Track forum general chit chat

[jmg]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I mean, just for seat time, I’ll do an open test day at Sonoma. 8a to 4p (one hour lunch break) track is hot and you get as much seat time as you can stomach.

But I don’t have the skills yet to drift that . A 100mph entry speed manji through t10 is my favorite day dream.

(no offense to anyone who loves that sport) but autox is not my cup of tea. 6x50s of driving around cones in exchange for the whole day standing in the sun plus shagging cones is a super raw deal IMHO. I have tried over a dozen at big parking lots like San Diego Qualcomm stadium, thermal, go kart tracks and I just never got into it.

I guess it’s time to find a deserted parking lot on a rainy day and get after drifting that way

I generally agree on auto-x. It just seems like a lot of waiting around for very little action. However, there is a local org here called Puretrack that I find a lot of fun though. I might have posted about it already. They mainly use road curbing instead of just cones, and there is no track duty for drivers. $100 gets you 8 runs which takes an hr to do. Timing is in real time so you can be competitive. There are no seasonal standings or championships so no pressure to show up to all the events. They do it once a month. For me, it's perfect for getting a quick fix and shake the car down for an hour.

[dth656]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I mean, just for seat time, I’ll do an open test day at Sonoma. 8a to 4p (one hour lunch break) track is hot and you get as much seat time as you can stomach.

But I don’t have the skills yet to drift that . A 100mph entry speed manji through t10 is my favorite day dream.

(no offense to anyone who loves that sport) but autox is not my cup of tea. 6x50s of driving around cones in exchange for the whole day standing in the sun plus shagging cones is a super raw deal IMHO. I have tried over a dozen at big parking lots like San Diego Qualcomm stadium, thermal, go kart tracks and I just never got into it.

I guess it’s time to find a deserted parking lot on a rainy day and get after drifting that way

but i think the problem in the bay area is that is tough to find. some options:
-the donut/lookout spot on hwy 9, south of 35 (a bit tight for my taste)
-the sea bowl parking lot in pacifica? too close to residential, etce
-shoreline amphitheater parking lot?--gravelly, and they started closing the gates/patrolling more often...

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by jmg

They do it once a month. For me, it's perfect for getting a quick fix and shake the car down for an hour.

It’s tempting to take a quick trip to the canyons in Mexico with friends early morning for that 1 hour fix for free, then get some takeout and eat while socially distanced, versus going to a structured event.

Btw super random note. I learned today that NASA norcal has clay launchers at Thill. So next track event there I’ll take my M2 (the 12ga kind, not the bmw kind) and do both hobbies in 1 weekend

[jmg]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

It’s tempting to take a quick trip to the canyons in Mexico with friends early morning for that 1 hour fix for free, then get some takeout and eat while socially distanced, versus going to a structured event.

Btw super random note. I learned today that NASA norcal has clay launchers at Thill. So next track event there I’ll take my M2 (the 12ga kind, not the bmw kind) and do both hobbies in 1 weekend

Early morning canyon runs are definitely fun! Wife worries less when I tell her I'm basically going to be driving around in circles in a parking lot though!

[F80Speed77]

Originally Posted by jmg

Early morning canyon runs are definitely fun! Wife worries less when I tell her I'm basically going to be driving around in circles in a parking lot though!

[m3heaven]

Anyone going to Buttonwillow this Sunday?

[MaynardZed]

I agree. I did one autocross day with PCA, probably be my last unless my kids want to do one. Firstly I get confused where all the cones are. Secondly, I'll happily pay way more and not have to run around with a walky talky chasing cones. The smart guys get there early and sign up to do timing, lol!

Memorial weekend was my first event back in the E36 race car at INDE Motorsports Ranch since the lockdown an it was amazing! When I first heard that they would be separating small bore and big race groups I was a little bummed because I like harassing the back half of big bore in my E36. Little did I know that Ken Orgeron (TT3 NASA multiple champion and record holder) would detune and ballast his E46 to race against me.

The racing was awesome and I really had to push myself to keep up with Ken, just shows that great competition brings out the best in you. I smashed the track record on Saturday running Ken down and was on his rear bumper all day. Sunday, he put on A7's and walked away but I still had a great day getting two more second places. As it turned out, only 2 big bore race cars would of beat us small bore guys, lol!

Saturday Qualifying Race and Track Record:

Saturday Main Race w/ Memorial Day musical soundtrack:

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I mean, just for seat time, I’ll do an open test day at Sonoma. 8a to 4p (one hour lunch break) track is hot and you get as much seat time as you can stomach.

But I don’t have the skills yet to drift that . A 100mph entry speed manji through t10 is my favorite day dream.

(no offense to anyone who loves that sport) but autox is not my cup of tea. 6x50s of driving around cones in exchange for the whole day standing in the sun plus shagging cones is a super raw deal IMHO. I have tried over a dozen at big parking lots like San Diego Qualcomm stadium, thermal, go kart tracks and I just never got into it.

I guess it’s time to find a deserted parking lot on a rainy day and get after drifting that way

Agreed on autoxing. I started my motorsport journey with AutoX, but gave it up very early for the exact reasons you state.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by MaynardZed

Saturday Qualifying Race and Track Record:

Congrats on the track record

[fanatic1]

Did the camber change today while swapping tires, super easy. Have it set to 0 toe with the GC plates in race position all the way to min camber (around -2.6) - then at the track, push the plates all the way to max camber (around -4 for Pir DH). Worked great until the CEL and limp mode due to something hitting the aux I/C radiator......

Was looking to reinforce the grill, but whatever hit that radiator probably wouldn't be stopped by wire mesh.

[Gomeler]

Originally Posted by fanatic1

Did the camber change today while swapping tires, super easy. Have it set to 0 toe with the GC plates in race position all the way to min camber (around -2.6) - then at the track, push the plates all the way to max camber (around -4 for Pir DH). Worked great until the CEL and limp mode due to something hitting the aux I/C radiator......

Was looking to reinforce the grill, but whatever hit that radiator probably wouldn't be stopped by wire mesh.

Bummer on eating what I imagine was a major rock. Have seen that take out more than 1 racecar even with mesh.

Question for you guys adjusting your Ground Control camber plates, are you removing the two inboard screws and moving them outboard, and is that supplied plastic insert used then? Finally pulled the car out of storage and need to dial in a little more negative camber and I wasn't sure if you guys were removing the tension brace.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Gomeler

Bummer on eating what I imagine was a major rock. Have seen that take out more than 1 racecar even with mesh.

Question for you guys adjusting your Ground Control camber plates, are you removing the two inboard screws and moving them outboard, and is that supplied plastic insert used then? Finally pulled the car out of storage and need to dial in a little more negative camber and I wasn't sure if you guys were removing the tension brace.

yes, those two screws follow the path you've drawn and when you put them in the inside position you have to use the plastic spacer (or the other way around)

It's not as intuitive as the E9X days but still works. No need to remove the brace

[Gomeler]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

yes, those two screws follow the path you've drawn and when you put them in the inside position you have to use the plastic spacer (or the other way around)

It's not as intuitive as the E9X days but still works. No need to remove the brace

Ok, that makes more sense, as otherwise this setup was currently maxed out at -1.4* of camber

[aswy6]

Hey folks,

I have a track day tomorrow and recently installed camber plates and did -1.8 at the front. However these sidewalls from track day last summer when i did not have camber plates get me a bit worried. Do you guys think i will be fine for 5 - 20 minute sessions at 70ish degrees?[IMG][/IMG]

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by aswy6

Hey folks,

I have a track day tomorrow and recently installed camber plates and did -1.8 at the front. However these sidewalls from track day last summer when i did not have camber plates get me a bit worried. Do you guys think i will be fine for 5 - 20 minute sessions at 70ish degrees?[IMG][/IMG]

you should be juuuust fine!

[MaX PL]

It's hard to tell from photos, but that seems as if it'll last one day. They may however be done by the end of the day depending on how aggressive you are.

[aswy6]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

you should be juuuust fine!

Also some how -1.8 on the street is not enough or i have too much fun. It still rolls over on the sidewall lol

[aswy6]

Originally Posted by MaX PL

It's hard to tell from photos, but that seems as if it'll last one day. They may however be done by the end of the day depending on how aggressive you are.

Not going to be very aggressive. Just a second time on track. Its like 1/32nds on the very outside block that i tried to show on the picture. And then the main patch of a tire is at like 6/32nds, just that very outer block with perpendicular grooves is the one that gets me a bit worried lol

[fanatic1]

Originally Posted by Gomeler

Ok, that makes more sense, as otherwise this setup was currently maxed out at -1.4* of camber

minimum in the race position (bolts moved) is -2.6 on my car - but this works pretty well with 0 toe. Depending on tire, adjusting at the track is easy and also easy to put back to min at -2.6 when heading home

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by aswy6

Also some how -1.8 on the street is not enough or i have too much fun. It still rolls over on the sidewall lol

It really isn't much. I have more on mine for the street

[OhioRiderAaron]

Originally Posted by aswy6

Not going to be very aggressive. Just a second time on track. Its like 1/32nds on the very outside block that i tried to show on the picture. And then the main patch of a tire is at like 6/32nds, just that very outer block with perpendicular grooves is the one that gets me a bit worried lol

That moment when you're at Discount Tire getting your tires flipped and the tech pulls out the tread depth gauge

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by OhioRiderAaron

That moment when you're at Discount Tire getting your tires flipped and the tech pulls out the tread depth gauge

My favorite exchange was when trying to get a set of well used NT01's mounted.

"Dude, we can't do this on the record..."

"So, if I throw you $50 cash that will work?"

"Yep"