What if you could buy a new General Motors (GM) vehicle off the lot with a launch control system that was specifically designed for drag racing? GM has filed a patent for launch control technology for drag racing, and it could make delay boxes obsolete.
The Christmas Tree has always been the great equalizer at the track because it requires the driver to be involved at a high level. This makes being able to cut a good light a vital skill for any racer. It doesn’t matter if you’re foot-braking a vehicle or letting go of a transbrake button, the driver makes that happen.
GM’s launch control patent removes the driver from the process of launching a vehicle at the track.
The patent is called “Methods and Systems for Coordinating Launch Control for Vehicles for Racing” (U.S. Patent 12,780,203). Basically, the patent outlines a launch control system that uses the vehicle’s cameras to watch the tree. While engaged, the launch control system maintains braking while applying power at the same time, just as you would during any other race.
GM designed the launch control software to calculate when to launch without any additional input. So, you don’t have to tell the launch control system whether you’re running on a sportsman or pro tree. It watches the tree and would launch the vehicle at the precise time needed to cut a good light.
At this time, GM has only filed the patent, and there is no indication when it would be brought to market or what vehicles would use the system. It does raise some interesting questions about the future of drag racing, the use of electronic aids, and what is possible with modern technology.
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