I was able to get my best time at Spring Mountain by absolutely nailing turns 1-2, using the available grip of the Hoosiers and getting them to sing slightly and consistently around the sweepers.

Later, I could only get the courage to go mid to slightly lower 60s with no audible tire noise. Now, I wonder, is it instinct telling me by the seat of my pants that to push further might result in losing it, since I was able to go faster in those corners earlier? Is it from unfounded fear, from not enough track experience, not knowing I could try to push harder, get the tires to complain a little, that I could gather things back in if I had to. Might fatigue and mental state have factored into decision making for how fast to take things?

I think if an instructor was able to take the car out and get high 60s in those sweepers in the hot afternoon sun when I was struggling to find the courage to do so, I could have with confidence try to do the same. I am generally able to keep the wheel very still around the turns and hit the apexes, feathering the throttle.

My 18 yo son was able to beat my best times with his best in the 1:57s and mine in 1:59s. He has much less seat time than I do, and he said the car was absolutely able to do what he wanted it to and was very balanced. I think talent is very much on his side.

On the second day with much less speed around turns 1 and 2 I was able to get within a second of my fast speed turn 1-2 times by doing better in many of the other parts of the track. If only I was able to do both at the same time.... putting it all together.

 

A third element to toss in the experience/talent mix is cajones. No doubt the dirt bath had a little something to do with that:

I think of it as being akin to skiing or horseback riding. Being thrown off your feet can be quite unnerving, but you've got to "get back on that horse". Slowly build back up to your previous limits, and when you're there you'll be more comfortable as you're now better experienced from having gone too far previously.

No need to feel bad about the time - anything under 2:00 was a smokin' lap. In the desert heat fatigue is definitely a factor, and the track simply wasn't as fast later in the day(s). The scorching heat and headwind on the back straight all served to slow things down.

Getting around the racetrack is like a figure skating routine with about 8,000 moves. Throughout the weekend you'll get all of them right at one time or another; bringing it all together for one big lap is the challenge of this type of racing.

Now join me as we all pay homage to Dave's blistering 1:51. I don't think Rupert would've brought out his Z06 were it not to answer that call.

 

Looks like one of those prototype cars that get all covered up.

BTW, what size tires are you running prolene? you have any other suspension upgrades besides the mugen coil overs? Were you allowed to run with your top up? or was that just protection while you were parked. Glad you guys all had a great time

 

Hey! That's a spy photo of the next generation S2200!

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by docofmind
[B]

 

Prolene, first off, glad to see you had a good time and that you're learning. Keep in mind that every time you go out on the track you are learning... Every time I go out, I'm learning. If you ever get an instructor that says he's not still learning every time he gets in a car, then request another instructor. When I heard Mario Andretti, at age 54, say 'every time I get behind the wheel I'm still learning something new,' that is when I realized there is no such thing as mastering driving a race car. Sure, you can get good at it... but there is no way to master it.

So with that attitude, just take this as a learning experience. One of the things that I read into your descriprtion is that you aren't very comfortable at the limit. This could be due to a couple things, but my suggestion to you is (as painful as standing around in a parking lot all day is) to go to some autocrosses and work on your skills there. Throw the car around and feel the tires give way... once you are more comfortable with car control skills, you can go faster on the track. Now, I'm not saying autocross is the best way to learn this, or the only way... but it's a cheap and easy way. I have no problem sliding the car around or entering a corner a little too hot to see if it will stick... in autocross, you have to trust the car and just hope you make it through some of the faster corners. That allows you to push hard going into corners on a road-course because you know what the car is going to tell you if you start to overcook it, and you will also know what to do to correct that.

To answer the simple question of talent or experience, it's a combination. Everyone starts off with a certain amount of natural ability (or guts, as the case may be) and has to work from there. Some have to work much harder and put in much more seat time to get there. I was very fortunate in that respect, and I'm very thankful for that... but that doesn't mean I don't work hard at improving. I am constantly reading, studying and analyzing how to go faster, and practice any chance I get - whether it's at the autocross course or on the road-course - or the local off ramps. I heel-toe to every stop sign and light, and try to pick the right line through every bend, even when I'm getting groceries or driving home at 3:00am. Every person has some combination of talent and experience, and there are plenty of people that are faster on sheer determination and practice... but there is always someone that started off with more talent and has the same level of determination - so there is a definite advantage to those who started off with more. Just like we are not all major-league material, we're not all cut out to be among the fastest.

One last note on car setup... don't worry about the tire size so much, there is more balance to be found in a front swaybar that any larger rear tire setup. We ran 225's on all four positions (Kumhos) and logged 1:44's at Laguna with the car 100% planted due to the larger front swaybar. I would strongly recommend that setup. Also, where are you running the Mugen dampers? You can PM me with that if you don't want prying eyes to see!

I hope everyone had fun out in the desert... you guys really have to hold a central-division event - I get jealous every time I read about one of your events.

 

I couldn't agree more about "always learning". I got a 2:04 in my second session and thought that it was all I had. Then had someone ride with me (I think it was KraziK) who gave a a little advise for the left-right before the back straight. Got a 2:02 in that session, then found a few more ideas on my own and got down to 2:01 in my last session. I wish I coulda stayed for Sunday.

Who's Dave and what was he driving to get a 1:51?!

My car is stock except for the eibach's and supertrapps. I have AVS intermediates, which I think are worse than the stock tires. How much difference do the street legal race tires really make in lap times?

THANKS!, to everyone behind the scenes, it's obviously alot of work to put on these events and I'm sure no one is getting rich doing it.

 

Jason S, thanks for the great words of wisdom. I also had a great time, but got a little shaken up from my two off-road experiences on Saturday. Sunday I was taking things much slower. I talked to JZR about auto-crossing and he had many of the same observations, so I'm definitely interested in checking that out. (BTW, maybe you just need to move to SoCal!)

Hep - Dave was in a Silverstone (#71) parked near Krazik and Prolene, and was running some *@#! fast times both days!!

DAVE!!

And thanks to Krazik for the great instruction. It was great to meet everyone. The hubby is now talking about Hoosiers with that glazed look in his eyes ...

 

Damn! I wish I was there! I have no doubt Dave was the fastest guy in the track. With his full moton system and 300+ to the wheels. He's also maturing as a driver real quick. He took my car out for a session at Sears (blown CV joint on his) and beat my times! #&$@!!!

I wish I was there but things conspired against me this weekend I saw it coming so it was no big surprise. Looking forward to reading more reports!

 

Davepk has a silver/black supercharged S2000 with full coilover adjustible gas shocks (MOTON).

Night and day brother, night and day.