Got a track related question? I'll try to answer.

[frslee]

Not FRS/BRZ related, but my friend will be taking his WRX to track for the first time.
Since first timer, should he keep his traction control on?

His current suspension/brake/tires are
BC Coilover
HP+ front
HPS rear
Hankook Ventus V12

[fooddude]

I think this might be a good question:

-I am a total track n00b. Planning to start going to track days, and start off my first times/season completely stock (except pads and fluid). For the first times/season, I just basically want to learn the ins and outs, etiquette, basics of track involvement and driving (lines, braking, speeds, beginner techniques, etc., etc.). Now, my question - should I start with all aids completely off?

I had an SR powered S13 in the past with a similar torsen lsd (from a j30) from about '98-2002 or '03 (before that was an EG..but I guess that doesn't count, since it's an FF). After the S13, I got a little '04 Tacoma Prerunner Reg Cab, and still have it and drive it to this day; so an additional 10 years of DDing another rwd car that had no sort of futuristic tractions aids. So, I think I'm not totally incompetent with an analog rwd car and I think I am decently versed in taking it easy and safely balancing a rwd. I besides that, I have no experience with new traction aided cars.

So..should I start with all aids off my first hpde beginner season?

[ayau]

You'll eventually want all traction control off if you want to become a better driver. You don't have to. Whatever you're more comfortable with. I feel like it's more about a comfort thing more than anything. If you're not comfortable, then it'll be difficult to learn.

How much room is there to make a mistake? I'd run VSC Sport at a minimum. Once you're comfortable, then you can disable traction.

[kavanagh]

I've only done three HPDE so far (latest was this past Sunday) and I've left traction control on most of the time.
The thing is, if you're smooth, then TC has no reason to interrupt you. If your slip angle goes too high, then it'll step in. I actually found VSC sport mode more intrusive than just leaving it alone the way it is when you start the car.
Fwiw I learned to drive in 1984 in a '74 Datsun Bluebird 1800 SSS and have owned more cars without TC than with.
Eventually you'll probably prefer to have it all off. I disable it now but only for more fun.


Sent from a secret volcano base using trained sharks

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by normancw

Would you recommend a baffled oil pan, like the FBM or RacerX oil pans under development, to help prevent oil starvation?

I haven't seen any signs of oil starvation on the CSG car, or any other FRS/BRZ I've driven.

This includes some highly modded cars on Hoosiers...

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by frslee

Not FRS/BRZ related, but my friend will be taking his WRX to track for the first time.
Since first timer, should he keep his traction control on?

His current suspension/brake/tires are
BC Coilover
HP+ front
HPS rear
Hankook Ventus V12

Nope.

He'll COOK his brakes if he does...

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by fooddude

I think this might be a good question:

-I am a total track n00b. Planning to start going to track days, and start off my first times/season completely stock (except pads and fluid). For the first times/season, I just basically want to learn the ins and outs, etiquette, basics of track involvement and driving (lines, braking, speeds, beginner techniques, etc., etc.). Now, my question - should I start with all aids completely off?

I had an SR powered S13 in the past with a similar torsen lsd (from a j30) from about '98-2002 or '03 (before that was an EG..but I guess that doesn't count, since it's an FF). After the S13, I got a little '04 Tacoma Prerunner Reg Cab, and still have it and drive it to this day; so an additional 10 years of DDing another rwd car that had no sort of futuristic tractions aids. So, I think I'm not totally incompetent with an analog rwd car and I think I am decently versed in taking it easy and safely balancing a rwd. I besides that, I have no experience with new traction aided cars.

So..should I start with all aids off my first hpde beginner season?

Absolutely. It sounds like you already have an idea of what the aids will be doing anyways

[fooddude]

With pedal-dance-off mode... will the "ice mode" I've read about be a problem for me during n00b hpde1 sessions?

I believe it is mostly a concern/problem with quick fast pumps, lfb, etc., during technical autox, correct? ..so is track fine?

A summary would be great about the ice-mode problem in pedal dance mode. Like.. what most likely activates it, the cause, how to avoid it, solutions, etc. What exactly is ice mode, and is it dangerous? Does it lock up the brakes or something, or cause you to understeer to the extreme locked up (like straight into the dirt)?

Also, during pedal dance mode..is the VSC/TC completely disabled and never going to just "spontaneously" kick in out of nowhere? ..even if the buttons are pushed?


I honestly wish (I'm sure most do too, especially on here, lol) all this electronic mumbo jumbo was permanently off all the time, even for DD use. Then it'd behave like my old S13 again ...analog rwd's were fine for decades..why fix something that aint broke.

..then we wouldn't have all these dangerous "ice mode" and TC/VSC aids kicking in out of nowhere and without caution... those things just seem scary and make the car really unsafe.

[Carlysh]

Hi @CSG Mike I have a question regarding my tire I read you tip of putting a quarter on the tire but it reach to the cheek almost at the mouth my stock tires have 14k miles with 3 autocross event so don't really need know if I should buy tires or go with the stock tires my event is in april 27 on Sebring tha ks

[TEWwild]

@CSGMike, I'm thinking of upgrading to the AP Racing Sprint BBK, my only concern is that I'm currently running OEM wheels/tires while still learning the car on the track. I did previously burn through a set of BFG Rivals but have found the abundance of OEM tires available for cheap a better choice when it comes to learning car control on the track. In my experience so far, I've was averaging about 1'32" before I finished off the Rivals and now that I'm back on OEM's, averaging 1' 35". I am having hella fun learning and want to slowly upgrade the car, biggest problem I've had is overheating the brakes. I have already replaced the fluid with stop tech STR 600, put on SS brake lines and stop tech street performance pads. After tons of reading on here, I think the Sprint Kit is the best way to go from here. My only reservation is having to run a spacer to keep using my OEM wheels. (I picked up a second set of OEM wheels/tires cheap so I can run a set of track tires eventually and want to keep this ability for the time being). The big question, is it safe to run spacers on the track and if so, do you know what size spacer I would need?

[dp1]

Originally Posted by TEWwild

@CSGMike, I'm thinking of upgrading to the AP Racing Sprint BBK, my only concern is that I'm currently running OEM wheels/tires while still learning the car on the track. I did previously burn through a set of BFG Rivals but have found the abundance of OEM tires available for cheap a better choice when it comes to learning car control on the track. In my experience so far, I've was averaging about 1'32" before I finished off the Rivals and now that I'm back on OEM's, averaging 1' 35". I am having hella fun learning and want to slowly upgrade the car, biggest problem I've had is overheating the brakes. I have already replaced the fluid with stop tech STR 600, put on SS brake lines and stop tech street performance pads. After tons of reading on here, I think the Sprint Kit is the best way to go from here. My only reservation is having to run a spacer to keep using my OEM wheels. (I picked up a second set of OEM wheels/tires cheap so I can run a set of track tires eventually and want to keep this ability for the time being). The big question, is it safe to run spacers on the track and if so, do you know what size spacer I would need?

I got 12mm spacers from amazon and I have about 3-4mm clearance from the closest point of the rims to the Sprint caliper, with stock rims. I had read that 10mm was sufficient but wanted to be safe. Haven't used them on track yet but planning to.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/12mm-5x100-Hubcentric-Wheel-Spacers/dp/B00A7I2TU4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_auto_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=1J9T7H83SKS8C 9FEF19T"]Amazon.com: 2pc 12mm (1/2") 5x100 Hubcentric Wheel Spacers - for Scion FRS FR-S Subaru WRX Impreza (56.1 bore): Automotive[/ame]

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Carlysh

Hi @CSG Mike I have a question regarding my tire I read you tip of putting a quarter on the tire but it reach to the cheek almost at the mouth my stock tires have 14k miles with 3 autocross event so don't really need know if I should buy tires or go with the stock tires my event is in april 27 on Sebring tha ks

If it's your first event, you'll be okay

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by fooddude

With pedal-dance-off mode... will the "ice mode" I've read about be a problem for me during n00b hpde1 sessions?

I believe it is mostly a concern/problem with quick fast pumps, lfb, etc., during technical autox, correct? ..so is track fine?

A summary would be great about the ice-mode problem in pedal dance mode. Like.. what most likely activates it, the cause, how to avoid it, solutions, etc. What exactly is ice mode, and is it dangerous? Does it lock up the brakes or something, or cause you to understeer to the extreme locked up (like straight into the dirt)?

Also, during pedal dance mode..is the VSC/TC completely disabled and never going to just "spontaneously" kick in out of nowhere? ..even if the buttons are pushed?


I honestly wish (I'm sure most do too, especially on here, lol) all this electronic mumbo jumbo was permanently off all the time, even for DD use. Then it'd behave like my old S13 again ...analog rwd's were fine for decades..why fix something that aint broke.

..then we wouldn't have all these dangerous "ice mode" and TC/VSC aids kicking in out of nowhere and without caution... those things just seem scary and make the car really unsafe.

Ice mode is engageed when you go from gas to MASHING the brake pedal VERY quickly.

I've never engaged it under normal driving, even when I'm doing for hot/record laps. I can force it to happen, but I also need to go DEEP into ABS engagement to do so.

Correct, everything is disabled except the ABS.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by TEWwild

@CSGMike, I'm thinking of upgrading to the AP Racing Sprint BBK, my only concern is that I'm currently running OEM wheels/tires while still learning the car on the track. I did previously burn through a set of BFG Rivals but have found the abundance of OEM tires available for cheap a better choice when it comes to learning car control on the track. In my experience so far, I've was averaging about 1'32" before I finished off the Rivals and now that I'm back on OEM's, averaging 1' 35". I am having hella fun learning and want to slowly upgrade the car, biggest problem I've had is overheating the brakes. I have already replaced the fluid with stop tech STR 600, put on SS brake lines and stop tech street performance pads. After tons of reading on here, I think the Sprint Kit is the best way to go from here. My only reservation is having to run a spacer to keep using my OEM wheels. (I picked up a second set of OEM wheels/tires cheap so I can run a set of track tires eventually and want to keep this ability for the time being). The big question, is it safe to run spacers on the track and if so, do you know what size spacer I would need?

Spacers are safe. You'll need 10mm spacers, open ended lug nuts, and extended studs to run them safely and clear the AP Sprint kit.

Let us know when you want to purchase