I figured I would share a video of my recently almost completed STL car. This was my first testing weekend to get ready for drivers school at Roebling in Feb. I plan to run in STL next season after I obtain my license.

I'm running a b18b non vtec with 11.1 comp and stg 2 crower cams, oem itr trans which is all within the limits of the class.

I haven't checked all my clean laps but I was 1:27-1:32 from what I have looked at so far which is not fast by any means. I think the STU record is like 1:20 or so which a class above STL but my friend did a 1:26 with his ITB delsol and a stock d15 so I need to figure it out. I know lap times are much different in a race than just open track like I had but Im just using that to gauge myself.

I need to fix the alignment, just didn't have time and also get a shorter hub so its not in my chest.

Trouble spots for me are 1, 4, 7 where I really just haven't been able to carry the speed the car should. I was 3 wheeling a lot too so I'm going to have to attempt some different setups to fix that.

Anyway here is 1 video, comments/critiques welcome.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9veS...&feature=feedu

 

I have only run there once in August 2010. I wasn't supposed to have a transponder on my car since I was just an instructor. But someone did smuggle me some times from one session on Saturday. I ran a 1:24.582. I know I went faster on Sunday so I would say I was running high 1:23s to 1:25s most laps. Car is an old Honda Challenge Integra. Stock motor with I/H/E, underdrive pulley and GSR trans.

That track is all about maximizing mid-corner speed. If your car is not handling it is no fun at all. Entry into 1 is really fast. Looks like you are not carrying enough speed there at all. I don't brake for 2. Just scrub speed and turn in pretty early and use the curbing on the inside of the track. Looks like you are staying to the left for the apex of turn 3 which is good. Only takes getting mid track once in 3 to figure out you can't do that. Are you full throttle from the apex of turn 2 until braking zone of 4? You should be.

Turn 4 is hectic and was hard for me to get right. The faster you come through 3 the more hectic 4 is. I was not good enough at that turn to give any advise. I think there are a number of ways through turn 5. I was just reading the trackpedia.com write up that Mike Skeen did. I broke very quickly in a straight line looking at some light pole that is in the distance. I was able to compress this braking zone into just a quick stab at the brake. I did turn the wheel a couple of times before completely getting my foot off the brake. Damn exciting. Looks like you have a good bit of coasting going on at times. Obviously you want to be on the throttle or brakes if you can. I think if you follow a quick driver in February you will make up most of the time very quickly. I struggled badly my first session out and got a ride with another instructor for my 2nd session. After that I had 90% of it down and the rest was just tweaking lines a little bit.

I am hoping to be there for the Feb comp school myself. But money is the big problem. My car is underbuilt for STL but I would probably just throw a sticker on and get my license. I had a NASA license years ago. Hope to see you there if I can swing it.

P.S. I am just downshifting into turn 1 and not shifting again until the exit of turn 2. You should be able to do that. No brakes into 2 or just a brush if you absolutely must.

 

Thanks for the advice.

I know I left a lot in turn 1, Im actually going into it in 4th and trying to let the car track out then tap break for rotation with a downshift to 3rd then power out of 2 and shift to 4th. Turn 3 has always been the scariest turn for me at that track and not 9 like it is for a lot of people. Im lifting a little before I cross over the crest but the more confidence I got through 3 I started barely lifting.

My original instructor who was also in the delsol running pretty fast was an F Prod champ in 08 for the SAARC so I have gone over technique and lines with hiom because he knows FWD cars pretty well. I just havent been able to execute partly due to fear somewhat and also lacking all the skills currently.

4 was really hectic for me, I was coming into it around 105 mph give or take so I had to transition quickly, I have always loved 5-6 and the light pole land mark is great and is also my point of reference for a down shift but then like 4, 7 is the same issue with having a lot speed and then setting the car properly.

Roebling is a very difficult track in my opinion. I feel a lot more comfortable at Sebring but thats probably because I have been more and its not off camber half the time lol.

If you have an old gsr integra for HC its probably right in line for STL, basically with the vtec motor you cant really change cams and can change comp to 11.1 so outside of a few other things you should be right there.

I hope to see you out there in Feb., I deff. understand being strapped for cash. I have been trying to get the car done and get track time and then go to school...I wont be able to even race at this pace because I will be broke lol. I slept in my suv at the track all weekend and showered at the complex to save money.

Im going to add another video soon where Im driving a bit harder trying to keep up with a GTS Viper, jcw mini with a lot done, and a GT3RS. I actually ran my quicker times with traffic, I guess just mentally seeing them do it at those higher speeds makes me think I can do it.

 

Another video, ran better times with this group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf9sSXe4JZw

 

Love that place.

 

Did my first track day ever back at Roebling in May of '10. Loved it.

Why is it important the car doesn't three wheel? I assume it's lifting an inside rear? That wheel wouldn't have any weight on it (and there for not affect the car) if I'm not mistaken? Sorry if there's a very apparent reason why you wouldn't want it to three wheel. I'm an s2000 driver and don't have any experience with anything else Honda or FWD.

 

Roebling was my first track as well, what group did you run with? I was there in may 2010 with darkside.

The 3 wheeling is a topic some people debate, I would like to have as much grip as possible and the places I was 3 wheeling were places I want 4 wheels planted at that track.

 

I was there for a 2 day NASA event. It's a great first track. Its all been downhill since then :lol:

 

downhill in your wallet? lol it has for me

 

ran a 1.20.001 lifting at start finish till braking zone cause i was over db in my civic and my buddy's integra....both were 225 hp's....

 

just watched a few laps.....

make turn 1-2 2 corners....not one....it is faster....trail brake turn 1 like a *****....fastest way though there....plenty of run off room....

don't lift going into 3....it is flat out....

t-4 hug the inside and let car push out....

t6 turn in late and get on gas asap....

7-8 no fast way through there in a FWD

you are breathing going into 9 you should be flat from mid 7-8 to brake zone at 1
t9 DON"T LIFT

i ran a 126 in a civic dx with hoosiers and crap suspension....you have tons of power....get a better LSD!! you should be 165 hp or close....

 

thanks, i have gone over the same things you pointed out with my friend that was running 126.0s on r888s in his itb delsol with about 100 whp.

i know im not fast yet but im working on it, thats why i posted hoping for some feedback from people like yourself.

turn 3 i was getting used to, i couldnt go through there a year ago on street tires without lifting so i was timid there and 9 getting used to the higher grip.

6th track event so i have a long way to go.

what lsd would you suggest?

i would be very happy with 165, the class goal is 1 whp to 12 lbs which would put me at 195whp. Thats isnt impossible but within the rules set for the class will be tough even if i had an unlimited budget.

 

Probably not a direct correlation between the clubs (SCCA/NASA) classes
For reference, the TTF car is a VX powered HB on 180 TW tires
An H1 car would be in the TTA/TTB range

Current Track Records for NASA -SE

TTR 56 Billy Gropp Viper ACRx 1:14.20 9/4/2011
TTU 56 Billy Gropp Viper ACR 1:14.44 5/22/2010
TTS Jared McGillicudy C5 ZO6 1:17.51 5/18/2008
TTA 71 Mark Nunnally C5 Corvette Z06 1:17.49 5/23/2010
TTB 202 Everette Parsons BMW 535 1:19.75 9/04/2011
TTC Rene Badia S2000 1:22.22 5/18/2007
TTD 137 Daniel Walters S2000 1:22.49 5/23/2010
TTE 29 David Rensel Nissan Sentra 1:23.99 9/4/2011
TTF 51 Patrick Saunders Honda Civic 1:27.21 9/05/2011

 

ITA I think is like H4 to base that off and also there is a difference running Time Trials compared to an actual race.

ITC would be like TTF Im guessing.

ITA Blake Pridgen Mazda RX3 1:20:267
ITB Jay Marlowe Toyota Celica 1:24.505
ITC Vesa Silegren 1:26.212
ITR Kip VanSteenburg Porsche 944s2 1:19.887
ITS Michael Flynn BMW E46 323 1:20.597

STO Bob Mayer 1:13.239
STU Kip Van Steenburg Dodge SRT 1:21.806
T1 Phil Croyle Corvette Z06 1:15.233
T2 Rob Hines 1:20.425
T3 Ian Stewart Honda S2000 1:21.901

 

 

Looks pretty good. I think the other guys have provided some pretty good advice about going fast. Speed will come.

 

Thanks Don,

My goal is to become comfortable next when I go to the Feb school being surrounded by cars etc. and let speed eventually come like you said. Im going to be off the optimal line in several areas anyway but at least I have a better understanding of where to be now.

 

RRR is all about grip and working the limit, not a very technical track. I dont three wheeling is an issue unless your car becomes too loose or twitchy.

 

Cool vid! I ran Roebling Road as part of the One Lap of America tour a few years ago. It looks like it has not changed at all since then. Fun track!