optimal gear changes for a 172

[Gus]

Im thinking of going to santa pod some time this summer to give the 1/4 mile a blast. Never been or done any racing before.

I was wondering if someone could let me know at what rpms I should be changing gears to go the quickest. What would be really good is if someone has an in car video facing the dash while doing a 1/4 mile run.

Someone mentioned that you usually have to change to 4th gear before the line, is this right, and if so would getting slightly bigger tyres help.

Im pretty good at launching without loosing too much traction, but do you have to do a little burnout before rolling up to the start line like you see in films to warm the tyres?

 

[rt172]

I always went with changing right before the limter kicks in - just over 7k revs. If you happen to need to change to 4th before the line, then do it. Got 14.9 seconds at York in a std mk1 i think with that technique. 14.6 with a decat pipe fitted.

Id leave out the burnouts if I were you - knackered my tyres in doing that, so stopped doing it and kept getting the same times!

 

[Gus]

Cheers Rhys . Do you watch the rev counter or do you do it by listening to the engine rpm. Im thinking first 2 gears where the rpms rise crazy quick.

Are there any rules about driving barefooted? It helps me get better control of the clutch and accelerator especially when trying to find traction ?

 

[rt172]

Not been for a couple of years Ive gotta admit, but if I were you id go by engine sound. I like to redline my cars so Ive got a reasonable idea of where to change, but keeping half an eye out for the gear change light just to remind you that a change is imminently required might be a good idea. Best thing to do is to experiment, but can be hard to do when youve got an hour or more between goes, as so often happens. 1st gear is where youre most likely to hit the limiter and/or screw up your gear change, but you can practise this before hand at any set of traffic lights near you

As for barefoot, I cant honestly recall the scrutineer checking my feet lol. Bit wierd, but i think youd get away with it okay!

 

[stevoversteer]

The way I do it is to listen to the engine sound in 1st gear as the revs rise too quickly to monitor the rev counter, you will instinctively feel when to change to 2nd. After that then as Rhys said, just over 7k rpm should give optimal performance. It is likely that you will need to select 4th gear before crossing the line too.

I found that doing a little burnout does help a bit. Its a fact that warmer tyres provide more grip than cooler tyres. However you will have to sacrifice some tyre life!!

Practise is the key though

 

[Little Newms]

Dont forget that the smallest dip in temp of the 172 the limeter comes in early

Not at 7200, will come in from anyhting as low as 6700 up to the proper 7200

So if u get there, leave your car for a bit, and then jump in it and do a run, it wont be up to full temp

 

[Clarkie172]

if i had to use 4th gear in my 172 id be doing 95+ mph! quality! prob get about 100mph in 3rd with my rsport on nxt week not that id be taking the revs that high all the time!lol