Question:
The launch control is excellent although I have a question relating to the 7 launch sectors. I understand the sectors enable differing revs to be used for different track conditions. Should I be applying full throttle pedal prior to releasing the clutch with launch governing different revs depending on the sector selected? Until now I have only applied about 2/3 pedal prior to releasing the clutch.
Answer:
In theory you can use full throttle and the rpm during the launch phase will be taken care of by the ECU. If you use too little throttle, you stand a chance of the car bogging down and dropping below the target rpm. This is because the amount of power being produced by the engine is controlled by the amount of throttle opening, giving full throttle will give the maximum amount of power possible at the target rpm selected. This means you always get a known amount of torque at every sector you use. If you vary the amount of throttle, the torque will obviously vary and you will get inconsistent starts.
This is what Trevor Willis does and he commented that when he tries to drive the car during the launch phase modulating the throttle, that the starts are not as good. One important thing to remember is that quite often lower rpm will give a better start than higher rpm, even though from the drivers seat you may fill the start is quick, the clock is the best way to tell.