Ran my 2nd S2k AutoX this weekend. The South Texas Border Region hold there's at Cabanas air field. The course was ~ a mile in length with TTOD (ASP 911) of 1:19:867. My 1st AutoX was bone stock with the OEM S02's. This time I ran with the Kuhmo V700's and Mugen big bar. Tire pressure was 36/34 cold, which translates, to 40/38 hot. I didn't vary the pressure during the day but this seemed to work.
I found the steering input/response is much more sensitive then with the S02's. Trail and error taught(still learning to drive the car at the limit) that the combination of R-compound tires and the S2k can make for some interesting transitions. The combination is not as linear as with the S02's. By this I mean the subtle inputs which you sense with the S02's as you approach their fractional grip limit is not as smooth or nearly as easy to perceive then with the Kuhmo's. When she goes the Kuhmo/S2k combo can let loose in an uncontrollable oversteer. Quite the sight to behold...(I was told).
I find that trial braking and purpose throttle oversteer are finesse techniques with this car and will take track time to master.
As the day progressed and I gained experience my times went from the 1:25's to the low 1:21's. I know I left some time on the track and experience will find it. Can't wait until next month.
PS
This is a great forum and I appreciate the experienced S2k Autoxers valuable input.

 

Glad you're having fun! That's what it's all about!

 

I had an interesting experience. My first run with the s2000 I thought I lost my brakes. The 4th hard braking corner, I did not get the feedback and thought I had lost the brakes. The car stopped but not before I panicked. Is it possible that the ABS feedback ran out? Or is it totally my lack of experience with ABS? The next runs, I hung in there and while the feedback was not as I might have expected, it was there and the brakes worked fine.

By the way, came in 4th overall over many Boxsters and 911s. Only lost to modified cars.
Awesome car.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by kaufpw
[B]I had an interesting experience.

 

I also notice the ABS is sooooo much smoother in the S2K than my old '95 GSR. But I never noticed a cold braking issue (other than less grip w/cold tires). Maybe you pumped too much air in the front?

 

another thought could be the weight transfer would be much smoother with a slightly slower/ more progressive application of the brakes. I come from a motorcycle background, and what I have learned is that if you dive right in for max braking right now, you have max brake pressure before you have the suspension settled and the weight transfered to the front end to help keep the front tires rolling instead of sliding over the top of the asphalt. one of the easiest ways to lose the front end on a bike is to grab a handful of front brake without letting the suspension prepare. It could be the same operation of physics involved, but I am not as familiar with the dynamics of automobile suspension. Sorry for the length...

 

For the longest time, I kept thinking I wasn't kicking off the ABS at all in turns when I autox-ed the s2k. It wasn't until this Sunday that I finally realized how subtle the kick-in is on our cars. My wife's Blazer, for example, REALLY lets you know when you're in ABS. LOUD growling and pushback on the brake pedal. When I wasn't experiencing that in the s2k, I thought it was me. Turns out it's just not a bone-jarring as in the blazer, plus the engine is a little louder at 7k than the Blazer ever is.