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Since Rob asked for a writeup... (not sure it belongs since not an S2000)
Well, first I should say that I haven't raced it yet as was planned (bunch of reasons); maybe later this season or next year in the Pacific F2000 series. This past weekend at SOW was my first real opportunity to learn to drive the car, as I was distracted with technical problems at Pahrump a couple weeks ago. By the end of the first day (CCW) I feel I am 80% there learning the basic characteristics of the car (I did not make a single setup change all weekend).
It's like learning to drive all over again... non-synchro H-pattern 4-speed gearbox with no-clutch shifting and left-foot braking only. Takes some getting used to, but very quick shifting and braking-left foot/throttle-right foot allows a lot of control in balancing the car. Next most difficult challenge is the brakes/downforce combo... very powerful at speed because of the downforce, but locks up easily as the downforce dissipates as the car slows (but exciting to see that smoke from the tires ). Lots more g-forces, and takes a very strong grip and arms to control the steering wheel which is just shaking and fighting to go straight when you are in a long corner, which also makes it challenging to shift gear mid-corner (like upshifting exiting bowl CW). Very, very harsh, hard ride; suspension has maybe an inch max of range? and all heim joints. Vibrates so much (probably because SOW is such a rough track surface) that my hands tingled for some time after each sesion. Harder to see line because so low to the ground. Rocks from other cars and rubber from my front tires fly by/hit helmet often. However, it's amazingly responsive, very agile, faster acceleration than I expected from 160 HP (not so much the feel, but how quickly I pass and leave behind other cars). Sticks amazingly at higher speeds, but relatively slippery at low speed (no downforce). Once it starts to rotate it wants to continue (mid-engine thing I guess). I was able to get it sliding a bit but lost it to spins a couple times. All in all an adrenalin blast once I started driving hard without thinking of the mechanics (gear-shifting etc.). I was able to get up to 16 timed laps per session because of the high average speed, and at the end of each I felt totally beaten up and worn out, but what a rush. Can't wait to do the big track and start racing in the series.
Oh, and as Alejo said, I do feel like Houdini in reverse because everyone told me it is impossible to strap yourself in this car with all the mandated safety equipment, but after a month of experimenting in the garage I figured out a way! and it's down to 12-15 minutes from a half-hour!!
"Dang! Tires not warm enough yet..."
...praying not to hit rocks.
Originally Posted by rlaifatt,May 14 2007, 09:00 PM
Well, first I should say that I haven't raced it yet as was planned (bunch of reasons); maybe later this season or next year in the Pacific F2000 series.
Very cool! I can't wait to run with you and compare notes. What you describe is exactly what I feel in the Radical with the high downforce (V8) bodywork on slicks. Much more brutal than the relatively soft school cars on RA1. My arms and neck (2.5+ Gs) get sore after a weekend of racing. Yet I was able to do a 1 hour enduro and probably could have gone another hour had I an onboard water system to cure the dehydation. You'll soon master the balance and speed of the car, and driving with high downforce. Jeff (former Derek Daley chief instructor) told told me it is impossible to lock up the brakes at speed because of the downforce. He even offered to bet us that we couldn't at the end of the Spring Mountian straight going into Ego Check. But you do have to release brake pressure as you slow and loose downforce. What's even harder to learn is that you have more grip the faster you go in a turn. So even when it feels like you're going to spin there is probably another 5 mph left, possibly more. It seems like at a new track we are always convinced that we cannot take a turn flat out, but after a few sessions learn that it is no big deal. Such was the case at Phoenix International Raceway banking. It is tighter and less banked than Fontucky, yet we were still able to flat it in 5th upshifting to 6th at the exit. Likewise at Thill T8. One guy was even able to flat T1 in 6th! At big Willow I can take T2 flat in 5th, and don't brake or downshift at T9, flat in 6th halfway thru. I was told I could take T9 flat in 6th with no lift but too chicken to try...
On setup, these cars are so sensitive, that even a tire change can slow the car due to balance differences. Now I understand why F1 drivers sometimes go slower on one set of tires than another. At Firebird my car was handling beautifuly on worn rear tires. For Sunday qualifying I changed to new tires and was nearly 2 seconds slower. Car developed a push because of too much rear grip, I guess. We made some adjsutments and I was able to gain back the 2 seconds, but never really got much faster on the new tires. I had a similar experience at Reno-Fernley last weekend.
You're ruined now. Never gonna drive a street based race car again
F2000 first driving impressions
). Lots more g-forces, and takes a very strong grip and arms to control the steering wheel which is just shaking and fighting to go straight when you are in a long corner, which also makes it challenging to shift gear mid-corner (like upshifting exiting bowl CW). Very, very harsh, hard ride; suspension has maybe an inch max of range? and all heim joints. Vibrates so much (probably because SOW is such a rough track surface) that my hands tingled for some time after each sesion. Harder to see line because so low to the ground. Rocks from other cars and rubber from my front tires fly by/hit helmet often. However, it's amazingly responsive, very agile, faster acceleration than I expected from 160 HP (not so much the feel, but how quickly I pass and leave behind other cars). Sticks amazingly at higher speeds, but relatively slippery at low speed (no downforce). Once it starts to rotate it wants to continue (mid-engine thing I guess). I was able to get it sliding a bit but lost it to spins a couple times. All in all an adrenalin blast once I started driving hard without thinking of the mechanics (gear-shifting etc.). I was able to get up to 16 timed laps per session because of the high average speed, and at the end of each I felt totally beaten up and worn out, but what a rush. Can't wait to do the big track and start racing in the series.
how come?!
