Just came from Fry's of Anaheim and about to enter the 91 east from kramer. In front of me was an Evo and behind was his friend with an older integra. The Evo was silver with a whole bunch of graphics and lettering. As we enter the on ramp, it loops about 360 degrees. Through the loop the Evo takes off as I follow him. We cornered at around 50 - 55MPH, I was at 3rd. Being careful that the rear don't kick out, I was hanging behind the Evo, the integra was somewhat hanging. As the onramp straightens out, the Evo takes off. I floored my pedal as well, but nothing was happening as the Evo kept accelerating away. I was still waiting for Vtec to kick in. Meanwhile, I see the integra behind me fading away. Next thing you know, he was already 70 feet ahead of me or more. I now see what they meant about the S2000 does not have grunt coming off corners. Even if I left it in second gear, it wont make much difference.

My car is stock except for gauges, I just installed the Defi VSD Concept and it helps keep my eyes on the road. I was still experimenting with the VSD where I set the rev warning light and beeps at 4000 and 4800. It got pretty annoying since I kept hitting it while cruising. The Evo sounds that it had some exhaust mods (straight pipe) and probably other things done to it too. Together with the Sti both of them make great track cars for its price. The C6 Vette would be nice too for a little over 10k more. Too bad its just out of my budget. But overall the S2000 drive is still one of a kind especially the sound and feel it makes while reving to 9000 RPM. I love it.

 

Since you waited forever for Vtec to kick in, it means that you were far below it. The Evo has a lot more torque to have an advantage coming off the apex.

You should learn how to drive better in turns and corners. I'm not saying you would win or lose, but it sounds like you need more practice coming out of an apex.

Nice run! Maybe that Evo was too powerful for ya.

 

Waiting was more of a figure of speech, but relative to how the EVO pulled away from the corner, it felt like a long time. Coming out of the turn, I started at 55MPH. As mentioned, I was at 3rd gear. Even if I was at 2nd and accelerate till 68MPH, it wouldnt matter. Even when Vtec kicked in, the EVO was still pulling away hard. On the same time, I will probably redline @ 2nd before I staighten out of the apex. Shifting to third might kick the rear end out. I am not about to take that risk. If that is what it takes to drive better, then its your preference. I rather take these risks at buttonwillow without barriers.

 

Why did you hav rev warning lights set at 4000 and 4800 RPMs?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by johninator
Waiting was more of a figure of speech, but relative to how the EVO pulled away from the corner, it felt like a long time.

 

I was experimenting with it. Its at 7500 and 8500 now.

 

i would have done the same as u, leave it in second
shifting to first in a corner like that in the s2000 would turn to be very dangerous(i think)

 

Gotta keep the rev's way up. ya drop out of vtec your toast. Having it in third at 50 to 55 is like driving at
7/10 ths. All the horsepower in the s2000 is in vtec. He still might have pulled but no where near 70 or so feet! Leaving it in second would have made a big difference. You say if you keep it in second you would have came out of the turn above 68 mph. But instead you came out at 55! Thats a big exit speed difference!

I agree if you not comfortable shifting to third then you did the right thing. Who cares if ya win or lose as long as ya stay in your comfort zone. It does get a little loose sometimes shifting to third on a turn at redline.

 

johninator- I think you were probably in the right gear for the situation... unfortunately, the other guy was just faster. Sure, you could've been in second... but only till you hit 63mph. That's only 8mph difference from where you were. Then you would've had to shift which would've taken some time, and if you were shifting in a corner, you'd have to be really smooth and careful with your shift, like you said, so you wouldn't lose the tail.
Anyway... you got beat, but you lived to fight another day. Evos are nothing to sneeze at, they are pretty fast cars.

 

I know what you mean about seemingly waiting for V-Tec to kick in. After driving our EVO for a few weeks I got it the S2K and it felt very underpowered. I know its not, but the diff you feel because of the torque is amazing. I think people underestimate the EVO too much because its awd, beleive me it still gets up and goes on the freeway or from a roll (just ask the Z28 I smoked last night even from a roll) You just have to be in the right gear ready to boost

Anyways I think you did the right thing by waiting to v-tec, no need to lose control over a race