My track Setup

[drewbot]

Originally Posted by Magiclow

I understand that my driving sucks a big one, and that is why I am posting here to hoping to get more info and develop myself.

Admitting lack of track time and experience is the first step to improvement. Don't be like this guy:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7iUKaPlBl8"]Trackday Comedy - FLAT OUT - YouTube[/ame]

[Magiclow]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

The bold and the italicized are mutually exclusive.

If you want to go fast, you need to back off, and calm/smooth out your driving.

1. you run a suspension setup that heavily overloads the front before the rear.
2. you're running a softer, street suspension on the track.
3. your mods essentially do nothing for power.

1a. get a rear sway bar, and run with the pedal dance.
2a. you can do both AND rear sway bars, and set the front to soft/med and the rear to med/stiff
3a. get forced induction, or run ethanol, or both.

Hey Mike, Thank you! thank you so much for your reply.

1. The reason I run those type of camber is because when I drive, with traction off. (holding 3 secs), my car spins out. (prob becuase I am too heavy with the gas), which leads me to believe that isn't the pedal dance even more aggressive in terms of losing the stability control, I mean I can't even contain myself with just traction off, doing the pedal dance would turn off the ABS would result in me flying across the track? would endlinks make them "perform better"?

2. Would you be able to recommend a stiffer setting for my V3? without forking out another 2-3k on a different set of coils?

3. I will be looking at FI later, but not now as I don't think I have the capability to utilize it yet, but if I do, I will definitely give you guys a shout.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Magiclow

Hey Mike, Thank you! thank you so much for your reply.

1. The reason I run those type of camber is because when I drive, with traction off. (holding 3 secs), my car spins out. (prob becuase I am too heavy with the gas), which leads me to believe that isn't the pedal dance even more aggressive in terms of losing the stability control, I mean I can't even contain myself with just traction off, doing the pedal dance would turn off the ABS would result in me flying across the track? would endlinks make them "perform better"?

2. Would you be able to recommend a stiffer setting for my V3? without forking out another 2-3k on a different set of coils?

3. I will be looking at FI later, but not now as I don't think I have the capability to utilize it yet, but if I do, I will definitely give you guys a shout.

1. Your car spins out because you are erratic with your steering, and are causing huge weight transfers that manifest as spins. Slow down your steering inputs. This little to do with your throttle input; you're on 245 RS3, with an essentially stock engine. You're not making enough power to spin the rear tires. The spins are a function of your steering wheel input.

2. You can always put on a 1kg/mm higher spring in the rear, or a 1kg/mm softer in the front. Based on the posts i've seen, I'd recommend NO changes for the time being, until you fix your steering input.

3. A faster car is a faster car, but a faster driver is faster in any car. Excellent decision here


A better buy would be some used gopros so you can watch yourself drive, and perhaps a datalogger like the AIM Solo DL, so that your harsh inputs can be quantified into data that you can see. Data does not lie.

[Lynxis]

Something that I found helps a surprising amount is to have someone who is really good drive your car and watch how they handle it. You'll learn all kinds of things about your car and how far you can push it when you watch someone else driving it. I had no idea how lethargic I was with my steering inputs until I sat with a friend and watched how he did it and it made a big difference. Having someone more experienced drive your car may also make them able to suggest modifications you should make to help counter weaknesses they find in your setup that your inexperience may not be able to detect yet.

[Magiclow]

Guys I just wanted to say thank you for all your recommendation and support. I do have a gopro, and I have been taking videos of myself, and I do notice some improvements from day one to now, Special thanks to Mike and Jvincent for your support and recommendation.

[strat61caster]

My first coach was a bit like the video below, when to brake, turn, unwind the wheel and accelerate, this shit is hard and it's easy to think you're doing ok until something opens your eyes, whether it's a slow car blowing your doors off, a ride-along with a good driver, or some good coaching taking you into new territory.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5rpFXdWtK4"]Top Gear - James May & Jackie Stewart - Fast Driving Lesson with TVR Tuscan - YouTube[/ame]



Definitely work on driving first, try to find a group with a good reputation for local instruction. Not sure how the KW's change the dynamics but I would be surprised if it was enough to warrant the camber you've got, I would think -2 front, -1.5 rear would be a good streetable starting point once you tidy up your line.

Edit: Keep it up, awesome that you're humble, many people aren't.

[e1_griego]

My personal experience wasn't so much seeing someone drive my car fast while I rode passenger so much as feeling someone driving my car fast and what the weight shifts felt like, how the car was being balanced, etc.

But definitely +100 to instruction from someone who knows what they're doing.

[OkieSnuffBox]

^That was my big help when I had my awesome instructor. However, I was already very familiar with my local track (and weight transfer) from my sport bike days.

The big thing she showed is what the car would do on the brakes. It's nuts what a well setup car, on Rcomps can do on the brakes if you're even an INtermidate level driver like me.

She blew me away on the brake pedal, it was cool to feel what the car was capable of.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by Magiclow

I personally think my setup is alright, but when I was on track I just can't seem to take the corners as fast as I wished it would be.

How fast is fast? Part of the problem is your perception vs your reality.

You usually drive fast when you make little mistakes. You'd be surprised at how much your lap times can improve when you drive boring and smooth.

Anyone can floor a car and accelerate. Not everyone can do the same coming out of a corner properly. A few can enter a turn correctly. The fast guys link all 3 together.

-alex

[AyJay]

Magiclow... I like how you you've handled yourself in this thread after some of the tough love (some might go as far as saying douchy) things you've already encountered.


I think you'll find that your humble and ego-less approach will help you shorten your learning curve as you'll be able to learn and ask questions despite the judgments you may receive (especially on the internet).


My 0.02: Stop modding. Don't do anything else. As others have said, keep collecting seat time until you are consistent enough to evaluate the setup you have. I've observed noob drivers (including myself 3 track days in) aren't consistent enough with their techniques (lines/braking points/throttle application/etc) from lap to lap to even make solid evaluations of what changes/issues they are trying to solve by modding. Keep modding with out incremental subtle adjustment and you'll always be shooting at a moving target IMO.


Also, as others have said, Instructors are awesome resources. Your peers can also be awesome resources. You have a platform in the 86 that a lot of very experienced drivers are running. With your humble approach, I'm sure you'll have no trouble getting tips, advice, troubleshooting, etc from the local hotshoes with the same car as you. Try building a rapport with these guys and once you figure out the experts from the frauds then pick their brains for all they are worth. Chances are they may have fought many of the same battles with handling balance, braking, heat mgmt, etc. you are about to fight.

[OkieSnuffBox]

^Yes, what this guy said!

Don't worry about being faster (at the HPDE level, I know we all want to get faster) until you can go out and string together a session of laps within .5-.7s of each (traffic notwithstanding).

Once you can be consistent, the speed naturally follows. Because you'll be able to self-analyze and see what you are doing.

[Magiclow]

Thank you! Thank you! I knew the real track masters will show up eventually.

I will continue to work hard and develop myself, I have my next season planned already, with track days and respectable drivers in my community.

I appreciate all your help. I really do, I am glad so many pros here are willing to lend a helping hand.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Magiclow

Thank you! Thank you! I knew the real track masters will show up eventually.

I will continue to work hard and develop myself, I have my next season planned already, with track days and respectable drivers in my community.

I appreciate all your help. I really do, I am glad so many pros here are willing to lend a helping hand.

This subforum is especially harsh to newcomers, as many questions have been asked over and over (and over and over and over and over and over).

Focus on driving, and the rest will come naturally (speed, setup knowledge, etc.)

Although it may be a bit pricey to fly me out, I'm always available for coaching. I typically book up 6-8 weeks in advance, but I guarantee you will have results.

[phastafrican]

No one called this as trolling?