once again be performing in front of a crowd for the Brighton Speed trials.
I know my car isn't going to set the best time, so instead I would be happy to produce a crowd pleasing burnout in the staging area...an FIA approved 'Tyre Warming' area I ought to point out!
My technique so far consists of aggressive use of the accelerator and clutch to get the rear wheels spinning, followed by a rapid jump onto the brake pedal with my clutch foot, while keeping my right foot well buried to keep the rears spinning.
However the car still seems to creep forward as I try to balance braking and engine revs?
Do I need more practice or is Line-lock the way forward? (Car is a 1983 Rover Vitesse).
I know my car isn't going to set the best time, so instead I would be happy to produce a crowd pleasing burnout in the staging area...an FIA approved 'Tyre Warming' area I ought to point out!
My technique so far consists of aggressive use of the accelerator and clutch to get the rear wheels spinning, followed by a rapid jump onto the brake pedal with my clutch foot, while keeping my right foot well buried to keep the rears spinning.
However the car still seems to creep forward as I try to balance braking and engine revs?
Do I need more practice or is Line-lock the way forward? (Car is a 1983 Rover Vitesse).
Line lock or proportioning valve installed in the rear brake line then you will be able to effectively 'stop' pedal pressure to the rear brakes. You will be able to behave as you normally do but I fear this will not stop you from creeping forward although the extra pressure now being applied to the front brakes may be enough.
Are the speed trials being held under the normal speed competition regulations? These normally specifically prohibit brakes and power from being applied simultaneously during tyre warming, and also prohibit any form of line lock. But if it's held under different regs then this won't affect you.
GreenV8S said:
Are the speed trials being held under the normal speed competition regulations? These normally specifically prohibit brakes and power from being applied simultaneously during tyre warming, and also prohibit any form of line lock. But if it's held under different regs then this won't affect you.
Thanks chaps. The trials are under MSA regs, and I can't find anthing in the blue book that prohibits line lock, or brake and power being applied together? Though I conceed it could be hidden away in an unusual section!Every sprint or hillclimb I have done, I understood that static burnouts were not allowed, however I do not recall where I got this info from.
My burnout method is to toe and heel. So foot on the brakes and heel on the throttle, load of revs and dump the clutch, then full revs. Normally the front brake bias is such that the rears will spin quite easily.
John
My burnout method is to toe and heel. So foot on the brakes and heel on the throttle, load of revs and dump the clutch, then full revs. Normally the front brake bias is such that the rears will spin quite easily.
John
It's down to the organising club to say whether tyre warming is allowed, and how it is to be done. This is where you will find restrictions about not applying brakes and power together, not moving backwards, etc. Normally where it's allowed there's a straight piece of tarmac 10 yards long or so immediately before the start line, and tyre warming or spinning the wheels anywhere else is is expressly forbidden. Tyre warming is not the same as a burnout and if you did a full burnout at any of the sprints and hillclimbs that I've been to, you would immediately be banned from the event and probably have your license revoked.
If you want to do some really effective tyre warming then spin the wheels as fast as you can, in the highest gear that you can get away with. For most powerful cars this is second gear and reasonable revs will get you 40 - 50 mph worth of wheel spin. Dip the clutch and brake firmly to a stop after about a second, before you have picked up too much speed. There is easily enough room to do this three or four times within the space that is normally provided for tyre warming, and the tyres will be good and hot afterwards. Remember that the undriven wheels will still be stone cold. If you just want to put on a show then hold the power on instead of stopping, but remember when you come to stop that the front wheels will be stone cold so make sure you don't go skidding through the start line marshals, they really don't like that!
If you want to do some really effective tyre warming then spin the wheels as fast as you can, in the highest gear that you can get away with. For most powerful cars this is second gear and reasonable revs will get you 40 - 50 mph worth of wheel spin. Dip the clutch and brake firmly to a stop after about a second, before you have picked up too much speed. There is easily enough room to do this three or four times within the space that is normally provided for tyre warming, and the tyres will be good and hot afterwards. Remember that the undriven wheels will still be stone cold. If you just want to put on a show then hold the power on instead of stopping, but remember when you come to stop that the front wheels will be stone cold so make sure you don't go skidding through the start line marshals, they really don't like that!
GreenV8S said:
if you did a full burnout at any of the sprints and hillclimbs that I've been to, you would immediately be banned from the event and probably have your license revoked.
Depends how anal the clerks are feeling. I've seen plenty of people doing static burnouts at hillclimbs who then go on to complete the weekend's competition with no ill effects.
The one thing you will get in trouble for is not having the drivetrain under control when you exit the tyrewarming area.
Tyre Warming/Burnouts are definately allowed...even encouraged!
There is a specific area set aside for it, but woe betide you if you spin your wheels outside this area.
I have managed to improve my technique some. It's always easy to get the rears spinning, but I've found that by being pretty aggressive with the revs/clutch and then getting immediately on the brake with the left foot, then I can arrest forward motion before the car has gained too much momentum. Thanks to the front brake bias, I can hold it for a second or two on the brake and throttle. The more I practice the longer I can hold it.
Thankfully tyres and brakes are cheap for my car, and I have a private waterworks access road to practice on!
There is a specific area set aside for it, but woe betide you if you spin your wheels outside this area.
I have managed to improve my technique some. It's always easy to get the rears spinning, but I've found that by being pretty aggressive with the revs/clutch and then getting immediately on the brake with the left foot, then I can arrest forward motion before the car has gained too much momentum. Thanks to the front brake bias, I can hold it for a second or two on the brake and throttle. The more I practice the longer I can hold it.
Thankfully tyres and brakes are cheap for my car, and I have a private waterworks access road to practice on!
this tyre-warming (-burnout?) earned a certain PHer a specially introduced award at gurston in the summer
www.brayspeed.co.uk/assets/The Gurston Trailer.wmv
2x 13" wide strips joing the start and end (-of-tyre-warming area) lines!
www.brayspeed.co.uk/assets/The Gurston Trailer.wmv
2x 13" wide strips joing the start and end (-of-tyre-warming area) lines!
Edited by zed sump on Friday 6th October 21:40
Edited by zed sump on Friday 20th April 21:07
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