Finally got back out on course today. Only made it out once last year for various reasons, none of which are all that exciting. But today 198ESP1 and myself loaded up and headed to Englishtown for NNJR season opener. We co-drove my car, on a set of his tires (older, but still serviceable V710's 315/35/17) in C-prepared. Good class, great guys and competitive top to bottom. It was kinda of a Mustang Vs. F-body day with the mustangs carrying the flag unfortunately. I think there were 3 Mustangs versus 2 Firebirds. My car was a 2 driver car and one of the Mustangs was a 2 driver car, so 7 drivers in class. Weather was perfect. The lot at E-town is showing its age and was kinda gravelely (sp?) by the end of the day. We got 4 runs in the morning and 4 runs in the afternoon. My morning runs produced my best time or 41.6xx which was good for mid pack, but unfortunately I couldn't beat in in the afternoon. The driver needs more seat time
It was fun to co-drive my car with someone else who is a very capable driver, compare notes and get a feel for where the limit is. I found myself not driving hard enough/not looking ahead and generally not focusing at a high enough level on the first couple runs. Then 198ESP1 started giving me the "Drive it harder" "DRIVE IT HARDER" speech. And he was right, as I went from 44.xxx +2 cones to a 46.xx off course, then after the pep talk dropped it down to a 42.xxx clean. So the potential was there. Last run of the morning session produced my best run of the day 41.651. Car felt good.
The afternoon session started off decent with a 42.xxx, but I was hoping to build upon morning time. Unfortunately that didn't happen as I clicked off a few more uninspiring times of 43.xxx +1 cone, 43.xxx clean and finally on the last run of the day I got back down to 42.148, but couldn't get back in the 41's. Definitely gotta get more seat time and get out on a consistent basis to build up the skill set.
Links to results:
Raw times
http://www.autox4u.com/2010results/432010_fin.htm
Pax times
http://www.autox4u.com/2010results/432010_pax.htm
The firechicken's new name is the FATchicken. The car needs to go on a diet (driver too for that matter). My car mostly stock is in the 3600lb range and most of the other cars in class are 3300lb down to 2900lbs +/-, so I am dragging a boat anchor compared to the rest of the class. I also need to get my suspension parts installed to dial in some more negative camber and eliminate the worn rubber bushings up front.
It was also the first time I trailered the car to the event. What a difference, the day is so much more relaxed in the morning not having to stuff the car full of tires and gear, then arrive at the event and thrash to swap tires, register, walk the course, get through tech etc, etc. Very nice to arrive, unload go straight to registration, tech and then be free to walk the course. The big Cummins powered Dodge pulled just fine, the trailer towed beautiful and loading/unloading the car wasn't too bad either. A winch would be nice, but driving the car on and off isn't too bad for now. At the end of the day, just load the car and go. No swapping tires after driving or chasing cones all day.
Good day, car ran well, made it home in one piece. Thanks for the tires 198ESP1.
