Well, looking at the data there's actually quite a bit of grip even on the black stuff, although it does seem to vary some depending on where you are on the black stuff. I'm seeing 0.8-0.9g's sustained braking and 1.1-1.15 g's lateral, on dunlops, in 55-60 degree weather. The lateral is actually about what I'd expect ideally out of the dunlops although I haven't run them in anything warmer yet. The hankooks would give me about 1.2g in ideal conditions on normal asphalt. Braking I'd have to look through last year's data but I think that's a little weak - normally it's more like 1g I think. Still, not bad at all.

Here's my run at the practice event, with data overlaid (on the acceleration meter the mark is at 1g). http://youtu.be/8gGaLD6iDb0

Sorry about the shakiness, I need to figure out how to fix that - I'm using the modifry glove box mount and an old aiptek camera. I need to do something to make it so the glove box doesn't have any play in it like add some weatherstripping under it or something.

 

I see ACR and think Damn Neon...

 

Man I can't wait. Final test and tune at the meadowlands this weekend then we'll be ready to rock and roll.

 

Rock and roll like metallica or rock and roll like the beatles? I can see you driving more like smooth jazz.

 

It's an S2000, there'll be plenty of rock with very little roll

 

How do you like Rad's car, Steve? I think you said it was similar to yours...

I can't wait either, although I think this Saturday might be more driving fun due to the better surface, but the Pro will be full of excitement.

Jon threw down some good stuff last week. His video looked strong to me. Gonna be interesting as to how things come out.

 

Rad's car is very well sorted for STR. My car transitions faster but I feel his car is easier to drive faster and I think for a prosolo will be a solid contender once we sort out the shock settings this weekend. Both our cars were flying at the last event we went to and the raw times our cars put down were nearly identical so I think my seat time in my car isn't lost. The only downside is that we don't have a tune so we'll have to beat you guys on driver skill alone (haha, yeah right). For the pro I will be driving there in my car as well in case we need to swap to star specs if it gets colder or it rains. I've been working on buttoning down the settings if we have to do the switch since the car setup is slightly different than on RS3s. I'd love for a sunny prosolo but I think I might actually not mind if it rains since it'll dampen the power advantage you guys have at this time.

 

Steve, That's funny because there are many similarities between your situation and mine. For example:

I think my car is probably much better in transitions better than Jon's since mine is stiffer, but that his has been reported as more predictable on slippery surfaces (what a mutual friend stated). I think predictability will translate to confidence at FedEx, and consequently harder driving.

I also need to adjust shock settings finely. I am in the middle on compression all around, and like the car as it is on most surfaces --except Fedex, so I really would like to tune with shocks since they are easily changed and that would allow me to not alter hardware on account of Fedex's idiosyncrasies. However, I do have some 650 springs I may swap out in NJ at the mid point to see if going a little softer in the back helps predictability. I am currently at 700 in the back (850 front).

This may be a factor for you to consider: when on RS-3s I find that I need more rear spring rate to make them feel like the Dunlops. What, if anything do you guys do to equalize the feel between the two tres? I now have an adjustable rear sway, so I can stiffen that way when using the RS-3's but I really find that their softer sidewalls make a huge difference in the car's overall spring rate -- enough to warrant mechanical changes. Do you just drive around this?

I am not sure which tires I will use for the Pro. Probably going to bring both sets to NJ and test. I am not even sure still how the compression affects handling on my car to a science, or how much the range would equate to virtual spring rate.. I just need a little softer in the back (like 25-50 lbs less), but my rear Gendron sway is already at full soft (for the Dunlops). I have +/- 6 clicks to play with on compression in both the front and rear on Moton Clubsports and off the shelf valving.


So much to do..

I think power would be a more significant factor at NJ than it will be at FedEx, but I agree that the lack of tune isn't good for you guys.

 

enough of this technical talk... can we get back to trash talking?

 

We run higher tire pressures to compensate for the lack of sidewall stiffness on RS3s. I've run as low as 28psi in the rear on star specs with no problems at all. Spring rate changes aren't an option for us and we run no rear bar. I try not to get consumed in the calculations so I've been adjusting based on feel, driving style and of course my run times. I think a rear bar could help with making the car dance a bit better but the stability no bar adds boosts my confidence helping me drive faster which in my case is worth more in terms of dropping times.

...now onto trash talk...Rodney, I have no words for you...you drive a Kia, that's insult enough