Running at Sears Point/ Infinion on the 8th.

[RC240z]

Looking at your photos in quick succession through turn two the car looks like it is working well. Glad to see that it is doing so well and you are more confident.

I agree, lowering the car in the rear might help it some, but be careful as you don't want to lower it too much, as it will effect your handling.

Toyo is bringing back the RA1 in a 205-50-15 and I personally suggest you consider that route. they will last much longer than the 888's. Both Spec Miata and Porsche 944 spec those tires, and I really like them once they warm up...

I think you can lower both the front and the rear of your car a little and you will be pleased at the results...

All in all a good weekend.

As for brakes. As your rotors get thin they can't dissapate as much heat, that will adversely effect your pads and your brake fluid as the heat has to go somewhere. KFP golds are scary until they bed in and then the hotter they get the better they work. I would look at new rotors if yours are questionable, and then look at new pads.

What brake fluid do you run? I run Motul that can handle 625 degrees. I have seen boiled fluid cause issues in roadsters so keep that in mind as well.

Congrats again, wish there was video...guess you need to go back

Ron

[SLOroadster]

I'll look into the RA1s, I hope they do a 14 since I have 2 sets of race wheels that are 14s. As for lowering the rear end, I'm thinking no more than half an inch. The front looks good, I think my roll center is right where it should be. I don't have the traction bars or the panhard rod on. I didn't feel any spring windup or side loading. There were no scuffs on the sidewalls from rubbing either (even with the 225s on.) I'm still going to try and get that setup this winter however.

The brakes had me worried a couple times. Mostly going into turn 4 as the entry is off camber and falls away. The braking needs to be completely done before you start to turn in otherwise you can end up trail braking your self right off the track. I blew 7 a couple of times for the same reason. I don't know why but the Alfa seems to have better initial bite even though its got the same brake pads that are 2 years old. Its like this new set of pads just doesn't want to bed in fully. That said they felt pretty good today, and better than they did any time on Thursday. I put over a hundred miles on them and followed the bed in procedure before hand, but they just never felt really good like they should.

The car was very smooth. I did very little sawing at the wheel, even coming out of turn 6. It was a steady pressure on the wheel and as I exited I gently let off and the car was smooth. There was no fighting the car what so ever.

I will admit I think I might have been nervous before I went out. I woke up Thursday morning not feeling well at all. I still didn't feel well when I got in the car for the first session (Hey I paid $300 to go run it, so I was going to get something out of it.) After I came back in, I felt better. I'm pretty sure with another couple days out there and a new set of tires I can run a sub 2 min lap.

IF (and thats a big IF) I can find the $ to do another track day I will do so. This one broke the bank for the month however (well that and a new pair of glasses) We'll see how things play out. How are Street TDs in the rain?

Will

[RC240z]

"sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays!" Lolz

I am always a little nervous the first time out..at any event.

Its been a while since you have run a track day, that is understandable. Looking at the brakes sounds wise.

I don't think I would like the Street TD's in the rain. The tread is for show, not for go.

Ron

[st3ph3nm]

Hi Will,

Excellent write up. I know it's been a while since you ran there, but do you have times for the same track before the spring change?

I can't wait to get mine out onto the track properly!

Cheers,
Steve

[SLOroadster]

I've never run full speed before at Sears Point. I've done some 3/4 speed laps, some 1/2 speed laps but this was the first time going 90%+. A friend of mine did my car there last year, but I don't remember the lap times. I think the car was indeed faster with this setup. His comment was that the tires were doing all the work through the corners and the car was not doing much at all. In my case, the car was working and the tires were doing the best they could since one pair was dead and the others just don't have the grip modern DOT-R tires do. The way I know the car was better than before is because I explored the corner berms before at 1/2 speed and scared myself. This time I was pushing it pretty hard through sections and using the berms to my full advantage. That alone tells me the car is better across the board.

Will

[RC240z]

Will re-reading your post regarding your brake pads. I have found that it takes a very long time for the KFP pads to bed in. Allthough, admittantly I don't follow the bed in proceedure to the letter...It takes several sessions to get them to bite. Like 6 track sessions...So it would make sense that they are just now coming in. The Golds are scary until they are fully bedded in.

Ron

[RC240z]

GRL just announced their next event at Infineon next June. I am going to try to make it.

It is an invite only event, but it would be a great event to run with the Roadster.

Ron

[SLOroadster]

Who is GRL? Is that General Racing? The end of May begining of June is the Wine Country Classic. It would be great to see a roadster run for that. Keep me posted, I'd be happy to crew for you.

Will

[RC240z]

Yes GRL is General Racing Limited.

I will let you know, June is a long time off.

R

[SLOroadster]

Ok, video I hope. [youtube][/youtube]

Its like I'm doing parade laps. It was sooooo slow. Seeing he Passing flags out at every station was sad. The funny thing is the car behind me was who I was waiting for. I wish I had video from later in the day. I was running 2:40s here, and it was like a drive in the country. For this session I was using a lot of 2/3, after taking the heat cycled out Hankooks off and running the Street TDs, I was much much faster. I could get around the track no problem in 3rd/4th, with possible 5th down into 10 (I'll admit it, I was scared to try it. The wall is just way too close if I blow the entrance to the corner. I got it wrong topping 4th out and nearly put 2 wheels off on exit a couple times. )

Will