I was finally able to get back out to the track this morning. I needed to bed some new pads and do a shakedown on the car since I just rebuilt the brakes. Also, this was the last test and tune before the national time trials event later this month.

It was a nice cold morning and I was able to have the track all to myself for nearly an hour. It is almost a Zen-like experience having an empty track and paddock. My first order of business was to bed a new set of Spec VR pads up front. While doing this the brakes didn't fail, so I guess I do know something about working on this car (and thanks to my friends on H-T).

This was my first day on a set of R-compound tires. All I can say is that these tires are better than a Christmas miracle - I couldn't get the grin off my face. I'm using the Toyo RA1 (205/50/15) on WORK RSZ-R wheels. The first thing I noticed was the dramatically improved braking - not only in decreased distances (I kept moving my braking points closer and closer to the corner) but improved stability and confidence under braking. On the Azenis I felt as if I was really fighting the car under braking - it is nice to have some incredible stopping power. Also a big to Cobalt Friction and the Spec VR compound. These pads are simply astonishing.

I got to the track and realized that the batteries were dead on my lap timer (even though I told myself last night to replace them). But no matter - it would have been interesting to see what difference the new tires made on lap times, but I was more concerned with locating new braking reference points, turn in points (did I say how sharp turn-in is on these things? ) and overall just getting used to the new grip levels. I also needed to find some suitable damper settings for the new tires - I find that they like a much stiffer setting than the Azenis. I know I was much, much faster today just based on where I was hitting certain RPMs around the track.

The car has also lost a little bit more weight by removing the SRS system and the savings of the Toyo tires vs. the Azenis.

A guy later showed up with a RUF 993. What a sweet car that thing is. He looked so serious in his Ferrari challenge drivers suit and everything, but ended up being a real nice guy from Germany. It was his first time on this track so he didn't know his way around as well as I do - but I sure smiled when he couldn't drop me and after only a few laps I reeled him and he had to give me the point-by...

The day ended a little early because a terrible squeaking noise developed under the hood at low RPMs (like starting from a stop). I'm assuming I have a power-steering belt that is slipping and needs to be tightened or (more likely) just replaced but I haven't really checked it out yet. I've never done that job but it seems pretty easy (5 minutes probably). Is the OEM PS belt any different/better than the one I can get at Autozone?

Overall, a very productive morning - I accomplished all of my goals and have renewed confidence in the car heading into the time trials later this month. Damn I love this car.

Edit: it isn't my PS belt after all - it is the alternator belt screeching like a banshee and that thing is looose. I'll be replacing both belts ASAP.


Modified by Flux at 3:16 PM 10/4/2005


Modified by Flux at 6:18 PM 10/4/2005

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A guy later showed up with a RUF 993. What a sweet car that thing is. He looked so serious in his Ferrari challenge drivers suit and everything, but ended up being a real nice guy from Germany. It was his first time on this track so he didn't know his way around as well as I do - but I sure smiled when he couldn't drop me and after only a few laps I reeled him and he had to give me the point-by... </TD></TR></TABLE>



How are you liking the car without the SRS?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nholmes &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">



How are you liking the car without the SRS?</TD></TR></TABLE>

hopefully he won't ever have to notice the lack of SRS.

 

Nice info on the tires and good luck at the national time trials event.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I also needed to find some suitable damper settings for the new tires - I find that they like a much stiffer setting than the Azenis.
Modified by Flux at 3:16 PM 10/4/2005</TD></TR></TABLE>

What was the damper settings you were using on the Azenis (If you don't mind me asking)?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by xjohnx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hopefully he won't ever have to notice the lack of SRS.</TD></TR></TABLE>

let's hope he never has to. the first time i had one pop on me, i thought my car was on fire because of the smell. horrible experience.

sounds like a VERY good morning you had.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Type-R Yo! &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nice info on the tires and good luck at the national time trials event.

What was the damper settings you were using on the Azenis (If you don't mind me asking)?</TD></TR></TABLE>

It will vary from track to track of course - but I was running 7/15 front and 6/15 rear on the Azenis. This morning on the RA1s I was running 11/15 front and 10/15 rear. That will most likely change as I figure these new tires out..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">blah blah lah

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Am I the only one that just scrolled to the bottom looking for a or a ?


Sounds like a blast. Yeah, R compounds are nice, I'm surprised you hadn't used them before. Too bad you didn't get a delta time between them and Azenis.

p.s. take out your p/s. 5 minutes tops with a sawzall.

-Chris

 

glad your brakes are working well...i love rebuilding brakes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by redzcstandardhatch &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i love rebuilding brakes.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You're sick in the head, man.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Chris F &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm surprised you hadn't used them before.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I had run them a few times back in my autox days - but never on the track. I learned a lot on street tires...


Modified by Flux at 6:17 PM 10/4/2005

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I had run them a few times back in my autox days - but never on the track. I learned a lot on street tires... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Rock!

OK I'm feeling better now, 8 edits later.

 

Glad to hear you had a good time john, your racing budget has just gone up! Due to never using street tires on the track again haha after you drive on a slick you never want to go back

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM Factor &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Glad to hear you had a good time john, your racing budget has just gone up! Due to never using street tires on the track again haha after you drive on a slick you never want to go back</TD></TR></TABLE>

...but did it?

I don't have enough experience with Azenis, how long do they last compared to RA1's? Cost is kinda similar.

 

however hard you use them, I ran on RA1's at an event in daytona and they lasted the weekend... we switched to hoosiers and like them better

 

John how do you get the track so sparsely populated? What's the secret? Which club and was it a test and tune or other?


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDM Factor &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Glad to hear you had a good time john, your racing budget has just gone up! Due to never using street tires on the track again haha after you drive on a slick you never want to go back</TD></TR></TABLE>

No ****, I just saw that I corded 2 of my V700's and damn it, I don't have any street tires left that are enough to do my next event. So I'm gonna be silly and get a set Kumho MX's after mixed reviews of the 615's but always good reviews for the MX's and use them one time for LRP next month and see if I'll like them enough for wet sessions so I can grab some V710's next season.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1GreyTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">John how do you get the track so sparsely populated? What's the secret? Which club and was it a test and tune or other? </TD></TR></TABLE>

It was an open test and tune day. The secret is to be there when the gates open (9:00am) on a cold weekday morning.

And I have prepared my wife for the increase in tire budget she will see come across her desk...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Flux &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
And I have prepared my wife for the increase in tire budget she will see come across her desk... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Here's my trick; My wife comes to most of my track events. So today I was going over the car and checking everything while she was cleaning her truck. When she wandered over, I mentioned the holes in my tires and said something like "well I guess I can't drive on those, what do you think honey?" as I pointed at the the cord peaking out. She said firmly "Absolutely Not, you need new ones"

 

hahaha atleast you got a good response back lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 1GreyTeg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I mentioned the holes in my tires and said something like "well I guess I can't drive on those, what do you think honey?" </TD></TR></TABLE>

way to work the system