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

[GeorgeJFrick]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

I think it may be a variety of factors. The tires are pretty warn to begin with, it was a used set I picked up last minute for the autox season, and Rivals actually tend to perform better with slipangle. That being said, because it was my first track event, I probably wasn't pushing it as hard as I could have been either. I wasn't letting it drift too much, and I could tell the instructors wouldn't be comfortable with someone so green pushing a car like that at those speeds in a corner. Like I said, I was also running it just in VSC Sport Mode. So I wonder if the aids stepping in had an affect on how the car felt too.

I plan to get a fresh set of tires on it for next year. I'll probably do my first track day next season and see how it feels with different tires. From there assess what to do next. I'm sure the majority of my problems are driver input. lol

Being used tires, how healthy were they? I was almost sold a set that was 'hard'. One of the things I've been doing is touching people's tires when they let me (at track and autocross). Maybe they just weren't a healthy set?

RA is hard; I was good in the kink but thrashed the car in Turn 5, all day. (nose diving).

[DocWalt]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

Unfortunately I was having GoPro issues, so no video. :/

I'd be surprised if I was already hitting the limits of my setup. I know I've got a lot to learn still. I also found it curious that I'd hit the limits of the car before my buddy did on the stock tires. He's also in a BRZ with ST coilovers though, so perhaps that had something to do with him being able to hit higher speeds through the kink.

I know the stock spring rates are tuned to give the car a more loose rear end, and dropping all the weight with the muffler delete and trunk junk (spare, jack, and tools) probably doesn't help that any. That's an additional 54lbs out of the rear.

Perhaps it's time to look for a suspension setup that would give the car more neutral handling.

Bolded a pretty critical piece of info when you're at those sort of speeds... The back of the car turns into a parachute lifting the rear.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if those Rivals are simply trashed.

[redlined600]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

I wasn't perfect every time, it was my first track day afterall. But I kept pretty consistent, although with some early turn ins. By the end of the 1st day I had a pretty good feel for the line, and stayed consistent through the 2nd day for the most part. Even on the times I got the line pretty much perfect it couldn't take any more speed. The instructors all said I had a good consistent line, despite the occasional early turn ins. But anytime I tried to increase entry speed to the kink, the car just didn't feel right.

Didn't feel right or was actually stepping out. It's OK to say you were scared through the kink, it's intimidating and a high risk corner. Especially since it was you first trackday I'd get some more track time before seeking any changes to the car.

[OkieSnuffBox]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

I wasn't perfect every time, it was my first track day afterall. But I kept pretty consistent, although with some early turn ins. By the end of the 1st day I had a pretty good feel for the line, and stayed consistent through the 2nd day for the most part. Even on the times I got the line pretty much perfect it couldn't take any more speed. The instructors all said I had a good consistent line, despite the occasional early turn ins. But anytime I tried to increase entry speed to the kink, the car just didn't feel right.

Slightly OT, but something to keep in mind?

Instructors (especially with your level of experience) are going to teach you the SAFE line through the corner. NOT the fast line.

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by DocWalt

Bolded a pretty critical piece of info when you're at those sort of speeds... The back of the car turns into a parachute lifting the rear.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised if those Rivals are simply trashed.

Yeah, I thought about that too.

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by redlined600

Didn't feel right or was actually stepping out. It's OK to say you were scared through the kink, it's intimidating and a high risk corner. Especially since it was you first trackday I'd get some more track time before seeking any changes to the car.

Stepping out when it should have been gaining traction with throttle on.

Honestly wasn't really scared at those speeds. Wanted to take it faster.

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by ka-t_240

The Kink at Road America is a "scary" corner, many group's prefer to run the motorcycle bend as the Kink is sort of a blind corner with walls on both sides that can cause very very serious accidents. This is one of those Mental corners.

What is the difference in cars? My car on stock tires is actually impressive if you are easy with the right foot, but I have a bunch of suspension work.

As for the carousel, what letter were you aiming for when going under the sign? What gear were you in, 3rd or 4th? After snagging an instructor I was told to aim for the D, and then stay above the line from the pavement until you start turning deeper for the apex. His biggest piece of advise was smooth on the input and patience while waiting for the right time to turn in deeper for the apex cone.

Here is me at Road America:

I rode with one instructor on the first lead follow, a recommendation from my buddy, and he showed me the line he takes around the track. It was a very good line. Other cars seemed all over the place compared to him. When riding with me he told me to aim for the V and ride the line.

At first I was entering it in 3rd, and I think this played into the floaty feeling. Another instructor later had me take it in 4th and it felt much better.

[redlined600]

One more thought in the kink, are you heavily braking (I suspect you are to get down to 85) then trying to accelerate too hard through the corner. Maybe try braking less and only use maintenance throttle to get through there.

85 is pretty leisurely through there and your car definitely should feel planted at that speed.

[ka-t_240]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

I rode with one instructor on the first lead follow, a recommendation from my buddy, and he showed me the line he takes around the track. It was a very good line. Other cars seemed all over the place compared to him. When riding with me he told me to aim for the V and ride the line.

At first I was entering it in 3rd, and I think this played into the floaty feeling. Another instructor later had me take it in 4th and it felt much better.

I would agree, 4th gear is more settling. Its allows you to be smoother with inputs as you're not at the top of the rev range, and you can slowly accelerate thru the corner. My instructor was pushing me thru under D, and had me stay wider, I felt more confident following this line and it also gives you a better point/line to accelerate past where they place the APEX cone.

[ka-t_240]

Originally Posted by redlined600

One more thought in the kink, are you heavily braking (I suspect you are to get down to 85) then trying to accelerate too hard through the corner. Maybe try braking less and only use maintenance throttle to get through there.

85 is pretty leisurely through there and your car definitely should feel planted at that speed.

I was thinking this as well.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

I rode with one instructor on the first lead follow, a recommendation from my buddy, and he showed me the line he takes around the track. It was a very good line. Other cars seemed all over the place compared to him. When riding with me he told me to aim for the V and ride the line.

At first I was entering it in 3rd, and I think this played into the floaty feeling. Another instructor later had me take it in 4th and it felt much better.

Remember that just how quality of parts can vary widely, quality of instructors can vary too. Just being experienced, or fast, doesn't necessarily mean they're a great instructor as well.

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Remember that just how quality of parts can vary widely, quality of instructors can vary too. Just being experienced, or fast, doesn't necessarily mean they're a great instructor as well.

Absolutely. This guy was actually a good instructor too.

[Shark_Bait88]

Originally Posted by redlined600

One more thought in the kink, are you heavily braking (I suspect you are to get down to 85) then trying to accelerate too hard through the corner. Maybe try braking less and only use maintenance throttle to get through there.

85 is pretty leisurely through there and your car definitely should feel planted at that speed.

If I'm entering at 85 there really isn't too much braking, just a light tap. At 85 the car feels very planted. It's when I tried to go through around 90 or a little faster that the car would get squirrely on the exit.

[CSG Mike]

Originally Posted by Shark_Bait88

If I'm entering at 85 there really isn't too much braking, just a light tap. At 85 the car feels very planted. It's when I tried to go through around 90 or a little faster that the car would get squirrely on the exit.

If it's a bit loose, but you're still on throttle, I'd say go with 90