Quote:
Originally Posted by Vegas69
The tweaking was the part I enjoyed about my car more than anything except for the using. It's really incremental.
You make a very good point. Getting your car dialed in to where it suits your ability will result in a car that you can drive at 8 or 9/10's and run faster than you used to at full tilt. Being comfortable is a big factor. I'll be interested to see just how much faster you can get with a properly set up car and the same skills behind the wheel.
|
I just got a reminder that you're never too old.... My little buddy Pierre (77) just called and came over and loaded up my air driven hydraulic transmission jack.. He's working on his '57 Chevy project which is ready to go to upholstery next week.
What Ron was/is helping with is exactly as you describe.... getting the car "right" -- so it's easier and more fun to drive... which resulted - with the same loose nut behind the wheel - in dropping 12 seconds per lap. Same everything else except tire pressures got right - which made the car feel and grip better - raising confidence and consistency in the corners... and getting the brake more balanced (using his ears - and temps - and questioning me).
The CAR is capable of running 2.04's.... The DRIVER might be - but doesn't care. I just want to run 2.10's like Charley does all day long.
What I found -- and the more I watch the one and only video I took during the weekend is -- I can catch the guys at any time... even if I let 'em go I can reel 'em back in within a couple turns.... but what I was noticing is that the brakes just weren't working well... I'd have to pump 'em to get the pedal back... or I'd experience rear wheel hop if I jumped on 'em etc. SO that's what we're working on now for Sonoma.
After that - we'll work on installing a full floater - Race rotors (rears are but the fronts are performance street)... and, for safety - the larger race size bearings. And of course some shocks or shock adjustments. Most likely this will be a replacement upgrade item. Then I'm done. It's just get these few things dialed in and then just keep getting some seat time.
I was talking to DBasher the other day when he came over -- and I said that I'd like to do more track days... BUT -- big BUTT -- I wasn't really comfortable going out on my own without all my "support group" like Charley and Mike and Chet etc around to lean on. Once the car is right - and I know what is what... Then I can become more independent and start running at different tracks etc. So that's the goal.