How to get a 996 Tiptronic smartly off the line

I'm going to a track day soon in my 996 Tip (not ideal for a track day, but you work with what you have) and the course starts with a long straight - I was wondering how can I get the most out of my car to make use of this with a fast getaway? Are there any techniques which might help, like starting in manual with the revs up and the brake also on? I don't abuse my car very often (or at all) but I want to get ahead and stay ahead - I'm taking on a couple of M3's so I may have no chance, but I want to give it a go. Any ideas?

FLB, Why not track a tip? I've had the opportunity to track Tips, and they can be quite rewarding (and quick). You'll simply need to practice your techniques - remember that in "manual" you can start in 1st, and "load" the torque converter by depressing the throttle and brake at the same time. You'll also generally have to shift a bit sooner than your shift counterparts. Tips are great for tracks with long, sweeping corners or really tight esses - I loved the tip @ Road Atlanta, but it's not as much fun @ Summit Point, for example (my opinion). Don't worry @ abuse - the Tip won't let you grenade the engine, nor will it suddenly shift on you during a corner. Enjoy! J

At what RPM do you 'load' the torque converter. Is there excessive wear like when you drop the clutch on a manual? On a manual in most cases you just have to replace the clutch but if you bust your tip it's a whole new transmission.

I don't know about the tip S, but when I had my 2000 coupe with tip I kept it in manual, floored it and held on tight. The tip shifts itself when it hits the rev limiter. The tricky part is when you need to shift down going into a corner.

Welcome to Rennlist RFB...is your's a C2 or C4 Tip? I thought all 996s had the TipS trans...and the 01-on C4 Coupe, Cab C4S also had the same TipS trans used on the TipS TT. If I'm wrong, help me out!

FLB I think that the technique to which you're referring is "power braking". You are in effect stalling the torque converter by hold the car stationary with the brake while loading the engine. This is the way to make good standing starts, but what does this have to do with a DE? At every DE I've ever been to, you make a rolling start onto the track and are 'flying" by the start / finish line on each lap. A rapid standing start from the false grid or the main grid doesn't mean a thing. Am I missing the point of your question? Cheers,

The Tip/S was introduced in MY2000. You know you have it because the down / up buttons are active even when you are in "D". Auto mode is reverted back to after something like 10 seconds. Great for a fast pass or corner. MY1999 TIP requires the shifter to be in "M" for the buttons to be active.

curious: do the latest tips blip the throttle on downshift? and if so, is it a nice big blip or just some small dinky blip enough to shift...? hehe Tom

Tips don't blip, nor do they need to. Hard downshifts are always under braking (at the track), and the torque converter plus the fact that the brakes are on hard effectively damps the shock of the downshift. Not necessarily contradicting that observation is that I once rode with Vic Elford(of Rally, Can Am and Porsche endurance fame) in a C2 tip. He actually did roll his foot onto the throttle while braking (right-footed) during manual tip downshifts- tho he admitted that he didn't think it made a difference. It was basically force of habit. AS

FLOOR IT !

Thanks for the tips guys - its a '98 C2 Tip, so pre the Tip S transmission, presumably. Fred, you are of course quite correct, as every "real" event has a rolling start. However, I am taking part in a (non Porsche) club meeting which has hired a track and I am taking on a couple of M3 drivers in just the way I have described by arrangement. It may be unofficial and less than the pinnacle of recognised "professional" track day practices, but its just for fun, so I wish to indulge myself in surroundings which are not subject to the usual heavy technology assisted policing where I live and where there are no risks to uninvolved third parties.