Road America Track Day

devildog1679

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The first track day of the season and it went great. The car handled great and held up perfectly. Check out the link to my You Tube video. The brakes did take a beating which is normal for this track but overall they held up nicely. The new Nitto NT05 were phenomenal, could not be happier with them. Better then the Pzero’s I used last year. Koni Yellow’s at 1 ½ turns upfront and 1 turn rear was spot on. Also got to ride in a 2013 GT500 J SICK!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpgf-50RTEk
 

Philostang

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Hey you were there!?! So was I. So was SoundGuyDave.

We were a couple of instructors MFBA had out for the weekend. I was in the grey 2006 Mustang, #010. You know, the one that sat out much of the time due to a mechanical issue. I did manage to get out on Saturday, but only for a bit. Still, weather was perfect and the track was great.

I'll try to hit you up with our track schedule and maybe we can meet up at an event soon.

Best,
-j
 

fun4me

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What did you set the swaysbars to? Any Camber plates?

Nice run.
 

devildog1679

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What pads were you running?

Carbotech XP12 upfront and their 1521 compound (bobcats) in the rear.

Hey you were there!?! So was I. So was SoundGuyDave.

We were a couple of instructors MFBA had out for the weekend. I was in the grey 2006 Mustang, #010. You know, the one that sat out much of the time due to a mechanical issue. I did manage to get out on Saturday, but only for a bit. Still, weather was perfect and the track was great.

I'll try to hit you up with our track schedule and maybe we can meet up at an event soon.

Best,
-j

I was there Sunday. I use to run a RX8 for 3 years. This was my first RA track day in the 5.0 so I went novice.

What did you set the swaysbars to? Any Camber plates?

Nice run.
Thanks. I had them set in the middle both front and rear.
 

barbaro

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The first track day of the season and it went great. The car handled great and held up perfectly. Check out the link to my You Tube video. The brakes did take a beating which is normal for this track but overall they held up nicely. The new Nitto NT05 were phenomenal, could not be happier with them. Better then the Pzero’s I used last year. Koni Yellow’s at 1 ½ turns upfront and 1 turn rear was spot on. Also got to ride in a 2013 GT500 J SICK!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jpgf-50RTEk
Fantastic. Question: how do you get the laptimer to overlay data on your video. Did you hook it up to ecm in your car? Etc. . . trying to find out as mush as possible about how to use those. Thanks.
 

TGR96

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Cool video. Raod America looks like such a beautiful facility in videos and on TV. looks like a fun track, too. I hope to get up there someday.
 

Napoleon85

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Fantastic. Question: how do you get the laptimer to overlay data on your video. Did you hook it up to ecm in your car? Etc. . . trying to find out as mush as possible about how to use those. Thanks.

It's an app ... The website is in his signature and on the overlay itself. There are Bluetooth adapters you can get for the OBD-II port to get rpm, throttle, etc.
 

SoundGuyDave

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Nice run, DevilDog! If I may be so bold, I do have a few critique points:

Big straights: 14-1, 3-5, 11-12: Is there a reason that you are coasting? Yes, the speeds are high, but they could be higher!! Keep that foot planted to the floor, and adjust your braking points to get your desired corner-entry speed.

T6-7: I think you turned in a tick early, and it looked like you took "two bites at the cherry" to get the line at exit. I use the pavement change as the turn-in marker, then just hold the steering input to get back to the left edge to set up for T7. Also, T7 is a LOT faster than you think. All you need there is a lift of the throttle to plant the nose right at turn-in, and you can be on the gas all the way from exit of T6 to that point. Make sure you hit your apex, though!

T12: Entry line is perfect, but I think you could turn in a bit earlier. Jump to 2:21 on the vid, and look at the left edge of the track: Do you see the fresh paint at the edge? Turn in when your front wheel is even with it, and focus on dropping your right side tires on the very edge of the apex berm; that will let you turn the entirety of T12 and the entry into T13 into a single arc. Because you're loaded heavily on the left side (right hand turn), the rough apex berm won't upset the car, and you can accelerate
(hard!) all the way from apex of T12 through turn-in for T13...

T14: Your line looks perfect, but I suspect you didn't get all the way to the left edge prior to turn-in, since your exit positioning was a bit on the short side. Use the whole track! I heard a voice (yours?) saying "missed it" in a couple of spots, and I suspect that's what you were working on...

Overall, excellent! Focus on hitting your marks, and don't be afraid to "feel" for the edge of the apex berms with the inside tires!
 

DUFUS

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Same event:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmuTLpPThjE&feature=youtu.be
Yes, the "unique" driving style/technique as evidenced by the chin cam lap opens myself up for plenty of criticism. Early downshifts, letting corner entry scrub some speed off, etc. But it was my best effort to avoid horrible brake judder. And the spin could have been avoided, even after I realized the back end was floating around. But one option would've been driving straight into the gravel, and I don't have a tow hook. And I'm sure a more skilled driver (just about anyone) could've corrected properly and gotten through unscathed. Maybe not the smartest decision on my part, but I was able to get out in reverse from where I ended up.
I self imposed a finish to my weekend after that (2nd session on Sunday).
No harm no foul, still plenty of fun.
Apologies if I hijacked the thread...
 

fun4me

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Same event:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmuTLpPThjE&feature=youtu.be
Yes, the "unique" driving style/technique as evidenced by the chin cam lap opens myself up for plenty of criticism. Early downshifts, letting corner entry scrub some speed off, etc. But it was my best effort to avoid horrible brake judder. And the spin could have been avoided, even after I realized the back end was floating around. But one option would've been driving straight into the gravel, and I don't have a tow hook. And I'm sure a more skilled driver (just about anyone) could've corrected properly and gotten through unscathed. Maybe not the smartest decision on my part, but I was able to get out in reverse from where I ended up.
I self imposed a finish to my weekend after that (2nd session on Sunday).
No harm no foul, still plenty of fun.
Apologies if I hijacked the thread...

Why were you getting brake shudder?
 

devildog1679

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Same event:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmuTLpPThjE&feature=youtu.be
Yes, the "unique" driving style/technique as evidenced by the chin cam lap opens myself up for plenty of criticism. Early downshifts, letting corner entry scrub some speed off, etc. But it was my best effort to avoid horrible brake judder. And the spin could have been avoided, even after I realized the back end was floating around. But one option would've been driving straight into the gravel, and I don't have a tow hook. And I'm sure a more skilled driver (just about anyone) could've corrected properly and gotten through unscathed. Maybe not the smartest decision on my part, but I was able to get out in reverse from where I ended up.
I self imposed a finish to my weekend after that (2nd session on Sunday).
No harm no foul, still plenty of fun.
Apologies if I hijacked the thread...

It would suck to hit the gravel sideways and flip. Either way you made it out and good decision to call it quiets.
 

devildog1679

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Nice run, DevilDog! If I may be so bold, I do have a few critique points:

Big straights: 14-1, 3-5, 11-12: Is there a reason that you are coasting? Yes, the speeds are high, but they could be higher!! Keep that foot planted to the floor, and adjust your braking points to get your desired corner-entry speed.

T6-7: I think you turned in a tick early, and it looked like you took "two bites at the cherry" to get the line at exit. I use the pavement change as the turn-in marker, then just hold the steering input to get back to the left edge to set up for T7. Also, T7 is a LOT faster than you think. All you need there is a lift of the throttle to plant the nose right at turn-in, and you can be on the gas all the way from exit of T6 to that point. Make sure you hit your apex, though!

T12: Entry line is perfect, but I think you could turn in a bit earlier. Jump to 2:21 on the vid, and look at the left edge of the track: Do you see the fresh paint at the edge? Turn in when your front wheel is even with it, and focus on dropping your right side tires on the very edge of the apex berm; that will let you turn the entirety of T12 and the entry into T13 into a single arc. Because you're loaded heavily on the left side (right hand turn), the rough apex berm won't upset the car, and you can accelerate
(hard!) all the way from apex of T12 through turn-in for T13...

T14: Your line looks perfect, but I suspect you didn't get all the way to the left edge prior to turn-in, since your exit positioning was a bit on the short side. Use the whole track! I heard a voice (yours?) saying "missed it" in a couple of spots, and I suspect that's what you were working on...

Overall, excellent! Focus on hitting your marks, and don't be afraid to "feel" for the edge of the apex berms with the inside tires!

Coasting a bit because I was a bit hesitant, still working on my heel toe. First time at RA with the 5.0. As for T6 the instructor was having me turn in right when the white line on the right shows up which looks to be about to be 5 feet prior to the change in pavement. I'll try your turn in next time. As for T7 yea I was braking here but by the 4th session I was just lifting to plant the front. T12 yes that was supposed to be my turn in but I messed it up. The instructor reminded me. My instructor was Bruce from Full Tilt Boogie racing. He had a 2013 GT500 and took me for a ride. Sick. Thanks for the advise.

http://fulltiltboogieracing.com
 

SoundGuyDave

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Coasting a bit because I was a bit hesitant, still working on my heel toe. First time at RA with the 5.0. As for T6 the instructor was having me turn in right when the white line on the right shows up which looks to be about to be 5 feet prior to the change in pavement. I'll try your turn in next time. As for T7 yea I was braking here but by the 4th session I was just lifting to plant the front. T12 yes that was supposed to be my turn in but I messed it up. The instructor reminded me. My instructor was Bruce from Full Tilt Boogie racing. He had a 2013 GT500 and took me for a ride. Sick. Thanks for the advise.

http://fulltiltboogieracing.com

Bruce knows his stuff, and he can get around that track very well. I used to use that point on T6 as well, but lately I've opted for a slightly later turn-in, which keeps the car off the rough stuff pretty handily. And yes, we are only talking 6' or so of difference.

Seriously, that was a nice run!
 

devildog1679

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Bruce knows his stuff, and he can get around that track very well. I used to use that point on T6 as well, but lately I've opted for a slightly later turn-in, which keeps the car off the rough stuff pretty handily. And yes, we are only talking 6' or so of difference.

Seriously, that was a nice run!
Rideing with him was very informative. I'll try your turn in point, I beleived I used that same point a few years ago in my RX8.

I was pleases with my runs considering it was my first time on RA with the 5.0. I was very impressed with the capabilities of the 5.0.
 

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