Greg Weld on the track today - Lateral-g Forums

**GregWeld** · #1 10-28-2013, 08:43 AM

I will give Lotus a "shout out" - they're very free with their information and actually have copious "notes" that are there for the taking - regarding the entire chassis set up - with "X" tire (the dog crap Advan A048) and "slicks"… These notes give a great deal of detail regarding every facet. They explain - if you do "X" then you can expect to also adjust "A and B" and get "X" feel from the car -- and doing "Y" means you need to do "C and D and B" in order to get a different result.

In speaking with Lotus -- they don't consider Hoosier R6's as "slicks"… too funny -- but there are REAL SLICKS from Hoosier and others… and the R6's are considered to be less than that. Of course you can order "slicks" in various compounds from soft to hard - and the R6's are just what they are. For track days…. R6's will be a major step up from the "street/track" compound used in the A048's - and I suspect the the A048's where a bit used up as far as heat cycles go.

Here's my thoughts on all of this…. I'm going to just make base adjustments due to changing to "slicks"…. I've adjusted the aero wing for "MAX" downforce (I certainly don't care about maximum top speed) and we'll just go with that. My driving is the main difference between happy tail and not… so until I get that part fixed - the car will be just fine… and I'll just learn what's to be expected and roll with it.

**Sieg** · #2 10-28-2013, 09:34 AM

Just eliminating the tire unknown variable is big. One baseline change at a time......similar to tuning a carb.

Quote:

(I certainly don't care about maximum top speed)

Me neither........as long as I can comfortably dominate nearly every car in my group.

**GregWeld** · #3 10-28-2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sieg

Just eliminating the tire unknown variable is big. One baseline change at a time......similar to tuning a carb.

Me neither........as long as I can comfortably dominate nearly every car in my group.

Well I take that "LEARN HOW TO DRIVE" statement to heart. I don't just say that to "others" (that really do need to get over the whole I'm AJ Foyt syndrome) but it most certainly applies to me as well!…. CHARLEY never spins… and he's fast… so if I could just have one weekend where I felt fast AND didn't spin - then I think I'd be on the road to the beginners learning ladder. Until then - I just want the car to be "fine". I'll learn how to drive it the way it is and be happy with it. Until I've got enough seat time in the car where I can start to play with all the variables there's not much point in trying to improve them until I improve myself.

**Sieg** · #4 10-28-2013, 10:24 AM

Confidence in your equipment and setup leads to confidence in your abilities which allows you to relax which allows you to be smooth which allows you to be fast and enjoy the ride.

**GregWeld** · #5 10-28-2013, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sieg

Confidence in your equipment and setup leads to confidence in your abilities which allows you to relax which allows you to be smooth which allows you to be fast and enjoy the ride.

All absolutely true and spot on. I really really enjoyed the driving just following little Tommy McCarthy around the track…. I was relaxed - motions in the car smoothed out - car was stable… and it was FUN.

This is why I say I need to learn to drive. The CAR is far more capable than I.

**Stuart Adams** · #6 10-28-2013, 11:42 AM

Just like life, enjoy the ride at your pace. Its cool your having fun.

intocarss · #7 10-29-2013, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sieg

Confidence in your equipment and setup leads to confidence in your abilities which allows you to relax which allows you to be smooth which allows you to be fast and enjoy the ride.

That's spot on

**GregWeld** · #8 10-30-2013, 05:44 PM

Found this pretty old video of Chris Harris (who's reviews I like) driving a 2 Eleven…

**GregWeld** · #9 10-31-2013, 06:59 PM

I found the perfect Lotus 2 Eleven video!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

DaleTx · #10 10-28-2013, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Here's my thoughts on all of this…. I'm going to just make base adjustments due to changing to "slicks"…. I've adjusted the aero wing for "MAX" downforce (I certainly don't care about maximum top speed) and we'll just go with that. My driving is the main difference between happy tail and not… so until I get that part fixed - the car will be just fine… and I'll just learn what's to be expected and roll with it.

It sounds like you are getting the car set up dialed in. As far as the driving goes... I wonder if there are special driving techniques you can apply when driving a car that is loose (tail happy) versus driving a car that pushes. It seems like you would want to be on the gas sooner after entering the corner to transfer the weight to the back of the car. Hit the brakes hard while in a straight line... then get right back on the throttle going in to the corner. Probably a way different strategy required than when driving the Mustang.

Just throwing out ideas here... Car is looking good, look forward to updates after the next outing