Abstract: A method for accelerating a vehicle from rest, including controlling an engine according to a first control strategy; receiving a mode indication selecting a launch control mode for accelerating; controlling the engine according to a second control strategy; in response to greater than zero accelerator position, controlling to increase throttle valve opening and engine control operational conditions to limit engine torque output; while in the second control strategy, receiving an indication to end control by the second control strategy; and in response to indication, controlling according to the first control strategy causing the vehicle to accelerate from rest, the first acceleration rate greater than the second rate corresponding to accelerating from rest after sequentially controlling according to the first and second control strategies; the second acceleration rate corresponding to accelerating from rest by controlling according to the first control strategy without previously controlling according to the

Abstract: A system (10) and a method for determining a maximum miming speed (MRS) of a runner include a memory unit (32) (MU) with miming determinants (30) (RDs) of the runner and venue stored therein. A processor unit (22) (PU), connected to the memory unit (32) (MU), runs a predictive algorithm (24) (PA) using the running 5 determinants (30) (RDs) to determine the maximum running speed of the runner by zeroing a linear momentum balance and an angular momentum balance of the runner, typically over at least a half-running cycle (HRC). An output unit (34) (OU), connected to the processor unit (22) (PU), receives the determined maximum running speed therefrom. The zeroing also allows the determination of a critical 10 ground impulse ratio (Rcr) of the runner.