Really great to see that everyone here is discussing properly
I also gave up point 3 of my list (FZ50s strange slide behaviour because of weight transfer) because it really was just a setup thing with the differentials.
I fully agree that reaction time is a big factor for good starts. And it is something completly missing in LFS.
But wheelspin is another noticable factor.
Some quotes from real life racing drivers I found in the internet :
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"Stefan Everts (Yamaha L&M Motocross Team) DNF-first
“I had a bad start in the first race with a lot of wheelspin, to start on concrete is hard if you are not used to it!"
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David Coulthard: I moved a little bit just before the start and had to stop the car. And then that's when the lights changed so I then got too much wheelspin. And to be honest I thought I was going to be swamped at the start, but I presume Mika must have made a bad start as well
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“I got a very bad start with too much wheelspin but I still overtook two or three cars at the first corner." (Formula Audi, Deman)
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Now to roadcars:
Drag Racing:
"Oh and for the people saying that the drag skills are good launches, smooth gear changes and no wheelspin, isn't that really a skill for all motorsport, a bad start can **** any race."
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"Get a good launch to start with, too much wheelspin & apart from killing your tyres, you'll not go far. Also, don't burn your clutch sitting on the line, it'll affect your gearchanges later up the strip and if it's slipping you aren't getting drive to the ground.
Keep driving tyres about 5-10psi lower than normal, depending on conditions (remember you have to be able to brake effectively after the finish line :blink: )
(Seat Ibiza car ... so no racing car)
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You can propably find much more on the internet about that. But bad starts are nearly ALWAYS mentioned in connection with wheelspin. In race cars and in street cars. Tips for 1/4 mile races are always to avoid to much wheelspin. The only point where it is wished is when heating up your tyres at the beginning.
Also see my M3 vs RS4 video. It is obvious how much the M3 gets backwards at the start in the end because of wheelspin. And that even though the driver immediately goes off the throttle and corrects that mistake and doesn't stay full throttle. And both react pretty good to the signal.