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Race starts are a critical piece of the racing puzzle and starts are an often overlooked part of the training regimen. Part of the problem is that we only do a few starts per season and it happens quickly and isn't repeated every lap. It's hard to practice. So how do you improve? Keep these tips in mind the next time you line up to take the green flag:
1. Read the rules. Many series have different rules about when you can pass once the flag flies. Some, like NASCAR, don't allow moving out of line until the car is past the Start/Finish line. Grand Am uses a similar rule. Most amateur clubs allow for passing once the green is waved.
2. Watch the starter wave his flags for other races. Find a viewing spot close to the starter stand and watch his movements. Does his shoulder drop before he waves the flag? Does his head turn? Look for anything that give you an indication of the timing when he drops the green.
Every starter has some movement that you can spot before the actual flag waves. Now you know how to get a jump. When you see that shoulder drop, GO! because the green flag will follow. It's only a few tenths, but races are won and positions are gained by being milliseconds quicker than the competition.
3. Talk to the starter. Yes you can actually strike up a conversation with any race official. Ask him or her at what points on the track do they throw the flag? Experienced starters have an Early Spot and a Late Spot. These define the earliest position where cars will be and the latest position where cars can be and still get the green flag.
Knowing this helps you understand what to expect based on your position on the grid and the timing of the pack as it accelerates towards the starter stand. Smart racers know that it's very important to get to know the officials and ask them questions. If you spend a few minutes talking to them at every race weekend, it can help you immensely.
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4. Decide how close you should position your car to the row in front of you. Of course if you are on the front row then you stay in line with the person on the pole, but the rest of the pack needs to gauge distance. 5 feet? 3 car lengths? Remember, whatever distance you give up here you have to make up later.
As a general rule, we like 3-5 feet. Yes, that close. Why? Less distance to make up and it puts pressure on the person in front of you and we like that. You are close enough to make a move and you've not given away any distance.
5. Align your point of focus. Are you watching the car ahead or watching the starter? Well, you want to be watching the starter but at the same time you need to keep track of the cars in front of you. It's a simple thing really, just not conventional. Your brain tells you instinctively to watch what is closest so you have to "train" yourself to flip it around.
Focus on the starter while letting your peripheral vision watch the cars in front and next to you. The key is learning to trust your peripheral vision enough to watch the starter.
A popular way to learn is to drive around in your street car and watch something off to one side while learning to trust your peripheral vision. Just don't do this during rush hour or in a school zone. It's actually easier on track, as everyone is going the same direction and there are fewer distractions as well. Just remember to focus on the starter while keeping an eye on the vehicles around you.
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6. How do you see the flag when your 3 rows or 13 rows back? We learned this little tidbit from chatting with many starters over the years. Typically, starters and start judges are looking for cars to move to the outside when judging jumped starts. Every starter we've ever spoken too has told us that moving slightly to the CENTER is not only allowed, but looked upon more favorably.
But I don't want to go up the inside you say! Think back to all the starts you've done. What happens as the cars roll up to take the green? The cars fan outward from center ever so slightly as drivers look for room, try to view the flag stand and jockey for position. If you move slightly to the center, it looks like you're the driver staying in line!
Also you'll notice that a GIANT hole has opened up since the majority of cars are moving away from the center line of the track. This also gives you a great view of the starter in most cases. When you see the starter's shoulder drop, you're gone and everyone wonders how in the hell Ricky Bobby always gets the jump.
7. At what speed should you go if you're the pole sitter? The best thing to do is talk to the starter and start judges to find out the variance of speed allowed by the officials. If the pace car runs at 40 mph, and you find that your vehicle is best suited for a 2nd gear start within the meat of the rev range at 45 mph, wouldn't it be good to know if you'll get nailed for jumping the start if you creep up to 45? By talking to the officials prior to each race you'll know whether to keep it in 2nd gear or back it down to 30 mph and select 1st gear. Most of the time going slower won't get you in trouble and you just want to be in the revs when the green drops.
8. How do you accelerate faster at the start? Try to Left Foot Brake while keeping the throttle partiality open. This is, in essence the old "brake torque" trick you did in high school in your parents Buick when you were doing burn outs. The idea is to load the drive train with throttle while controlling your speed with the brake. When you see the starters shoulder drop, release the brake so the car jumps forward.
If you're careful this won't be too hard on the driveline, brakes, or engine. It is especially effective in turbo cars because it eliminates turbo lag. Just keep in mind to manage the distance with the cars in front of you. The bottom line is to keep it in the meaty part of the rev range and launch as fast as you can.
9. Practice as much as possible. There are only a few ways to practice starts. Ever go to races where you can run a second class? Or events with multiple heats that are optional? Start every one. From the back sometimes. Get practice at passing cars at the start. Sometimes we challenge ourselves and our friends and turn it into a game that helps improve our skills. We all start last in the field. Whoever passes the most cars on the first lap wins and the loser buys the beer that night.
Another great way to practice is by doing some of the more advanced racing schools like Bondurant, Russell, or Barber. Most have practice start sessions where they will grid everyone up and wave the green. The field races into the first turn and then everyone backs off. The pole sitter goes to the back of the grid and every car moves up one place on the grid for the next green flag. The session continues until every driver has done a practice start from every position on the grid. Most schools do practice start sessions on the third day and some will just sell you the third day of the school if you are a licensed racer.
If you gain positions at the start, it's less work later and by practicing your starting skills, you'll give yourself an edge. The added benefit once you get comfortable is that that starts are just fun!