Drag strip advice

Look for any advice or suggestions on the best way to launch my car at the drag strip. This will be my first time going to one and I'm pretty nervous.

Just looking for some tips on what rpm I should try to launch at. When should I be shifting gears. The power starts to fall off after a certain rpm correct? Do I shift at redline or before? And any other tips for a newbie/rookie.

I have a 2018 Si. Completely stock aside from A Ktuner V1.2 with a TSP stage 1 tune.

Thanks for any help everyone.

Have you played with the Launch Control yet? I'm just starting and seems like the 3000 rpm set by TSP is pretty good. I'm going myself for the first time soon, so good luck.

Common misconception is that because peak torque starts to drop as rpms increase that it is faster to shift early. The reality is there is a huge drop in torque each time you upshift and that almost always outweighs the drop in power at high rpm.



Imo traction is king. The turbo with a tune is simply wild and front wheel drive means launch traction is already scarce. Finding the right way to apply the gas without getting too much wheel spin is the way to go. I don't have any magic rpms to provide however as I don't race but eliminating wheel spin should be a goal.

Here's a run with the 19.5/21.5 KTuner basemap:


...and one with TSP Stage 1 (launch control set @3000)


Tips:
1) Use the pedal dance to disable traction control if you want a little more bite from 2nd gear
2) Ask about the timing for the tree (PIR you're supposed to leave on the last yellow, not on the green light. "perfect" light .500)
3) Don't leave your air conditioning on --- people don't like water to drip on the track, plus the heat/engine drag
4) Make sure you wear the required clothing (pants and a sleeved shirt required here)
5) Try for about 1/2 to 1/3 of a tank of gas depending on how many runs you make (less weight!)
6) Play with short shifting 1st and 2nd, blast it in 3rd, and run it out in 4th
7) Don't forget to check your fluids, tire pressure, and have fun

thanks so much for all the tips. I'll do my best tonight and will post here and in the quarter miles time thread

Launch 2700 RPM with 50% throttle first, to estimate if you need more or less throttle. You'll know you need more if the car bogs, or rpms fall really low, and fail to come up quickly after engagement.

After launching, while letting out the clutch in 1st, add about 25% more throttle. Short shift first and second at 6k. No lift shift the 2-3, and 3-4 shifts. I'd say shift into 4th at about 6 to 6.3k

Try fully defeating the traction control also.

my best advice at the track is to always "visualize the win"

welp. I didn't get a chance to go to the strip on friday. unfortunately there was a call for a thunderstorm coming through the area from what they posted on Facebook about an hour before they open so they made the decision to stay closed. I had a group going out with me so it sucked especially since it never even rained. I technically won't be back off on weekends until about a month but I might take off work this friday and go. or at the least go in late.