Track Days 2017 - Itching to Get on Track
04-28-2017, 06:20 AM
#252
Former Moderator
EMRA is going to Club Motorsports on September 16 & 17
EMRA - Eastern Motor Racing Association Schedule
EMRA - Eastern Motor Racing Association Schedule
04-28-2017, 08:20 AM
#253
Thread Starter
Palmer Motorsports -- It was a 7,000 foot mountain. I came down 6,800 feet on my back. 
- In hindsight, I think I should have taken the initial run, maybe the second, on my own. Perhaps suffering from "performance anxiety", I think that having a passenger (very rare for me) disrupted my usual regime of finding my reference points and line. I feel that my field of vision was narrowed and shortened for the whole day. I paid far more attention to the cones than I might have with a wider and longer view. Of course, the last time I ran the track, there were no cones, so I was left to my own devices. I also think that if I had "my" own line more or less established, I would have had more confidence "tweaking" and changing it incrementally as suggested by the coaching.
I remain extremely uncomfortable in the car. No amount of coaching can change that! Consequently, I'm thinking that maybe it's time that I retire the S from track day adventures.
Palmer requires far more footwork and shifting than the Glen or Lime Rock - with little time between turns to "get ready". This shows in my data traces, which are so erratic that I'm not sure I will be able to evaluate them for any meaningful purpose.
My primary objective was to feel more comfortable entering Turns 4 and 9 and to a lesser extent Turn 12. I think that was accomplished with the coaching.
In the end, I finished on a relatively high note with a satisfactorily smooth and consistent run. Not the fasted laps, but the lap times were all about the same.
- In hindsight, I think I should have taken the initial run, maybe the second, on my own. Perhaps suffering from "performance anxiety", I think that having a passenger (very rare for me) disrupted my usual regime of finding my reference points and line. I feel that my field of vision was narrowed and shortened for the whole day. I paid far more attention to the cones than I might have with a wider and longer view. Of course, the last time I ran the track, there were no cones, so I was left to my own devices. I also think that if I had "my" own line more or less established, I would have had more confidence "tweaking" and changing it incrementally as suggested by the coaching.
I remain extremely uncomfortable in the car. No amount of coaching can change that! Consequently, I'm thinking that maybe it's time that I retire the S from track day adventures.
Palmer requires far more footwork and shifting than the Glen or Lime Rock - with little time between turns to "get ready". This shows in my data traces, which are so erratic that I'm not sure I will be able to evaluate them for any meaningful purpose.
My primary objective was to feel more comfortable entering Turns 4 and 9 and to a lesser extent Turn 12. I think that was accomplished with the coaching.
In the end, I finished on a relatively high note with a satisfactorily smooth and consistent run. Not the fasted laps, but the lap times were all about the same.
04-28-2017, 08:40 AM
#254
Former Moderator
Great post Jeff. I just think your discomfort comes from a lack of seat time in the S2000. Keep in mind I've had plenty of days at Palmer in the S2000.
You seem a tad harsh on yourself. Let's set talk of retirement aside for now. As the first order of business you should order a set of Hankook RS4s or the Bridgestone Potenza RE71Rs and see the difference. I think those tires will give you a lot of confidence. Also on some of those corners you were running away from me. I had to drive as hard as I could to keep up.
The BRZ is a newer platform and has a lower center of gravity than the S2000. I wasn't doing too great either but keep in mind I've had the experience of having 4 instructors coach me at Palmer. So my Track knowledge derives from that. You probably had 2 full days prior to this.
So put this at the back of your mind and let's find a friendly track on a good set of tires which will have you wondering why you were thinking about retiring the S2000.
You seem a tad harsh on yourself. Let's set talk of retirement aside for now. As the first order of business you should order a set of Hankook RS4s or the Bridgestone Potenza RE71Rs and see the difference. I think those tires will give you a lot of confidence. Also on some of those corners you were running away from me. I had to drive as hard as I could to keep up.
The BRZ is a newer platform and has a lower center of gravity than the S2000. I wasn't doing too great either but keep in mind I've had the experience of having 4 instructors coach me at Palmer. So my Track knowledge derives from that. You probably had 2 full days prior to this.
So put this at the back of your mind and let's find a friendly track on a good set of tires which will have you wondering why you were thinking about retiring the S2000.
04-28-2017, 12:13 PM
#258
Thread Starter
Just to give myself an idea of how erratic I am, my best theoretical lap was a 2:05 and my best rolling lap was a 2:08.
But when you look at the individual track segments, one can see that I'm all over the lot - jerking my way around the track in uneven spurts and starts. My best consistent run was in the 2:12 range.
My brake traces are a farce - double and even triple application of brakes into the corners.
But I hope I got it all out of my system as I'll be racing the MG next Friday and Saturday.
But when you look at the individual track segments, one can see that I'm all over the lot - jerking my way around the track in uneven spurts and starts. My best consistent run was in the 2:12 range.
My brake traces are a farce - double and even triple application of brakes into the corners.
But I hope I got it all out of my system as I'll be racing the MG next Friday and Saturday.
04-28-2017, 12:28 PM
#259
04-28-2017, 03:13 PM
#260
Former Moderator
If I can make it, I want to participate in the Northeast 86 Cup being hosted by EMRA. I am thinking about making it to their events at Club Motorsports and Lime Rock Park in the fall.
https://www.86cup.us/calculator/
They have a very tight points system and even consider the RE71R that I am on a cheater tire that puts me out of Stock class. I may just have to get a set of the RS4s at some point.