Verb: A term used to describe an extremely quick acceleration from a complete stop while in a car. When "launching" a car, one places the car in gear, revs the engine to high RPM, then drops the clutch in very rapidly (see dumping the clutch). The idea behind a launch is to accelerate as quickly as possible from a standstill without experiencing wheelspin or loss of traction, in which one has to find the correct RPM (engine speed) to release the clutch in order to accelerate. This is different form just plain "dumping the clutch", where the revs are usually higher and the balance of traction is not as perfect.
Launches are almost always done in a car with a manual transmission and clutch the driver can operate; however, some drivers with automatic transmissions choose to use a similar technique when accelerating from a standstill, where the brake pedal is applied, the engine is revved, and then released to launch the car forward. This technique often puts an excessive amount of stress on the car's drive train.
On newer sports cars with formula one style sequential gearboxes and no clutch, the car's computer will often be programmed for acceleration from a standstill, usually initiated by a "launch" button or "race mode" the driver can push.
Launches are almost always done in a car with a manual transmission and clutch the driver can operate; however, some drivers with automatic transmissions choose to use a similar technique when accelerating from a standstill, where the brake pedal is applied, the engine is revved, and then released to launch the car forward. This technique often puts an excessive amount of stress on the car's drive train.
On newer sports cars with formula one style sequential gearboxes and no clutch, the car's computer will often be programmed for acceleration from a standstill, usually initiated by a "launch" button or "race mode" the driver can push.
While most street racers enjoy showing off by dumping the clutch and smoking away, tires burning, a more skilled driver will execute a perfect launch, accelerating the car much quicker, with just the slightest hint of wheelspin.
by NFS2000 June 6, 2007
1) a small boat tied to a larger boat, used for rescue and for driving around having a good time
2) a small bass-type fishing or pontoon boat driven by crew coaches while they give crew rowers kind suggustions and commands on how to improve our rowing skills.
3) they smell like gasoline
2) a small bass-type fishing or pontoon boat driven by crew coaches while they give crew rowers kind suggustions and commands on how to improve our rowing skills.
3) they smell like gasoline
by IrishRepublicanArmy October 28, 2003
by kenny April 7, 2004
by trex-good-man December 22, 2010
1. Raise your rev's high enough to do a burn out. (Depends on application)
2. Find the best rate to let out your clutch while allowing just a little bit of wheel spin as you slowly apply throttle. (about 17% wheel spin)
3. Floor accelerator as you approach full clutch engagement.
4. Watch you're rpm's as you gain traction so you don't bounce off the rev limiter.
P.S. Wide-open throttle shift into second at about 750 rpm below redline.
2. Find the best rate to let out your clutch while allowing just a little bit of wheel spin as you slowly apply throttle. (about 17% wheel spin)
3. Floor accelerator as you approach full clutch engagement.
4. Watch you're rpm's as you gain traction so you don't bounce off the rev limiter.
P.S. Wide-open throttle shift into second at about 750 rpm below redline.
Dude thats fucked up. My girlfriend can launch my srt-4 better than you can launch your Evo. Learn to drive.
by chadsicle September 3, 2005
by jayz8 January 27, 2009
The point of no return in a night of drinking and you are bound to either black out, make an ass of yourself, fight, or all of the above. The tequila shot that broke the camels back.
Eric had launched somewhere between his 6th and 7th tequila shot. After that it was all down hill.
Kellee told me to abort launch after she witnessed me double fisting some whiskey rocks.
Kellee told me to abort launch after she witnessed me double fisting some whiskey rocks.
by Eric Hawkinson April 22, 2006