Losing my tracjinity...
 

I finally got off my ass and drove at the track. The beater civic wasn't ready (brakes, ball joint, 8.5K rpm issue) so I took the miata. It was at Gingerman raceway in southwest michigan. I drove four 15 minute sessions. The only issues were a little brake fade on one session (stainless lines/HPS street pads) and running a little hot at the end of one session and coming in a lap early (only one stock cooling fan right now). I experienced zero clutch or dif issues (both stock) running 8psi.

I mainly learned that twenty years of driving means absolutely nothing at the track. I really suck and can't even come close to making use of my completely stock suspension. The only thing that prevented complete embarrassment was keeping it in third gear (4th on the straights) and powering through everything. I'm hoping to get a suspension this winter but then the car will be way faster than I am. Guess I need to get down there more often. The biggest problem would be not being able to drive the 200 miles back home again. Which was not the most comfortable drive but I got 32mpg.

If you haven't done it, definitely do it. It seriously made me a better driver already. At least I know that I can remain calm spinning out off the track at about 50mph. I'm going to need a hardtop.

Sounds like the weekend was a raging success to me - both for the car and you. The easiest way to get faster is to admit, identify and rectify driver errors. If you haven't filled in all the gaps around the rad, that might solve the coolant temp rise.
-rob (admitting driver errors for over ten years) :D

Check DP for large holes :rofl: :gay: :doh:

what radiator?

Did you get any instruction? I always try to get a spec miata guy to run the track with me, because they obviously know the equipment and gearing better...that may not really help in a turbo car though. Even though its a slight pain in the ass because you have to change pads, I highly recommend a set of hawk blues for the front (and a wilwood prop valve is icing on the cake). You can dive so deep, so hard on the blues that its wacky.

I can never make myself run the hard-top because the drive is so nice on the way to Hallett...aside from the turtle slalom. I guess its hot enough now that I can make myself keep the HT on. It was 30* in my av picture...so of course the top was on.

yeah that's good advice, I've always had a spec miata driver as an instructor, if I'm not going solo.

Wow i wish i could find a cheap local track and sign up for a track day and then run it. i so want to try the limits of my car but it is getting alot more dangerous on the streets than it was before. congratulations.

You can't even begin to compare anything on the street to an open roadcourse.

There's not real point in driving my car on the street anymore, unless I want to enjoy nice weather. Its not even worth trying to make it fun.

You guys should really do the miatas at hallett event. Its pretty cheap for the amount of track time you get...if you can stomach dealing with all the wine-and-cheesers.

Unfortunately I won't be able to take my car there in turbo form since I haven't had a chance to build the car yet.

Its a shame mid-ohio doesn't do anything like HPDE's this side of $600
http://www.indycar.com/schedule/imag...ks/midohio.jpg

There has to be something smaller around you, that's cheaper.

Miatas at Hallett is only $150, and a regular track day is 5 sessions for $95.


Southington, Ohio:
http://www.nelsonledges.com/default.aspx

Memphis:
http://www.memphismotorsports.com/

summit point, WV:
http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/

hpdes require a competition license from what i have read the license costs 1K + for 600$ i would love 5 15 minute sessions. Also i am unsure but dont they require a rollbar to. There is putnam park but i can never nail down the time, for a free for all, and don't feel like driving 4+ hours to a event to not be allowed in. Mid ohio is also like 3+ hours away from me as well 1 way. reference this pic.
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HPDE's do not typically require a race license. I've been to 3 tracks and driven without one. Most do require a roll bar...miatas at hallett will not. Hallett is great because you get real southern hospitality, everyone knows everyone's name, no one cares how much money you make, and its possibly one of if not the best technical road courses in the nation. You're a perfect candidate for the event becuase you don't have a close track, you don't have a roll bar, and its dirt cheap with an all miata group.

what are you talking about, that's retarded. It's not even close to competition.

Sign up with N.A.S.A. Ohio-Indiana. Oct. 6 - 7 should have a HDPE at Putnam Park. $300 for the weekend, plus $50 to register with NASA. No license required.

call to make sure or go here: http://racenasa.nasamidwest.com/season/

2.5 hours to an event isnt bad.

:bigtu:

Its not going to get much cheaper than that. There are two tracks 1.5 hours from my home in dallas. I still make the 4.5 hour drive to the track in tulsa at least 2x per year because the track is worth it. I have to pay $210 for 4 sessions at the older course in dallas, $300 for 7 sessions at the newer track, and the track in tulsa is cheap.

Once you do it, you'll understand. I really want a shitter diesel truck (veggie oil) to pull my miata to the track.

wow i might just do that thanks :D

Most important way to improve your on track driving is track time. I have been racing a really long time and the more time you spend in a car, the more you understand its capabilities and its limitations as well as your own.

BTW, as for your car heating up, sealing the gaps around the radiator will help but you can also run 50/50 water to antifreeze and some redline water wetter. As for your brakes, you might try running a high temp brake fluid. Motul is really good stuff.

50/50, how about 10/90 with some water wetter?

Stock radiator, but thats another project.

This was the West michigan honda meet and it was $95 for the day. Next year will be double, but it will be a Saturday/Sunday. Can't wait.

When my car started to run a little hot, my buddy offered his 04 NSX instead. I declined, but only because his car cost more than my house and insurance doesn't cover anything. I did take it out at lunch. It was a good day.

The Water wetter did help a bit for cruising temps. I just used dot 4 but I definitely want high temp stuff and some full race pads next time. And another 4psi. Clutch, rear end, adjustable suspension, etc...!

what ambient air temp?

Time for a thread hijack.

rbf 600 is good enough. Hawk blues are good enough for the red TDR car...and nothing gets driven harder than it. (You'll laugh the first few laps its so much fun)

Adjustable valving is kinda over-rated unless you're datalogging. I've enjoyed my bilstein hd / ground control 440/375's alot.

Shaik from m.net is now making budget coilvors that seem to perform with the advance design stuff from the shock dyno. I've considering sending my bilsteins to him for valving, and he can now make them 4-way adjustable. Once you get the right valving for your spring rate (nice firm low speed) you'll probably never have the skill to need adjustability.