Honda Insight @ A Track Day
01-17-12, 11:24 AM
#1
Honda Insight @ A Track Day
For those of you that don't know what the specs of a Gen 1 Honda Insight are:
1.0L I3 with 67(!) hp @ 5000 rpm, gas engine (Yes, it's smaller than all the two rotors here)
13 hp electric motor (but the battery was pretty dead through the laps because my foot was always on the ground)
Track was Cayuga.
Mods:
Semi-blown original stock shocks
Ultra low rolling resistance stock tires @ 60 psi. (Yes, 60)
Why did I even bring the Insight onto the track, you ask?
Because I originally was co-driving a 135i and the intercooler charge pipe clamp somehow failed and the pipe repeatedly fell off. We had both paid for the track day so we decided to drive the Insight.
Thoughts:
Insight's are slow as ****. But you barely brake for any corner. So for a given lap, 97.5% throttle, 2.4% brake, 0.1% off pedals
Victims:
Passing any other car in an Insight is a feat in it of itself. If this was a free passing session, I know I would've gotten these cars in a braking zone somewhere down the track since I was on their asses for the entire lap save the front straight, but this was point-by passing. The worst part of this whole ordeal is the fact that guys would point you by without realizing there's no way you could pass them unless they got off the gas completely and waited for you to walk by.
First two laps were driven at 60 psi in the tires. They also resulted in an FWD *** drag slide and a spin at the end of each lap. Quickly lowered the pressure back down to normal levels and got back on the track. Within three laps, I passed a Chevrolet Lumina Station Wagon(not sure what that guy was doing at the track), a BMW E30 (with 4 guys in it) and a Honda Civic that dove into the pits while I was sticking to him for 2 laps (maybe to save the embarassment of pointing by an Insight)
All in all not something I would purposely do again, but an 1800 lb car with no power is still pretty fun if you can get used to chucking into a corner as hard as you can.
Sorry if this isn't the usual OMG! I PASSED 4 FERRARI'S WITH MY CATBACK TII post. Actually, no I'm not.
1.0L I3 with 67(!) hp @ 5000 rpm, gas engine (Yes, it's smaller than all the two rotors here)
13 hp electric motor (but the battery was pretty dead through the laps because my foot was always on the ground)
Track was Cayuga.
Mods:
Semi-blown original stock shocks
Ultra low rolling resistance stock tires @ 60 psi. (Yes, 60)
Why did I even bring the Insight onto the track, you ask?
Because I originally was co-driving a 135i and the intercooler charge pipe clamp somehow failed and the pipe repeatedly fell off. We had both paid for the track day so we decided to drive the Insight.
Thoughts:
Insight's are slow as ****. But you barely brake for any corner. So for a given lap, 97.5% throttle, 2.4% brake, 0.1% off pedals
Victims:
Passing any other car in an Insight is a feat in it of itself. If this was a free passing session, I know I would've gotten these cars in a braking zone somewhere down the track since I was on their asses for the entire lap save the front straight, but this was point-by passing. The worst part of this whole ordeal is the fact that guys would point you by without realizing there's no way you could pass them unless they got off the gas completely and waited for you to walk by.
First two laps were driven at 60 psi in the tires. They also resulted in an FWD *** drag slide and a spin at the end of each lap. Quickly lowered the pressure back down to normal levels and got back on the track. Within three laps, I passed a Chevrolet Lumina Station Wagon(not sure what that guy was doing at the track), a BMW E30 (with 4 guys in it) and a Honda Civic that dove into the pits while I was sticking to him for 2 laps (maybe to save the embarassment of pointing by an Insight)
All in all not something I would purposely do again, but an 1800 lb car with no power is still pretty fun if you can get used to chucking into a corner as hard as you can.
Sorry if this isn't the usual OMG! I PASSED 4 FERRARI'S WITH MY CATBACK TII post. Actually, no I'm not.
Last edited by Roen; 01-17-12 at 11:30 AM.
01-31-12, 06:09 PM
#3
Too old for this
Now I want to take my Geo Metro to the track. Same 1.0L I3, but only rated to 55HP, at least on wiki. Up here at altitude, it feels like I have barely 40HP, but I can work the 5-speed well enough to keep up with most traffic. Kinda sad actually.
At least it makes the FC seem fast when I get back in it.
At least it makes the FC seem fast when I get back in it.
02-01-12, 02:25 PM
#4
Who cares what you take around the track as long as you have fun?! Sounds like it was a blast for what it is. Just make sure you remember to get off the gas when you get back in your other car haha.
MadScience 7 I know exactly how you feel. I have a 90hp(in 1998) jetta tdi. it feels so slow compared to my NA S4. in the midst of compiling a 6 port turbo swap....cant wait to have some real turbo powa!
MadScience 7 I know exactly how you feel. I have a 90hp(in 1998) jetta tdi. it feels so slow compared to my NA S4. in the midst of compiling a 6 port turbo swap....cant wait to have some real turbo powa!
02-28-12, 12:51 PM
#7
Engine, Not Motor
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 29,789
Likes: 0
Received 108 Likes
on
91 Posts
My Insight has been to Cayuga as well. 
Don't remember any of the numbers because I was just there to have fun and didn't keep track of my lap times. I think the battery held out pretty well because I wasn't that hard on the throttle, knowing how craptacular the stock LRR tires are and tryiung to maintain speed through the corner (the Insight does slide pretty well if you unbalance it and give a quick tap to the parking brake).
I wouldn't say that "Insights are slow as ****" though. Honda rates it as 0-60 in 10 seconds. Mine has always done that in about 9 seconds, which isn't fast, but is a match for what else is on the road and the people out there driving. It's no 500HP FC, but nor is it a Smart car. I've had a lot of great looks from other drivers when I've travelled in the left lane of the 401, cruising at 160 KM/H (use 4th gear).
Roen, you should come out to the local WOSCA autocrosses. I used to run my Insight all the time in H-stock. Nowadays I bring the FC but if I know there's another Insight, I'll bring mine. Actually it may surprise you to learn that typically, there would have been 3 Insights at the autox in the mid 2000s; Guillarmo, Opal and myself.
Don't remember any of the numbers because I was just there to have fun and didn't keep track of my lap times. I think the battery held out pretty well because I wasn't that hard on the throttle, knowing how craptacular the stock LRR tires are and tryiung to maintain speed through the corner (the Insight does slide pretty well if you unbalance it and give a quick tap to the parking brake).I wouldn't say that "Insights are slow as ****" though. Honda rates it as 0-60 in 10 seconds. Mine has always done that in about 9 seconds, which isn't fast, but is a match for what else is on the road and the people out there driving. It's no 500HP FC, but nor is it a Smart car. I've had a lot of great looks from other drivers when I've travelled in the left lane of the 401, cruising at 160 KM/H (use 4th gear).
Roen, you should come out to the local WOSCA autocrosses. I used to run my Insight all the time in H-stock. Nowadays I bring the FC but if I know there's another Insight, I'll bring mine. Actually it may surprise you to learn that typically, there would have been 3 Insights at the autox in the mid 2000s; Guillarmo, Opal and myself.
Trending Topics
02-29-12, 12:45 PM
#9
Engine, Not Motor
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 29,789
Likes: 0
Received 108 Likes
on
91 Posts
Typical Toronto resident..."London is too far from Toronto to go for an event"....then a day or two later..."Everyone come to the event in Toronto!".
(and for those who miss my winking face, before I get a bunch of angry PMs, that is a joke)
(and for those who miss my winking face, before I get a bunch of angry PMs, that is a joke)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rx8volks
Canadian Forum
0
09-01-15 11:02 PM
rx8volks
Canadian Forum
0
09-01-15 10:46 PM
