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AiM Solo 2 ordered and on the way. August at VIR will be my first time with a real lap timer.
Also, the newly announced Toyo HPDE contingency program came at just the right time as I'm about to be transitioning from HPDE-2 to 3. $200 off my needed set of 225s, yes please!
Originally Posted by George Michael
Just wanna say awesome thread man!
Its always nice to see someone actually implement all the advice offered on here. So props to you.
Thank you! This forum has been insanely helpful with everything along the way.
Got to finally experience some predictive lap timing courtesy of my Solo 2 this weekend at VIR.
2:26:27 was my best lap in 90*+ ambient heat and 80%+ humidity. I feel I'm at the max lateral grip of my 195mm wide R888Rs, but there are still a couple places I'm trying new lines and at least two places I'm still over-slowing slightly. Hoping for some slightly cooler temps next time out in October.
I'm absolutely terrible at updating this damn thread.
Some quick notes to catch up:
- October at VIR I tried new pads, Raybestos ST43. Pedal modulation is way worse than Hawk DTC-60. I kept locking up the fronts which I think is more an issue with my now 36 HC 195 width R888Rs, but the feel was just absolutely vague. Switching back to DTC-60 for now.
- I did manage a 2:25.73 even with poor braking, so improvements are still being made. Hoping new tire width will help more (see below)
- Schedule change at work over the past 6 months has really dampened forward progress with the car. I don't know how people work 5 days a week and still get stuff done. Going back to my old schedule (working 9-10 days a month) in March, so I'll finally have some time again.
- Major changes for next year include new wheels and tires. I used Toyo's new HPDE contingency program to snag some 225/45/15 R888Rs after moving to HPDE3. They will go on 15x9 Dekagrams for next year. Yay for no more 195s!
- Brake ducts have been purchased and working on install. Trying to get more life out of the Hawks. Installing them has lead to wanting to do some actual radiator ducting as well, so I'll keep working on that this weekend.
- I purchased material for an air dam, but I think I am going to wait to commit to air dam, splitter, and wing all at once. My current undertray is destroyed from some off-roading at VIR, so it's kind of stuck in place. Only want to build splitter/undertray once if I can.
- Upgraded some safety equipment with nomex socks and a tinted helmet visor. I hate wearing sunglasses under my helmet haha.
- Tow rig needs some major maintenance...again, no time with working 5 days a week. Hoping to address that here soon as well.
- Still haven't messed with any suspension adjustments as I have yet to plateau with times on current setup and am still very much learning to trust the car. One day I'll get over it and just send it all out haha.
I'm hoping I'll be better at updating this for the few people who follow along. I want to share my experiences for other people just like I've been able to learn so much from people before me. I occasionally post on Instagram as well: @qspeed_racing.
March 28-29 @ VIR with NASA MA
April 18-19 @ Summit Point (Main) with NASA MA
May 23-24 @ Summit Point (Shenandoah) with TrackDaze
August 15-16 @ VIR with NASA MA
September 26-27 @ NJMP (Thunderbolt) with NASA NE
November 7-8 @ NJMP (Lightning) with NASA NE
Shenandoah Circuit and both NJMP tracks will be new to me. Last year I didn't get to explore like I wanted to. Hoping to be able to make it further outside the Mid-Atlantic in 2021 and beyond along with committing to competitive driving once the car continues to be developed. Looking at TT/ST5 as greatest potential landing spot for now as it looks like the class is starting to gain some steam. TT/ST6 seems fairly non-existent comparatively.
Might ask the moderators to rename this thread. Maxxis Supermiata Cup is no more. It is now Driveskills Superspec Cup and will most definitely not be leaving California.
Quigs, have you hit up the ST5/TT5 groups on Facebook? Also..... GLTC is a blast! It's worth looking into as well as a potential goal/target.
Interesting that the ST43s have worse modulation than DTC60s. Next time you buy some pads look at PFCs...... trust me haha. Though you're probably right on it being attributed to HC'd tires.
Have you already bought the 225 R888Rs? I'd actually recommend a different tire for a few reasons.... AR-1 is less expensive, not sure on speed, but it's had consistent results it seems. Rival-S, likely faster than the toyos and will last longer, about the same price.
When I deleted my oem dust shields and put on just the TSE brake ducts without the hose my brake life went way up. I suppose the only potential downside to this on a HPDE car is big deltas in temps depending on the track and the situations. Mechanical awareness can probably over-come that, though.
I know a guy that can help you with air-dam, splitter, and wing.....
Come do Watkins Glen in October, 9th-11th, with NASA. Its an amazing track
Watkins Glen is certainly on my bucket list, and I was actually supposed to go last year but couldn't commit. This year well depend on budget later in the year, so I won't rule it out, but I won't bend over backwards to go either haha. Plus I will need to take two shifts off work for that weekend which is 48 hours of time off...not easy for me to do unless we are way overstaffed those days. I will definitely make it there soon though!
Originally Posted by emilio700
Might ask the moderators to rename this thread. Maxxis Supermiata Cup is no more. It is now Driveskills Superspec Cup and will most definitely not be leaving California.
I saw the updates, but for real it kind of stinks. Was hoping for it to make it out this way. Oh well. I certainly understand the amount of work it would've taken to make it happen though. I will still enjoy following along with what all you guys are able to do out in Cali.
Originally Posted by flier129
Quigs, have you hit up the ST5/TT5 groups on Facebook? Also..... GLTC is a blast! It's worth looking into as well as a potential goal/target.
Interesting that the ST43s have worse modulation than DTC60s. Next time you buy some pads look at PFCs...... trust me haha. Though you're probably right on it being attributed to HC'd tires.
Have you already bought the 225 R888Rs? I'd actually recommend a different tire for a few reasons.... AR-1 is less expensive, not sure on speed, but it's had consistent results it seems. Rival-S, likely faster than the toyos and will last longer, about the same price.
When I deleted my oem dust shields and put on just the TSE brake ducts without the hose my brake life went way up. I suppose the only potential downside to this on a HPDE car is big deltas in temps depending on the track and the situations. Mechanical awareness can probably over-come that, though.
I know a guy that can help you with air-dam, splitter, and wing.....
Yes, I'm in all/every ST/TT5 (and 6...and maybe even 4?) group I can find. Strongly considering GLTC as well...it's nice that it has popped up as another option.
I'm hoping the high HC tires were the issue, but the pedal still just felt very blah. The DTC60s by comparison just felt so much confidence inspiring and spongier, but in a good FEEL way. I'm certainly willing to try to ST43s again, but for now the DTCs will go back on. And I do plan on trying some other brands as well, PFC among them, but I used Hawk HPDE contingency money for this new set, so I put the discount to use for now.
Yes, I already have the 225 R888Rs. I know about AR-1 and I will definitely be trying them out next. I was waiting for more feedback before I jumped in on them. Again, I had HPDE contingency money so they were under $400 for the set this go around...hard to beat for now. But AR-1s are definitely next on the list to try out. I'm also curious how lap times will change from 195 R888Rs to 225 R888Rs to 225 AR-1s with all else the same, so I'm looking forward to doing some of that testing this year.
Radiator ducting should be finished up next weekend, then it will be on to brake ducting. I'm hoping for increased pad life for sure. I also need to be braking less!
Don't worry, I know all about the 9Lives stuff! DIY air dam is easy enough, but I'm definitely thinking splitter and wing from 9Lives will be the plan. I've sold my wife on getting a Big **** for the Miata and she's on board, so I'm hoping to make all that happen after the new shell gets caged!
Watkins Glen is certainly on my bucket list, and I was actually supposed to go last year but couldn't commit. This year well depend on budget later in the year, so I won't rule it out, but I won't bend over backwards to go either haha. Plus I will need to take two shifts off work for that weekend which is 48 hours of time off...not easy for me to do unless we are way overstaffed those days. I will definitely make it there soon though!
I cross The Glen off my list last year. Now I just have
1) VIR
2)Laguna Seca
3)COTA
4) Road Atlanta
I know the struggle. I work every Wed-Sat, so normally I'm taking 3 days off to go racing. One time I decided I'll leave right from work on Friday to make tech and I felt so beat up. If you decide to go lmk and I'll buy you dinner, there's an amazing Prime rid place like 15 mins from the track
I cross The Glen off my list last year. Now I just have
1) VIR
2)Laguna Seca
3)COTA
4) Road Atlanta
I know the struggle. I work every Wed-Sat, so normally I'm taking 3 days off to go racing. One time I decided I'll leave right from work on Friday to make tech and I felt so beat up. If you decide to go lmk and I'll buy you dinner, there's an amazing Prime rid place like 15 mins from the track
I'll definitely be making my way up there sooner than later. I'll pitch it to my wife to see if we can try to make it happen this year, I know she's been wanting me to try it as well.
Whenever you come down to VIR definitely let me know! There's no prime rib place close by, but it's still worth the trip haha.
My wife and I took a trip to California this past fall and we made a stop and Laguna Seca just to walk around the track...it was so awesome to be there. I WILL find a way to drive that track one day!
COTA would be sweet. I have a friend in Austin I'm trying to coordinate with to make the trip down that way.
Road Atlanta is a huge bucket list track for me as well. If you make the trip down I'm literally almost smack in the middle right between NY and Atlanta, so maybe we can link up for the second half of your trip down if it magically works out where we can both attend the same event haha.
I got the radiator ducting finished up yesterday and made a little progress on brake ducting. The goal was to be as cheap and simple as possible as it will be re-done once I swap everything over to the new shell and put an air dam/splitter on. But for now should make for some slightly better cooling.
Brake ducts installed, new front hubs, replaced bad rear caliper, and fresh pads all around. Just a few small things left to check off to be ready for the season to kick off in March!
Scored this lightweight hardtop the other day locally. It's dusty, but way cheaper than buying new! The PO stripped out all the hardware installing the rear window (I think he used a power drill or driver to drive the screws into the nylock nuts) so I just went ahead and replaced all the hardware now with regular round head stainless screws. OEM hardtops are selling for a premium right now, so this was something I was planning on doing eventually anyway for the weight savings. Since all events are cancelled for this month at least, the timing worked out that I had the cash to grab this one now.
Okay extended off-season, you win - new shell being taken in for a rollcage!
Depending on the state of the world when it gets back in a few weeks, there's a good possibility I just scrap the season and start moving everything over to this car. I might even have the money to put it into full ST5 trim by then, who knows...
What radiator shroud is that? Also great job on the air dam.
Did you just use the same mounting points that the plastic one would have used?
Do you plan on cutting out that front crash bar and getting the one that @mattrusell122 sells?
I still have the factory undertray that sits underneath the DIY ducting. I'm thinking about cutting out the front crash bar and getting the replacement for sure, but that will wait until I move everything over to the new chassis. This body isn't worth doing any more cutting on haha.
07-29-2019, 10:00 AM
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