Reflections after my 1st 2 track events.... - LotusTalk

PECivil · 09-17-2009, 01:36 PM

DAMN is this FUN!
Track is better than autocross....
I really need to get a 5 pt harness installed.
I really need to improve on Heel-toe downshifthing because you dont do it in autoX but really need to do it at the track
Did I say this is FUN!
Boy does the car get lots of rubber "crappie" all over the fenders that is hard to get off.
I can't believe how much tire wear happens after only 2 track days.

I spent a day at SOW with BMWCCA and a day at California Speedway on the interior course with PCA last Sunday.

This weekend I am at Buttonwillow both Sat and Sun with BMWCCA for a DE. I cant wait!!

I dont think I ever have focused as hard on anything as I did driving on the track. The 20 minute sessions seemed to last 5 minutes. My helmet and shirt were drenched in sweat. I need to get a head sock or the helmet will start to stink I reckon.

I screwed up apexes quite a few times but the only trouble I have had so far is popping out the clutch too fast and locking up the rears during hard braking prior to a turn but I corrected it (barely). I think I am getting the slow in fast out thing. I did much better braking in a straight line and blasting out of corners vs trailbraking. I am not good enough yet to trailbrake I think.

Driving with an instructor in a race prepped car is INCREADIBLE. Easily the highlight of each day and I wasn't even the one driving! I can't believe how much speed he carried through turns and how he rotated the car. A 911 well driven is a beautiful thing.

The lotus brakes so well I can't believe it. My instructor was amazed as well. He said it braked as well as his raceprepped 911 if not better. I never got any fade at all both days. I was worred about brake fade because it sounds very scary.

This is gonna get expensive. I picked up a sector 111 harness bar and 5pt harness. I need to get a seat that has the openings for the straps.

I am fully committed now. A new Track Junkie has been born.

RichS · 09-17-2009, 01:48 PM

Welcome to the club!

ZJChaser · 09-17-2009, 01:57 PM

Welcome....

apk919 · 09-17-2009, 02:02 PM

Resistance is futile... you will be absorbed...

BTW, Bug & Tar remover gets the rubber marks off pretty quickly.

Feffman · 09-17-2009, 02:16 PM

Another one for the track crack pipe!

Feff

PECivil · 09-17-2009, 02:30 PM

[quote][Another one for the track crack pipe!/QUOTE]

man your not kidding. Its all I can thing about haha!

I will try the bug and tar remover, I scrubbed my hands off trying to get that stuff off.

I bought a PCA zone 8 log book and got my first entry. 3 more and I get a competition permit and can do Time Trials with no check out ride.

Who you veterans do track days with? I have seen LCS but I dont think I am there yet!

rdomi · 09-17-2009, 02:51 PM

Go to motorsportreg.com You will find a whole world of track events to go to. I live in Chicago and have been to tracks nationwide. My favorites are Watkins Glen , Road America , Sebring and Summit Point.

AZReason · 09-17-2009, 02:55 PM

Simple green full strength will get the rubber marks off. Make sure not to get any on any aluminum. Painted surfaces only.

ZJChaser · 09-17-2009, 03:11 PM

a carnuba car wax and one of those little cheap orbital buffers works great as well.

LordZ · 09-17-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PECivil

Boy does the car get lots of rubber "crappie" all over the fenders that is hard to get off.

Microfiber towel and TurtleWax liquid claybar. Works wonders on the black marks.

09-17-2009, 01:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
PECivil Engineer of Record Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SandyEggo Posts: 197	Reflections after my 1st 2 track events.... DAMN is this FUN! Track is better than autocross.... I really need to get a 5 pt harness installed. I really need to improve on Heel-toe downshifthing because you dont do it in autoX but really need to do it at the track Did I say this is FUN! Boy does the car get lots of rubber "crappie" all over the fenders that is hard to get off. I can't believe how much tire wear happens after only 2 track days. I spent a day at SOW with BMWCCA and a day at California Speedway on the interior course with PCA last Sunday. This weekend I am at Buttonwillow both Sat and Sun with BMWCCA for a DE. I cant wait!! I dont think I ever have focused as hard on anything as I did driving on the track. The 20 minute sessions seemed to last 5 minutes. My helmet and shirt were drenched in sweat. I need to get a head sock or the helmet will start to stink I reckon. I screwed up apexes quite a few times but the only trouble I have had so far is popping out the clutch too fast and locking up the rears during hard braking prior to a turn but I corrected it (barely). I think I am getting the slow in fast out thing. I did much better braking in a straight line and blasting out of corners vs trailbraking. I am not good enough yet to trailbrake I think. Driving with an instructor in a race prepped car is INCREADIBLE. Easily the highlight of each day and I wasn't even the one driving! I can't believe how much speed he carried through turns and how he rotated the car. A 911 well driven is a beautiful thing. The lotus brakes so well I can't believe it. My instructor was amazed as well. He said it braked as well as his raceprepped 911 if not better. I never got any fade at all both days. I was worred about brake fade because it sounds very scary. This is gonna get expensive. I picked up a sector 111 harness bar and 5pt harness. I need to get a seat that has the openings for the straps. I am fully committed now. A new Track Junkie has been born. __________________ 02 Phoenix Yellow M3 (fast and fun) 06 Autumn Gold Elise (faster and funner) 07 328iT (wifey's car)

09-17-2009, 01:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
RichS No, it's only an N/A Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 3,285	Welcome to the club! __________________ Useful links to vendors removed at Nadeem's request. "Nice avatar by the way, I doubt Colin Chapman would have followed the herd as I have seen many here do. --Nadeem"

09-17-2009, 01:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
ZJChaser Blue Wheel Pimp Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Laguna Hills, CA Posts: 2,851	Welcome.... __________________ AJ - Akua Solutions - #128 Lotus Exige - JRZ Suspension - Innovative Mounts - Toyo Tires - TW Research Development

09-17-2009, 02:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
apk919 ΒÄŅNED Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Limbo Posts: 6,281 Images: 20	Resistance is futile... you will be absorbed... BTW, Bug & Tar remover gets the rubber marks off pretty quickly. __________________ * 2009 Lotus Challenge Series Rookie Of The Year * (Thanks Jim, Tom, Jack, Rob & Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch!) My videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/apk919

09-17-2009, 02:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
Feffman Grand Poobah Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: St. Louis, Mo. Posts: 865	Another one for the track crack pipe! Feff __________________ MVP Track Time

09-17-2009, 02:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
PECivil Engineer of Record Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SandyEggo Posts: 197	[quote][Another one for the track crack pipe!/QUOTE] man your not kidding. Its all I can thing about haha! I will try the bug and tar remover, I scrubbed my hands off trying to get that stuff off. I bought a PCA zone 8 log book and got my first entry. 3 more and I get a competition permit and can do Time Trials with no check out ride. Who you veterans do track days with? I have seen LCS but I dont think I am there yet! __________________ 02 Phoenix Yellow M3 (fast and fun) 06 Autumn Gold Elise (faster and funner) 07 328iT (wifey's car)

09-17-2009, 02:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
rdomi Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 14	Go to motorsportreg.com You will find a whole world of track events to go to. I live in Chicago and have been to tracks nationwide. My favorites are Watkins Glen , Road America , Sebring and Summit Point.

09-17-2009, 02:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
AZReason Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 440	Simple green full strength will get the rubber marks off. Make sure not to get any on any aluminum. Painted surfaces only. __________________ Hoosier tires won in 2009: 11 so far Thank you Hoosier and NASA!

09-17-2009, 03:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
ZJChaser Blue Wheel Pimp Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Laguna Hills, CA Posts: 2,851	a carnuba car wax and one of those little cheap orbital buffers works great as well. __________________ AJ - Akua Solutions - #128 Lotus Exige - JRZ Suspension - Innovative Mounts - Toyo Tires - TW Research Development

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