SW Mich Autocross/Meet Event June 27th
06-27-10, 09:30 PM
#58
What a day. Tornado warning. Torrential downpour. Sunburn. Sam getting red flagged for going too fast in his FB (I'll let him tell the story). Great day autocrossing.
I must say, probably the most impressive part of Sam's FB was its brakes. HOLY ****. Mark was there in his FB, and as always he tore it up, even on fresh Sumi's. I have a little over 300 pictures from today that will be uploaded to my photobucket tonight. It was a hell of a good time. It was good meeting everyone today (Mark in the red FC, Sam, (i told you I was bad with names) in the Black TII.
I must say, probably the most impressive part of Sam's FB was its brakes. HOLY ****. Mark was there in his FB, and as always he tore it up, even on fresh Sumi's. I have a little over 300 pictures from today that will be uploaded to my photobucket tonight. It was a hell of a good time. It was good meeting everyone today (Mark in the red FC, Sam, (i told you I was bad with names) in the Black TII.
06-27-10, 10:56 PM
#59
Lol I shouldnt tell you then I wasnt going 100% on the brakes then 
, its not just brakes, its also tires to make it not skid. I gave been told before that my car brakes like a Porsche. That's a lot to say.
I had a blast for sure though, and I blame kentutsu for the red flag :p
, its not just brakes, its also tires to make it not skid. I gave been told before that my car brakes like a Porsche. That's a lot to say.I had a blast for sure though, and I blame kentutsu for the red flag :p
06-28-10, 12:30 PM
#61
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I don't think its his brakes as much as his tires. Those R888s are simply unbelievable! I went for a ride with him, and as soon as he made his first turn my jaw hit the floor. The old Hoosiers I ran a couple years ago didn't even come close!
I have to say, I was very disappointed with yesterday's race. I got humiliated by a Miata, and it was not fun (Miata 73 seconds, me 79). I was even edged out by a very nice fc at the end. But I think it all came down to tires. After riding with Sam, and feeling the unbelievable grip those Toyos had, I think I need to face up to the fact that the Sumitomos are not going to get me there no matter how hard I try.
I feel like I'm being beaten by their bank accounts, and I'm going to have to pay up if I want to continue winning. I hate to do it, because it has been a lot of fun fighting with the Miatas/Hoosiers while running my Sumis. But after meeting my (I feel) first truly prepared Miata with a first class driver, I have to face the facts.
But it was still a lot of fun, and a very nice course. And I think I had a couple of pretty decent runs in for the day. Sam's car is a riot! And Whitey's car is so clean it is almost a shame to race it. lol. We saw a couple of spectacular off-course slides too.
So, next weekend is a two day event, so maybe I'll do a little better. The tires were new, with about 150 miles on them, and someone told me about release lubricants that don't wear off until about 500 miles, so maybe they'll do a little better.
I have to say, I was very disappointed with yesterday's race. I got humiliated by a Miata, and it was not fun (Miata 73 seconds, me 79). I was even edged out by a very nice fc at the end. But I think it all came down to tires. After riding with Sam, and feeling the unbelievable grip those Toyos had, I think I need to face up to the fact that the Sumitomos are not going to get me there no matter how hard I try.
I feel like I'm being beaten by their bank accounts, and I'm going to have to pay up if I want to continue winning. I hate to do it, because it has been a lot of fun fighting with the Miatas/Hoosiers while running my Sumis. But after meeting my (I feel) first truly prepared Miata with a first class driver, I have to face the facts.
But it was still a lot of fun, and a very nice course. And I think I had a couple of pretty decent runs in for the day. Sam's car is a riot! And Whitey's car is so clean it is almost a shame to race it. lol. We saw a couple of spectacular off-course slides too.
So, next weekend is a two day event, so maybe I'll do a little better. The tires were new, with about 150 miles on them, and someone told me about release lubricants that don't wear off until about 500 miles, so maybe they'll do a little better.
06-28-10, 02:54 PM
#62
It's always a combination of both, if you have really grippy tires but not so strong brakes, you'll cook the brakes easily and can get brake fade easily. I hope nick understands now why within a few weeks my brake fluid gets black. last brake fluid that went in there is motul, so its not Luke its cheap fluids that I'm using neither.
I'm finally heading back home now, and need to sort out that cooling issue ( coolant not being sucked back into the radiator.). I hate seeing that light come on.
I'm finally heading back home now, and need to sort out that cooling issue ( coolant not being sucked back into the radiator.). I hate seeing that light come on.
06-28-10, 05:09 PM
#63
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I don't think its his brakes as much as his tires. Those R888s are simply unbelievable! I went for a ride with him, and as soon as he made his first turn my jaw hit the floor. The old Hoosiers I ran a couple years ago didn't even come close!
I have to say, I was very disappointed with yesterday's race. I got humiliated by a Miata, and it was not fun (Miata 73 seconds, me 79). I was even edged out by a very nice fc at the end. But I think it all came down to tires. After riding with Sam, and feeling the unbelievable grip those Toyos had, I think I need to face up to the fact that the Sumitomos are not going to get me there no matter how hard I try.
I feel like I'm being beaten by their bank accounts, and I'm going to have to pay up if I want to continue winning. I hate to do it, because it has been a lot of fun fighting with the Miatas/Hoosiers while running my Sumis. But after meeting my (I feel) first truly prepared Miata with a first class driver, I have to face the facts.
But it was still a lot of fun, and a very nice course. And I think I had a couple of pretty decent runs in for the day. Sam's car is a riot! And Whitey's car is so clean it is almost a shame to race it. lol. We saw a couple of spectacular off-course slides too.
So, next weekend is a two day event, so maybe I'll do a little better. The tires were new, with about 150 miles on them, and someone told me about release lubricants that don't wear off until about 500 miles, so maybe they'll do a little better.
I have to say, I was very disappointed with yesterday's race. I got humiliated by a Miata, and it was not fun (Miata 73 seconds, me 79). I was even edged out by a very nice fc at the end. But I think it all came down to tires. After riding with Sam, and feeling the unbelievable grip those Toyos had, I think I need to face up to the fact that the Sumitomos are not going to get me there no matter how hard I try.
I feel like I'm being beaten by their bank accounts, and I'm going to have to pay up if I want to continue winning. I hate to do it, because it has been a lot of fun fighting with the Miatas/Hoosiers while running my Sumis. But after meeting my (I feel) first truly prepared Miata with a first class driver, I have to face the facts.
But it was still a lot of fun, and a very nice course. And I think I had a couple of pretty decent runs in for the day. Sam's car is a riot! And Whitey's car is so clean it is almost a shame to race it. lol. We saw a couple of spectacular off-course slides too.
So, next weekend is a two day event, so maybe I'll do a little better. The tires were new, with about 150 miles on them, and someone told me about release lubricants that don't wear off until about 500 miles, so maybe they'll do a little better.
06-28-10, 07:16 PM
#64
common sense prevails....
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I don't think its his brakes as much as his tires. Those R888s are simply unbelievable! I went for a ride with him, and as soon as he made his first turn my jaw hit the floor. The old Hoosiers I ran a couple years ago didn't even come close!
I have to say, I was very disappointed with yesterday's race. I got humiliated by a Miata, and it was not fun (Miata 73 seconds, me 79). I was even edged out by a very nice fc at the end. But I think it all came down to tires. After riding with Sam, and feeling the unbelievable grip those Toyos had, I think I need to face up to the fact that the Sumitomos are not going to get me there no matter how hard I try.
I feel like I'm being beaten by their bank accounts, and I'm going to have to pay up if I want to continue winning. I hate to do it, because it has been a lot of fun fighting with the Miatas/Hoosiers while running my Sumis. But after meeting my (I feel) first truly prepared Miata with a first class driver, I have to face the facts.
But it was still a lot of fun, and a very nice course. And I think I had a couple of pretty decent runs in for the day. Sam's car is a riot! And Whitey's car is so clean it is almost a shame to race it. lol. We saw a couple of spectacular off-course slides too.
So, next weekend is a two day event, so maybe I'll do a little better. The tires were new, with about 150 miles on them, and someone told me about release lubricants that don't wear off until about 500 miles, so maybe they'll do a little better.
I have to say, I was very disappointed with yesterday's race. I got humiliated by a Miata, and it was not fun (Miata 73 seconds, me 79). I was even edged out by a very nice fc at the end. But I think it all came down to tires. After riding with Sam, and feeling the unbelievable grip those Toyos had, I think I need to face up to the fact that the Sumitomos are not going to get me there no matter how hard I try.
I feel like I'm being beaten by their bank accounts, and I'm going to have to pay up if I want to continue winning. I hate to do it, because it has been a lot of fun fighting with the Miatas/Hoosiers while running my Sumis. But after meeting my (I feel) first truly prepared Miata with a first class driver, I have to face the facts.
But it was still a lot of fun, and a very nice course. And I think I had a couple of pretty decent runs in for the day. Sam's car is a riot! And Whitey's car is so clean it is almost a shame to race it. lol. We saw a couple of spectacular off-course slides too.
So, next weekend is a two day event, so maybe I'll do a little better. The tires were new, with about 150 miles on them, and someone told me about release lubricants that don't wear off until about 500 miles, so maybe they'll do a little better.
I am embarrassing cars that their monthly payments are higher than I have in the car. Miatas are going down now!! I went from being mid to back pack to being faster than most cars including cars in faster classes. People that I thought "I will NEVER be as fast", I am hanging with them or beating them!
It ALL changed with the Hoosiers. Now I find I can perfect my driving skills and style since I can trust the tires!!!
06-28-10, 11:38 PM
#65
Tires are the only thing in contact with the road, i'll give you that, but Sam's tires on my FB with everything else equal wouldn't have braked nearly as hard as his brakes with his tires. His car was simply amazing. A very well rounded package.
Mark's driving was impeccable as always, however he's right, the 150 mile old Sumi's held him back. Do you still have your Diamond Racing wheels to throw some nice race rubber onto, or did they end up selling?
It took all last night to upload images to photobucket (DSL FTL), but they're up now. Here is the link:
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/i...20June%202010/
Here are some pictures:
Rain Delay:
Sam's car:
Mark's Car:
Mark's driving was impeccable as always, however he's right, the 150 mile old Sumi's held him back. Do you still have your Diamond Racing wheels to throw some nice race rubber onto, or did they end up selling?
It took all last night to upload images to photobucket (DSL FTL), but they're up now. Here is the link:
http://s265.photobucket.com/albums/i...20June%202010/
Here are some pictures:
Rain Delay:
Sam's car:
Mark's Car:
06-29-10, 09:54 AM
#68
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lol, I see! Well, he never fully applied the brakes while I was in the car, so I can't really comment on them. but the turn in response and grip still have me amazed.
I was remembering a comment I made after my first run. "The car is handling great! Absolutely perfectly balanced! I have no traction at all at both ends." lol
I will have to wait until the official times are posted, so I can see what kind of times my nemesis (the supercharged Miata) was putting down. That will tell me how far off my usual pace I was, and how fast that prepped Miata was. I know I was off my usual pace, I kept saying that I felt I was always one step behind the entire day. But I really want to know how fast that new Miata really was. It's killing me.
Whitey, I still have the Diamond wheels (decided to keep them). And I found a place where I can get the R888s for $110.00 each. All I need is the money to do so, which might take a while right now with all the wife's vacation plans coming up. The thing is, last year I was always in the top 10%, even with the Sumitomos. But I have a feeling that this year is going to be different for some reason. But like I said, I'll know more once the times are posted.
I was remembering a comment I made after my first run. "The car is handling great! Absolutely perfectly balanced! I have no traction at all at both ends." lol
I will have to wait until the official times are posted, so I can see what kind of times my nemesis (the supercharged Miata) was putting down. That will tell me how far off my usual pace I was, and how fast that prepped Miata was. I know I was off my usual pace, I kept saying that I felt I was always one step behind the entire day. But I really want to know how fast that new Miata really was. It's killing me.
Whitey, I still have the Diamond wheels (decided to keep them). And I found a place where I can get the R888s for $110.00 each. All I need is the money to do so, which might take a while right now with all the wife's vacation plans coming up. The thing is, last year I was always in the top 10%, even with the Sumitomos. But I have a feeling that this year is going to be different for some reason. But like I said, I'll know more once the times are posted.
06-29-10, 02:02 PM
#70
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You might be right Sam, but how warm were they when you took me for a ride? I had thought that you had been parked for a while, but I don't really remember so I could be wrong.
I started a thread in the Race section, asking if anyone is autocrossing on them. We'll see, I guess. I hope they can be used, because any other option is going to be much more expensive.
I started a thread in the Race section, asking if anyone is autocrossing on them. We'll see, I guess. I hope they can be used, because any other option is going to be much more expensive.
06-29-10, 07:54 PM
#71
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The problem with most decent race tires is either they take time to be warmed up, which is usually more time than an average autocross lap has, or they warm up quickly due to softer compounds but wear out faster for the same reason. The R888's are probably exactly what your car and wallet need. Not too expensive and while they won't quite make it up to their optimal temp, they will give you much more grip than the Sumi's and they'll last a season or two.
06-29-10, 08:56 PM
#72
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Hey, I can finally see the pictures Jim. Great shots man! I should've shined the old girl up before the race. lol.
Next time I'll have to give you my camera so you can shoot some video. And thanks for the kind words
regarding my performance, although I don't feel that I earned them that day.
Really, the worst part of it was that darned Finky! (I hope he reads this) Beat me with a damned
VW Cabriolet of all things, gosh darned it! I guess that just shows what a set of hoosiers in the
right hands can do. Yet another argument for spending the cash on something sticky.
The results still aren't posted yet. I can't wait to see what my nemesis put down, so I'll now both how
well that other Miata did, and how poorly I did compared to my usual mediocre performance. I'll post up
the info when it gets uploaded.
Next time I'll have to give you my camera so you can shoot some video.
And thanks for the kind words regarding my performance, although I don't feel that I earned them that day.
Really, the worst part of it was that darned Finky! (I hope he reads this) Beat me with a damned
VW Cabriolet of all things, gosh darned it! I guess that just shows what a set of hoosiers in the
right hands can do.
Yet another argument for spending the cash on something sticky.The results still aren't posted yet. I can't wait to see what my nemesis put down, so I'll now both how
well that other Miata did, and how poorly I did compared to my usual mediocre performance. I'll post up
the info when it gets uploaded.
06-29-10, 09:12 PM
#73
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Jim, I hope you don't mind if I link a couple more of your shots?
This is the supercharged Miata that I usually battle with:
And add the guy that totally spanked me (look at all those stickers!):
And you get one frustrated Kentetsu with a mud covered car!
But hey, at least I've got some tread on my tires! Just too bad the rain quit before our heat started, or I would have had both their asses. lol
This is the supercharged Miata that I usually battle with:
And add the guy that totally spanked me (look at all those stickers!):
And you get one frustrated Kentetsu with a mud covered car!
But hey, at least I've got some tread on my tires! Just too bad the rain quit before our heat started, or I would have had both their asses. lol
06-29-10, 09:13 PM
#74
Hey, I can finally see the pictures Jim. Great shots man! I should've shined the old girl up before the race. lol.
Next time I'll have to give you my camera so you can shoot some video. And thanks for the kind words
regarding my performance, although I don't feel that I earned them that day.
Really, the worst part of it was that darned Finky! (I hope he reads this) Beat me with a damned
VW Cabriolet of all things, gosh darned it! I guess that just shows what a set of hoosiers in the
right hands can do. Yet another argument for spending the cash on something sticky.
The results still aren't posted yet. I can't wait to see what my nemesis put down, so I'll now both how
well that other Miata did, and how poorly I did compared to my usual mediocre performance. I'll post up
the info when it gets uploaded.
Next time I'll have to give you my camera so you can shoot some video.
And thanks for the kind words regarding my performance, although I don't feel that I earned them that day.
Really, the worst part of it was that darned Finky! (I hope he reads this) Beat me with a damned
VW Cabriolet of all things, gosh darned it! I guess that just shows what a set of hoosiers in the
right hands can do.
Yet another argument for spending the cash on something sticky.The results still aren't posted yet. I can't wait to see what my nemesis put down, so I'll now both how
well that other Miata did, and how poorly I did compared to my usual mediocre performance. I'll post up
the info when it gets uploaded.
I'm still figuring out the camera. The shots are grainy, and I can't figure out why. I was kicking myself for not bringing along my tripod. Next time (August).
06-29-10, 09:34 PM
#75
common sense prevails....
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The problem with most decent race tires is either they take time to be warmed up, which is usually more time than an average autocross lap has, or they warm up quickly due to softer compounds but wear out faster for the same reason. The R888's are probably exactly what your car and wallet need. Not too expensive and while they won't quite make it up to their optimal temp, they will give you much more grip than the Sumi's and they'll last a season or two.