Okay --- everyone loves "the videos". LOL So here's the only one I took.
You'll see another yellow Mustang show up --- that's Charley --- I can't keep up with him --- and then I THOUGHT our other buddy Pete was behind me (his is black with gold stripes) so slowed to let him go around - but it wasn't Pete it was a dark blue car with gold stripes.... Then I saw Chet (white with blue stripes) so I wanted to run with him, so slowed to let him catch up and go around so I could run with him. This was the first time in all our events that I've actually been anywhere near these guys and wanted to be able to run as a pack... It's fun to dice with your buddies. The Turquoise Panoz is fast --- Since we've all run together before -- you get to know who's who and if I see it in my mirrors -- I'm lifting off the gas and pointing him by. You learn to not try to race the faster guy behind you via your mirror... you can learn A LOT more by following their line rather than having them 2 feet off your ass and you over driving your car in an effort to gap them. After a few spins or "oh no moments" you grow up and start parking your ego in the trailer when the starter spins over. We're there to have FUN not get a $100K check --- or a $100K WRECK.
Sutton's post was spot on. I'm not out there to "race". I'm out there just having a great time. I love to chase people. I would never be a good racer because I have no desire to LEAD. I love to see if I can catch people -- try a different line -- act like we're racing and see if I could take 'em on the inside etc. Like they say - To each his own.
The back section of the track, beginning with T6 to T9 is very high speed. I came in and got scolded by Charley for slowing down too much in T8.... he's right --- I tend to just cruise back there... Part of the increase in my lap times was him chiding me to pick up the pace in that section, which I did. I could go A LOT faster back there.... I like corners and straights are boring... so I tend to just "get thru them" rather than attack the straights (this section is really more straights with a couple "kinks" tossed in).
Can you tell the mirrors were adjusted for SIEG?? I couldn't see if there was traffic and had to keep looking I couldn't just check with my eyes. LOL
This car is so f'n easy to drive now it's sick! Next sessions will add a center mirror -- and Hoosier A6's! And my new Stilo helmet is equipped with built in communications -- as such it has ear "muffs" -- I couldn't hear the RPM's which is very disconcerting as this is a sense that you need on the track. I can either remove them or use my other helmet in this car. It's not a problem hearing the Mustang!
Ron thanx again for all you do for this forum and us. Your wisdom and experience is great fun to learn from. I enjoyed meeting you and spending some time with you this weekend. It was one of my favorite weekends of my life, granted it was my first track outing and a memorable one, one i will always have with me. Track days will come and go, and so will friends, but memories we will have forever.
Mike it was great to meet you and talk about stuff. I look forward to seeing you at future events.
Ron -- Great compilation of the weekend! Thank goodness you have a mind like a steel trap. I can't remember anything except the fun stuff.
I will say that having Ron Sutton help with the two cars was the best money I've ever spent on a car -- and was also far cheaper than all the parts that I'd have bought to shave that time off --- and the car wouldn't have been better with more parts thrown at it.
I've said this - in a "nice way" <for me> many times -- and it always gets discounted as it's coming from the old fat guy.... but investing in drivers schools -- seat time -- and professional services such as what Ron offers (not your jackass buddy that THINKS he knows something) --- will do way more for you and your car than all the parts you think you need 'cause if all the parts aren't functioning the way they should be - ya got nothing.
If you're serious about your stuff... invest in some help like what Ron offers. It's the best money you've ever spent.
Hey Greg, thanks for the good words.
RON: What about a 1/4 click on the left front and minus 1/2 click at the rear... Oh yeah ... that's all we needed to run 2:00's. LOL
Guess we'll work on all that the next session 'cause I ain't done with you yet! :>)
We worked well together & had a lot of fun, so I'm in. Let's stay focused on making the car better, safer & more fun. The lap times will take care of themselves.
I think 2 things would help ...
#1 Let's get that Mustang braking better so there's more stopping power & less praying on corner entry.
#2 Going fast in a 3000# 600 hp beast .... on 245 size tires ... is a manhood test. So let's increase the grip & stability.
Nice smooth driving, looking good . What kind of top speed were you running on the straights? It looked like you went into 5th gear on the long straight.
I can't believe the Corvette made the pass on on you while you were passing another car. He should have waited.... hopefully you saw him coming.
Thanks. Top speeds between T15-T1, T9-T10, and T13-T14 are relatively close depending on the drive you get......between 115 and maaaybe 125. That z06 drives off the corners HARD! He's probably close to 140-145 on the front straight.
I got to know the Z06 driver in the pits. He runs a good line and has good car control so I trusted him and he obviously trusted me. I didn't know he was there but had no problem with it, also trusted the M3 driver to my right as we'd diced it out a few times already. I was wondering what cop in the tower might be thinking as we went by 3 abreast though.
We worked well together & had a lot of fun, so I'm in. Let's stay focused on making the car better, safer & more fun. The lap times will take care of themselves.
I think 2 things would help ...
#1 Let's get that Mustang braking better so there's more stopping power & less praying on corner entry.
#2 Going fast in a 3000# 600 hp beast .... on 245 size tires ... is a manhood test. So let's increase the grip & stability.
Should I call or we can do brakes and shocks etc via email?????
I don't think that people with "PT" cars ----- watching these videos --- have any idea what driving these old beasts on those skinny tires is truly like. They watch the Corvettes with their HUGE tires -- HUGE brakes - Low coefficient of drag, fly by us and think how slow we are and why don't we just blow them up. HAHAHAHAHA OMG if they even had a f'n clue... I've said this in the past but I just don't think people understand. Two piston small rotors - single piston small rotor -- skinny tires -- lots of HP..... you discover that going into a corner and getting some speed scrubbed off is easier to say than do.
Where you really notice the BRAKING prowess -- is watching the deep braking of the LOTUS as compared to other cars. It's not the HP there that makes it fast -- it's the BRAKING.
I have no desire to go into the dirt at T1 -- or T14.... LOL
Should I call or we can do brakes and shocks etc via email?????
I'm already on it. I'll email you some info & we can discuss options.
I don't think that people with "PT" cars ----- watching these videos --- have any idea what driving these old beasts on those skinny tires is truly like. They watch the Corvettes with their HUGE tires -- HUGE brakes - Low coefficient of drag, fly by us and think how slow we are and why don't we just blow them up. HAHAHAHAHA OMG if they even had a f'n clue... I've said this in the past but I just don't think people understand. Two piston small rotors - single piston small rotor -- skinny tires -- lots of HP..... you discover that going into a corner and getting some speed scrubbed off is easier to say than do.
Oh man. The new stuff is cool. The Z06's are like a well engineered, streetable race car with big tires, big brakes, big power & aero. Of course, getting neat old muscle cars to handle & go fast is way cooler ... more of an accomplishment ... and expresses more individuality. Otherwise everyone out there would be Corvettes.
Where you really notice the BRAKING prowess -- is watching the deep braking of the LOTUS as compared to other cars. It's not the HP there that makes it fast -- it's the BRAKING.
I have no desire to go into the dirt at T1 -- or T14.... LOL
Ron --- When you have a chance -- You are welcome to tear me a new you know what with comments on my driving... etc (if you've watched the videos). Others may learn from my mistakes and poor judgement. And to me - that's what it's all about. Charley has already destroyed any ego I had.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
First Hemi 'Cuda Convertible Ever Built
Short clips: Goodguys Pleasanton autocross and pit videos
. What kind of top speed were you running on the straights? It looked like you went into 5th gear on the long straight.
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