I about crapped my pants when I came home today to see the new splitter that Mike had a friend make for his HDPE car. I think this thing is unreal. The downside is that the person who made it asked that we not give away any details of how or what it is made of so that is going to have to remain closed but I figured I'd at least post pictures to see what you guys think of the look and his work. I can't wait to drive it this weekend and see if I notice a difference.

Here is the old splitter/bumper that many people said was "ugly" despite it being a track only car.




And here is what I came home to. And yes it is adjustable and to clarify Mike wants the white/black that's why it's two different colors.

 

thats pretty nice! looks waaaaayyy better and more professional than the old setup.

 

COT splitter FTW


Always wanted to do the recessed air damn, but i made a simple spliter and that was so much work i haven't wanted to attempt to make another one.

 

That right there is some hawtness.

 

Nice!

 

Looks nice, but I've never understood people that put splitters on HPDE cars!
It's really pointless unless you want it to "look" cool.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by prkiller &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Looks nice, but I've never understood people that put splitters on HPDE cars!
It's really pointless unless you want it to "look" cool.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

What the hell are you talking about, maybe he times himself and has fun at it. You don't think he will drive fast at his lapping day? Your post is pointless, no offense lol.

 

I think what prkiller is saying is that a lot of racers dont use splitters bc of the cost to benefit ratio, They will help you get a tenth or two but why does a couple tenths matter when your in hpde?

edit, it does look nice though

 

Nice!

 

Nice work.

I also like your choice in brake pad, too.

FWIW- Splitters are a serious commitment and shouldn't be purchased/ added on a whim. They do help, but the ROI and PITA ratio are large. Chances are most splitters (all), will be damaged at some point, even HPDEing.

Good luck and again, nice splitter.

 

looks very nice

 

how much did it cost?

 

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

What the hell are you talking about, maybe he times himself and has fun at it. You don't think he will drive fast at his lapping day? Your post is pointless, no offense lol.

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

And your point is?
My point still stands.
Smokin and John already pointed out what I didn't really bother to say.

There is only 1 good reason to add a front splitter, and that's because you want to decrease your lap times in a competitive environment.
HPDE is not what that's about.

If this was a TT car, that would be a different story!

I've seen to many people spend lots of time building splitters for their "HPDE" car and rip them off the first weekend only to realize they wasted time and money!

HPDE is about learning and having fun, NOT attaining your ultimate lap time!
If your looking to go for ultimate lap times, you generally need more experience to move up into a group that allows passing in places other than the main straights.

Not sure why you took such offense to what I said, but the point still stands.
Front splitters on HPDE cars are for nothing more than "show"!


Modified by prkiller at 9:48 PM 4/10/2008

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by smokin rubber &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think what prkiller is saying is that a lot of racers dont use splitters bc of the cost to benefit ratio, They will help you get a tenth or two but why does a couple tenths matter when your in hpde?

edit, it does look nice though </TD></TR></TABLE>

You've got to be kidding me. You think a splitter is worth a tenth or two? Maybe if you are doing a low speed auto-X, but a properly setup road race car on a 1:30 to 1:45 course with ten or so corners that say averages 70 - 75 mph will pick up over 1 to 1.5 seconds a lap with a wing and splitter. Of course, if you only use a splitter the improvement will be over .75 seconds a lap, but who only uses a splitter without a wing unless it is IT racing where wings aren't allowed. But for NASA, both are allowed and so I would take full advantage of the rules and run them.

 

"Front splitters on HPDE cars are for nothing more than "show"!"

exactly. knowing mike it will 'show' in lap times


Modified by MikeSarr_GSR at 7:20 PM 4/10/2008

 

The splitter was really added to help with downforce and to help stability under thresold braking. It wasn't so much to get the maximum optimal laptime but it does help. Whether you think it's worth putting on or not is up to you. Mike and I are both in the Advanced/Solo group with our HPDE club where passing is allowed anywhere on track at anytime. We both have 30+ track days each under our belt so we are getting to the point (at least at Sebring) where stuff like this may help our laptimes. Keep in mind we almost always drive at Sebring and it's nearly 4 miles long so I do think the splitter benefits on that massive course. Also, in the group we're in you rarely get held up but occassionally it does happen. I certainly undestand PR's point because there are a bunch of people who come out in a fully built racecars only to suck at driving it but in the end it's our way of having fun, even if we're not racing.

 

Don't mind me guys, I guess I'm just a realist!

96 SOHC VTEC's points were exactly what I was talking about.
I just don't see the point of helping with downforce on the front end to make the car quick in an HPDE environment. Granted lots of people do things that I think are unwarranted for their HPDE cars, but as SOHC already pointed out, it's their choice!

Just offering up my suggestions to people that might be reading this and say "wow, that looks cool, I want to do that too".

I also think R comps are a waste of money in HPDE as well. Sure they are faster, but they cost more, wear faster, and promote more wear and tear on your car all for what? 2-4 seconds a lap?
It also makes it much harder to learn to drive the car at the limit in a lot of instances.

Good luck in the future and stay safe!

 

The splitter and canards look good. They will certainly help in turns 1 and 16.

Are you guys going to the May 3rd Chin Event?
I will be there with the the civic. It's the first event for this car so i am sure we will be working on set-up issues.
What kind of lap times did you run with the type r set-up?

Do you still have the old splitter?

Patrick

 

Are you guys going to the May 3rd Chin Event?

Yes. At least Mike will be there. I'm not sure if I will be there yet.

What kind of lap times did you run with the type r set-up?

Mostly 34's-35's. I know the car is capable of sub 2:30's with the right driver/tire.

Do you still have the old splitter?

No.

 

prkiller, i totally disagree with you. First of all I know many experienced drivers who still attend hpde's, so dont assume that all attendees are novice. Second its not all about the lap times, some may just want to achieve the handleing characteristics that the splitter gives such as the turn in and stability. R comps are not only for race cars, they are a track tire and if someone wants to run an r comp on a track day I dont see a problem with it as long as they KNOW and dont think they have learned as much as they can on a street tire.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chairwitharmrests &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">prkiller, i totally disagree with you. First of all I know many experienced drivers who still attend hpde's, so dont assume that all attendees are novice. Second its not all about the lap times, some may just want to achieve the handleing characteristics that the splitter gives such as the turn in and stability. R comps are not only for race cars, they are a track tire and if someone wants to run an r comp on a track day I dont see a problem with it as long as they KNOW and dont think they have learned as much as they can on a street tire.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You bring up a good point. I've seen numerous real race teams bring out their cars for racer testing/practice at our events. Obviously they can only run in the Advanced group but the fact that they're there shows that you can certainly run hot laps even at an HDPE.

At the last event there was a World Challenge Corvette getting ready for the Sebring races in March. I have video of him blowing by me on the back straight.

 

I have a splitter and wing sitting in my storage unit unused.. .

I think a combination of being in the advanced group, having the money to pay for it, and already pushing the limits of your current setup lends itself to justifying a nice splitter.. .

HPDE queen for the win! I'm not ready to race yet so my shat goes uninstalled.. .

BTW anyone want to buy a EG, J's racing front spoiler and multipurpose adjustable rear spoiler? LOL

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chairwitharmrests &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">prkiller, i totally disagree with you. First of all I know many experienced drivers who still attend hpde's, so dont assume that all attendees are novice. Second its not all about the lap times, some may just want to achieve the handleing characteristics that the splitter gives such as the turn in and stability. R comps are not only for race cars, they are a track tire and if someone wants to run an r comp on a track day I dont see a problem with it as long as they KNOW and dont think they have learned as much as they can on a street tire.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You missed my point!
I wasn't just talking about newbies.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion just as I, but I think you'd agree if you read what I actually said.
I've already said what R comps on an HPDE ride get ya.

Now lets be clear here! I'm talking about someone that's only interest is HPDE and they have no plans to race anytime soon.
Will using a high performance street tire against an R comp deter you from having fun or learning all you can at the track? NO.
So, what is the reason for going with the R comp I ask?

I completely understand if it's because your doing HPDE and your to a level that warrants moving to R comps and you plan on racing Honda Challenge or some other class. It would make perfect sense to switch to an R888 to get experience and setup data with the tire before you actually enter HPDE.

But I believe there should be a good "reason" to go to R comps.
To me, "Because I'm in the advanced group" or "I want to go faster" are not good answers.
Maybe they are to you and that's ok! It's your money and you can use it as you see fit!
Point is, you can have just as much fun on azenis as you can on R comps while spending half as much on tires and getting to do more track days in a year (if costs are holding you back).

I'm just tired of people perpetuating the idea that "I'm in advanced, I need R comps now" because it's so not true.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 96 SOHC VTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You bring up a good point. I've seen numerous real race teams bring out their cars for racer testing/practice at our events. Obviously they can only run in the Advanced group but the fact that they're there shows that you can certainly run hot laps even at an HDPE.

At the last event there was a World Challenge Corvette getting ready for the Sebring races in March. I have video of him blowing by me on the back straight. </TD></TR></TABLE>


Umm, they are there gathering test data for a competition that they will be entering. Not even the same thing! I'm sure they are less concerned with "lap times" than they are with the data they are collecting with their DA system. Lap traffic isn't a concern for them because they can take different sectors from the data and put it together to make a theoretical lap without traffic! Totally different than than HPDE car!

You guys need to stop acting like I'm putting anyone down because I'm not!
Just giving a different "idea" for some to read than a lot of you have. There are ways to maximize fun and learning and costs, and that's what I'm spewing here.


Again, these are just my thoughts and obviously they don't govern anyone else's lives. Spend your money as you see fit.
I'm just giving my views on these things from my experience which I'd wager is quite a bit more than most!

You guys and gals just make sure to have fun! That's the most important thing. If your not having fun, what's the point!

 

When it comes to this (any) hobby/pastime, the line between "need" and "want" is usually blurred beyond all recognition and there is often little pattern of why we do anything. In my opinion, these are all good things that lead to big smiles, dirty underwear (the OP did crap his pants), and eventually sessions with either a shrink or financial planner/analyst.

I will only agree to one thing already stated in this thread and that is have fun. And with that being said, I want one of these splitters! Good work!

 

Shaving R comps for HPDE. now that's funny! Buying R comps for an HPDE porsche or car that fits 305s is funny!

23 HPDE sessions on my full tread 225/45/15 RA1s FTW! And on my Satisfied Gransport G3 pads and 11" 4x100 rotors from Fastbrakes

The most serious HPDE guy I have ever seen was at the track last weekend. He was in a GT3 porsche with hoosiers and had a roll cage very tastefully installed. He was a ***** and so was his friend in a brand new Lotus Exige runnin Yokohama full racing slicks. I was only 0.5 seconds slower than the Exige HAHAHA!