Thunderhill NorCal Shelby Club 2015 Fall Classic

[patoke]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

I've run Thill 3 mile 16 turn config (with the Crow's Nest) at 2:06 and 2:07's

The 5 Mile @ 3:23's

I seem to be fairly consistent at 2:08 and 2:09 and 2:10

As you know - in track day driving - it all depends on traffic. This last weekend at Thunderhill we had 33 or so cars in Green Group - so getting any clean laps was difficult.

The biggest difference between old and new is that I can drive comfortably off line -- and I'm just cruising around when running 2:09's. When Ron Sutton first came on with me I was driving my butt off to get to 2:22's and having a lot of scary "oh no" moments.

Gotta remember I'm running on 245 tires.... and that's the biggest deterrent to lower lap times. These tires only have so much grip. When running with people with big azz fat tires -- I have to step my game up to pass them or run with them.

That's great that you've been able to pick over 10 seconds a lap!!

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by patoke

That's great that you've been able to pick over 10 seconds a lap!!

There's a LOT more in the car.... but lap times were never the goal or direction given to Sutton. The goal was to be able to run WITH my buddies and have the car be FUN at that level. This is a pretty simple leaf spring car. While we were sprucing her up - we added some safety considerations such as the large race wheel bearings... and to rid myself of pad knock back - added a full floater... bigger brakes etc. The really big improvements came in the form of more suspension tune-ability and settings... FAR FAR better JRi triples...

The biggest part is that the car is fun to drive... totally predictable handling. Neutral. That has allowed the dumbest part of the car to improve his ability.

I think a good driver - Popp - or Hobaugh - et al - are capable of driving the car down in the 2:04's or even better. I'm just not there, and most likely never will be. We only drive these things 3 or 4 weekends per year.

[Panteracer]

Always good to have a predictable car
Hobaugh was sorted thru a few issues on his
new vette at Crows this weekend... it is good
now and he said he looks forward to running the
Track portion the most at Optima

Bob