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

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by becauseracecar1

Do you guys recommend putting that blue painters tape on my car for trackdays or is that only a auto x thing?

Thanks!!

Only a newbie thing.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I'd recommend you run 0 toe in the rear, and learn to control the car.

A larger front sway will only make the car understeer more at terminal, and make any oversteers come on faster/harder. Roll isn't a bad thing. Have you seen who much roll we get with 10k/12k?

If your objective is lap times, then leave TC/VSC on. If your objective is to learn to drive the car, then turn TC/VSC off. Right now, at your level of driving, the two are mutually exclusive. You need to decide which is more important, your lap time or your driving progression. I'll tell you now that focusing on your driving will ultimately result in faster times.

I make a lot of small corrections because I'm trying to stay on the right line, not because I'm fighting for control. If I were past the limit of grip, there wouldn't be any grip left to correct with.

I've said this over and over: Seat time is king.

http://www.trackhq.com/forums/f221/w...-perfect-6419/

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by becauseracecar1

Do you guys recommend putting that blue painters tape on my car for trackdays or is that only a auto x thing?

Thanks!!

The only reason to put that tape on would be on the bottom half of your windshield so you are forced to look ahead...

-mike

[jjaisli]

So this is kind of a silly question and probably the ultimate noob thought, but here it goes. I'm going to an event, by myself, it's too far to drive there and back in one day. So I'm going to have an overnight bag, maybe a camera, a phone, a folder with some paperwork, along with the usual 'emergency' items you might have in your trunk (fluids, repair kit, etch). Exactly what does everybody do with these items while you're on the track? Obviously you can't (or at leas shouldn't) leave them in your trunk. So what do you do with them?

I guess every track and event is a bit different. But what passes for conventional wisdom? Is it just like at the beach where you leave your supplies somewhere and sort of hope/trust that nobody touches anybody's stuff?

In truth, this is the very least of my worries, but I just keep wondering.

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by jjaisli

So this is kind of a silly question and probably the ultimate noob thought, but here it goes. I'm going to an event, by myself, it's too far to drive there and back in one day. So I'm going to have an overnight bag, maybe a camera, a phone, a folder with some paperwork, along with the usual 'emergency' items you might have in your trunk (fluids, repair kit, etch). Exactly what does everybody do with these items while you're on the track? Obviously you can't (or at leas shouldn't) leave them in your trunk. So what do you do with them?

I guess every track and event is a bit different. But what passes for conventional wisdom? Is it just like at the beach where you leave your supplies somewhere and sort of hope/trust that nobody touches anybody's stuff?

In truth, this is the very least of my worries, but I just keep wondering.

Generally you will leave your stuff where you paddock, I don't know of anyone in 12+ years of doing this that has had anything stolen. Eventually you will friend someone with a trailer and then you end up stowing your stuff in their truck or trailer.

-mike

[jjaisli]

Thanks Mike. I'm less worried about my dirty clothes than I am about say, my camera equipment. It's a bit of a hobby for me and I actually love taking motorsports shots. But tempting as it is, the more I think about it, it's probably for the best if I would just leave everything home or it's going to end up being nothing but a big distraction.

EDIT: That said, let me know if you bring a trailer.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by CSG David

I've been away from the track for a long time so I'm focusing on my driving skill rather than absolute times. Even though I was lapping approximately 2:04 to 2:06 at CVR that one day in my own car (based on video and times from other cars), I cared more about taking the right line and learning zero counter more than laptimes themselves. It will translate to sub-2 minutes in the future, but for now, confidence and driving skill are more important.

Originally Posted by AZP Installs

As you already know, being smooth always translates to being faster. Timed or not.

I also don't remember when I last timed myself other than as you have anecdotally for reference. You KNOW when you have a fast lap and when you have a tense lap that isn't fast but feels fast cause you did it all wrong.

-Mike Paisan


Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Enthusiasts since 2001.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

I think I got it now. I guess my mindset and approach was completely wrong. This is exactly the reason why I was so 'worried' about lap times. Instead of of worrying (concentrating my efforts) about what to do to actually progress and skill set development my mind was entirely on lap times. The most counterproductive thing possible in my position. Dang... wasted track day. At least now I know why I went backwards on this trackday.

Now I can reset and restart for my next one.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I'd recommend you run 0 toe in the rear, and learn to control the car.

A larger front sway will only make the car understeer more at terminal, and make any oversteers come on faster/harder. Roll isn't a bad thing. Have you seen who much roll we get with 10k/12k?

If your objective is lap times, then leave TC/VSC on. If your objective is to learn to drive the car, then turn TC/VSC off. Right now, at your level of driving, the two are mutually exclusive. You need to decide which is more important, your lap time or your driving progression. I'll tell you now that focusing on your driving will ultimately result in faster times.

I make a lot of small corrections because I'm trying to stay on the right line, not because I'm fighting for control. If I were past the limit of grip, there wouldn't be any grip left to correct with.

I've said this over and over: Seat time is king.

The main problem I had initially that made me consider sway bar(you suggested at SoW last summer) and ended up getting -1" springs to address, I think might have been corrected by simply adding camber to the rear. My factory setting were LR: -0.4 to -0.5 RR: -1.0 camber before adjustment. Too bad you have to go to aftermarket for this adjustment.

The amount of roll with the factory setup is not confidence inspiring compared to the stiffness and feel I gained with the swift springs I had on previously. Not saying you're wrong about the terminal under. Just looking for something to give confidence to push harder (which the springs did for me).

I don't want faster lap times, I want the skill set to give me faster lap times.

[solidONE]

Originally Posted by orthojoe

Then there may be hope...

I know what you were trying to say now. Could have been less douchey about it, tho. lol I kid I kid.

[jvincent]

Originally Posted by solidONE

I think I got it now. I guess my mindset and approach was completely wrong. This is exactly the reason why I was so 'worried' about lap times. Instead of of worrying (concentrating my efforts) about what to do to actually progress and skill set development my mind was entirely on lap times.

This is true of anything. Once you start worrying about the result, you are toast.

If you have practiced/trained properly, just do what you trained to do and you will naturally get your best result.

[orthojoe]

Originally Posted by solidONE

I think I got it now. I guess my mindset and approach was completely wrong. This is exactly the reason why I was so 'worried' about lap times. Instead of of worrying (concentrating my efforts) about what to do to actually progress and skill set development my mind was entirely on lap times. The most counterproductive thing possible in my position. Dang... wasted track day. At least now I know why I went backwards on this trackday.

Now I can reset and restart for my next one.

He finally gets it.

Originally Posted by solidONE

I know what you were trying to say now. Could have been less douchey about it, tho. lol I kid I kid.

No, I'm a dbag. I call it like it is. I fully admit I have no patience for this kind of stuff, which is why I've never accepted any instructor positions and only instruct friends I know well because I can yell at them. Fortunately you have some nice guys here like mike, david, AZP, etc to hammer the point home.

Originally Posted by solidONE

The main problem I had initially that made me consider sway bar(you suggested at SoW last summer) and ended up getting -1" springs to address, I think might have been corrected by simply adding camber to the rear. My factory setting were LR: -0.4 to -0.5 RR: -1.0 camber before adjustment. Too bad you have to go to aftermarket for this adjustment.

The amount of roll with the factory setup is not confidence inspiring compared to the stiffness and feel I gained with the swift springs I had on previously. Not saying you're wrong about the terminal under. Just looking for something to give confidence to push harder (which the springs did for me).

Another piece of advice that I ALWAYS get push back on from every single newb:

Leave your damn car STOCK (except for brake pads and alignment) until you know how to properly drive it. You are very likely making the car WORSE or slowing yourself down (at best it doesn't change a thing) with a set of springs that weren't matched to the dampers you are using. Everyone thinks they can outsmart an OEM engineer by adding a bar or spring here and there. They are professionals with a budget that dwarfs yours. Think about it.

Nobody listens, nobody buys into it. Ever. You won't either. Then you'll advance far enough and realize it's the truth. We're all guilty of it (myself included). This is one of the points that I don't push anymore because everyone needs to learn this for themselves.

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by solidONE

I think I got it now. I guess my mindset and approach was completely wrong. This is exactly the reason why I was so 'worried' about lap times. Instead of of worrying (concentrating my efforts) about what to do to actually progress and skill set development my mind was entirely on lap times. The most counterproductive thing possible in my position. Dang... wasted track day. At least now I know why I went backwards on this trackday.

Now I can reset and restart for my next one.

Think during down times. Focus on driving when you're driving.

[gramicci101]

For you experienced racing types, would it be beneficial to watch videos of laps at your upcoming track to try to get a decent idea of the route before you show up?

[CSG David]

Originally Posted by gramicci101

For you experienced racing types, would it be beneficial to watch videos of laps at your upcoming track to try to get a decent idea of the route before you show up?

It's a good idea to figure out if you need to go left or right, but what videos do not convey as well as realistic perception is elevation, depth, and how wide the track is. It's always different driving on track vs. checking out video.

On another note, I faded the Dixcel RA1 pads around this corner and I couldn't scrub enough speed so I trailbraked into the corkscrew at LS. I originally caught the slide, but the downhill right hander pulled the rearend out. It's hard to see that banked right hander, but dude, it pulls you hard!

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkyNiYXqbkk"]S2000 Corkscrew Spin - YouTube[/ame]