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It's been awhile since I updated. Since the last time I posted about my time on track, I've been on three track days, including today. The first two were again counterclockwise configuration at H2R, but I had the benefit of some instruction this go around and that really helped. I'm more comfortable with that configuration, but the whole time I was really not enjoying these Hankook RS4s.
Today the track was back in clockwise configuration which I'm much more familiar/confident on. I pushed it hard and just kept getting severe understeer in several corners and washing out despite not even carrying that much speed (I was 6-7 seconds off my normal pace with AD08Rs following a similar rhythm). I got pretty frustrated and really felt like these tires weren't doing it for me, but I asked for some advice around the clubhouse and got lucky enough that one of the more competitive Miata drivers was there and he exclusively runs Hankook RS4s. He suggested my issue was the RS4s like a /lot/ less pressure than the AD08Rs. I pulled 3psi out of all of them and went back out and it was a night and day difference.
Despite a pretty significant improvement, I still am quite a bit slower (about 3 seconds) right now with the Hankook RS4s. I'm not sure how much of that is lack of driver confidence on my part and how much is tire difference. Knowing what I do now, I'd like to see if I can't go back out next weekend, start off with a lower cold pressure and then really push it. I was playing it a bit safe today because of the temperatures as well, I didn't get out early enough to be on track before it got hot.
For reference, historically I've ran 31psi cold in my AD08Rs, with great results. I'm finding that the RS4s want around 28psi cold. The RS4s grip really well, but they have a very weird "feel" to them, which makes me not sure if they're going to hold or not, where with the AD08Rs I was certain of the hold. I think I could take more aggressive lines with the RS4s, but I'm giving time up on lack of driver confidence due to difference in tire feel. Definitely something I need to work to overcome.
I'm super-tempted to just go back to the AD08Rs, but I feel like there's something I can learn by pressing on with the RS4s and learning to drive them. I think there's a lot of finesse to working with different tire compounds that I haven't developed yet. So I'm hoping just more seat time and I will start feeling what I need.
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