Took the R8 V8 to the drag strip - need advice

[Cars with Sonduren]

I finally had the chance to take my 2008 Audi R8 V8 to the drag strip after 3 years of ownership. I have the gated 6-speed manual, stage 2 tune + custom exhaust and in 3 runs only managed to get a 13.2-second quarter mile. I have the Michelin Pilot 4S tires with 305s in the back and I still seemed to be struggling with traction. Any advice on how to launch the manual cars? I turned off launch control as well and tried dumping the clutch at 3K RPM.



I would expect to be running in the low 12s? I had a passenger as well on the runs. I will say, banging out that gated manual transmission on the strip is priceless, even as a 960HP GTR spanked me 😁

[Mr. Corey]

Nice video!!!!

[8STTRS]

A lot of that will boil down to track prep, temperatures, tires, density altitude, etc., etc. And suffice to say but, you more than likely would have hit a 13.0 or even a 12.9 sans the passenger. Every little bit counts. Next time you go out, lower your tire pressures and do a quick clutch dump after the water box to clean off the tires and maybe get a smidge of heat in them, then stage your car and launch it. Hopefully, that'll help.