First Track Day in my S2K
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Raleigh
How does engine braking, when done remotely proper, negatively impact the drivetrain?
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Aviano AB Italy
Wow alot of great info! Thanks guys!
UK is quite a drive haha I dont know if If i could actually make that. There is a small group of s2k owners in austria that im suppose to meet up with for the famous Stelvio Pass run this summer. I'll make sure to ask them if they track or know anyone. S2ks are pretty rare here in italy.
Well the pumas I have, have the thinest sole ive seen except a pair of like sparcos or such. 
I will definately be practicing alot and intend to fully appreciate the stock S2K.I have a ton to learn. As of now I only have Exhaust.
I can understand engine breaking, I heard it was better for the tranny but im guessing thats either wrong information or just for daily driving. Thank you very much for the advice!!
Sounds like you've been bit by the track bug! I think you should take it to Silverstone in the UK next as a homecoming.
We have started to get a serious group together here in AZ on track days. There are a few veterans, and number of newbies that as of last year had little track experience. Going as an S2K group is a blast, and definitely helps build the community around the car. Going with other owners will help you improve simply because of using the same platform. Take a look at our thread, there's probably some tips that you could glean from there as you get more into track days. https://www.s2ki.com/...013-track-days/
Personally I would recommend keeping the car stock until you have outgrown its capabilities, then start experimenting with mods that will add performance/handling where you need it.
-edit-
Also this thread: https://www.s2ki.com/...-firebird-main/
We have started to get a serious group together here in AZ on track days. There are a few veterans, and number of newbies that as of last year had little track experience. Going as an S2K group is a blast, and definitely helps build the community around the car. Going with other owners will help you improve simply because of using the same platform. Take a look at our thread, there's probably some tips that you could glean from there as you get more into track days. https://www.s2ki.com/...013-track-days/
Personally I would recommend keeping the car stock until you have outgrown its capabilities, then start experimenting with mods that will add performance/handling where you need it.
-edit-
Also this thread: https://www.s2ki.com/...-firebird-main/
H/T does requires lots of practice to do smoothly and is not very useful on the track until you're smooth with it.
First, forget the term "Heel and toe" it's a non descriptive misnomer ( like "Affordable Care Act").
Can't see where height has anything to do with it, it's all about ankle flexibility, pedal placement, foot size etc which make it more or less difficult depending on your situation.
Two basic approaches -
- ball of the foot modulates the brake while the heel blips the throttle to match revs
- foot covers both brake and gas pedal and the blip is achieved by rolling the foot to the side.
Suggest you find the one most comfortable for you and practice at a standstill and gently on the road. Again it's both a motion and timing thing so practice is important.
You mentioned Pumas,not sure what that means in italy, but here it means cushioned running shoes, exactly the wrong thing. Driving shoes are designed like socks with thin soles for max pedal feel. When I was tracking I used my old tennis shoes soles worn smooth.
great vids on youtube, great one with Hurley Haywood giving a lesson in a Porsche. You should also search for s2000 , Nurburgring , maybe not best for learning rev matching but a tremendous hoot.
First, forget the term "Heel and toe" it's a non descriptive misnomer ( like "Affordable Care Act").
Can't see where height has anything to do with it, it's all about ankle flexibility, pedal placement, foot size etc which make it more or less difficult depending on your situation.
Two basic approaches -
- ball of the foot modulates the brake while the heel blips the throttle to match revs
- foot covers both brake and gas pedal and the blip is achieved by rolling the foot to the side.
Suggest you find the one most comfortable for you and practice at a standstill and gently on the road. Again it's both a motion and timing thing so practice is important.
You mentioned Pumas,not sure what that means in italy, but here it means cushioned running shoes, exactly the wrong thing. Driving shoes are designed like socks with thin soles for max pedal feel. When I was tracking I used my old tennis shoes soles worn smooth.
great vids on youtube, great one with Hurley Haywood giving a lesson in a Porsche. You should also search for s2000 , Nurburgring , maybe not best for learning rev matching but a tremendous hoot.
I will definately be practicing alot and intend to fully appreciate the stock S2K.I have a ton to learn. As of now I only have Exhaust.
I can understand engine breaking, I heard it was better for the tranny but im guessing thats either wrong information or just for daily driving. Thank you very much for the advice!!
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Windsor, CA
Puma is one of the biggest brands of purpose-built driving shoes, especially for non-fire-retardant casual driving shoes. Look up their Drift Cat model. It's like a suede sock.
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From: Aviano AB Italy
Originally Posted by gerry100' timestamp='1361813874' post='22361937
You mentioned Pumas,not sure what that means in italy, but here it means cushioned running shoes, exactly the wrong thing. Driving shoes are designed like socks with thin soles for max pedal feel. When I was tracking I used my old tennis shoes soles worn smooth.
Puma is one of the biggest brands of purpose-built driving shoes, especially for non-fire-retardant casual driving shoes. Look up their Drift Cat model. It's like a suede sock.
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Just thought I would share my experiance with my first track day. I have no experiance on the track whatsoever except some drifting with my old skyline and some pretty intense go kart racing ... but thats a bit different lol. I really just wanted to go out and attempt to find the limits of my car and what I can and can't do with it. It was a super nice track! We called ahead and reserved it for the 4 of us costing only 50 euros a peice for 30 mins, to have such a nice track to ourselves is not that bad actually.
I found it rediculously fun and exciting. It was a tad bit wet on some spots but not so bad. I didn't go as hard as i would have liked but I learned alot. I also learned that I really need to learn how to heel toe.... Im not sure if its because im so tall (6'4) or if its just because I haven't done it enough. Anyone have any input on that?
I also think I would like to invest in some coilover and sway bars to reduce a bit of oversteer I sensed. We will definately be going back everyonce in a while. It's about a 1.5 hour drive from where im at in Italy, not to bad.
Would love to get any feedback if anyones ever been or tips for newbes on the track.
I found it rediculously fun and exciting. It was a tad bit wet on some spots but not so bad. I didn't go as hard as i would have liked but I learned alot. I also learned that I really need to learn how to heel toe.... Im not sure if its because im so tall (6'4) or if its just because I haven't done it enough. Anyone have any input on that?
I also think I would like to invest in some coilover and sway bars to reduce a bit of oversteer I sensed. We will definately be going back everyonce in a while. It's about a 1.5 hour drive from where im at in Italy, not to bad. Would love to get any feedback if anyones ever been or tips for newbes on the track.
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