I have been driving my WRX hard lately and I am thinking about taking it to the track. I (of course) want the best time possible when I go. I have been working on my launching and have become pretty good but now I am conserned with my shifting methods. When I try to quick shift a lot of the time the car lags in the next gear as if the turbo is trying to catch up (spool). The car will also surge when I let out on the clutch; similar to when dropping the clutch at 3-5K rpm. There have been a few times where I was able to get a smooth shift followed by a strong pull but it doesn't happen often. Any tips for how to shift and keep the turbo spooled? Does anyone else have this problem? This is my first turbocharged car and I need advice on how to drive it the best way possible for acceleration.

 

My car just seems to bog when I quick shift. There is a violent surge and then a short loss in power. Maybe I need to give it more gas when I engage the clutch.

The launching technique that works best for me is to rev to about 5K rpm and slip the clutch (don't drop it). It isn't easy to get right. It will take some practice. Also keep the car reving between 4500 and 5500 rpm to keep the turbo spooled as much as possible. As you release the clutch give it more gas. The clutch will take a beating but the tranny should come out fine. Using this technique I can beat almost anything off the line (I recently took a modified Trans Am off the line and he told me he got a good launch)

 

dont worry about the shifting that will come later, take more caution with your throttle application the sooner the better but keep it smooth out of coners, on the way in brake late and hard, in a straight line.

you'll get much more out of that than you will power shifting or double clutching.