All of us at one time explored speed and want to know the capability of our cars especially when you start modding it. If he'll do it in the drag strip, let him enjoy his car. I don't think that 3 to 4 launches will destroy his clutch or significantly shorten its service life.
Search on the racing section of the forum to get some tips.
Depending on your tire's capability to hook up, try launcing at 3K and upshift to redline. You'll only use 3rd gear to reach 62 mph (100 kph) but you can compare your time too at 4th gear.
Have fun but do it safely. Make sure that the car is in good mechanical shape and oil is new and adequate.

 

What's wrong with this picture? 16, high powered car, wants advice on how to get off the line faster.....

If I found my kid posting this question I'd take the car away....I hope you bought it yourself AND pay all expenses including insurance.

Yes I am a fuddy duddy but my 16 year old has lived thru his teen years thank God; and we're working on the second one.

SLOW DOWN .... wanna drive fast, find a go-kart track or take up autocross but on the road SLOW DOWN. You'll LIVE longer.

dismounting soap box....but I've been to the funerals of too many 16 year old drivers. One who died on his first solo drive, the DAY he got his license. Think dad wishes he didn't toss the keys and say "go have some fun"?

 

He said he was at the dragstip, give the damn kid a break!

My first 3 cars were probably faster than the fastest car 95% of the people on here have ever driven, and I made it to 21, but i'm very responsible. [/RANT]


The best launches I ever had with my silver car was on slicks.

205/50/15 MT ET Race slicks on Ford Escort GT wheels. 10-12psi cold, 14-15psi after burnout.

6000rpm, slip the clutch till the revs drop about a grand, then dump. The tires should spin about 3 or 4 rotations then grab. I was cutting 1.7x 60' times like this.

Tends to eat clutches a bit though. I made 40k on the stock one.

 

"dont get me wrong, you're the prettiest amoungst the fat ones" is wat
he's saying to us.

 

Thats like going on a rotary forum and talking about V8 swaps. Oh the rage that people will unleash!!

But seriously having just got out of my teen years all I can say is enjoy the car you have dont abuse it. Lean the seat back, let your arm hang out and just cruise.
Yes, it is fun to race that car around. But just be careful is what we're all trying to say.

 

an 06 jcw for ur first ride not bad, my first car was a 03 wrx, and boy did i drive that thing ***** out all the time, then i totaled it, granted it wasnt my fault but still.....

I mean you should clearly always have fun in the car, and always play with the people that are trying to race, especially if your faster....
but dont total that thing, and find some good twisty driving roads ull enjoy the mini more.

I find im quickest when i slip the clutch from 2.5k, i dont do it often but when an srt4 is trying to have a lil fun with me at the light i have to give the mini a good name ahahaha

stay safe

 

testosterone and cars... blessing and curse... live and learn... I got my share of tickets and repair bills after I got my first car just like the rest of you... obviously some of us can afford higher repairs and faster cars than others, but slow car didnt stop me from speeding year one... tickets and repairs did though lol.

 

So would taking my MINI to the Drag Stipper Show, kinda be the equivalent to taking my grandmothers old 1978 Ford LTD automatic at 4,330lbs to the next SCCA Auto-X ?

 

"But I think auto-x is done for season?"

San Franciso region runs all year long. sfrscca.org