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hansken_yo

Soooooooooo, some local SRT guys here in Washington are part of Team Continental's club and frequently participate in the HPDE event at Portland International Raceway. It is pretty much a "Performance Driving School" which can lead up to getting certified and licensed. So there was an instructor in the car the whole time. He was pretty cool and telling me occasionally when I was too late on my apex, too early, missed the brake zone or hit the brake zone too early, etc. etc.

I passed and survived my first time out and had a blast. I have become thoroughly impressed with the SRT power and my setup wasn't bad, but I've got to think about future setups.

Paddock Pictures

The track:

There were 4 Sessions. Since this was my first time ever on a track I was in group 1a and the first time out there was no passing. The second time we were allowed to pass on the front straight and then after that passing zones were on the front straight and the back "straight" (between turns 8 & 9).

Some of my highlights
- On my first session, I had to do about 40mph on the straights because I needed to get space between me and the people in front of me so that I could work the lines.
-- at one point I had was instructed to pull off the track and line back up so that the track master could prepare space for me. thumbup

So he waited till he saw space and a car coming into turn 11. By the time I got started again, the car was hitting turn 12 and I knew I had to go all out. Unfortunately, but the time I got to turn 1 again I caught up to traffic ROFL

BTW, 130 Mph is a fucking rush... Twisted Evil

-- On the second session the pace picked up quite substantially. I still wasn't quite smooth on my execution of braking and turns, but I gave this guy driving a Subaru Outback hell. There were only 2 turns that this guy would gain some ground on me. Turns 2-3 coming out of the chicane and turn 7. That gained ground only lasted a moment as I got it all back on the other turns. On the straight away we were equal in 3rd... though once I hit 4th I was pulling on him pretty good. I had to go talk to the guy after that session and found out he had a stage 3 turbo in that outback. We had a good conversation about that run and what was going on between the two of us & traffic Rock ON

About as far as he got from me ROFL

- Session 3 was just fucking awesome and smooth and pretty open for me for the most part. I was passing cars on both straights at this time and was just working on turns 4-6. My best lap time was 1:51 (unofficial).

- Session 4 I was behind a mustang GT500. Twisted Evil

I gave him hell for 5 laps before I overtook him ROFL

I was nailing all my apexes and working things really good, but the pace was fast. Sooo, about 1 lap after I overtook him my tires were overheating and I couldn't keep that pace anymore Rolling Eyes

But it was sure fun... Rock ON

Unfortunately I had run out of battery power on my camera by session 2 so I had nothing after that Sad

Some more photos:
(going into turn 3)

(exiting turn 12)

I'm very impressed with the SRT and its power. It wasn't the fastest car out there, but far surpassed many other classes of cars on the track.

Couple of other things that happened not related to me:
There was a late 60's Camero that was fully built with modern suspension and looked to be a show car as well. I sure that thing could have easily pulled 10's on the 1/4 if not 9's. More impressive was the modern suspension that he had as well allowing him not only the fucking haul balls down the straight away, but to master the corners as well. It was a very beautiful and impressive car and passed me like I was standing still on the straightaway.

Two Corvettes blew something and spilled oil over the track. One of the local SRT guys here got caught up in that and ended up spinning onto the infield between turns 10-12. Luckily he pulled out of it in good form and continued his sessions.

A Volvo caught on fire ROFL

. Sadly while the official from the flag station was running to put the fire out he tripped and actually fell onto the track Shocked

. Traffic had yet to be brought to a complete stop at that point, but luckily nothing happened other than the guy regathering himself and going to put the fire out.

Another Subaru Outback's radiator blew antifreeze all over turns 4-6 and I think a Miata also had something adverse happen to it.

It was a great event and something I look forward to doing again (once I replace my brakes and tires Rolling Eyes

)
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JeffM · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 10:47 am Post subject:

That sounds awesome, John! Makes me want to get into Autocross. Very Happy

By the way, your car looks good in the first picture; like it's ready and waiting.
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mike9fore · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:31 am Post subject:

John great story!! What tires are you running? I take it since you did the swap a while back you have the willwood brake kit in the front and SRT in the rear? Best of luck next time out!!
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hansken_yo · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:35 am Post subject:

Oh yeah, I'm running Wilwoods on the front, SRT on the rear. Had very little brake fade (it will happen when dropping from 130 to 35 mph in 500ft), but they recovered very quickly (by the next turn) and performed very well. Only real issue was burning about 1mm of pad off of each session.... needless to say I need to replace them soon... like tomorrow ROFL

As for tires I was running Toyo Proxy 4s.

My suspension setup was 51% cross balance, with a 63%/37% front to rear weight ratio. -1.75 camber in the front and 1-25 in the rear.
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| - John || Project Log || Official I'm Going To Drive My Neon Till It Dies Club #000001 |

Quote:

Everyone knows that for breasts to be "perfect" they need to be within reach.

TheRandom1 · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:39 am Post subject:

That looks like a lot of fun, I've always wanted to try it!
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Pocahontas · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:42 am Post subject:

I've always wanted to race too!!!!!

But I know my driving isn't up to par for it, but one day it will be Very Happy

Awesome pictures and I'm sure you had a heck of a time!
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Janet--
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1987 BMW 325i MTX

It is what it is.

hansken_yo · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:44 am Post subject:

Its a school / class so they teach you what you need to know thumbup

and it is very much worth it!!!!

You don't have to be fast, you just need to be a competent driver.
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| - John || Project Log || Official I'm Going To Drive My Neon Till It Dies Club #000001 |

Quote:

Everyone knows that for breasts to be "perfect" they need to be within reach.

TheRandom1 · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:49 am Post subject:

Did you see me smack a pole last year? Perhaps I'm not terribly competent... Laughing

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hansken_yo · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:50 am Post subject:

TheRandom1 · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 11:57 am Post subject:

lol, you should have brought someone with you to take videos.

Did you have any mishaps other than not hitting lines at first?
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hansken_yo · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:01 pm Post subject:

Nope everything went smoothly Very Happy

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| - John || Project Log || Official I'm Going To Drive My Neon Till It Dies Club #000001 |

Quote:

Everyone knows that for breasts to be "perfect" they need to be within reach.

TheRandom1 · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 1:02 pm Post subject:

Well, that's boring... Laughing

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bone-yard-racing · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:43 pm Post subject:

Its a drug man congrats you're hooked. Make sure you're brakes and tires are up to par(stay on street tires for the time being) and just get in as much seat time as you can.

Janet if I have the mental capacity to drive race cars anybody does. Start here www.scca.org find you region(I would think DC) and go play one weekend, any car that is safe to drive on a daily basis will pass an auto-x tech.
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Pocahontas · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:27 pm Post subject:

MoxHair · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:15 pm Post subject:

Because I bought my new car I've missed an autocross event and an event at Sebring.

I cannot wait until August 15th so I can get back into it.

I honestly think if you got some decent tires with more sidewall and raised the suspension up to allow for more travel you're car would be that much better.
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2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR - COBB Stage 1
Road Racing > Autocross > Spirited Driving > Sitting in Traffic > Mowing Lawns > Drag Racing
There will be blood in the water, and the sharks will come.

hansken_yo · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject:

bone-yard-racing · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:48 pm Post subject:

Understeer=good until you figure everything out
Oversteer=fast once you do

PIR is fairly new track right? If its mostly smooth you wont miss the travel there but if you run something where you need to be up on the curbs or very bumpy you will want it.
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hansken_yo · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject:

bone-yard-racing · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 7:07 pm Post subject:

In terms of? As far as the handling balance of the car (over/understeer) the shocks really shouldnt. On a car like yours where spring rate is completely up to you the shocks should only be used to dampen the actions of the spring. In classes where people are regulated to stock spring rates shocks are used to control chassis movement but this is not the best way.

I would advise you to find somebody with the same coilovers as you and try their rates if the do a lot of track stuff on similar tracks. If not 500lb fronts and 450lb rears would be where I start keep in mind I tend to prefer a loose car.

For imperfections in the track surface Id raise the car and get tires with a bit more sidewall. You should be able to get up on the curbs without hitting the bumpstops. As you get faster you are going to start searching for grip and trying to straighten corners the curbs are perfect for both of these. If you ever get to run the streets of willow this skill becomes a must to get around turn 9(IIRC) properly.

Again for the time being if you are happy with the car just leave it and get more seat time.
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MoxHair · Posted: Sun Jun 28, 2009 7:09 pm Post subject:

FWD cars with short sidewalls have bad issues with with mid corner loss of traction, because there isn't any sidewall to absorb some of the rotational energy and it just results in extra wheel spin. Thus heating and wearing the tires way to fast.

Suspension Travel is very important, Too short of travel and your car will skip around the corners instead of staying composed and keeping contact with the track surface during the entire corner. Damping is just how quickly or slowly the suspension reacts to the road surface, it is a limited way to help keep the tire on the road but its useless if your suspension travel is too short

Oversteering and loose is way faster than understeering and tight.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/Redline-Time-Attack-Round_691102.htm

This video around 12:20 and 15:40 shows why suspension travel is good, look at the way the tire reacts to the road surface.

bone-yard-racing · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 6:19 am Post subject:

Turn 9 is the one at the top of the hill where you hit the curb just after turn in and sort of bounce over the apex on 2 wheels right? The 2 coolest turns in the world are that and the corkscrew.
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MoxHair · Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 3:43 pm Post subject:

Its been about 6 years since I've been on the track. I loved the elevation changes and the g forces in the corners.

I really would of loved to drive the carousel at Leguna Seca, never got the chance though
_________________

2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X GSR - COBB Stage 1
Road Racing > Autocross > Spirited Driving > Sitting in Traffic > Mowing Lawns > Drag Racing
There will be blood in the water, and the sharks will come.