HPDE Progress Report

Bad Horsie · Dec 16, 2018

Well its been 14 months since my first event. 4 events later I moved to group 2. Now im at 7 events and am progressing to move to group 3. (hopefully summer of 2019). Learned quite a bit and still going..I've met a lot of great people at Nasa(my primary org) and HOD as well.Everyone was were very helpful. I have done a lot of reading but not a lot of posting here and would like thank all of you for your advise and guidance last year in getting me started.

Yep, Im Addicted now.So I've decided to set my goals to make it to TT class if possible.
The car is holding up well and will be upgrading to the Brembo BBK for the 2019 season as predicted Already installed cooling ducts to keep the factory ones cooler..

I did change over to R comps 2 events ago and was amazed at the difference it made. Staying on the street tires for as long as I did was a great move. Glad I listened because I was getting frustrated with car in the beginning not realizing it was ME and my driving technique and NOT the car at the time...The transition was a lot easier now that I waited.
I have some questions on safety upgrades I will post separately since im going much faster now.....Best lap at NJMP Thunderbolt was 01:38.20 so far that doesn't seem that bad for my experience level
Thanks again and Happy Holidays.

Intis

JJ427R · Dec 17, 2018

Congratulations and very cool!! Any Videos?
Yes it is quite addicting isn't it. I've been doing track days since 2012 and have about 25 days in so far.
I'm considering going to BIR for 3 day SCCA licensing school in May. Curious does anyone know if you need a SCCA license to compete in TT with NASA?
Only two tracks I've run so far are the two closet to me which are Brainerd and Road America. This fall I ran my fastest laps on the 2.5 mile comp track at BIR at 1:59. Road America my fastest lap is 2:55. Also I'm paraplegic and drive with hand controls.

The two groups I've run with are Northwoods Shelby at Road America and BIR is thru their Performance Driving School.
http://www.nwshelbyclub.com/
http://www.birperformance.com/

Norm Peterson · Dec 17, 2018

Bad Horsie said:
Best lap at NJMP Thunderbolt was 01:38.20 so far that doesn't seem that bad for my experience level
Thanks again and Happy Holidays.

Intis

Nice time.

There's a guy with a GT350 over on M6G who started tracking his car a few events ago who's only a second or so faster. Though in fairness to him, his was with the chicane around T3, which adds 1.5, maybe 2 seconds to the lap time. Somewhere, I've got a no-chicane @ 1:37.6-ish (not an Aim Solo number, it's a frame by frame analysis of GoPro video @ 30 frames/second).

Good call on upgrading the brakes, particularly given the recent tire upgrade - definitely worth looking at rotor and pad condition now to help guide your pad choice even though any given pad will remain suitable longer on 14" brakes than on those little 12.4's. If it helps your decision process any, I'm running G-loc R10's on the 14" Brembo fronts, with Carbotech XP10's on the rear (that will go to R10's once the XP's are all done). For some odd reason, 12's seem to wear faster than either 10's or numbers above 12.

What tire and wheel sizes?

Norm

JJ427R · Dec 17, 2018

Norm Peterson said:
Good call on upgrading the brakes, particularly given the recent tire upgrade - definitely worth looking at rotor and pad condition now to help guide your pad choice even though any given pad will remain suitable longer on 14" brakes than on those little 12.4's. If it helps your decision process any, I'm running G-loc R10's on the 14" Brembo fronts, with Carbotech XP10's on the rear (that will go to R10's once the XP's are all done). For some odd reason, 12's seem to wear faster than either 10's or numbers above 12.

What tire and wheel sizes?

Norm

Norm, do you use those pads for street as well and they have much brake squeal?
I'm currently using Stoptech 4 pistons up front with stock calipers on rear with Ferodo Racing DS2500 pads on all 4 corners. They are a street/track pad that work pretty well for me, but I need something a bit more without going to a full track pad. I've also used Hawk HPS and DTC-30 in the blue boxes, which had a lot of brake dust and squeal, I hear the newer red box are much better. The HPS were not enough pad for me but DTC 30 were great.
I've been running 20" Roush wheels. I don't trailer my car so don't have slicks. My original tires were Dunlop Sportmaxx and I really like those. Great grip cornering, and very smooth quiet tires on the road, but about $350 ea. Last few years I've been using Mickey Thompson Street Comp 275/35/20 on all 4 corners. Not as quiet of a tire but good feel and good grip once warmed up. As mentioned in another thread I've recently purchased same size Firestone Firehawk Indy 500's but won't get them on until spring.

I need to upgrade my rear calipers as I overheat them and melt the piston seals (did the same with my stock front calipers). I'm now on my 3rd set on the rear. I do turn my advancetrack off, but I believe because I drive an automatic with hand controls and don't have the downshifting ability I'm much harder on brakes.

My rotors are 14" Frozen Rotors Cryo slotted up front with my original Roush slotted on rear. I highly recommend the Frozen rotors with the Stoptech calipers. They work awesome and I have had those for 3 years and no issues. Rotors show very little wear.

Bad Horsie · Dec 18, 2018

Norm Peterson said:
Nice time.
What tire and wheel sizes?

GT500 18x9.5 wheels . Toyo R888 R comps 275x40x18.
Brakes: centric blanks/ Hawk HT10's on the front and HP plus on the rear. For now.

Bad Horsie · Dec 18, 2018

GT500 18x9.5 wheels . Toyo R888 R comps 275x40x18.
Brakes: centric blanks/ Hawk HT10's on the front and HP plus on the rear. For now

Bad Horsie · Dec 18, 2018

I have some go pro clips i'll try to put together and post.

As far as NASA TT racing,the rules are on the web page...I know you must complete some group 4 sessions and must be be approved by the TT director . having a comp or provisional lic. from SCCA is accepted with proper approval and check rides

Bad Horsie · Apr 20, 2019

Update: passed my HPDE(group C) Advanced Group check ride. Changed my gear sets to 3:73. lap times down to 1:36.8(Harrys Lap timer) on Tbolt NJMP with HOD. Will have to to do one with NASA for group 3. Getting a little better each time. CC plates and Brembos coming this summer. Just got the Apex Ec-7's 18x10 and just love em!!!!....Would like to to build the car slowly for NASA Time Trial so it's ready when I'm ready in another year or two. I hope.

Bad Horsie · Apr 20, 2019

Norm Peterson · Apr 20, 2019

Nice.

What size tires are you running, and are you still running the TR3650?

I'm a little curious about if/how the gearing change has affected your shifting, whether you're trying to use 2nd through T5 (the slow left), and whether it's forcing you to grab 5th on the front straight. And a lot curious about your speed through T12.

Norm

Bad Horsie · Apr 21, 2019

Little change in shifting .using 4th more often but thats ok.Pulling out of T5 faster in 3rd now. only used 2nd once when got a point by tight on the inside but we were very slow and piling up anyway. shift to 4th right before T12.still 4th in front straight. top speed increased with the 3:73's to 125mph from 118-120 . by the time I need 5th ,its time to brake for T1....Now Lightning might be a different story since it is a faster track, but have not tested it out with the new gears yet. I might show up last minute if there is an opening at the May 3rd/4th Lightning event. Right now I'm just planning for June with NASA.
The car is at it's limits for where I'm at now. I'm already sliding around in my seat and bracing my legs to hold still which is NG. Time for Seats,Harness and a Roll bar before I try to go any faster...3:55's will come back most likely in the future but for right now the 73's are serving me well and are more fun especially on the street.
Need to get those CC plates before I destroy the tires and Bigger brakes before I find out the hard way.

The Fixed GT500 mounts at -1.5/-1.8 bought me enough time while I was learning. Now I'm learning even more that I need better safety equipment as well.
I borrowed a Simpson Hybrid Hans from my Instructor for a test ride and liked it. this will be on my xmas wish list.
Safety 1st Speed 2nd.......I'm already going fast enough.

Happy Easter.

Bad Horsie · Apr 21, 2019

Norm,
Cant get a MPH out of Harry's for T12. will get a AIM solo next year.

Norm Peterson · Apr 21, 2019

Bad Horsie said:
Little change in shifting .using 4th more often but thats ok.Pulling out of T5 faster in 3rd now. only used 2nd once when got a point by tight on the inside but we were very slow and piling up anyway. shift to 4th right before T12.still 4th in front straight. top speed increased with the 3:73's to 125mph from 118-120 . by the time I need 5th ,its time to brake for T1....

Guessing you're running tires closer to 27" diameter than 26" . . . 125-ish in 4th sounds about right. I had a hidden agenda behind asking about 2nd in T5, let's just say that I'm not all that happy with the big spaces between 2nd & 3rd and between 4th & 5th in the TR3650. Makes 2nd too low to be all that useful at NJMP and 5th too tall. I'm looking at other options.

The car is at it's limits for where I'm at now. I'm already sliding around in my seat and bracing my legs to hold still which is NG. Time for Seats,Harness and a Roll bar before I try to go any faster...

In the meantime, you could try a non-slacking supplemental seat belt wrapped around just the seat (and over the OE 3-point). And teach yourself how to become a "sack of grain" in the seat as much as possible, not tensed up at all. You'll still use your left knee, but maybe not so much or so hard against the door.

That supplemental seat belt has passed muster with every group I've ever run with, and one instructor who rode along for a session said he passed the idea along to his student of the day. The towel is only there for contrast in the picture.

Happy Easter.

Thanks. Wish you the same.

Norm

Bad Horsie · Apr 21, 2019

Norm Peterson said:
Guessing you're running tires closer to 27" diameter than 26" . . . 125-ish in 4th sounds about right. I had a hidden agenda behind asking about 2nd in T5, let's just say that I'm not all that happy with the big spaces between 2nd & 3rd and between 4th & 5th in the TR3650. Makes 2nd too low to be all that useful at NJMP and 5th too tall. I'm looking at other options.

Not a Fan of the gear spacing either but it is what it is so I just drive around it....3 and 4 is all I use which is much better with the 3:73. some will disagree but it works for me for the time being with my current power around 310 RWHP

Spec iron Rules IIRC are 5 speed and 3:31's.Dont know what the AI drivers use
By chance I had a chance to speak to David Ray from HOD at Pocono. He suggested staying with the 3:55's and doing the 6 speed conversion. Too expensive to me. That's half the value of the car. Might as well buy a used 2014 Coyote GT or Boss 302.

Bad Horsie · Apr 21, 2019

Not a Fan of the gear spacing either but it is what it is so I just drive around it....3 and 4 is all I use which is much better with the 3:73. some will disagree but it works for me for the time being with my current power around 310 RWHP

Spec iron Rules IIRC are 5 speed and 3:31's.Dont know what the AI drivers use
By chance I had a chance to speak to David Ray from HOD at Pocono. He suggested staying with the 3:55's and doing the 6 speed conversion. Too expensive to me. That's half the value of the car. Might as well buy a used 2014 Coyote GT or Boss 302.

Bad Horsie · Apr 21, 2019

Sorry Norm I some how i got my reply mixed up with your quote. I'm not really forum savy. learning all the time. lol

Bad Horsie · Apr 21, 2019

Norm Peterson said:
Nice.

What size tires are you running, and are you still running the TR3650?

I'm a little curious about if/how the gearing change has affected your shifting, whether you're trying to use 2nd through T5 (the slow left), and whether it's forcing you to grab 5th on the front straight. And a lot curious about your speed through T12.

Norm

Still running 275/40/18's Toyo R888. same trans TR3650 and factory clutch

Norm Peterson · Apr 21, 2019

Bad Horsie said:
Sorry Norm I some how i got my reply mixed up with your quote. I'm not really forum savy. learning all the time. lol

Easy one first - this isn't all on you. The "new" forum software (XenForo) can be kind of clunky to use at times.

Norm

JJ427R · Apr 21, 2019

I'm still waiting for some video....

Great job on the improved lap time!

Norm Peterson · Apr 21, 2019

Bad Horsie said:
Not a Fan of the gear spacing either but it is what it is so I just drive around it....3 and 4 is all I use which is much better with the 3:73. some will disagree but it works for me for the time being with my current power around 310 RWHP

You must be at or a bit above 6000 going into the braking zone for T1 at T'bolt. IIRC, Lightning gives you a couple more mph or so.

Spec iron Rules IIRC are 5 speed and 3:31's.

Seems like a thoughtful choice for a spec 4.6 Mustang. Makes 2nd look a little more useful, and I doubt the power is there to go much past 135 where you'd be looking at that huge step to 5th.

By chance I had a chance to speak to David Ray from HOD at Pocono. He suggested staying with the 3:55's and doing the 6 speed conversion.

That's what I'm investigating. Pricy, but still less expensive than a 5.0 car (and we're on fixed income these days). Plus I wouldn't be getting a potentially fragile MT-82, and I'd be keeping hydraulic power steering. You probably didn't notice the change in my sig - the silver LGT is gone, replaced with a dark grey metallic '19 WRX - and the reason I'm mentioning that here is because the WRX has EPAS which to me is code for not much road feel. No matter whose EPAS it is, so far anyway.

Norm

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