I am not trying to troll, but looking at the quality of dorito cars coming out to CSCS this year, you guys have really got me interested.

I have a few concerns and a few questions about the days. First, I am going to get my @$$ handed to me in the racecar class as I am down about 150 whp from the rest of the cars, so if I was going to bring out the pig I want to make sure that I will have fun at the very least. So, as a circuit racer for almost 30 years I am used to going wheel to wheel with people. I know I can't do this at CSCS as its a bunch of lapping with some qualifying style sessions later in the day. So during these sessions, are you out in a group of cars just banging around and they take your fastest lap or is it a run where you have 1 warm up, 3 hot and a cool down. The 5 lap sessions are more interesting to me as you need to perform under pressure rather than just fluking out 1 scorcher amongst a bunch of hot laps. What do they do?

Secondly, what track event should I attend? At TMP, I am in second gear at between 7500 and 8500 rpm for most of the lap and its fun, but not really challenging in the pucker way I am used to. Are there any other tracks that they go to that are faster tracks and which one should I go to?

Finally, in the racecar class, do they at least break it out to fastest RWD, Fastest FWD and fastest AWD and fastest Forced Induction or are all racecars lumped together. I am wondering if its worth me bringing out the Cougar and trying to go for fastest FWD time of the day as at least that car has about 250 whp where my RX7 only has about 200 whp. Also, as both cars are racecars they are way heavier than most of the fast Time Attack cars.

I am not trying to slag on CSCS at all and I am genuinely interested in doing an event with you guys this year, but when I come out I like to be able to challenge myself in some way as I really don't need any more straight lapping experience. As I can't go wheel to wheel I would at least like something to shoot for.

Am I asking too much of CSCS or what do you suggest?

Eric

 

Most of you're questions are answered in the rule book...fairly simple, what you call the "race car class" is unlimited which is for FWD AWD and RWD cars, bring what you got.
Be prepared to be schooled by these guys in what ever class you enter as they are as much of race cars drivers as you are or anyone else for that matter...they just opt to race a different way but could race in any series though out North America but find the local TA more sponsor friendly and less costly.
Your not asking to much from CSCS, bring which ever car you want....they are what they are, just a great bunch of guys trying to run a fun race series.

 

Come to Mosport DDT new track. Bring either car. Have fun. Answer all your questions by doing it! Win or lose, you won't regret it

 

HP and car setup does mean a lot these days, but it is very important to mention that driving skills are the bread and butter here You have tons of experience driver that FC and I am sure you are fully able to utilize all 200whp given to you.

I recently got into the fd's and I have to say, they are VERY different from an FC haha. I found it very comfortable to squeeze every bit of power out of the fc while keeping the rear end in check and almost maximizing my times of 1:27 on TMP with it. Now with the FD, I find it difficult in sections where the FC kicked *** in but I find it easier to maintain low 1:20's like a joke. But I know damn well I am yet to fully utilize all the FD's power like I did with the FC

To sum up my rambles, it is more fun pushing your car to the limit rather than having your skills being the limit if you know what I mean

Edit: TMP and new mosport track are both excellent for you. The straight on TMP would allow other to hone in on yuo, but the turns would be interesting. Gotta run with you one day!!!

 

That is one of the most ridiculous sweeping generalizations I've ever read on this subject on any forum. And an apology to Eric may be in order.

 

Really....and you are?

 

Eric,

I was able to to turn high 1:18's at TMP when I was running 260whp in the RX-7 two years ago and I set the track record for RWD at Grand Bend with 260whp. Your're putting down your car too much! At the end of the day as long as you're having fun that's what counts.

The track that will be best for your car is Grand Bend and the new DDT. Grand Bend is a wide open sweeping corner style track and the rotaries love it. The new DDT looks to have a lot of fast sections which the rotary will love. Eric, I bet with your RX-7 you could podium at Grand Bend in Unlimited RWD.

I have a love hate relationship with TMP. It also doesn't suite our cars.

RaceJason the competition in that series at the top is superb and you really need to come out and see the prep level of the top 10-15 cars running.

Andrew.

 

Wow, that was quite the post? Jason is a very experienced builder and works with true professional race teams that make a living do it, which is what makes them pro's in the 1st place. You are absolutely right that a person who has spent 30 years learning the craft of driving in traffic and learning race pace etc. would get schooled by time attack drivers to start with. Each form of driving has it's nuances and cars are set up as such. I guarantee if I take to the track with time attack drivers and start blocking their line into the corners, running them offline or late braking braking them there wouldnt be a steep learning curve for them too. After a few years of it they would be as good as any of us or better.
You are wrong if you think almost anyone at a regional level weather it be time attack, road racing, stock car, drag racing, rally etc has anywhere near the ability of the very select few that can still get paid to drive (vs drivers who are paying for their rides). Probably one out a 1000 of us who race as a hobby or amateur has that ability. While I think I'm a pretty good driver and get paid to teach others at well established advanced driving schools (getting paid would qualify me as a professional lol), I am in awe when I am around the true serious pro's who make me my peers look like we should be the students when it comes to nerve and racecraft. Eric like others (me included) are getting tired of spending $385.00 + entry fee's for 40 minutes to 1 hour of track time, all the politics etc and just looking for good old fashion fun. We have no issues about getting "our asses kicked" and I know that wasn't the point of Eric's post in any way shape or form.

 

Thanks Andrew, that is exactly the information I was looking for. I just don't want to come out and be bringing a knife to a gun fight with 200 whp and a 2500 lb car (thats 12.5 bs per HP). I have already spent a day at the new DDT and it does look to be very interesting for the NA RX7 cars as its a fast flowing track with only a few torquey corners so I may be able to use my cars capabilities to their best advantage. TMP doesn't suit my car at all as its always between gears and its a bit frustrating.

I have tried hard to stay out of the bitterness here as I hope people are not intentionally misunderstanding what I was trying to ask. I know the rules at CSCS. What I was looking for was a more insider view of what goes on. I have no issues with "Getting Schooled" as long as I have a chance. Trust me, I have been schooled by a number of very good people and schooled a large number as well over the years, but that has always been in a class with rules, not a run what you brung type of class.

I still really like circuit racing and will do more this year as my schedule permits and it is my preferred way to compete. I will be running in the CASC GT Challenge Series this year (especially the 3 Hour) and I wanted to do some Time Attack as well for fun and was just trying to get a feel for the events and what they are actually like. I just love the wheel to wheel and running as fast as you can for 20 to 60 minutes and was concerned that without that extra buzz, time attack at TMP wouldn't be fun. As Al said, it is a different way to build a car and drive as you need to design a car that is more robust and heavier than a traditional time attack car and you need to be able to make it last for a longer race distance. That is why we have larger rads, more oil coolers, catch tanks, tranny coolers, fire systems, heavier, more robust cages and seats, kill switches, etc.. All add durability and safety, but actually slow down the car.

I don't think I need to defend myself and my competition history, as anybody who knows me knows what I have done over my career. I was mainly asking what would be a fun event in CSCS to do so that I could spend some time with my fellow RX7 competitors and represent the brand. I did not expect to get slagged and have other people I know and respect being attacked as well. I am now instructing instructors, so if you come out to a CASC Time Attack event, I may be the guy that gets to help you out.

I have always tried to help people out where and when I could and I respect what you guys do in Time Attack. You guys are building some crazy @$$ stuff and taking it to the limit and I was thinking about coming out to an event or 2. It looks like that I will look at doing an event at the DDT, I just need to decide if its CASC OTA or CSCS. Both series have their pluses and minuses.

Thanks to Andrew and others for their positive posts as it helps me decide.

Eric

 

Eric, please don’t take my post to be offensive,didn't mean it to be, I was just stating facts and I see now I should not have made it sound like I was attacking you....I wasn’t.
Al, this guy means nothing to me....you still have my respect though.

 

Thanks Jim, you have always been a stand up when we have had dealings etc. I just have learned there wil always be someone better at what I do no matter what type of racing it is. My goal with the new car is to have a flexible car that I can just take to the track and play with, and when the desire strikes go race competitively with SCCA, CASC or who ever.

 

@200whp and 2500lbs you should do fine, it'll be a good time.