Ranger

I've alway run in COMPETITIVE DRIVING mode at the drags. Do it on principle...It has no effect whatsoever on my times unless my rear end gets seriously out of line, at which point active handling will be invoked, thereby saving my a $ $. In such a moment, my ET would be the last thing on my mind.

Today I narrowly averted a disaster that was not of my making. AH saved my butt and vindicated my practice of running with it turned on.

I made eight passes at Capitol Raceway in Crofton Maryland. On the fourth pass, I was next in line behind a highly modified car that spewed tranny fluid on the track just after the 60’ mark. Unfortunately, no one, including me, noticed the spill as it occurred. AND, I was next.... I had my best launch of the day (1.82) and slammed 2d gear hard amidst his tranny fluid...whereupon my rear end moved violently right...toward the wall. Fortunately, Active Handling engaged and queued me to back out of the throttle immediately upon recognizing my predicament...but not before I had come within just a foot or so of the wall.

Had I turned AH off (as many people do), I surely would have hit the wall HARD. Wouldn’t have been my fault; but certainly would have spoiled the day. When that occurred, the last thing on my mind was my ET...which was a 12.81...in a day of 12.04 and a bunch of 12.1Xs, plus one trap of 118.1...all in COMPETITVE DRIVING mode.

Ranger

GaryZ06

First off glad everything worked out.This is the perfect senerio for people to learn from.AH will save your butt when it happens way to fast.Oh by the way how much do you charge for driving lessons? :D Awesome times

O-Ace

I'm also a believer in AH technology. Always run it in Comp. mode. I'd rather save my $50k car than gain a tenth in the 1/4 mile :cheers:

bruce1

You are a lucky man........... :yesnod:
I am glad you are ok..........and you C5.

RyanC7

I never run with TC off just in Comp mode like you.........

jschindler

Sir Sel

Way to go John. :cheers: Glad to hear all is good. When do you turn AH on, after the burnout before staging?

Steve Row

You are going to give another 5 second chore to think about as I pull up to the line.

But the payoff is huge. If I slammed the wall, I would be very upset.

Thanks, John.

Ranger

I go to COMPETITIVE DRIVING mode as I'm pulling up to the on-deck position to do the burn out. I then hit reset and send ti DIC back to displaying water temp.

MIR opening soon, Sel. See ya there.

Ranger

Chris@East Coast Supercharging

It really is a good idea. You just hopefully made alot of people realize it too.. :) :)

BillY2KFRC

I think I'll run in Comp Mode from now on. I'm usually just too lazy to wait still the 5 seconds for Comp Mode, and I will just turn the whole thing off. I think I'll spend the extra few seconds after hearing your story. Thanks for sharing this, it might just save somebody from a pretty bad accident. :cheers:

pkmoose

didn't somebody with a red vette do a 180 spin at Englishtown :confused: Comp mode is a good idea, I will have to try it out.

Mike Schriber

Competition Mode is the way to go!

For those who forget or are sick of holding the button down for five seconds, check out:

http://www.laptrax.com

The TracActive Controller automatically sets Competition Mode when you start the car. The Deluxe model even clears the DIC for you.

Mike :flag

Scott97

Sounds like a good idea.

Too bad I don't have it. :lol:

Vetts Forever

Great motivation for "safety first" driving and always keeping your head in the game. :yesnod:

Thanks for sharing a valuable experience with us new vette owners.

dbvettez06

Great post With a blower coming in a few weeks, i have promised myself to always keep it in Comp ...You never know when you might nail it, and some sand on the road, or oil, anyway good post, and great times :cheers:

Need4Speed

I was driving my 2000 vert around Buttonwillow and actually stopped on the side of the track because I forgot to put it in Competition Mode. Competition mode has saved my butt a few times. Would never drive with it off.

Tormania

I NEVER disable AH, haven't even turned it off to have fun doing donuts. :eek: At the most I'll put it in Competitive Driving Mode so I can drift the back end out just a bit around corners and keep the tires spinning for fun! But even then I don't let the car get too squirrely on me.

The One

I used to run in CM early last year, then just left it off. No incidents, but after your tale, I think I'll start using it again! :blueangel: :D

Glad you made it down the track unscathed. :)

JC

Steve02C5

Question, when you mention AH queued you to back out, do you mean at the DIC readout? If so, my problem is that given my height, I have to set the steering wheel where I can't read the DIC without craning my neck. :confused:

Also, did the car straighten out on it's own after you backed out of it or was it a combination of your steering and the AH? Hope I never have to find out but would like to know what to expect.