My instructor (Jim Pantas ) worked with me on reducing my shifting as much as possible. I inquired about if I'm going into a corner, and say drop it into 2nd, but immediately have to shift to 3rd coming out of it, if that's something good or bad to do. He recommended I keep it in 3rd, and mentioned that everytime I shift, that's a second off of my time. Is there any input into this?

What gear did most of you take turn 7 in?


[Modified by drumsy, 3:37 PM 10/14/2002]

 

Keep it in 3rd, IMO. Jim Pantas does own. He's helped me much, and was also one of my instructors in the comp school at CMP

 

2nd should not be used at VIR at all, except oak tree... Even if your off hi cam, you loose time shifting... But, I do use 2nd when held up, or 2 wide often, because obviously, my speeds are slower than from a hot lap..

 

I was in 3rd. Same engine as you, lighter car.

One instructor had me think about it like this... 2nd might be able to work for you right now. If you know that you'll eventually be fast enough to need 3rd, then you should use 3rd now. This will prevent you from re-learning your shift points later on. Plus, "seat of the pants" can fool you into thinking you're going faster when you're not.

 

I would say keep it in 3rd up turn 7.

I have the ATS 4.9 F/D and it seemed to be a help and a menace at the same time. I was able to pull harder (in 3rd gear) in turn one and seven, but was forced to upshift to 4th for turn 2,6 and 9+. Anyone else with the ATS find the same results?


[Modified by 6ghatch, 3:47 PM 10/14/2002]

 

Could the reason he said to keep it in 3rd possibly be because he has power everywhere and anywhere in his rustang?

 

Why is shifting into 4th a "menace"?

 

Probably. After getting a ride with him in the last instructor's session on Saturday, I have a newfound respect.

Daniel - The guy with the video camera in hand

 

hehe, heard about that on the net.

 

Poor choice of words, I don't mean it's a menace but seemed to require a few more up and down shifts in some tough areas.

In the schools we are taught to keep shifting to a minimum. Also, it was tough to keep the car steady when heel/toe downshifting in the turn 3. (due to lack of straight braking zone)


[Modified by 6ghatch, 4:01 PM 10/14/2002]

 

No argument there. Eliminating shifts is a great thing, and will make you much smoother of a driver. 3 is quite tricky. I've actually been working on going through there in 4th instead of downshifting back to 3rd, but still have a good while before I can say it works "well" for me. I do LOVE that turn though, and if you take it right, you can make up some major ground there

 

This is one of the items Dan wanted the Adv students to work on over the weekend. Some of the Mustang guys were doing the whole track in 4th and most said after a few laps they were carrying enough speed through corners (including 7) to make it work. Of course, in our torqueless imports, 3rd is required on occasion.

I was taking turn 7 in 3rd in the RX-7 (2500lbs, 100hp). I imagine you could do the same. The only place at VIR I use 2nd gear is Oak Tree (and on fresh tires and a few more practice sessions, I may not dip down there either).

 

yeah, i'm in 3rd gear for 1-2, shift into 4th and ride through 3, back to 3rd for 5/5a, shift into 4th as entered 6, back to 3rd for 7 and carry 3rd into T10, where i'm shifting into 4th for the exit. I also had a tricky time into 16, where i'd be in 4th on entry but shift to 3rd for my entry/exit for 17.

RJ

 

I experimented with 2nd in T7. Worked fine until I found that I could do the corner much faster than I thought. Revlimiter at the middle of the hill = bad.

I used 2nd in T1 during lap 1 of the race since we were slow due to traffic. Otherwise I echo what others have said - 3rd gear + all around VIR except Oak Tree.

BTW, I have the stock final drive in the car, and plan to keep it.