Author Topic: Pulling Holeshots: keys to success (Read 3438 times)

rablack21 · « **on:** January 09, 2014, 01:23:55 PM »

I have been gathering information from many sources and doing a great deal or research on this topic. Here is what information I seem to run across pretty often pertaining to the best advice for getting holeshots. See whether you agree or disagree.

1. When waiting for the gate to drop, have the engine at 1/2-3/4 throttle, not full throttle. Full throttle is too much of a hit for the best traction.

2. Line up a bit further back behind the gate. In other words, don't be 6 inches or less behind the gate, be further back. Be far enough back that you can roll the tires just a little bit toward the gate right before it drops.

3. Along with #2, you need to have the clutch basically to the point of being disengaged, to the point where the quad is wanting to roll slightly.

4. Come to the gate a few races early and watch the gate dropper. See how long after the 2 sec card goes down before he drops the gate. Does he drop it right away or does he make the racers wait 5 plus seconds.

5. Make sure there are no rocks or large clumps of mud around the gate linkage or where the gate drops in front of you.

6. (Just to make sure it is mentioned), obviously you want to have your weight leaned forward to keep from wheeling much.

So, do you agree or disagree with these tips? Do you have something else to add to them?

atvmxr · « **Reply #1 on:** January 09, 2014, 01:41:28 PM »

I always went with what Gary Denton did in his video. Bet you cant even find a copy of that these days. I was damn good at pulling holeshots back in the day.

It looks what you have above is on track. I always put the quad as far back in the "box" as they will let me. If they let you, pack down the starting area and as far out past the gate as you can. Ideally you will be slightly rolling forward when the gate drops, mis time it though and this can be a disaster. you dont want to hammer the throttle/dump the clutch - you want to ease out and then full throttle. depends on the traction and your weight after you shift to 3rd get your butt as far back on the seat as you can even off the back of the seat. keep hammering gears till you get to the corner. pratice your starts a few times everytime you go to the track

it took me along time to be calm enough at the start to ease out the clutch for the best start. Now days I race so infrequently my nerves get frazzled and invariably mess something up.

etccb · « **Reply #2 on:** January 09, 2014, 03:10:15 PM »

Here is some good mx advice to help lower your lap times after the start.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiaaXmZeg9E

On a serious note good advice above. It is hard at times to find the self control to get out with as little wheel spin as possible when all you want to do is go go go.

Iceracer · « **Reply #3 on:** January 10, 2014, 10:21:50 AM »

Along with that you need to find the balance point of wheeling instantly off the gate, once you know your ass position on the seat to do that creep forward until you can just hold it down.
Now start playing with position of you head and shoulders. Youll be amazed at what an inch in you shoulders will do. Learn to ride a controlled wheelie from the start with you tires about 3-6 inches up no more than that.

Burns363R · « **Reply #4 on:** January 10, 2014, 10:25:40 AM »

Hold rear brake and prelload the suspension with the motor before the gate drop.

rablack21 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 10, 2014, 10:32:38 AM »

Quote from: Burns363R;21926

Hold rear brake and prelload the suspension with the motor before the gate drop.

I wondered when you were gonna chime in, Kyle. This is interesting, I've never heard of this method before. Is this to try to get more energy to transfer from front to back?

Burns363R · « **Reply #6 on:** January 10, 2014, 10:37:12 AM »

It takes the slack out of the drive line and reduces the reaction time of the launch. It also gets rid of any moment incurred from weight transfer to the rear, basically helping you not wheelie out of the gate as much. its a slight help.

C-Leigh Racing · « **Reply #7 on:** January 10, 2014, 11:43:07 AM »

Practice makes perfect.
Take some time everyday if you can & you dont have to go through all the gears & can just be a short run space to do it in, but do it over & over for as long as you have time to do it.
Back when I thought I could ride, I would come home from work & just about every evening, I would take my quad & ride my small practice track just as hard as I could ride, really beat myself up, to the point when I stopped I could hardly breath from it being so intense.
It did do some good like when I was racing a 4 poker on flat track, but when that banshee came along, with those ported RZ350 PV cylinders on it & mx track, boyz that banshee spanked my tail & gave me some change.
More times than not, the other rider knew when the gate dropped, they were going to be looking at the rear number plate on my quad, but they knew in about three laps I would be bringing up the rear of the pack.
Dont ever think you can tame a stock frame banshee on a mx track, cause it will be the most hateful, contary, aggravatining thang you ever tried to control, but put it in a straight line & everybody best get the heck out of the way.
Neil

rablack21 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 10, 2014, 01:08:58 PM »

Quote from: C-Leigh Racing;21932

Practice makes perfect.
Take some time everyday if you can & you dont have to go through all the gears & can just be a short run space to do it in, but do it over & over for as long as you have time to do it.
Back when I thought I could ride, I would come home from work & just about every evening, I would take my quad & ride my small practice track just as hard as I could ride, really beat myself up, to the point when I stopped I could hardly breath from it being so intense.
It did do some good like when I was racing a 4 poker on flat track, but when that banshee came along, with those ported RZ350 PV cylinders on it & mx track, boyz that banshee spanked my tail & gave me some change.
More times than not, the other rider knew when the gate dropped, they were going to be looking at the rear number plate on my quad, but they knew in about three laps I would be bringing up the rear of the pack.
Dont ever think you can tame a stock frame banshee on a mx track, cause it will be the most hateful, contary, aggravatining thang you ever tried to control, but put it in a straight line & everybody best get the heck out of the way.
Neil

lol. I have seen this first hand. Banshees are wicked fast off the line. Luckily, nobody is really racing them much any more.