The more I drive SOW the less I use 2nd gear to the point where I now don't use it at all. Perhaps I'm just getting lazy or tired of mis-shifting or tired of trying to shift while turning.

I was talking about this with some other S2K guys at the track and opinion was divided. Some don't use 2nd at all, another goes to 2nd for turns 2, 3, 4, 8, 11 and 13. For me in 2nd gear, turns 3, 8 and 13 require a shift to 3rd mid-turn and my car doesn't like shifting and turning at the same time.

As long as you have enough torque to carry slip angle in a turn, does the gear you're in matter? If you were going to use 2nd gear in only one turn, which would be you highest priority, second highest etc.

My car is fairly stock, 225/255 and my best time CW is about 1:32.

Here's a link to a Speedventures track map with turn numbers.

http://speedventures.com/events/eventdetail.aspx?id=424

 

You need to specify AP1 or 2. In an Ap1 yes you use second, in an AP2 not so much.

 

^^^ What he said. If you're carrying enough speed, there's only 1 turn where you grab second.

I haven't run CW in a while - the last 2 times I was out there, I ran CCW. I'm actually beginning to prefer that direction (although it's much tougher on the brakes). Both the bowl and the skid pad are more fun to me running CCW.

Running CCW based on the numbering of that map, the only turns I grab second gear are 2 and 13 - same for me running CW, although I know that the skid pad can be taken in 3rd with the correct line and carrying the right speed.

There's 2 other places that are a toss up between 2/3 for me too - and it all depends on me carrying enough speed.

 

Good point. AP2.

 

3rd everywhere, downshift to second at 13 (prior to skidpad) Some people use second in the bowl but I am not sure with how much success.

 

I agree.

 

I must be doing something wrong; I use 2nd in a LOT of places. While it's faster for me, I'm also less consistent when I use 2nd gear, and it requires a lot of mid-corner shifting.

2nd in T2, 2nd in T3 (upshift by the late/2nd apex), 2nd in T4, 2nd in the bowl, 2nd in the skidpad. I don't use 2nd for the left after the chicane cuz the car can't put any power down anyways.

 

I was there Friday with SpeedVentures and tried some different gears. Using 2nd coming off the skidpad and T2 at the top of the hill seems faster. I agree, useing 2nd other places is inconsistent and requires mid-turn shifting, and 2nd after the chicane has no value.

You might remember I came over and said hi at Big Willow on March 24th with Extreme Speed. Several of your BRZ /-FR-S buddies were at Streets on Friday as well with nearly stock cars. Dammn they were fast! I was a second or two off their pace.

 

I can't put a face to the name... sorry I'm ultra sleep deprived on track weekends

SoWS is an exercise in frustration for me now. I don't know how to get faster.

What did you end up running at WSIR? I ended up taking 3rd in RWD Enthusiast with an extremely uncompetitive car. 200hp doesn't compare to the 444hp of the Boss302 or 332hp of the 370z. The Boss and 370 were running 285 RS3s too... the BRZ can barely turn 225s. Boo. Fortunately, I don't mind losing to friends

 

This is based on my ride along with Mike T. who is now AP2/AP2.

Riding with Dustin was different, since he was AP1/AP1 when i got a ride along and is now AP2/AP1. I think Chris is also AP2/AP1.

As for me personally - i've tried driving the Mike T. line with the same gear selection - i'm not fast enough and carrying enough speed.

In addition to the two turns i mentioned. I'm also grabbing second in at least 2 other places and sometimes 3 other places depending on how fast i'm thinking/feeling in my head - which is usually a lot slower than I think.