Turning Stance Car to Track...Thing
 

Figured I would put all my questions that I will have into one thread, but mods if that's not okay go ahead and delete/move the thread.

Been in the "show" scene for too long and want to start taking advantage of the "sport" part of a sports car, so I'm gonna start doing some HPDE and AutoX. Not looking to break any records, but more see what happens when a noob driver takes a stance/show car to some different driving environments.

For reference, this is what I'm working with:
https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...6c&oe=5687072D
it is on AirLift's v2 airbag suspension, JDL and TRD bolt ons, and the rest of the mods can be found in my build thread.


Big shout out to Mike from CounterSpaceGarage for guiding my ignorant self. He recommended some Torque RT700 brake fluid and Project Mu HC+ 800 brake pads for my first event which will be with The Driver's Edge at Texas World Speedway on November 7-8.


My first question is for anyone who's tracked with stock Primacy tires and OEM wheels: what PSI were y'all running at the track? I am thinking of trying 30 PSI cold and see how they go from there.

We ran the Primacy HPs for a few sessions. My notes show the driver was happiest with 34psi front, 32psi rear. That's hot pressures, so I'd start at maybe 28/26 cold and see how hot they get.

TWS is a ridiculously fun track, I worked there in college. Good luck, and stop by the shop next time you're in Cresson!

Jake

Just drive first, and address the rest later. You'll quickly figure out your dislikes about the car, and then we can address them.

Don't be too low when you're on track!

I was as high as 35 cold my first time, most instructors blindly have you bump up the pressures to prevent a dumb old street tire from being underinflated and rolling over. The Primacy's are actually OK on track and maintain grip pretty consistently, 35 psi was a bit high but not problem causing, upside was I didn't have to reinflate to drive home like I do now running super low pressures.

30 PSI is probably pretty good and won't trigger the TPMS (usually goes off around 28 psi in my experience), don't mess around with it too much focus on learning the line and listening to what the car is telling you. You can drop 1-2 psi in the rear if your driving style is drift happy at first (helps the rear grip a little better, induces some understeer) but I would start with even pressures and reduce oversteer by cleaning up your driving skills first.

After getting comfortable next step is alignment.

For sure. Just wanted to start this thread to document my journey!


Cool, I was out in Lubbock for college, so only tracks we had were Home Depot's overflow lot and country lots. Will try and stop by the shop sometime, thanks!

I'm assuming they have compressed air there, or should I just find a gas station on the way back home?

Depends entirely on the venue, might be an available outlet and someone might bring their own compressor you can use but I have never asked. Gas station on the way home is a good fallback if you can't find air there.

Been using this, takes an annoyingly long time (and it's loud) to fill each tire more than a few psi but does the job well enough. Wondering how long it will last though... Cord is just long enough to reach from the center outlet to each tire.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Slime-50001-Power-Sport-Smart/dp/B000M8SY0I/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1445037841&sr=8-8&keywords=slime+air+compressor"]Amazon.com: Slime 50001 Power Sport Smart Spair: Automotive[/ame]

Edit: Depending on the tire, you may be fine running low pressures, I wouldn't worry about 30 psi on the street in any tire for this car. I drove ~70 miles home on 25 psi on my Dunlops but that may not work out so well with other tires.

Like others said, go out there and do it. You'll see/feel what your car and you need.

Since it's a track say start out at 28 cold psi then check it after the first session.


Sign up for the beginner group. And ask for an instructor to ride with you.

going too low can be unsafe! especially with wide wheels. clearance can be an issue, the outside front will compress pretty significantly in corners. you should maybe ask the more experienced people what the appropriate ride height for your spring rates are.

stay safe so you can have more fun!

Some pictures from my first AutoX today:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/687/21...3dfb69f6_b.jpg
Didn't have time to switch back to 93, so ran E85 since San Antonio was not too far from me.

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5765/2...f9aef051_b.jpg
Got there early to switch to the stock tires. One problem though: when my friend was working on the car last week (for show stuff, lol), he forgot to put the lug key back in. Frantic asking for a 6-spline lug nut key ensues for the next hour.


https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/643/22...053011f9_b.jpg
Guess I'm running with cheap Chinese tires and stance wheels. #YOLO(?) :barf:


https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/583/22...68f740fd_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/570/22...979b1962_b.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/679/22...886aafb0_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5630/2...d73b7c1e_b.jpg
Trail braking. lol jk I ate this corner hard :bonk:


https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/728/22...bfcb812a_b.jpg
Cut it off at my standing because there were 80+ people. I got a DNF on the 1st corner, but instructor gave great advice on looking ahead at cones instead of focusing on the immediate one. After that, best raw time was 47.710 and that would have put me in 5th spot in STX. Even if I don't consider the 47.710 time that I got on an accidental 6th run (was supposed to only do 5) and went with my next best time of 50.027, that would still have gotten 7th spot in STX.



Overall, I had a great time. I rode in some very quick S2000 Club Racers, Miatas, BRZ, and bunch of other cars. Everyone was helpful and, for the price, feel like it was well worth the time/trip. Can't wait for the next one. :cheers:

well done dude,, thats what we want to reach! the fun factor! glad that you had a great time there...

amazing looking car by the way,

Looks like you had a ton of fun! Car looks great.

It's been a while since I've been there, but the track always had at least one compressor available for general use.

Jake

At every track day there will always be several people who brought their own compressed air, and most people are more than happy to share some. :)

Happy to see someone coming back over from the dark side, or to the dark side depending on how you look at it. haha Looking forward to seeing how you and your car progress!

This thread makes me happy. :)

- Andy

For track events (and road trips in general) I usually have this + my impact gun. Works way better than plug-in pumps and I can usually set the pressure and walk away to do other stuff.

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-c...8_00911586000P

-alex

There's a few 86s coming out of Houston that'll be there with you that weekend, you should drop by and chat

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I was in the same boat with the show car thing, just started autox and I am loving it. I started 3 weeks ago and I am going to my third event next weekend.

Check out my build it is listed in my signature below. :w00t:

I was on the waiting list for Chin's event, which most H86s are signed up for. I ended up getting accepted, so I'll be going both weekends LOL. My wallet...

Definitely. AutoX was great fun, but I'm doing a bit of an experiment and trying different driving events - AutoX, HPDE, and hopefully a drift event.

I will say though, AutoX in terms of cost and all that makes it highly appealing to me, I really had a great time there. But they say after your first track day, you'll be itchin' for the next.

Ha! I'll see you there with chin!

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I originally had signed up for the Chin Motorsports event at TWS so I could go with more of the Houston 86 Club, since many of them have more experience than me, but was placed on the waiting list and thus signed up with The Drivers Edge at TWS the weekend before.

Well, got a call last week that a spot opened up for Chin Motorsports, so looks like I'm going back-to-back weekends at TWS. My hope is that all the nervousness and excitement of the first weekend will subside and I can see an improvement on the second weekend. I'm planning on running with stock tires both times, so first weekend I'll be focusing on not running off course and into any barriers.

Prep this week will include brake fluid flush from stock fluid to Torque RT700 and stock pads to Project Mu HC+ 800. At least I'll be learning something new.




Side note: found some other pics from the AutoX.
https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5737/2...d88ec174_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5830/2...da42f357_b.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5655/2...92ab91a1_b.jpg

I'll be mounting RE71-Rs, flushing out for rt700 and mounting carbotech pads as prep this week or next :p

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Good plan.

If you have a chance to ride with an instructor, do it. They help immensely when you are first starting out.

Also, check out some Youtube videos of the track before hand. It will help you to become familiar with the track.

Nice. CSG recommended the RT700 and I've read some good reviews, so not too worried about the braking. Also picked up a brake master cylinder brace from a San Antonio AutoX'er for a steal, so good to go there.

Oh, definitely want to ride along on my off-heat time. With the 2nd weekend, hoping to ride along with some of the Houston 86 folks in higher classes to see how our chassis should perform and study their technique. Did that at the AutoX and was amazed at how great the car handles with a better driver - it's like a different vehicle!

Heh... Just drive. See you at TWS Chin.

I've got Cobalt XR2's to install this weekend along with fixing my exhaust leaks and reinstalling my rear diffuser

Getting everything ready for this weekend. I'm driving my car ~2 hours to the track. Is it recommended to have extra set of tires or will the stock Primacy ones be okay after a few weekends?

Assuming the Primacies don't have a lot of wear you should be fine.

Since you are new to the track you won't be able to drive them hard enough to burn them out.

One thing though, make sure you set/check your tire pressures. I found that when I was running the Primacies they like to be at around 35-36 PSI hot. That probably means starting them at about 31-32 cold before you hit the track.

Yes, they are pretty new. Thanks for the pressure recommendation, I'll start from there and adjust accordingly after a few sessions.

Yup, I started the primacies at 26 ish cold which saw 31 when hot on track. After a few laps I had to bump up the tire pressure a few psi

You ran the auto X on the airlift system? Nice thread !

I also ran my Primacies on 31 PSI cold. They worked great and I didn't destroy them. Props for realizing the performance potential instead of hard parking all the time ;)

Yup, and on WORK wheels and Chinese knockoff tires accidentally :lol:

Thanks.. got tired of making all the normal excuses and just decided to go for it.

I agree I am inching for the track next year.

Trying to get video sorted out and will post here.

How long does the buzz last after your first weekend? I'm still feelin good.

Few days, then replaced by the itch to get back out there

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Afterthoughts:

I have a lot to work on with realizing there's more track before the turn - lots of early turn-in/apex. Fixed that, but the next day also started working on using more gears to be in better area of the powerband on track-out, but I can't heel-toe so I was trying to manage braking, rev match, then turn in, resulting in more early apex again. Get good at one thing, add another, then relearn everything it seems :bellyroll:

Car-wise, the airbags performed decently. I let my instructor drive my car both days to demonstrate lines and whatnot and he had no qualms with the setup. I did notice a very small air leak from the front driver side after the event (very small - like 1psi/hr), so will check the lines and think if I want to reseal everything. Of course, I'm an ultra novice, so the bags weren't pushed that hard. Will see what happens the more events I go to and the more comfortable I get with pushing the car harder.

Overall, I had a great time. My instructor was superb and gave some recommended reading material that I've added to my Amazon Christmas wishlist. I definitely want to go to MSR-H in May and will try and see if I have the budget to revisit this track again in April!

Video:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JoCicRk7js"]Texas World Speedway - Nov 2015 - YouTube[/ame]
Mute the audio - it was all wind noise so I just over layed some music.

So I took a friend's FR-S to AutoX this past weekend. One thing that HPDE has really helped with is the fundamentals and priorities in getting a fast time - 1) the line, 2) fast in, 3) fast out. Also, learning how to linearly apply (and release!) the brakes, how to use the accelerator to control grip, and the "string attached to your foot/hands" method helped me a lot in the event.

I felt a lot slower than some of the other cars I saw, especially with regards to how I approached the slaloms and sweeping turns, but I think being smoother on the inputs as opposed to twitchy, while less exhilarating, resulted in faster lap times. So thank you, HPDE!!

Video:
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in8MmI_m4Lw"]Austin 86 Club AutoX - San Antonio Raceway - YouTube[/ame]

The release of the brake pedal is more important than the application, in most cases. That took a LONG time for me to deal with. If you're getting that skill down quickly you're going to be a lot further along in the learning curve than most ;)

every time i go to the track, i want to raise up my car up higher but then everytime i see it, i say why not both?! LOL

http://i925.photobucket.com/albums/a...-CaliPhoto.jpg

Your car looks disgustingly good on track.

Get aircups maybe? Haha, don't think I'd recommend air bags unless track was secondary to show (which I am reconsidering in my life). :lol:

im not a track junkie but i do go 4-6 times a year. but i do love my car being low as well