ZumSpeedRX-7

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Continuing with the small world of motorsport, not sure if you guys recognize him from the AER post, but this was the gentleman Pete battled it out for P1 with at the end of our first of two endurance races at AER at Palmer - Lee Carpentier. We talked for a bit about how his season's been going then rehashed the thrilling endurance race conclusion. I didn't remind him of our victory - something told me he didn't forget. It's pretty cool that we were able to take down a hired gun, but regardless another good guy whose career I'll be watching


Coming in hot approaching Big Bend

and occasionally a little too hot



With qualifying wrapped up, we made our way over the bridge and headed back towards our campsite for some dinner and partying

But of course not without taking a look at some eye candy along the way


We settled in at our campsite and had some fun

ZumSpeedRX-7

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Waking up trackside is almost like waking up Christmas morning - it never gets old!



We had some breakfast and ventured back out to the paddocks as the fog started to clear



Then headed over to the CTSCC fan walk. Getting up close and personal to these cars is one of the best parts of these weekends


As the TUSCC classes got some morning practice in



As GTD/PC practice ends, the CTSCC field begins to to line up for green



And we're green!

ZumSpeedRX-7

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Well, at least for a few laps...


eek - honestly the stuff nightmares are made of.

Fortunately Ashely was fine and bounced back a few weeks later with a podium finish at Road America


A few laps under double yellow, and we're back to green



Tony received a call from Tommy and headed out to meet up with him



We got Tommy set up at the camp site then went back out to catch the GS/ST battle conclulsion



ST Results:
1. CJ Wilson Racing MX-5 #5
2. Murillo Racing Cayman #56
3. RS1 Cayman #17

GS Results:
1. Multimatic Motorsports GT350R-C #15
2. Multimatic Motorsports GT350R-C #158
3. Nismo GT Academy 370Z #14


Great race!

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

The weekend schedule had a break between races, so we walked around the paddock some more before the GTD and PC race

The race got under way and we made our way around the track


A little bit of lock up

The uphill

The downhill



Another great race!



GTD Results:
1. Turner Motorsport Z4 #97
2. Riley Motorsports Viper #33
3. TRG-AMR V12 Vantage #007

GS Results:
1. Mathiasen Motorsports FLM09 #52
2. RSR Racing FLM09 #11
3. Starworks Motorsport FLM09 #8


We walked through the paddock and some of the carnage from after the race (P1 in PC took out P1 in GTD coming onto the front straight - unfortunate race incident)

and some more of the beauty



We packed up the campsite, I hopped in the NSX with Tommy and we headed home


Awesome weekend!

Happy birthday Tommy!



I'm already looking forward to what will be the WeatherTech United SportsCar Championship Northeast Grand Prix race 9/22-9/23/2016. Should be even more eventful with GTLM field coming back to the LRP bull ring 0to join the GTD and PC. The new GT3 homologation ruling is going to make for some new cars out on trackas well - can't wait! Who's coming with me?!

thatdon

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Awesome post, thanks for sharing!

Spalato

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that looks like a lot of fun! Great photos btw, and thanks for sharing!

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

Not a problem - glad you enjoyed it


Thank you sir. Definitely make your way to a professional race if you get the chance; the photos only translate a portion of how awesome they are. Do one better and make it to a track day as well - you will not be disappointed : )




Palmer Motorsports Park / Whiskey Hill Raceway has quickly become my favorite track to run

With an elevation of 1207' on the front straight, dipping to 1198' coming out of T2, then peaking at 1388' cresting the hill approaching T6 before snaking your way back down the mountain, the elevation changes make for a fun battle with an intricate layout blasted into a cliffside with full concentration needed all around

Honestly if you are a motorsport enthusiast, you need to run your car on this track. There's a reason Road & Track voted it to the top ten tracks in North America worth visiting. I said it earlier in this thread, I will make sure you have a place to stay and maybe even provide some track side support if you ever get the chance


Anyway... Pete with the McParland Motorsport S2000, Mickey with his Civic, and I signed up for the last COMSCC Palmer event of the season back on August 1st (yea, I'm a little behind with this blog post update...)

Peter, Paddy and I did some last minute prep work the day before the event


Turns out they also ordered some goods for the S2000 and for our trackside efforts

Let's get that fuel in quicker!



Unfortunately we won't be able to use this gear box loom out of a Riley Daytona prototype, but it was a beauty (and worth a good amount)!



Anyone recognize the previous owner - none other than Racer McDreamy himself! Apparently there's a whole black market for used motorsports gear.

Fortunately Paddy has his finger on the pulse, occasionally sending me links to race cars for sale like the ex-Speedsource RX-8 ("sure Paddy, you get my wife on board with it and I'll jump right on it!)



We had a few projects to square away, one of which was a pretty slick trunk mounted cool-suit tank design with copper wire and PVC piping



Bench cleaning some injectors



Need to finally get my oil catch can in



Figured out how to better seal my blow off valve adapter



I threw a weight at my last track event, so had to bring it in to get it rebalanced



The cool-suit reservoir is coming together - clearly Paddy's is pretty excited about it!

ZumSpeedRX-7

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Pete hopping in to load the car up on the trailer



Let's go racing!



We arrived to find another beautiful western Massachusetts morning. I met up with Pete and Mickey, who came in from Brooklyn late the night before

Brian came in early living so close to the track and gave me a hand with set up. My wife and brother-in-law also came in the morning for trackside support, and my wife snagged my camera for some documenting

Heading out for the first session



I requested Pete as an instructor having complete faith in his skill having watched him out on track for literally hours on end, and knowing that he has a great handle on this track

Coming into the front "straight" approaching the uphill into T1


T1



Brought it back in from a good session


I found I am better linking the track together and am picking up speed, especially in arching out T1-T3 more into a wide sweeper - I'm scooting up that hill approaching T4 much quicker and adjusted my brake entry point to get a good run into T5 working my way more uphill



There's no way to not look like a gumba with race boots on - or I'm doing it completely wrong

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

Back out for another session


Coming in hot approaching T2


Tadz and Brian with Heidi at T2. It was Tadz birthday weekend - I am sure this was exactly what he had in mind



Pete and I coming in from the third session



Pete and I had three good sessions together so he sent me out solo for my fourth and last session. It went well, but I was spent from the day so I skipped the BBQ and headed to my mother-in-laws right after the last session


Another great event, but I believe the August heat might have won this round



I took a shower and a nap, then rallied back to head out for some fun for Tadz birthday

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

I woke up early then headed back out to the track for the day two action



Pete and Mickey were set to get some sessions in throughout the morning and afternoon before the time trials later in the day, but Mickey was black flagged due to noise



It didn't stop him from being awesome though



No worries - Mickey knows his way around the S2000 so they swapped sessions throughout the day



I grabbed some breakfast, climbed up the rock overlooking T1 and enjoyed the view - not a bad way to spend a Sunday morning



I stuck around for a few sessions to see some COM members I don't normally get to see - they definitely bring out some beautiful cars with some talented drivers



This is the car Paddy and I flogged around Thompson a few months ago, just now wrapped - Nick's M3



One of Dan's Exige cup cars and one of Mark's Atoms - good local guys. We'll be running with them in a few weeks back at Palmer



I packed up then headed back to the garage

Oi doing the all important post-track day home safe in the garage inspection



Another great event for the log book, I just wish I didn't get sick all afternoon...

I was about five seconds off of the pace I was hoping for, but the event was good all in all

Pete put down his personal best lap in the time trials laying down a 1"47"287 to win the Super C class - great stuff!



Huge thank you to Brian, my wife and Tadz for their help trackside throughout the day. I was definitely a little ragged towards the middle of the day, but you guys made it a lot easier

Much appreciation to the McParland's for the pre-event prep



We'll be back out on Palmer in a few weeks for the last event of the season with Northeast Track Days. It's Wednesday October 14th, not easy being a work day but there are still a lot of spots open




I grabbed some GoPro footage from a new spot. I like the angle, but it looks like I didn't tighten it down enough - should be better next time. Might try grabbing some more different angles next time




Cheers!

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

Catching up a bit!



Brian and Tommy signed up for an NE-SVT autocross event back in August. I made a plan to head up not wanting to miss any motorsport action and wanting to support my friends as much as I can

I woke up too damn early as always, headed up to Leominster to pick up my brother Hunter, we grabbed some breakfast then headed through the military town of Ayer to the airfields where some of the best local autocross events are held (three runways turned into pretty quick courses), and where I used to spend a good amount of my time baking in the sun back in the day


The pop up tent makes a huge difference



Lil Brohan



Tommy went to order a new seat but there were some recall issues with the SPGs. Tony might be down a passenger seat, but Tommy's new set up is much better - the factory NSX seats are almost too comfortable for track days (but damn are they nice!)



Hunter trying to figure out which ride he wants shotgun in - lucky guy got both



Brian navigating his way through a sea of cones

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

It was a great event with Brian and Tommy dropping time consistently from session to session. There's a pretty cool app where you can see your results and standings in real time; I wonder if we'll see that soon with RFIDs at track days. Or there probably already is an app that I'm missing... They both set targets in the morning, and both met them - awesome job!

Tommy was able to lock down second place in the second fastest class - congratulations bud!

I kind of miss autocrossing (or at least when I'm not on a race track). I might take the E92 or FD out to an event next season to try some cone killing - see if I've still got it!

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

The beauty of the Voltex wing is how much adjustability it has

The pain in the *** with the Voltex wing is how much adjustability it has (and there are wing options out there with a lot more adjustability - I got it easy with this one!)


Solution: fun with numbers and some homework


Out on track, I am able to feel how much under or over steer I am getting and understanding what adjustments I can make will help to dial in the RX-7's balance, and then in turn hopefully lower lap times. Setting up tire pressure is relatively straight forward, I just need to get a tire pyrometer for next season to fully dial it in. My struts and spring set is very much like Hasbro's My First Coilover Set, but I can adjust compression as far as 28 clicks soft to hard for now. Once I go to a rebound and compression adjustable set, and maybe a set with progressive springs to account for the added downforce at speed I will be able to better dial in the car - unfortunately this will have to wait until I can pony up for a big boy set

Now as for aero - it is still very much a black art to me. I love physics, but my specialty is finance - what can I say? I would love to and will absolutely eventually need to specialize in my cars track set up, so I have some work to put in

Another part of the problem is that I threw a whole new aero package on the car all at once. Obviously doing bits and pieces one at a time doesn't make sense economically or efficiently. I can however remove parts one at a time (front canards, front diffuser end plates, GT wing) and see what it does (over or understeer, top speed or RPM references, sector times, etc - the options are endless if I can muster up the patience and get a good open lapping track day where I can be on and off track all day). Throwing in tire pressure and suspension tweaks will add a whole other element of ways to make things better or worse. Better yet, I would love to throw my car in a wind tunnel and make adjustments for some true hard data, but it would be a waste of time and money with the cars current set up. There's a wind tunnel in Toronto that Speed Academy reviewed, and they rent out time for dialing in aero - a road trip will definitely be on my to do list down the road

The good thing for now is I am not yet competing in local time trial events as I still work on myself as a driver on relatively hard street tires and need to get the car set up to handle the abuse. I have some time before I need to make tiny tweaks here and there to get the best out of the car for that fraction of a second difference. I am looking forward to but am also kind of fearing when I get to that level


Well long story long aside (sorry about that), the car actually felt pretty well planted at our last track day at Whiskey Hill, but I wanted to see what wing adjustments would do. Maybe make it feel better - I don't know?

Let's tweak it and see - time for some garage homework!


My approach wasn't exactly rocket surgery:
- Get an angle finder (you can get an app on your phone)
- Grab a flat plane to rest the angle finder on (I chose a basic leveler)
- Get measuring tape
- Ensure you are on a flat surface front to rear (in similar news, my car has zero rake)
- Adjust, measure, document, repeat


The Voltex Type 2 wing has 9 different mounting points:
- A row of three in a vertical row all the way up front
- A staggered row of three vertically set slightly behind the first row and higher
- A set of three at the back in a pyramid design

Like this:


I assigned the six holes up front a number (1 through 6) and the three rear holes letters (A, B, and C) for reference as I made adjustments (e.g. wing set up 4A or 4C...)

I started with my initial setting and went from there. You can see my hole assignment key for reference below as well with holes 1 through 3 being the front of the wing:


I then measured the height of the wing at the front by the brackets ("edge") and at the center off the hatch


And then measured the angle at the edge of the wing by the end plates



and again at the center of the wing


***Note I measured angle including the gurney flap - so the angle will be off to another RX-7 with the same wing without a gurney flap


I then documented the different set ups for future visual reference / because I take too many pictures



I worked my way through the options until I got to adjustments resulting in negative angles (in other words options I will never utilize)



Here are the options I am going to keep back pocket for track day adjustments

Option 1 - 5C
- Height Edge: 12 14/16 "
- Angle Edge: 4.0*
- Angle Center: 0.0*
- Height Center 12 6/16 "



Option 2 - 4A
- Height Edge: 12 5/16 "
- Angle Edge: 5.0*
- Angle Center: 1.0*
- Height Center 12 0/16 "



Option 3 - 4B
- Height Edge: 12 4/16 "
- Angle Edge: 8.5*
- Angle Center: 4.5*
- Height Center 11 15/16 "



Option 3 - 4C
- Height Edge: 12 4/16 "
- Angle Edge: 10.0*
- Angle Center: 6.0*
- Height Center 12 0/16 "




I made a whole key for myself for future reference. Please let me know if you would like all the adjustments and I can send them over

ZoomZoom

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Hey Rick, when you get down to New Jersey Motorsports Park I will bring my camera and meet up with you. I will show you my panning technique. If you are racing I will get some pics.
Don't forget to give me a heads up.

Mike

GoodfellaFD3S

iTrader: (213)

Seeing a black NSX driven hard makes me happy

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

Sounds great Mike. I am planning a few away games for 2016, and NJMP Thunderbolt is definitely on my to do list (as well as Watkins Glen). Think you'll bring the CYM out? Such a clean find!

I'll be heading back down to NJMP in April for the 12 hour Devil in the Dark endurance race with the S2000 if you're free that weekend. I'll give you a heads up when it gets closer


Couldn't agree with you more Rich

Tommy was hesitant about getting his NA1 on track with how pristine it is, but pretty cars on the street are only so much fun. It looks so natural on a race track!

We all did a track day at Whiskey Hill Raceway this past Wednesday to get in as much as we could before hibernation; I think he's hooked so you'll be seeing more of his NSX driven hard next year


I hope all's going well with you both

ZoomZoom

iTrader: (2)

Everything is going fine. I'm sure we can bring the CYM to meet up and get photos of you in the S2000. Looks like Apr 23, 2016. It's a Saturday
Will PM you my number.

Mike

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

Do I hear rotary party at NJMP April 2016?!?

Sounds great Mike. We'll be at the trackside villa or in the pits all weekend, but unfortunately I won't be in the S2000 - just working pit crew. Still always a lot of fun though



The season's just about wrapped up before hibernation, and we have been trying to get in as much action as we can until the snow starts sticking (it's already started falling!)

I don't care what anyone else thinks, I still have a soft spot in my heart for Hondas and Acuras (in addition to my love for my friends S2000s and NSX)

My friend Seamus (SoHonda Garage / Flatout Motorsports / busted his *** all night until 4:00am last year to get my TE37's tucked in) invited us all out to a SoHonda Garage get together and track day at Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park a few weeks ago during a members track day event

I was tempted to register for the day as it sounded like a good amount of track time with minimal participants, but we signed up for a track day a few days later at Whiskey Hill Raceway and I wanted to preserve the FD for a good season closer

The crew made a plan to meet up and head over together as we'd all be heading from the same general direction


Unfortunately Tony had to get a new splitter after the COMSCC Palmer 1 incident that exploded his brand new one, but he worked with Dr. Mike (one of our endurance drivers from NY) on a solid, braced carbon fiber splitter



I'm thinking something similar to these wheel spats might not be a bad addition to the RX-7 aero package



The gang's all here, let's head out

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

We met up with Seamus at Thompson on his badass Ruckus he rode over from his new house a few miles away - I sometimes regret not buying Brian's off him for summer cruising around the city when I had the chance


SHG pulled some strings and set up a few pace laps around the track. It's not much compared to the track days I've run out on Thompson, but it was still fun nonetheless


After the pace laps, we headed back and parked the cars then had some lunch at the Clubhouse, then I grabbed some more pics

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

I'm not really good with the standing around portion of car meets - good thing for us, we were still at a race track. We walked over the bridge and checked out what was going on



This was my first time seeing a privateer E92 M3 race car - since this viewing they seemed to have popped up like crazy with no fewer than five showing up at Palmer a few days later (more on that in a bit)
I believe I bought the wrong E92, but my wife is happy with it... win win? Could have been worse



We headed into the garages to see a few of the SHG members cars

Mike's S2000 is pretty well sorted with a set of Ohlins and some custom ducting



Freshly painted midori green hatch looking good- pretty quick out on track as well


Evan of SHG built this RSX race car for his then girlfriend/now fiancee Theresa (also Thompson's Marketing Director) and her father. She has been doing several races this year with great results.

I'd try to cover everything on it, but a few sentences wouldn't give it enough justice - check out their build thread



We stuck around for a little bit, then said our good byes and thank yous before making our way back to our cars to head out

We were making our way to the bridge when we saw yellow flags out and a wrecker and ambulance deployed out of pit lane - never a good sign

We saw this unfortunate scene at the oval straight coming out of T6. This is definitely something you never want to see at a track day - fortunately the driver was ok

My car oversteered slightly once coming out of T6 just a little too hot at my last Thompson track day pointing me to just about this exact spot on the wall, but I got off the accelerator before the wall pulled me in. My friend Paddy was my instructor at the time and actually asked me if the incident scared me (it shook him a little bit in the passenger seat), and I said no because I didn't think much of it other than "don't do that again"

Needless to say - I fully understand the consequences that might have flashed before Paddy's eyes when I made a similar mistake to what this poor BMW driver made


That definitely shook my nerves a bit having a track day scheduled for a few days after seeing this - it is a grounding sight and thought that won't necessarily slow you down, but will make you understand the full risks of what we do for fun

Unfortunately the risks are high with track days. I just have to remember to be responsible, keep my wits about me on track (remember these things can happen even when you are perfectly in control due to another driver, objects on the track, or oil spills), and know that I won't always win a track day (I mean with open track days - winning isn't even an option...) but I can definitely lose a lot



Downer ending aside, this was a fun event. Well organized, great people, beautiful cars - can't wait 'til the next one

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

With the new found fortune of now having several tracks around us (Whiskey Hill Raceway at Palmer Motorsports Park, Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park, New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and Lime Rock Park), finding a season closer track day was trickier than I thought it would be with clubs setting up their last events of the year over the same time span we had in mind

My friends and I agreed on a mid-week Wednesday event with Northeast Track Days (NTD) at Whiskey Hill Raceway at Palmer Motorsports Park


It would be my first time running with NTD, and having been spoiled over the year's with COMSCC's events (great organization, great instruction, great group of drivers across all levels, the use of RFIDs for timing where most clubs do not let you use any sort of timing due to insurance restrictions), I was not sure exactly what to expect

NTD breaks their events into three run groups that you can register yourself in - Novice, Intermediate, Advanced, and an instructor group. With this being my third event of the season at Whiskey Hill and having gained some confidence behind the wheel of the RX- 7, I registered in the Advanced group with Paddy in his S2000 and Klay in his R35 GTR. Brian registered in Novice with this being his first track day with his WRX hatch, and Tommy with the NSX and Tony with the S2000 registered in Intermediate.

Heidi, our corgador Ellie, and my sister Francesca stayed for the day to keep us in good spirits, and Jared and Hugh came out to give us a hand to keep us out on track. The greatest company as always, the best base to build a good track day on - way more important than the actual seat time


My wife and I headed up to Massachusetts with our dog Tuesday night. They dropped me off at the garage with the RX-7 where I did a last minute oil change while they headed to my Mother-in-laws. I saw some coolant in my oil the weekend before (never a good sign), and wanted to flush it completely and refresh the oil to get me through this last event of the season. I have been beating this remanufactured engine for almost 50K miles and a decade at this point (she got off easy with the first few years of ownership just street driving, before I got into autocrossing then track days) - it was only a matter of time. A new engine is on my 2016 to do list; no worries on this end , just rebuild it better and stronger. I finished up at the garage, packed up, then headed to meet up with my girls at my Mother-in-laws for a good night's rest

One downside of NTD was that communication was non-existent, so we were not exactly sure what time gates opened, when tech was, or when the first session started. I went with COMSCC's general schedule and showed up at 6:30 AM and was one of the first trackside. I rarely can sleep the night before a track day so I didn't mind getting there early


My friends were not too far behind me. We set up our paddock and began getting ready for the day

Teched in



I was waiting to get the FD teched, when a man pulled me aside

Man with a 993 race car "you have the RX-7, right?"
Me "yes sir"
993 owner "I need to talk to you! Take a look in the engine bay"
Me * I have not had enough coffee yet and am not entirely familiar with horizontally-opposed Porsche engines ... what am I looking for? *


... "Woah, you have a 13b in this car!"


Peter (the man with this unicorn) - "yup, T04Z powered 13b"
Suddenly, this makes a lot more sense


I actually met Peter about five to six years ago down at his shop in Connecticut, but I did not make the connection until I saw the engine. I had a local rotary specialist, Jesse, back in the day who used to help me out with my build before I had a garage. Jesse took me to Peter's shop and I was floored then by this car. Take a great car, make it an awesome race car, put my favorite engine in it, and add single turbo power - this might be the definition of a race car turned up to eleven! I was looking forward to seeing and hearing it out on track. Great reconnection


We then headed over to the office for the driver's meeting



I turned around towards the end of the meeting and saw my girls getting there a lot earlier then I thought - great surprise!



Hugh is definitely a big fan of Klay's GTR I mean those wide Advans and carbon fiber accents, and the fact that he's using it on track - I am a big fan as well



We checked the schedule, then I settled in and got ready for our first sessions

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

We suited up


and headed out for our respective sessions



Forgive me if I sound like too much of a New Englander, but foliage around Whiskey Hill is a beautiful thing


In a surprising twist, my first session was the best session. I've had all season (a surprise as my first sessions are usually spent getting back into the swing of things). I made some adjustments prior to the session to drop my cold tire pressure to around 28psi to get my tires to around 32psi hot, and it felt fantastic. I adjusted my wing angle to my maximum angle of attack to see if the added downforce would help me scoot up the hill any faster while creating minimal drag. this backfired a bit as I was getting a bit more understeer than I'd prefer, especially trying to tuck into the pocket going into turn 7 by the tires on the fast downhill

I started the session working my way through traffic, feeling out my new settings - slight understeer aside, I do not think the FD has ever felt this good on track and I do not feel I have ever been as confident with the set up


I gave a point by to a Radical Prosport (read 1200pound Hayabusa-powered track monster) and a familiar COMSCC face with a Mustang Shelby GT, and stuck with them for what I did not realize at the time were my fastest laps around Whiskey Hill to date



For reference, prior to this event my fastest known lap was a 1'58"8. When I gave the Prosport the initial point by before the Shelby came up on us, I clocked a 1'56"0. We both gave the Shelby a point by, and I laid down a 1'52"5 on only the sixth lap of the session. Things are getting fun and fast right away!

I will admit I made a rookie mistake and mistook my comfort behind the Prosport approaching turn 1, temporarily forgetting how fast we were going, how light the Prosport is and how much less braking room it needed, and almost overshot turn 1. There wasn't much more than a good amount more brake input and a little tire squeal, but I was able to get the RX-7 sorted and re-planted before getting back on my desired line and continuing the chase before coming out of T3 with an upshift on the Prosport and Shelby for the uphill. Lesson learned for the session and for all future track days - know your mouse

We set the 52"5 together, then we set a 55"6 working our way through traffic around T10. Coming up on the front "straight" (remember the front straight still requires steering input the whole way to keep yourself out of the jersey barriers on the driver side approaching the uphill to T1), we had a clear track ahead - this should be fun

Open track - we set a 1'49"3


So here's the anatomy of that lap for my future reference:
Quick right to clip T13 apex -> hug left hand side of T14 to get a good run into front straight, track out, shift third to forth -> get left by pit in entrance tire wall -> ride arch of jersey barriers until set up for straight line shot at braking point working uphill to T1 -> downshift forth to third -> clip T1 apex at end of jersey barrier -> track out past white line to arch out line approaching blind T2 apex -> clip T2 apex and track out to right side of track -> shift third to forth -> clip T3 apex, stay left on uphill toward T4, brake and ideally heel toe downshift forth to third -> stay mid track approaching T4 apex -> stay right to mid track until you see T5 apex -> tuck into cambered pocket by apex -> track out 3/4 track working way uphill on long straight towards T6 -> get left within half a car length approaching T6 -> late apex T6, stay left approaching downhill -> brake in straight line to 1/2 to 3/4 track -> increase steering angle to start working left to grab pocket on inside of the track by tire wall, clipping apex of T7 -> track out to edge of pavement where the pocket naturally points you (note it will point you exactly where you do not want to be if you early apex T7) -> apex T8 carrying a good amount of speed track out to end of tire wall (note these references can change at the next track day) -> stay half way through track riding carousel to late apex T9 -> track out on straight approaching T10 -> shift third to forth -> clip T10 apex -> slight tap on the brake, ideally heal and toe forth to third downshift -> clip T11 apex -> towards T12 flagging post, begin to work car towards late T12 apex from mid-track -> quick right to clip T13 apex -> hug left hand side of T14 to get a good run into front straight, track out, shift third to forth -> get left by pit in entrance tire wall -> ride arch of jersey barriers


The above referenced lap is between 13:50 and 16:10 in the video below. Feel free to pick apart my references above, and let me know what you see. I know I still have a lot of room for improvement - let me know what you think


Here's what I put myself up against - turned out it was more mighty mouse than I thought in this cat and mouse session!

The Shelby has actually run 46"8 during COMSCC time trials and I found out it was the Radical drivers first time in the car. The Prosport was on some sticky Hoosiers and the Shelby was on some sticky 40 treadwear rated BFGoodrich R1s, all while I was on some tired 180 treadwear street tires - makes me wonder what I could put down for a lap time if I was also on some stickier tires ... we'll find out next year

Either way I believe I may be finally taming the monster that is my RX-7 - I always knew it would be fast but knew I was not fast enough for it. it's exciting to think that might be changing


On a similar note, one thing to remember about track days is that there is zero room for ego

You think you're faster than the car ahead of you: great, there's no winning an open track day; wait for your point by, get it and go on. If you do not get your point by, pull into the pit lane and wait for traffic to clear. Stay calm and make the most of it

If you're slower than the car behind you: who cares what it is, give a point by as soon as you can, and pay attention as you might be able to learn something


One thing I noticed towards the end of my first session after having some fun with the Radical and Shelby GT was that they and their cars were beginning to get comfortable and their pace was beginning to increase. I could have puffed up my ego, kept pushing and tried to keep up and hope my car and I can handle it OR I can do the reasonable thing, back off, settle in to my 8/10ths comfort zone and try to apply what I learned behind them

I chose the latter, and finished up my first session on a positive note, not knowing then how fast I had actually gone lap time wise (a lap timer is on my to buy list for next season)

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

Not a bad session to start the day



I've been trying to put as much focus on my set up as I have been on my driving. I started my day at 28psi cold all around and came in after the first session at 36psi LF, 35LR, 37RF, and 35RR hot pressures and bled them down to 32psi. I am going to try a little lower psi cold to start next event to try to land around 32psi hot the first session out. Either way, I did not mind this setting but might try something a little softer in the front or harder in the rear to get rid of some of this understeer. I am also going to have to factor in that the right front tire is working harder out on Whiskey Hill, but that's lower on the dialing in list



Tommy gave me a hand dropping the wing AoA to my mid-level setting (setting 4B for those keeping track at home) to try to fix some of the understeer before session two



Unfortunately Paddy found his alternator was out of commission shortly after rolling the S2000 off the trailer. Hugh went out on a round trip back to the garage to get the spare.



With the S2000 temporarily down, Paddy was able to hop in the NA1 and have some fun with Tommy



With some minor adjustments to the tire pressure and wing done, I headed back out for the second session. Our pretty girl got a front row seat



I found myself with an E36 M3 trading point-bys for a majority of the session


All was looking good until I was the mouse to the E36 cat coming out of the T7 left hander about 8psi low on boost (from 11psi to 3psi), with the car bucking on me coming on to the straight with much less get up than usual ...



... I gave a point by approaching T10 as my session two fun came to an end, and I tried to figure out what had happened. I dropped my pace significantly and racked my brain on what it could have been. I had a similar issue the year prior where a hard launch found me all but boostless when a hot side intercooler pipe backed its way out of the primary turbine charge relief valve piping (official name?) - I had assumed that was the issue this time as I was still making 3psi (and 5psi on the uphill coming out of T3). I continued the last quarter of my session, working on perfecting my marks at a slower pace


Came in a little smokey, let's see what's going on



It turned out to be exactly what I had thought. Unfortunately there is a slight flaw in my VMIC design in that the hot side primary turbo intercooler piping is not permanently fixed to the primary turbine charge relief valve piping, something that will be addressed in the offseason. I was able to loosen the intercooler couplers and get the piping back in - I did not know it at the time, but that was not enough


Still not a bad second session


Damn do I love M3s!

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

Unfortunately the gremlins weren't limited to just Paddy and I...



While I was in my only classroom session of the day, Tony ran into some transmission issues with his S2000 during his second session, where he was unable to engage any gears on the uphill coming out of T3. A wrecker was sent out to pick him up and bring him in

Not knowing if it was overheating issues or something else, we waited and let the transmission cool down then tried to get the car into gear... no engagement

Paddy, Tony, and Jared jacked the car up and took a closer look to see what was going on


Unfortunately that would be the end of Tony's track day, but he remained in good spirits with his "track rats never say die" smile. We will be back with the AP2 stronger and faster - more on that in a bit



Let's grab some lunch

Hey - my sister's here! She has joined me for a few cruises, but this was her first track day. Having this track so close has been really great for getting the family trackside



We relaxed for a little bit, tried to figure out what was going on with the S2000, then suited back up and headed out for our third sessions



Paddy had his new alternator in and was good to go


Klay's GTR has some beautiful track presence. Somehow Tony worked out a drive at their last track day together. Klay's big into track days and local cruises as well, so luckily we'll be seeing more of him and his R35 in the spring. I'll have to look into a ride along or a drive then - I heard the R35 feels like a proper beast on the streets



Ellie and Francesca grabbed a good seat for the third session



I gave Paddy an early point by and we had some fun for bit until the gremlin struck again (I don't know who gave it water and fed it after midnight, but it was out of control! It was probably me in the last minute oil change the night before...)

I pushed it at 3psi for the remainder of the session working on perfecting my lines again at a slower pace. I am not sure of the power levels at 3psi, but somehow I was still managing to get in at a good clip getting a few point bys along the way - in the Advanced run group and down 8psi, I was a bit surprised


Gremlin strike number two (two for me, number four between all of us) aside, we brought it in from another good session

ZumSpeedRX-7

iTrader: (12)

It isn't the best picture of him, but some of you locals might recognize the gentleman in the green jacket as none other than Barry Primus of the now defunct rotary tuning shop BPR out of Salem



Here's what him and his brother, Kevin, and Primespeed have been up to


Not sure what had happened, but they weren't out on track for long - I would have loved to have seen this thing at full tilt on this track. It didn't dawn on me until I was looking through the track day pictures at home that that was Kevin and Barry and their monster Civic hatch. I know they now have a 9-second R33 GTR, a Supra, and this Civic, but I wonder if they are still working on rotaries.



The day started winding down after our third sessions, so we headed over to T1 through T3 to catch some off track action



Brian had a phenomenal first track day, being one of the faster cars in the beginner class, progressively getting better from session to session and his WRX ran flawlessly all day. He was signed for solo to head out his last session alone. I believe the track bug bit him hard, as the 2015 season just ended and we're already starting to vette out the 2016 motorsport season - I can't blame him, this stuff is addictive!

Great job brother - looked good out there!



Tommy also had a great track day and quickly fell in love with Whiskey Hill. Tony in the my passenger seat and I had the pleasure of watching Tommy out on track during the forth session. His driving was clean and fast and the NA1 looked equally as clean and perfect as always



All smiles rehashing the third session




Just about ready for the last session