2016 Track Junkie Thread!
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 211
Thanks guys! Since I'm so new to this, I have no idea how serious I will get into going to the track. The car will be driven most of the time on weekends, nice days, etc with a few HPDE per year. Maybe in a year or two I will decide to change that but not any time soon.
I guess it makes sense to get the tires on the stock setup and worry about changing the setup if/when I decide it's worthwhile. One of the reasons for wanting to go square (besides handling/grip) is for ease of tire rotation. But from what I understand I will likely need to adjust some other things on the car, e.g. getting coilovers or putting different sway bars on, if I go square. Staying stockish and adjusting does make sense.
I guess it makes sense to get the tires on the stock setup and worry about changing the setup if/when I decide it's worthwhile. One of the reasons for wanting to go square (besides handling/grip) is for ease of tire rotation. But from what I understand I will likely need to adjust some other things on the car, e.g. getting coilovers or putting different sway bars on, if I go square. Staying stockish and adjusting does make sense.
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 517
Likes: 1
@munkey
Stay with the staggered setup, especially if you're just getting into it with the S. There is a lot to think about cost-wise before you make the jump to square, especially considering that would be the ideal time to consider a BBK, or at least buying wheels that will clear one.
On tires - I'm on Rivals now, but having been on RS-3s and driven Dunlops, the Hankooks are by far the best track day tire IMO. They may not have the greatest feel in the world, or grip like a RE-71, but they are 2nd or 3rd in almost every category, grip all day long, and handle heat better than anything else in the class. Plus they're cheap and last a long time comparatively, which means more money for track time. Doing 25-30 minute sessions, I wouldn't want anything but RS-3s.
Stay with the staggered setup, especially if you're just getting into it with the S. There is a lot to think about cost-wise before you make the jump to square, especially considering that would be the ideal time to consider a BBK, or at least buying wheels that will clear one.
On tires - I'm on Rivals now, but having been on RS-3s and driven Dunlops, the Hankooks are by far the best track day tire IMO. They may not have the greatest feel in the world, or grip like a RE-71, but they are 2nd or 3rd in almost every category, grip all day long, and handle heat better than anything else in the class. Plus they're cheap and last a long time comparatively, which means more money for track time. Doing 25-30 minute sessions, I wouldn't want anything but RS-3s.
Community Organizer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 20,983
Likes: 188
From: in my garage
@munkey
Stay with the staggered setup, especially if you're just getting into it with the S. There is a lot to think about cost-wise before you make the jump to square, especially considering that would be the ideal time to consider a BBK, or at least buying wheels that will clear one.
On tires - I'm on Rivals now, but having been on RS-3s and driven Dunlops, the Hankooks are by far the best track day tire IMO. They may not have the greatest feel in the world, or grip like a RE-71, but they are 2nd or 3rd in almost every category, grip all day long, and handle heat better than anything else in the class. Plus they're cheap and last a long time comparatively, which means more money for track time. Doing 25-30 minute sessions, I wouldn't want anything but RS-3s.
Stay with the staggered setup, especially if you're just getting into it with the S. There is a lot to think about cost-wise before you make the jump to square, especially considering that would be the ideal time to consider a BBK, or at least buying wheels that will clear one.
On tires - I'm on Rivals now, but having been on RS-3s and driven Dunlops, the Hankooks are by far the best track day tire IMO. They may not have the greatest feel in the world, or grip like a RE-71, but they are 2nd or 3rd in almost every category, grip all day long, and handle heat better than anything else in the class. Plus they're cheap and last a long time comparatively, which means more money for track time. Doing 25-30 minute sessions, I wouldn't want anything but RS-3s.
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 78
Likes: 3
You guys are awesome, thanks!
The car is with artin now getting a once over and new fluids. Unfortunately there was a piece of metal in the diff oil but from reading on here many people have had with without necessarily having a diff failure.PO definitely didn't change the diff oil while he has it, no idea about owner before that.
One of my wheel bearings was bad too
I'm guessing axle nuts were never torqued properly.
Master cylinder was leaking but that happened on my last one too and I can live with replacing it. I hope everything else is OK.
I keep watching videos of people tracking their s2000s and getting excited. Hopefully I can meet some of you guys next season.
The car is with artin now getting a once over and new fluids. Unfortunately there was a piece of metal in the diff oil but from reading on here many people have had with without necessarily having a diff failure.PO definitely didn't change the diff oil while he has it, no idea about owner before that.
One of my wheel bearings was bad too
I'm guessing axle nuts were never torqued properly.Master cylinder was leaking but that happened on my last one too and I can live with replacing it. I hope everything else is OK.
I keep watching videos of people tracking their s2000s and getting excited. Hopefully I can meet some of you guys next season.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 0
FWIW I tracked my car this year with the RS3s and loved it. It's been awhile since I ran the Z2s but for half the price there is no way I'd consider the Dunlops again.
That being said, I'd like more grip. Ideally something like an RA1 or similar. There aren't many options for the OEM AP1 wheels so I may end up getting a set of AP2 wheels or looking for something cheap on Tire Rack.
That being said, I'd like more grip. Ideally something like an RA1 or similar. There aren't many options for the OEM AP1 wheels so I may end up getting a set of AP2 wheels or looking for something cheap on Tire Rack.
Community Organizer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 20,983
Likes: 188
From: in my garage
FWIW I tracked my car this year with the RS3s and loved it. It's been awhile since I ran the Z2s but for half the price there is no way I'd consider the Dunlops again.
That being said, I'd like more grip. Ideally something like an RA1 or similar. There aren't many options for the OEM AP1 wheels so I may end up getting a set of AP2 wheels or looking for something cheap on Tire Rack.
That being said, I'd like more grip. Ideally something like an RA1 or similar. There aren't many options for the OEM AP1 wheels so I may end up getting a set of AP2 wheels or looking for something cheap on Tire Rack.
Maybe some Maxxis or some Toyo R888Rs if they come in AP2 sizes.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,355
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by yeaitsahonda' timestamp='1477099012' post='24089428
FWIW I tracked my car this year with the RS3s and loved it. It's been awhile since I ran the Z2s but for half the price there is no way I'd consider the Dunlops again.
That being said, I'd like more grip. Ideally something like an RA1 or similar. There aren't many options for the OEM AP1 wheels so I may end up getting a set of AP2 wheels or looking for something cheap on Tire Rack.
That being said, I'd like more grip. Ideally something like an RA1 or similar. There aren't many options for the OEM AP1 wheels so I may end up getting a set of AP2 wheels or looking for something cheap on Tire Rack.
Maybe some Maxxis or some Toyo R888Rs if they come in AP2 sizes.
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 866
Likes: 2
From: DC Metro Area
Lalasissyboy, I looked but did not see you at the track daze event on Sunday at Dominion. I had a great time. It was much cooler this weekend--but there was a bit of drama in the last session!
My car is an '06 and my traction control system(VDC I think it is called?) failed during my 2nd to last session. Not sure why....i cracked a rotor during that session, but i have done that many times before and never had the TC fail. Anyway, with the TC off the car was SO MUCH BETTER. Understeer was all but eliminated. The car felt super balanced. Turn in was far better and I could power out of corners much more quickly. Even steady-state cornering through long sweepers was improved. So I swapped brake rotors then went out for my last session. The traction control was working again, but I went ahead and turned it off because of how amazing the car was the last session without it. I set a new best personal best lap time of 1:38.6. i felt like I was really moving. unfortunately towards the end of the session I turned in early at Turn 1 and clipped the high curb (which unsettled the car and put me into a slide). I panicked and foolishly lifted off the throttle which caused a tank slapper that culminated with me backwards in the tires. Damage was very light. Broke my passenger side rear taillight and there was very minor deformation of the rear bumper--some of the plastic pop rivets popped out--but luckily I have a box of them in the garage! I pitted in and the guys in pit lane told me the car looked fine and i could go back out right away. i decided to head back into the paddock and look everything over myself. Everything looked god and i was able to jump back ut on track and drive the rest of the session.
Video of my excursion is here:
https://vimeo.com/177958137
And video of my fastest lap with Traction Control off:
https://vimeo.com/177960132
And the aftermath--not too bad!:
Anyway just thought I would share! Be safe out there, watch out for the high curbs at Dominion, and don't lift
My car is an '06 and my traction control system(VDC I think it is called?) failed during my 2nd to last session. Not sure why....i cracked a rotor during that session, but i have done that many times before and never had the TC fail. Anyway, with the TC off the car was SO MUCH BETTER. Understeer was all but eliminated. The car felt super balanced. Turn in was far better and I could power out of corners much more quickly. Even steady-state cornering through long sweepers was improved. So I swapped brake rotors then went out for my last session. The traction control was working again, but I went ahead and turned it off because of how amazing the car was the last session without it. I set a new best personal best lap time of 1:38.6. i felt like I was really moving. unfortunately towards the end of the session I turned in early at Turn 1 and clipped the high curb (which unsettled the car and put me into a slide). I panicked and foolishly lifted off the throttle which caused a tank slapper that culminated with me backwards in the tires. Damage was very light. Broke my passenger side rear taillight and there was very minor deformation of the rear bumper--some of the plastic pop rivets popped out--but luckily I have a box of them in the garage! I pitted in and the guys in pit lane told me the car looked fine and i could go back out right away. i decided to head back into the paddock and look everything over myself. Everything looked god and i was able to jump back ut on track and drive the rest of the session.
Video of my excursion is here:
https://vimeo.com/177958137
And video of my fastest lap with Traction Control off:
https://vimeo.com/177960132
And the aftermath--not too bad!:
Anyway just thought I would share! Be safe out there, watch out for the high curbs at Dominion, and don't lift
Digging up an old post because this happened to me yesterday at Dominion Raceway. I guess our VSA just don't like DR. Ended up losing the rear at Turn 3 and went into the dirt between 3 and 7. Luckily I didn't hit anything but the driver side front tire was cut by the fender, so that was the end of the weekend for me.
Here's what happened: VSA showed a fault (both VSA and the triangle lights were on) halfway on the pace lap. I drove 2 laps with the VSA off and was enjoying it. 3rd lap - let's just say I out drove my skills. Made the turn into 3, got on the gas too aggressively and rear started rotating. Instinctively I lifted and had "This is when he realized he ****ed up" moment and then got on the brakes when the car started heading towards the dirt. I didn't even counter steer! Chalk it up to inexperience and panic, I guess. This also made me realize I rely too heavily on VSA, and I need to find my own limits when the system is off.
Damages to the car - Visually 3" of driver side front fender edge was pushed out by the tire. Probably when the tire hit through the fender liner and got caught on the inside edge and pulled it down when the edge cut into the tire. In our haste to get the fender edge folded so we could drive home, at least one of the brake rotors warped. Well, they are due for replacement next year any ways, but still. The right front suspension is making a noise when reversing with steering turned to the left. The most worrisome issue was that we smelled gasoline when driving home. It didn't happen right away and only appeared after 2 hours of stop-and-go traffic on 95 and 495. It went away when we stopped for dinner and has not yet reappeared. I'm going to take the car to RRT to have it checked out. They have been working on the car for the last couple of years and should be able to give it a good assessment.
BTW, the VSA lights went off on their own and I'm assuming the system is functioning at this time. Is this a fairly common occurrence for VSA-equipped and tracked S? Not sure what went wrong on that lap. Maybe one of the sensors wasn't registering and triggered the fault. Can that fault/code be pulled now the lights are off?
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 211
BTW, the VSA lights went off on their own and I'm assuming the system is functioning at this time. Is this a fairly common occurrence for VSA-equipped and tracked S? Not sure what went wrong on that lap. Maybe one of the sensors wasn't registering and triggered the fault. Can that fault/code be pulled now the lights are off?
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 297
Likes: 24
From: Charlottesville, Virginia
Digging up an old post because this happened to me yesterday at Dominion Raceway. I guess our VSA just don't like DR. Ended up losing the rear at Turn 3 and went into the dirt between 3 and 7. Luckily I didn't hit anything but the driver side front tire was cut by the fender, so that was the end of the weekend for me.
Here's what happened: VSA showed a fault (both VSA and the triangle lights were on) halfway on the pace lap. I drove 2 laps with the VSA off and was enjoying it. 3rd lap - let's just say I out drove my skills. Made the turn into 3, got on the gas too aggressively and rear started rotating. Instinctively I lifted and had "This is when he realized he ****ed up" moment and then got on the brakes when the car started heading towards the dirt. I didn't even counter steer! Chalk it up to inexperience and panic, I guess. This also made me realize I rely too heavily on VSA, and I need to find my own limits when the system is off.
Damages to the car - Visually 3" of driver side front fender edge was pushed out by the tire. Probably when the tire hit through the fender liner and got caught on the inside edge and pulled it down when the edge cut into the tire. In our haste to get the fender edge folded so we could drive home, at least one of the brake rotors warped. Well, they are due for replacement next year any ways, but still. The right front suspension is making a noise when reversing with steering turned to the left. The most worrisome issue was that we smelled gasoline when driving home. It didn't happen right away and only appeared after 2 hours of stop-and-go traffic on 95 and 495. It went away when we stopped for dinner and has not yet reappeared. I'm going to take the car to RRT to have it checked out. They have been working on the car for the last couple of years and should be able to give it a good assessment.
BTW, the VSA lights went off on their own and I'm assuming the system is functioning at this time. Is this a fairly common occurrence for VSA-equipped and tracked S? Not sure what went wrong on that lap. Maybe one of the sensors wasn't registering and triggered the fault. Can that fault/code be pulled now the lights are off?
Here's what happened: VSA showed a fault (both VSA and the triangle lights were on) halfway on the pace lap. I drove 2 laps with the VSA off and was enjoying it. 3rd lap - let's just say I out drove my skills. Made the turn into 3, got on the gas too aggressively and rear started rotating. Instinctively I lifted and had "This is when he realized he ****ed up" moment and then got on the brakes when the car started heading towards the dirt. I didn't even counter steer! Chalk it up to inexperience and panic, I guess. This also made me realize I rely too heavily on VSA, and I need to find my own limits when the system is off.
Damages to the car - Visually 3" of driver side front fender edge was pushed out by the tire. Probably when the tire hit through the fender liner and got caught on the inside edge and pulled it down when the edge cut into the tire. In our haste to get the fender edge folded so we could drive home, at least one of the brake rotors warped. Well, they are due for replacement next year any ways, but still. The right front suspension is making a noise when reversing with steering turned to the left. The most worrisome issue was that we smelled gasoline when driving home. It didn't happen right away and only appeared after 2 hours of stop-and-go traffic on 95 and 495. It went away when we stopped for dinner and has not yet reappeared. I'm going to take the car to RRT to have it checked out. They have been working on the car for the last couple of years and should be able to give it a good assessment.
BTW, the VSA lights went off on their own and I'm assuming the system is functioning at this time. Is this a fairly common occurrence for VSA-equipped and tracked S? Not sure what went wrong on that lap. Maybe one of the sensors wasn't registering and triggered the fault. Can that fault/code be pulled now the lights are off?
Sounds like you were lucky like I was. ALSO TURN 3 IS NOT A BAD PLACE TO GO OFF! Glad you are safe.
The gas smell could have been from gas getting sloshed into some weird places when you went off--experienced very high G forces. I twice (in 2 and a half years of track driving the s2000) have had gas slosh out of my tank--don't ask me why...
Yes with VSA off you really have to mind the basic driving principles and be smooth. But with it off, my lap times immediately dropped... just have to be careful. If you start driving with it off, back off a few mph from what you have been used to doing and then work your way back up. Be conservative. Also when driving with it ON, pay attention to the spots on track where it is coming on and helping/saving you--try to understand why and be especially conservative and smooth there once you have turned it off. Finally..... If you get into a slide, DONT LIFT!!!! I found a great video that illustrates how getting into the gas and countersteering saves an s2000 sliding on the nurburgring. There are 2 spots in this video where a panicked lift would have been disaster, but he stays in it and recovers.
There are a few in this video, but the best is at 7:18 just after he passes the white m3. here is a link to the video: