My day at the track

[LanceS13]

This Saturday, I attended another awesome lapping day at NoProblem Raceway south of BR, LA. Of course, it wasn't really competition but it was still fun.
I got so many compliments about my driving and how the car was making its way around the track. One guy that was timing people at random said I was one of the faster street cars out there...trailing mainly a 500hp Saleen S351 and an S2000 both on R tires (I'm on Kuhmo 712's). My "sort of mentor" told me he believed I was limited by my tires...and I'm beginning to see why Mark and some of the others don't like the 712's that much--still a good tire for the price, though, I think.
I improved my braking alot since the last event...completely annihilated a set of AutoZone pads.:)
And I managed to have my very first off-track excursion...actually my very first spin ever in this car at an track/autox event. Luckily it was in one of the slower sections and I came to a stop in the grassy infield.
But the topper for the day was when a guy with a $30k+ car ('97 Boxter) was absolutely impressed with my sub-$5k car. (BTW, I was faster than he was, too :biggrin: ).
Here's a nice pic of me in the carousel before the front strait (that's another slow Porsche in the background <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'> ).


ps...is my sig working

(Edited by LanceS13 at 11:54 pm on Feb. 11, 2002)

[wherezmytofu]

so the porch is clear and your carz an x?........:P

[gregshin]

Lance what happened to the Nak SUB you were gonna install??!!!!

[240sxspeedracer1]

um, why was ur window open, doent that like slow u down and shit, and also creates some distraction towards urself?

[HippoSleek]

I'm jealous this week, but in two weeks (provided I don't get shipped out of town on business :confused: ), I'll have some news for you from VIR! &nbsp;

Sounds like a great event - there is always something about zipping past Porsches and BMWs that gives you a :cheesy:. &nbsp;Did you use the NASSCAR pads from Autozone? &nbsp;I was thinking about using them in the rear (I've heard really good stories about them:shocked: ).

As for the 712's, it seems that a few people are starting to complain. &nbsp;I picked up old skool RE71s from Tirerack last week. &nbsp;I hope they get scuffed up enough b/f VIR b/c I almost looped it two nights ago doing a baby turn!

And no - your sig is not working, but I hope it's not a giant chick (I really hate that one). &nbsp;Wherez - couldn't you just live w/o her? &nbsp;Some of us are at work and don't really need 4 inch prone women on our monitors <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=';)'>

[Drifting Ricer]

punks I still have to wait untill april to have some fun. I feel blue <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> . Still got kart racing to brush up on my skillz!
Ace is goin down.

Just a couple of months, Just a couple of months the tension is killing me..........
Any tips for me on how to be better driver for auto X?

[LanceS13]

wherezmytofu:
so the pic isn't working?

gregshin:
yeah, it's installed. &nbsp;It doesn't have the mid range my old 8's had but it does sound good. &nbsp;I'm guessing replacing and hooking back up the 4x6 rear speakers would help out there. &nbsp;Overall I'm satisfied, but now I need the highs and mids to match....no money now, but any suggestions for future reference would be appreciated.

240sxspeedracer1:
how many racecars do you see with side windows......hmmmm....none. &nbsp;All they have is a window net. &nbsp;They require us to have both windows down....I'm guessing so we can hear corner workers' yells if we don't see a waving yellow flag, or hear tires screaching....it's not a distraction, rather it heightens the senses.

HippoSleek:
I've heard a good bit about VIR....I'd like to try it out one day. &nbsp;What's the track fee there?
Nah...I didn't use the NASCAR pads. &nbsp;I just had the lifetime warranty pads and some Valvoline Synthetic brake fluid. &nbsp;I really don't think my braking distances could have been reduced any more. &nbsp;Like the old guy said, my limit was my tires. &nbsp;As soon as I hit the brakes, I had the tires at 100%...sometimes 110% getting a little trailbraking rotation on a couple of the turns.:) &nbsp;The brake fluid held up very well, too...the brakes actually seemed to get firmer throughout the day, only fading occasionally.
And no...the sig isn't a chick....just a smaller version of the pic in the post. &nbsp;What's wrong with webshots? &nbsp;Anybody want to put that pic on their server for me?<img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':)'>

Drifting Ricer:
Slow is fast. &nbsp;I know it sounds weird, but in autox, the confines are so tight that smooth methodical driving always yields faster times than balls out. &nbsp;The trick is being smooth and quick....which only comes with practice. &nbsp;Other than that, get plenty of rest, plenty of food, and plenty of fluid. &nbsp;My friend with the Miata was up 'til 2am at, I assume, various Marti Gras related goings on, and he spun twice in his first session. &nbsp;So never underestimate the importance of a good night's sleep.

[sykikchimp]

I thought you had a black 240 lance?? &nbsp;thats a mighty nice silver color though.

[tnord]

actually........you have to have the windows down so if you roll the car they can reach in and drag you out without having to open the door, look at a race suit, it has two loops on the shoulders for the safety crew to grab onto and drag you out the window

[tnord]

i had RE71's on my Z32........grip like #### but wear quickly

[LanceS13]

Nah sykikchimp, I want to paint it black. The car is actually that light beige color. The photo is a little light. &nbsp;Anybody want to photoshop it black so I can see what it'll look like?

Thanks for the explanation tnord...I knew it was more to it than that.

(Edited by LanceS13 at 11:32 pm on Feb. 11, 2002)

[HippoSleek]

You should definately come up for a VIR event. &nbsp;From here it is about a 4.5 hour drive - don't know how far for you, but since ATL is about 8(?) for me, I'd guess it's about 6? to VIR for you? &nbsp;The one in two weeks is a two day deal w/ eight 25 min. sessions for $239 retail through Speedtrial (and I paid $199 w/ another discount :biggrin:). &nbsp;Track time is getting cheap around here!

I don't see an instructor in your car? &nbsp;Did you get signed off or were you running in advanced? &nbsp;Either way, great pic - I hope to get a few of me and uuninja soon.

Drifting - the &quot;slow is fast&quot; mantra is the best advice you will ever get for autox. &nbsp;It's also the thing I'm worst at <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> &nbsp;Here's what I try to tell myself - Even if you only get three runs, go slow enough to learn the course or stay on course and just be smooth. &nbsp;When the runs are few, I get rushed thinking I've got to go fast in all three to do well and wind up OC (off course = no time) or driving too fast for the course and scrubbing off too much speed. &nbsp;

[Zemus]

Do you guys know of any good tracks in Minnesota, I feel like my peralized <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':('> Their is nothing good in MN, its like the Armpit of the US, no tracks, hardly any good 240s to choose from. &nbsp;But I guess they dont have one cuz most ppl in mn dont care about racing, they would rather go and drive around their 91 Grand Am around a FREAKING parkin lot (Grand Ams and Saturns are the most comman car in MN, u see 1 for ever 3 cars u see)

[Drifting Ricer]

check out scca.org and see what region are you in.

[LanceS13]

I'd love to come up, but it'll be a while. &nbsp;I'm gonna need new tires and more money.:) &nbsp;I figure it's about an 8-9 hour drive though. &nbsp;But you think that's cheap?...try $75 for 5 twenty minutes sessions. &nbsp;Now that's cheap!
I was running intermediate. &nbsp;The instructor let me go on my on after my second session back in Dec., so they just let me go completely this time. &nbsp;
And thanks about the pic.

[tnord]

hey oni.......i'm in MN, i feel you're pain

basically there are 2 tracks.......Brainered International Raceway, and there's a St. Cloud Safety Track thingy

BIR is big, 4 miles i think, with a 1/2 mile front straight and banked corners, the organization i'm a member of is having an event there the first weekend in sept i think (7-8th), i have some track experience and i wouldn't feel comfortable running there without significant brake upgrades
the track in st cloud is much smaller, 1.7 miles maybe, i think it was orignally built as a training track for cops and other city workers, some modifications have been made and various clubs now have track days there, i have friends who have gone and they have enjoyed it, not sure the dates of this years events, but i think they are held quite frequently, i garuntee i'll be there this year
other than those 2 tracks i drive out to Blackhawk Farms Raceway on the border of Illinois/Wisconson for track days 2 or three times a summer, although there are i think 5 held there a year
there are opportunities to get you're car on the track, but you kinda have to know the right people to find them

[Drifting Ricer]

I forgot thank hippo and s13! &nbsp;You guys always &nbsp;got good tips.

[AceInHole]

</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote </td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Quote: from Drifting Ricer on 5:26 pm on Feb. 12, 2002
I forgot thank hippo and s13! You guys always got good tips.</td></tr></table><span id='postcolor'>
yeah. you're gonna need all the help you can get <img src="http://www.zilvia.net/f/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=':p'>

[mrfly]

Nice job at the races. I wish there were more events like that close to Spokane WA.

[Tuck&Poke]

anyone know of any tracks in miami that let you rent?