Thus far my 997TT with GIAC, headers, exhaust, and race program has yet to be seriously threatened by any other car on the road.

From a standstill to about 100mph, I have embarrassed 3 ZO6's (one on a rainy day who ended up pointing his car in the wrong direction) and a Ford Cobra of some variety. After a couple standstill starts, each driver asks that we try a rolling start "because I'm having a hard time hooking up on this asphalt".

Isn't car performance all about "hooking up on the asphalt"? A car that doesn't "hook up" on asphalt is like a hooker that doesn't "hook up" at work.

Asking for a rolling start is admitting a need for a handicap. This would be like playing a pick up basketball game and your opponent asking you not to make any sudden moves because he has poor traction. What would we think of a defensive back who asked a wide receiver to not sprint from a stop at the line of scrimmage?

I would prefer if after a standstill, the defeated would ask for another form of a handicap....perhaps that I start in second gear or that I count 5 Mississippi or that I steer with my chin.

By the way, the modified 997TT consistently pulled from the cars during rolling starts as well. With the narrowing of the gap, the drivers were humbled but no longer visually embarrassed.

After beating the cars from a standstill and then from a rolling start, I wonder what will be the drivers' challenge of tomorrow....rock, paper, scissors??

 

Rolling starts are no real advantage. It amazes me that a mustang would have the gall to ask you for a rolling start, considering they are known as drag racing cars, and are usually set up as such regarding gear, tires and suspension. We have done some freeway racing from a 25mph rolling start after doing a dead stop. The same car always wins, now talk about 50mph or 75mph starts, and the results may be different, but not usually. Driving a car on drag radials or street tires requires your foot having the gentle touch of a latin lover with the gas pedal, some may never be capable, while for others it comes naturally. This of course is when you start talking about real hp levels. I agree with you, standing starts are the only real measure. I have been proposing a best 3 out of 5 with every other race being held on foot. I have the advantage there, I am a semi-pro bicycle racer, but have a 150hp Mazda.

 

I prefer the rolling starts just to save my clutch.