New rubber for the CSP racer :)

Kentetsu · 06-26-08, 01:47 PM

The wheels are Diamond Racing, 13x8. The tires are Hoosier 225/45/VR13.

These wheels actually have a bit of history to them, having been previously owned by RX7Carl, and then later by Bruceman (who used them to kick my butt all around the course). The wheels still look like new. The tires only have a few races left in them, then I'll be shopping for replacements.

Today I put them on the car for the first time for test fitting, and to determine the ride height I'll want when running them. I drove it the half a block down to the park for a few pics, and looking at them I'm thinking I might drop the front another 1/2" or so for races.

Anyway, they fit great and I really like how they look. Too bad I can't just keep them on all the time.

My first chance to try them out will be this Saturday at an autocross in Lansing. I can't wait! I've never driven on race rubber before, so I'm sure it will take a little getting used to.

Bruceman; thanks for thinking of me when it came time to let these go, and for the great deal!

Gravity Fed · 06-26-08, 01:53 PM

looks good!

Rogue_Wulff · 06-26-08, 02:42 PM

Sweet! I'm actually a little jealous. I'm hoping to run across some 13x7 or 15x7 wheels, so I can add race rubber to my car for autox events.

TheRX7Project · 06-26-08, 04:58 PM

Those 13x8 diamonds are only like $60 a pop.

Looks sweet. I always wondered how they'd look actually ON a car... now I know I want 15s lol

jonvo4591 · 06-26-08, 05:35 PM

i like that look.

a little more drop in the front would be perfect.

maybe a little more tire profile?

Kentetsu · 06-26-08, 06:08 PM

Well, you have to remember that this is for racing, not looks. I wouldn't mind getting a set of wheels this wide for the street, but they'd probably be 15s.

The main reason I wanted to race on this setup is because it lowers the center of gravity, and slightly reduces the gear ratios. And the photos were taken in the "dropped" position, I raise everything back up 1 1/2" for my street tires.

Thanks for the kind words. I'll post back after the race, and let you guys know how I did.

jonvo4591 · 06-26-08, 06:24 PM

yes, my comment was on looks, but as far as racing, as long as it works, it's good.

function over form.

OneRotor · 06-26-08, 06:47 PM

looks good. Wish I didn't have a wedding on Saturday, and my FB were in running condition, so I could come to the Auto-X in Lansing. Good luck Saturday, and let us know how different it is.

Kentetsu · 06-27-08, 10:49 AM

Thanks man. Are you going to make the Allendale event next weekend? July 5th test and tune, 6th is the race.

gsl-se addict · 06-27-08, 10:57 AM

Not fair, Ken. You already kick the snot out of everyone. At least give them half a chance.

Looks good, though.

Rogue_Wulff · 06-27-08, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsl-se addict

Not fair, Ken. You already kick the snot out of everyone. At least give them half a chance.

Looks good, though.

LOL. 1/2 a chance, does that mean only run 2 race tires and 2 street tires?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

gsl-se addict · 06-27-08, 03:20 PM

No, he should run 4 crappy tires.

He beats up on them with okay tires..now he is using race rubber. They don't stand a chance in hell.

Kentetsu · 06-27-08, 03:43 PM

lmao... I guess we'll see. I plan to start playing a little more with the "big boys" from the Detriot side of the state. They tend to be a bit more serious than us little guys on the west side.

Kentetsu · 06-29-08, 01:04 PM

It was a very good day....

Kentetsu · 06-29-08, 04:37 PM

Okay, I've got a minute now so I can give some details

Results just came out (didn't want to post until I was sure). I missed FTD by half a second, and finished 3rd overall for raw time. It was an extremely tight and short course because the lot we had to use did not allow a lot of options. But it was still a blast, just wish I could have gotten some speed if you know what I mean. Most of the course was too high for 1st gear, so I ran in 2nd gear and just put up with the lack of power.

Racing rubber was quite an experience. I didn't feel all that fast, I just drove the car like usual (cussing, swearing, fighting understeer, beating her into submission, you know the usual). But the times really show that the tires were helping quite a lot.

So anyway, it was a very good day and I had a great time.

datsun1200 · 06-29-08, 10:03 PM

Im bracking my head ,what wing is that,and if you have another one let me know????

sorry for hijacking your thread

Kentetsu · 06-30-08, 10:16 AM

I believe that is the stock 3pc spoiler. Came with the car, and the mounting points appear to be stock.

Kentetsu · 07-08-08, 12:32 PM

Well, four races down and I've got four wins in CSP. So far, undefeated for this season (but I know it won't last)

This past weekend I had a 2nd gen MR2 really give me a run for my money.

Best news though, I have not been beaten by a Porsche yet this year (in any class). Now that's my true goal!

FirebirdSlayer666 · 07-08-08, 08:15 PM

Damn! I wanna see some video on the new race rubber

OneRotor · 07-09-08, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kentetsu

Thanks man. Are you going to make the Allendale event next weekend? July 5th test and tune, 6th is the race.

Nope, I'm in the UP for school, and with gas how it is and my credit card needing to be paid off, i'm not going to be making it downstate anytime soon. How did this past weekend go?

Kentetsu · 07-09-08, 08:35 PM

It was great! We had over 90 cars for Sunday, and everything went off without a hitch. The course was really nice too, with three different decreasing radius turns that really took a bit to figure out.

I've got most of the editing completed on the videos, so hopefully in the next few days I'll get them uploaded. I'll post here when I do.

She looks really tough, and a lot of people were commenting that it looked like a Hotwheels car. lol... I ran in the last of 4 heats, and there were a lot of people asking when I was going to run, because they were waiting around just to see the car on the track. Pretty cool.

Kentetsu · 07-15-08, 02:40 AM

Okay, a new video is up and ready to go. This was from the last race before I got the race rubber. There's a few of us 1st gen guys tearing it up. Just follow the link in my signature line to check it out.

I had another one all ready to go (with the race rubber), but when I went to save the file the computer locked up on me. So, now I'll have to start over from scratch.

I'll get it posted as soon as I can.

Kentetsu · 07-15-08, 01:33 PM

Okay, it turns out that Windows Moviemaker automatically saved the MSU file for me.

I finished that one up, and it was uploading as I left for work. If everything went okay, it should be up on the site now.

This video was shot by a fellow racer, but the quality is not all that good. Still worth watching though. My car looks pretty sweet, and very fast.