Hi Guys,

I'm taking my 5.0 XKR to Santa Pod drag strip tomorrow.

What's the best launch technique for these cars?

I seem to rememember reading the fastest times are had by leaving the traction control on, and just accelerating from idle instead of holding the brake to build the revs? Anyone have any experience?

I've recently has Michelin Pilot Super Sports fitted which have helped massively with traction!

Cheers.

 

My condolences on the Michelins. Worst tires I've ever owned. Ever. Since the beginning of time. I was elated to get rid of them.
Anyway, heat them up pretty good (though it won't help with Michelins), DSC OFF, and from a slight (1100rpm) rev, let go the brake and mash the throttle. If you feel any spin, let off a tiny bit and re-mash.
With the DSC ON, the revs will drop dramatically for way too long with every perceived tire slip.

 

Cheers.

However on the tyre topic... Pilot Super Sports are the worst tyre you've ever owned?! They're on another level to the stock Dunlops and are still rated by the press and 99% of owners as the best performance street tyre on the market.

What's your preferred tyre?

 

Yes, I've seen a LOT of positive press on the Super Sports. That's why I originally bought them. I've had Pirrelli P-Zeros on the XKR before and they were great. The PSS I just replaced had HORRIBLE traction when the ambient temperature was anything below 65 Degrees F. Seriously bad traction. When trying to gain speed on a freeway on ramp and the back end flipping back and forth with the DSC cutting in and out bad traction. Had Nittos on before and they were "ok", but certainly better than the PSS. I even had some Pirrelli P6 tires on an old 2002 Continental I had (very under-rated vehicle) and THOSE tires I liked more than the PSS.
I just replaced the PSS (POS) with some Hankook Ventus Evo2 K120s, and I have to say that these are MUCH better than those PSSs ever had hoped to be.
I think that maybe Michelin has some sort of PR thing going on to get rated as good as they are. Speaking of which, I TRIED to rate the PSS on the Michelin Web Site honestly, but they refused to accept or publish my review because it "doesn't fit our needs at this time". So by rejecting poor reviews and only counting positive reviews is how they GET the "good" reviews they get. Seriously. Horrible tire and horrible company. I will NEVER buy nor recommend any Michelin tire to anyone but an enemy.

 

My father launched his 2010 XKR best with Track DSC on. Without Traction control getting the initial bite is hard. I think with these newer cars with small sidewalls the traction control is really the only way to go.


On a side night about the Michelin Pilot Supersports, I installed them on my E55. My car dynoed at 482whp and 582wtq. Traction is very important for me. Initially I was extremely impressed with the wet traction. Best wet and rain tire I've ever owned. In the dry as a street tire I think its great, no real complaints. Only thing I've noticed and have to mention are my results at the track with them. I cant for the life of me get these to dead hook like I could my snow tires. I realize snow tires are soft and probably amazing drag tires. I ran my 265/35/18 Michelin Pilot Alpine with 30% tread several 1.8 60' times, 1.764 was best in 47 degree weather. I've managed a best of 1.92 with the supersports in 78 degree weather. I've only ran the Supersports on the car in weather above 70 degrees and for the street they seem amazing.


I think the sidewall is far to aggressive to get a dead hook.

 

So, how did it go at the Pod? Did you have a chance to try various options?