Its been a long time coming but I finally managed to take the S2000 to the track. If you remember, I was one of the many guys who sold his STI for an S2000 (see post Here)

Here's the car now:
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Setup:
Tein S-tech Springs, AP2 shocks, Megan rear anti-bumpsteer kit, 235 front/255 rear Nitto NT05, Carbotech XP12/XP10 brake pads, brake ducting, LiteSpec titanium exhaust

A couple weeks prior, I attended an SCCA Autocross school with a few of my buddies to try to get to know the car. I believe this was an important step in getting comfortable with how the S2000 handles in a low risk environment. If anyone hasn't been the track before, I highly recommend trying out an Autocross event first since there is a lower penalty for failure.

Me at the Autocross school (photo credit: Andy Krzyzanowski):
[attachment=6908:285126_10100664812457326_2533868_6 2500368_2875236_n.jpg]

For me its been a steep learning curve figuring out how to drive a RWD car coming from an AWD car that does everything for you. With the STI, I was able to slam on the brakes before a turn, then go full throttle on the gas even before hitting the apex because the AWD and all of the differentials seemed to always keep the car on the track. I never really experienced what oversteer was until recently and it has forced me to focus on how the car feels when I'm giving my inputs (On a side note, I think a proper racing bucket seat would be extremely beneficial and is on the immediate list for my next few mods.) I have learned that steering smoothness, throttle control, and brake control are extremely important when it comes keeping the car in balance and that everything works together as one harmonious task.

[attachment=6906:286339_10100676785363526_2533868_6 2738555_3184583_o.jpg]

On to the track day. My first session out, I made it a point to take things really easily, just to get a feel for the car. I've been to this track numerous times so I didn't need to spend a lot of time figuring out the track and so I was able to focus on the car itself. Even though I thought I was taking it easy, I managed to get all 4 wheels off track twice in the first 25 minute session. I learned pretty quickly that my trail braking habits that I used in the STI had to go. My best time during that session was 1:41.x.

In my second session out, I decided I would do all of my braking in a straight line, and my number one goal was to not go off track. I focused more on braking earlier so I could get the weight of the car settled before turn-in. Applying a slight amt of throttle as I turned-in seemed to keep the rear from slipping out as much. My best time went to 1:40.x. with no offs.

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In the 3rd session I started to feel a bit more comfortable. I began to get on the gas a little harder, and I managed to catch the car after I got on the gas too hard coming off the skid pad onto the main straight. I started to break my bad habit of letting completely off the throttle whenever the car started to slide (lift-off oversteer). This is still something I struggle with. Best lap dropped to 1:38.x.

My 4th session was my best session. After getting a ride from psychoazn in his white AP2, I noticed that he wasn't afraid of oversteer. He was very smooth and relaxed whenever the rear stepped out on him (which seemed to be every other turn). He quickly countersteered yet didn't need to release the throttle when the rear started to slide. I think this is an important note. If you react too slowly, you will not be able to save the car from spinning. This has been another one of my big issues. I believe my steering input is too slow when it comes to countering oversteer. Anyway, psychoazn had a Racepak G2X mounted on his dash which made it easy for me to see what speed he was carrying through each corner. I realized immediately that I could go much faster (sometimes almost 10 mph faster than I was doing on some turns). So long as the car was not out of balance, I should be able to push it.

Here are my two best lap times for the day: 1:36.0 and 1:35.6 (See video below). This is by no means fast but I was happy that I improved. Please feel free to leave me some constructive criticism on how I can drive better/smoother and improve my lap times.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlMl4MB_naU[/media]

 

You just need more seat time Come out to the Challenges, and you'll be able to get rides with other people; everyone has a different driving style, and drives differently.

Car's not supposed to do that! (refer to "massive oversteer" thread) I should have taken you out in another s2k so you can see how they normally drive.

Also, I got some crap from the instructors at the Novice AutoX School for not releasing on the throttle when the rear comes out....

 

Quote:

I have learned that steering smoothness, throttle control, and brake control are extremely important when it comes keeping the car in balance and that everything works together as one harmonious task.

Great observation. Learning to drive the S2000 properly on track will make you a much better driver. It's a "proper" sports car. Congratulations on seeing the light and leaving the AWD behind.

Quote:

Also, I got some crap from the instructors at the Novice AutoX School for not releasing on the throttle when the rear comes out...

Those AutoX Instructors =

 

nice driving.

I sold my first s2k for a STi thought i would like it.

Now I am back into s2k

 

Yeah, quite a few of us that switched from STIs to S2000s. I think even psychoazn used to have an STI.

I did the same thing as you, and it's been quite a learning process as well. I'm still completely bone stock and running stock tires RE050 215/245 (i can't wait to step up to 225/255 in RS3s or Star Specs). So far I count 3 offs in the 7 or so track days that i've done (2 of them when we ran BW13 CCW - tons of offs that day by everyone). I'm still about 2seconds off of my STI time at BW13, which was pretty slow to begin with - 2:18.

I figure no performance mods until I can break 2:10 at BW13 on a stock setup, although brake cooling ducts and possibly some S1/S2 camber joints in the not too distant future.

Quite a few auto-Xs coming up soon at ACS. I'm signed up for the one on Aug 13, track day on Aug 14 (for S2KiC), and will likely sign up for the other two auto-x events at ACS in September. They're definitely much more forgiving of you screwing things up and being able to experiment a little bit with car control for a rather cheap price ($80). I want to take a skip barber class next season.

 

Definite improvement already...how were you measuring your lap times?

 

Based on his pictures, it's that red thing on the front of his car (AMB Transponder) - so offical lap times by the track itself.