How much faster is a Pro Driver in your own car?
 

Ever wonder how much potential your car really has if you weren't the limiting factor? I found out at Laguna Seca, my favorite track.

But first I need to provide a bit of background...

I've known Andre Hartanto (2015 Bimmer World IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge Driver) for a number of years. We worked on a few projects together, winning the 2010 Redline Time Attack Super Modified RWD Championship in a NA Honda S2K awhile back.

About a year ago, I purchased a Satin White Pearl BRZ Limited, after a long break from motorsports with the goal of participating as a driver and building a fun, easy to maintain track car.

My friends at RCREW Racing and Elite Performance have done a lot of suspension work to my car, but kept it NA. In my car's current state it conforms to the Modified Class in the 86Cup at 6.75 points.

It turns out that Andre is a regular with SpeedSF, the same group who my friends consistently run with.

1:53.66 is my best lap at Laguna previously. This week with Andre behind the wheel, we also added spring rate (450 lbs front/rear) and added NT01s with great results.

Andre broke into the 1:45's even with me sitting passenger adding unneeded ballast. In Turn 2 the Andretti Hairpin, he does the double apex, and in Turns 3, 4, 5, and 6, he gets on throttle before apex maximizing speed. This is something I do myself, but he applies significantly more throttle and is able to maintain control making full use of the tracks width. Braking is done a lot later, at shorter and increased intensity with a well timed downshift to keep the engine in the power band for corner exit.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...rimaRacing.png

Honestly, for a long period... I thought I had wasted a lot of money modding my car knowing Randy Pobst can run a 1:51 stock, and I couldn't touch that time. But I finally did it... I ran a 1:51.804, after sitting with Andre and gaining confidence in my BRZ. Granted my car is modified with some of the stickiest street tires money can buy, but nevertheless, I'm happy.

Bottom line is the car is capable of so much more than what I knew. With him driving we were chasing down fast high hp machines in Group A in the NA BRZ.

With more practice in later sessions, I was able to knock my lap time down to 1:49.985. I really wanted to break out of the 1:50's before doing further work to my car, and I did it! Super Happy is how I describe my week. I secretly giggle when I'm alone at home. :bonk:

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...guna_61516.png

But yea... what a difference... Andre can run a 1:45 in a NA BRZ at Laguna Seca with 5 or 6 laps in the the car. He thinks there's another 2-3 secs left as is... If I weren't sitting passenger, and he were to go "crazy".

To put this in perspective, see the current 86Cup records for Laguna Seca below.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...up_Records.png

Not to take anything away from anyone above, their times are blazing fast. Plus we're all sitting in good company, I'm running an Ecutek tuned by Eric Lin at Elite, and I think Gary's run faster than 1:44 at Laguna in Simon's car, just maybe not at an 86Cup event. These guys are some of the quickest drivers who run with SpeedSF, chasing down GT3s and M3s, and they've been instrumental in getting this car to where it is. Thanks guys!

TL;DL

Laguna Seca

My Previous Best: 1:53.66
Andre Hartanto: 1:45.902
My New Previous Best: 1:49.985

Truth, driver mod best mod

I've had people hop in my car at an autocross and blow my best time out of the water by a second the first time they ever touched the wheel. Humbling.

Sounds like a good time - thanks for sharing the results!

Sounds like a lovely experience, wish I have opportunity like this.


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I see some quality mods on your car.... I love it.

True, I do feel caught between sticking with what I got vs doing more modification.

I can drive in the 1:50's without much drama, but from what I'm seeing going faster as is requires significantly more steering correction and reaction times. The toughest part about not having power is that its hard to pass cars who are slower overall but fast in the straight and don't have the decency to give you the point by.:sigh:

I think with another 50 whp, I'd be faster and safer at the same time.

Yup after the instructor drove my car the first time I realised I was slow as a snail. Lol.

Since he showed me how much the car could do my confidence in the car and my lap times dropped significantly.

I think every beginner should do this for sure


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Thanks! I read this forum religiously and everyone's product reviews and feedback helped me pick this combination. I frequently look into the archives and read tons of your posts! :thumbsup:

For anyone interested, this is how much power the car is making from another post in the Norcal section.

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/l...Elite_Dyno.png

For power mods I'm running:

• Ecutek Tuned By Elite Performance
• Nameless Long Tube Tri-Y Header with 3 inch Outlet
• JDL 3 inch Overpipe / Front Pipe
• Cosworth Drop In Filter
• Stock Mid Pipe/Muffler (the reduction in noise is worth whatever hp loss)

So its been rumored that the Elite Dyno reads quite low, and I can confirm. Before I sat behind a desk all day for work like I do now, I used to tune cars for a living... And these 173 horses are not lazy.

Seat time > mods.

You can have a fast car on paper or the dyno, but without track time it's worthiness.

Wow! What suspension mods have you done?

• Ohlins R&T (2 Front / 3 Rear)
• Hypercoil 450 lbs F/R
• RacerXFab Front LCA w/ Roll Center Correction & Spherical Bearings
• RacerXFab Front Bumpsteer Correction
• SPL Rear LCA with Spherical Bearings
• SPL Rear Traction Arms
• SPL Rear Toe Arms w/ Eccentric Lock Out
• Spoon Front Subframe Collars
• Revolution Rear Subframe Collars
• Perrin Steering Rack Lockdown
• STI Engine Mounts
• STI Tranny Mount
• 17x9.5 40+ ZE40
• NT01 255/40/17 30 PSI Square
• ARP Extended Wheel Studs on all four corners
• F/R Zero Toe
• -2.5 Front Camber
• -2.0 Rear Camber
• AP Sprint BBK
• Ferodo DS2500 F/R Pads
• Torque 700 Fluid

This setup is very balanced, fun to drive, and has tons of grip. I can't say I've ever run into an issue where it understeered. Despite the big 255 tires, the car still rotates easily with throttle and accelerates adequately.

Whether or not all this is necessary, its hard to say. I really like the feeling of spherical bearings from my experience with other cars, but hate that my car is now classed out of STX. :mad0260:

I can completely understand about having a good driver to show you what your car can do. I do a lot of autocross and it's really humbling to get an 83 second run and be middle of the pack and then my friend hops in my car for a timed fun run and gets a 79 which only a handful of people managed the entire day.

I struggle with this a lot too. Often thinking I should go back to stock suspension and just work on driver mod with just stickier tires and better pads.

Hey Shark,

Are you looking for a more compliant ride, or concerned your mods have unbalanced the chassis, and strictly want to concentrate on driving?