Greg Weld on the track today

[FETorino]

Hmm

That looks pretty cool but what about this? Is it running today?

[Stuart Adams]

Sweet

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Sooooooo any impressions on it? More pictures guys.

[GregWeld]

HAHAHAHAHAHA imagine my surprise to see this post.... Charley is nothing but a big trouble maker!


I alternated between running the '65 Mustang (590hp and 3015 #'s) and the Lotus (252hp and 1477 #'s).... TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT CARS -- no DOH! there right??


The Lotus is absolutely on marbles or grease - or both for the first lap or two. It has Yokohama Advan tires -- they're super slick until I can get some heat in them.... and then with each lap the car can turn in more and more... and it's like driving a 6 speed shifter cart. Super sweet -- super forgiving -- you know exactly what the car is doing... wicked fast... as in OH WOW! Brakes are better than excellent... speed control is just amazingly accurate. This is a car a guy could get himself in some serious trouble in -- the speeds are just HIGH...

The Mustang is everything the Lotus IS NOT.... it's not sophisticated -- it's loud and harsh and rough -- and you can manhandle it thru a corner.... Gobs of torque... and it just grunts it's way around the track kinda like a pissed off bull.

The Mustang is more fun to drive. It's more "me".... I like it. I can make it do what I need it to do. The Hoosier R6's are sticky after 1 lap and then they don't change. I like that.

The Lotus is refined precision.... a screaming howler --- 1.8ltrs of bumblebee -- but you don't hear the motor all that much because the wind is trying to tear your helmet off.... holy crap - the end of the big straight comes up fast and the helmet is coming up even faster! A touch up of the brakes -- downshift into 5th and roll it on throttle around turn 1... awesome --- but scary too! You're carrying A LOT of speed... which makes the Mustang seem like slow-motion.

That's all for now --- I'm pooped!

[GregWeld]

I'll let JerrDawgy tell his own story --- but what I can say is that I just happened to be rolling south from Seattle to NorCal --- and this "race truck" happened to be between where I was coming from and heading to... and somebody bought it... and it got a ride down to Thunderhill and a guy I know (the proud new owner) came up from LA and took it home. Stay tuned as I'm sure this won't be the last you'll read/see of this cute little truck (which sounds every bit as bad ass as my Mustang!).

Originally Posted by FETorino

Hmm

That looks pretty cool but what about this? Is it running today?

[Sieg]

Hmmmm...........you had more fun than I did today!

Good stuff GW, not surprised with the 2-11. Wait till you get used to it. What were the track temps like?

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Sieg

Hmmmm...........you had more fun than I did today!

Good stuff GW, not surprised with the 2-11. Wait till you get used to it. What were the track temps like?

Now you're sounding like Gaetano!!


I have no idea what the track temps where -- I have no idea how many clicks on my shocks... I have even less idea where my anti-roll bars are set... or how much toe-in I have or don't have. I own lots of tools and bring many down with me - but only to loan to others that may have a need. I come down for the FUN... If it breaks it goes on the trailer and I ride the passenger side with anyone that will let me.


I just set tire pressures.... put on my driver stuff... strap in -- and go out and have a blast. I pass some people -- and since I've moved up to Green group - some people pass me... then they wave a checkered flag and I get off track and go sit on my fat little ass until they call Green group again. :>)

[Sieg]

Ambient high was 76* low was 48*..........kinda chilly for T-Hill. Certainly didn't help the slicks get up to temp. Maybe Hoosier R6's since it's somewhat obvious you're not inclined to run tire warmers.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by Sieg

Ambient high was 76* low was 48*..........kinda chilly for T-Hill. Certainly didn't help the slicks get up to temp. Maybe Hoosier A6's since it's somewhat obvious you're not inclined to run tire warmers.

I actually talked to one of the OTEC guys here today and asked about A6's -- his thought was that they might start off better but that after 20 minutes they might be greasy...

I'll order some R6's. And a spare set of wheels like I have for the Mustang... Ah the beauty of having some space...

I was laughing when I typed my response.... because Gaetano showed up today -- and immediately asked about the handling of the Mustang. I replied that it was a little crossed up in 12 and 13... but I ho-hum that stuff... He wanted to change tire pressure by a half a pound - and check my shock settings. I was like -- NO..... Why not he asked... Well, because.... it wouldn't make any difference in my driving... and I'm not racing so there's no prize... no check... oh -- and if it was a little squirrelly in a corner -- it would be because I entered too hot --- or I hit the brakes too hard or too late - or maybe I just didn't quite hit the apex.... In other words --- it's not the shocks or the tires - or the temps -- it's ME.... and changing the car doesn't change ME.

More importantly --- none of that "knowledge" would increase my pleasure... None of that is important to me. I'm not crawling under the car... I'm not working on it... I'm not changing anything. I'm just down here having a great time -- hangin' with my buddies -- driving our asses off... laughing at our foibles and telling lies about how fast we took some corner... or about how sideways we were.

Some guys are all about shock adjustments - tire temps - coil settings - and toe in etc. And they get a ton of pleasure out of knowing about that and seeing what each does. Me? Not so much. I'm focused on having a great weekend -- not hurting my pride too much -- laughing with my buddies... going out to some ptomaine parlor for dinner.

I like simple. When I'm on track the only thing I have to think about is hitting the apex -- and trying my best to catch the guy in front of me. If I can do some of that some of the time - then I've had a good day.

The grease will get changed when I get back home to the shed.

[Sieg]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

I actually talked to one of the OTEC guys here today and asked about A6's -- his thought was that they might start off better but that after 20 minutes they might be greasy...

I'll order some R6's. And a spare set of wheels like I have for the Mustang... Ah the beauty of having some space...

I was laughing when I typed my response.... because Gaetano showed up today -- and immediately asked about the handling of the Mustang. I replied that it was a little crossed up in 12 and 13... but I ho-hum that stuff... He wanted to change tire pressure by a half a pound - and check my shock settings. I was like -- NO..... Why not he asked... Well, because.... it wouldn't make any difference in my driving... and I'm not racing so there's no prize... no check... oh -- and if it was a little squirrelly in a corner -- it would be because I entered too hot --- or I hit the brakes too hard or too late - or maybe I just didn't quite hit the apex.... In other words --- it's not the shocks or the tires - or the temps -- it's ME.... and changing the car doesn't change ME.

More importantly --- none of that "knowledge" would increase my pleasure... None of that is important to me. I'm not crawling under the car... I'm not working on it... I'm not changing anything. I'm just down here having a great time -- hangin' with my buddies -- driving our asses off... laughing at our foibles and telling lies about how fast we took some corner... or about how sideways we were.

Some guys are all about shock adjustments - tire temps - coil settings - and toe in etc. And they get a ton of pleasure out of knowing about that and seeing what each does. Me? Not so much. I'm focused on having a great weekend -- not hurting my pride too much -- laughing with my buddies... going out to some ptomaine parlor for dinner.

I like simple. When I'm on track the only thing I have to think about is hitting the apex -- and trying my best to catch the guy in front of me. If I can do some of that some of the time - then I've had a good day.

The grease will get changed when I get back home to the shed.

Ya quick gunned posted me on editing my A6 to R6 error..............

On the bikes I wasn't a constant suspension tinkerer or tire experimenter either but I will tweak as much as it takes to where I get the suspension feeling right for me. Tire temps only get check for baseline and adjusted as needed to compensate for extreme ambient temperature variations.

Once I find the sweet spots I leave well enough alone and focus on lines braking and throttle application........