claudermilk
Senior Member
I can't believe it's been a year since the last track day. Kids & life take a lot of time. 
I don't plan to allow that to happen again this year. So, I got back on track last weekend with Speed Ventures at Auto Club Speedway.
I stayed in the noob group since it was a) my second time ever on a track, and b) my first time with the modified suspension, brakes, and wheels/tires. I didn't get an instructor this time since the last one simply pointed the line out to me, which I mostly figured out on my own as he started to talk; basic driving technique is OK--I need to spend the big bucks on a pro instructor to gain more insight I think. I know I sound full of myself here, and I think I still do have a lot to learn...but I do feel amazingly comfortable out there and only have a couple of places I'm not sure where the best line is. I will probably move myself up a level for the next event at this track (side note, looks like SV agrees--their registration page allows me to pick the next level group).
So, since my last time there I've added Steeda springs, Koni yellow shocks, CC plates, adjustable panhard, BMR LCAs & brackets, Motul 600 fluid, Carbotech XP pads, SS lines, MGW shifter, BF bracket, AMR 18x10 wheels with RE-11As mounted. Wow did that transform the car. For this crowd it's still very much an entry-level setup, but it made a huge difference. The car felt more planted all day. The grip and stopping power from the tires and brakes really made a huge difference. The car was a joy to fling around.
In the morning sessions with the beginner group, there is no passing at all, so I spent a while cruising around behind slower cars 7 lead-follow groups. I wasn't too upset as I was feeling out the changes and allowing the pads to finalize bedding in; I got the pre-bed option a KNS Brakes, and still got the bed-in stink the first couple of laps. The thought that I bolted on many critical parts kept me from getting in too much of a hurry at first until I gained confidence that nothing was going to fall off.
I also had the fun in the second session of rain. So I got my first wet session on my second track day. I elected to leave TC on for that one & got into it a few times getting a feel for things. After that all nannies off (and I got REAL sideways once). That wet session was a very interesting learning experience. For the most part, traction felt about 95% the same. In most corners that held true as well. However, in a couple of places the track didn't drain so well, and things got interesting. Hydroplaning and limited grip were the order of the day there. I quickly learned where the bad puddles were and adjusted my line to go between them; in the end I only had to bail on one turn during the day & had plenty of runoff to gather things up. In the afternoon I got some practice dodging traffic. I ended up watching a WRX spin twice and mow the lawn once; I wondered a) how was the Mustang keeping it together while the rally car was all over the place (bad driver mod likely), and b) how did I keep getting behind that joker?
I think my lines were much improved and I was hitting the apexes on most corners much better. Turn 9 in particular I think I improved a lot--last time I was generally a foot off the apex, this time I was right there as some photos show. I also started hopping curbs a little at 12 & 13 going into "the playground" area. Part of it I think was that the car was simply more capable of going where I pointed it, part was the driver mod was getting better.
I have a few pictures from CaliPhotography, and will have some video later once I edit it. I played with a second camera in the car, so I'll see how that went.
All ready to go on new shoes.
Now some CaliPhotography action shots.
Much better line here than last time. Less lean, too.
Finish off with a pits shot waiting to start. Keeping some respectable company--gridded based on previous session's lap times, #1-3.
I don't plan to allow that to happen again this year. So, I got back on track last weekend with Speed Ventures at Auto Club Speedway.I stayed in the noob group since it was a) my second time ever on a track, and b) my first time with the modified suspension, brakes, and wheels/tires. I didn't get an instructor this time since the last one simply pointed the line out to me, which I mostly figured out on my own as he started to talk; basic driving technique is OK--I need to spend the big bucks on a pro instructor to gain more insight I think. I know I sound full of myself here, and I think I still do have a lot to learn...but I do feel amazingly comfortable out there and only have a couple of places I'm not sure where the best line is. I will probably move myself up a level for the next event at this track (side note, looks like SV agrees--their registration page allows me to pick the next level group).
So, since my last time there I've added Steeda springs, Koni yellow shocks, CC plates, adjustable panhard, BMR LCAs & brackets, Motul 600 fluid, Carbotech XP pads, SS lines, MGW shifter, BF bracket, AMR 18x10 wheels with RE-11As mounted. Wow did that transform the car. For this crowd it's still very much an entry-level setup, but it made a huge difference. The car felt more planted all day. The grip and stopping power from the tires and brakes really made a huge difference. The car was a joy to fling around.
In the morning sessions with the beginner group, there is no passing at all, so I spent a while cruising around behind slower cars 7 lead-follow groups. I wasn't too upset as I was feeling out the changes and allowing the pads to finalize bedding in; I got the pre-bed option a KNS Brakes, and still got the bed-in stink the first couple of laps. The thought that I bolted on many critical parts kept me from getting in too much of a hurry at first until I gained confidence that nothing was going to fall off.
I also had the fun in the second session of rain. So I got my first wet session on my second track day. I elected to leave TC on for that one & got into it a few times getting a feel for things. After that all nannies off (and I got REAL sideways once). That wet session was a very interesting learning experience. For the most part, traction felt about 95% the same. In most corners that held true as well. However, in a couple of places the track didn't drain so well, and things got interesting. Hydroplaning and limited grip were the order of the day there. I quickly learned where the bad puddles were and adjusted my line to go between them; in the end I only had to bail on one turn during the day & had plenty of runoff to gather things up. In the afternoon I got some practice dodging traffic. I ended up watching a WRX spin twice and mow the lawn once; I wondered a) how was the Mustang keeping it together while the rally car was all over the place (bad driver mod likely), and b) how did I keep getting behind that joker?
I think my lines were much improved and I was hitting the apexes on most corners much better. Turn 9 in particular I think I improved a lot--last time I was generally a foot off the apex, this time I was right there as some photos show. I also started hopping curbs a little at 12 & 13 going into "the playground" area. Part of it I think was that the car was simply more capable of going where I pointed it, part was the driver mod was getting better.
I have a few pictures from CaliPhotography, and will have some video later once I edit it. I played with a second camera in the car, so I'll see how that went.
All ready to go on new shoes.
Now some CaliPhotography action shots.
Much better line here than last time. Less lean, too.
Finish off with a pits shot waiting to start. Keeping some respectable company--gridded based on previous session's lap times, #1-3.
