What did you do for your ZHP/BMW today?

[Rovert]

But that guy isn't going HAM. Not as much win there. :P

[LivesNearCostco]

Sunday I found out what happens when you put stickier tires up front than in back and then drive on a wet track--a back end that wants to break loose! Woke up at 3am, dropped family at airport 5am, went home. Left home at 6:30am, arrived at track 9:45am. Signed up for Speed Ventures Black which is high intermediate but did first first session in Blue (low intermediate). Being the 2nd fastest driver in Blue made me feel pretty good, but then I went out in Black and was the slowest or 2nd slowest driver in that group the rest of the day, which was humbling given that there are two faster groups above Black.

In back were stock wheels with used (about 6,000 miles) Bridgestone RE-760 tires, 255/35/18. In front were new (1 track day, 1 AutoX day) Continental ExtremeDW tires in 245/40/17. Figured they'd have about the same grip--WRONG! Front end gripped pretty well on wet track but back end didn't. For last session I turned off DSC and managed 25 minutes okay--besides being slow--until a spin on the last lap. You can see the spin here, skip to 26:40 in the video. At least I remembered to put the clutch in and they didn't have to tow me out. I survived that corner okay at 2:40, 5:53, 8:50, 11:53, 14::30, 20:45 and 23:50, so why loop on the last lap? Looks like I was apexing that corner about 40mph on the other laps but 50mph on the last one, plus maybe lifted during the turn...

[Rovert]

DW's are pretty sticky!! I have those on my car and grip seems to be pretty aggressive even though tread wear is longer than the average ultra high performance summer. So I'll get an extra season out of them as well as still have fun. The problem with such grippy tires is that the limits are so illegally high to enjoy what they offer on the road. I need like a Tercel with 13" 165 tires to drive it 9/10ths at 25mph. LOL

[JKO_ZHP]

Sunday I found out what happens when you put stickier tires up front than in back and then drive on a wet track--a back end that wants to break loose! Woke up at 3am, dropped family at airport 5am, went home. Left home at 6:30am, arrived at track 9:45am. Signed up for Speed Ventures Black which is high intermediate but did first first session in Blue (low intermediate). Being the 2nd fastest driver in Blue made me feel pretty good, but then I went out in Black and was the slowest or 2nd slowest driver in that group the rest of the day, which was humbling given that there are two faster groups above Black.

One day....I need to experience the freedom/thrill of being on a track. My old high school teacher with a ZR1 told me to not just for the fun but also, that it teaches you to respect the road.

I just never got around to it since I don't want to risk breaking something and have no idea what to expect or what to do/bring, etc.

[derbo]

Sunday I found out what happens when you put stickier tires up front than in back and then drive on a wet track--a back end that wants to break loose! Woke up at 3am, dropped family at airport 5am, went home. Left home at 6:30am, arrived at track 9:45am. Signed up for Speed Ventures Black which is high intermediate but did first first session in Blue (low intermediate). Being the 2nd fastest driver in Blue made me feel pretty good, but then I went out in Black and was the slowest or 2nd slowest driver in that group the rest of the day, which was humbling given that there are two faster groups above Black.

In back were stock wheels with used (about 6,000 miles) Bridgestone RE-760 tires, 255/35/18. In front were new (1 track day, 1 AutoX day) Continental ExtremeDW tires in 245/40/17. Figured they'd have about the same grip--WRONG! Front end gripped pretty well on wet track but back end didn't. For last session I turned off DSC and managed 25 minutes okay--besides being slow--until a spin on the last lap. You can see the spin here, skip to 26:40 in the video. At least I remembered to put the clutch in and they didn't have to tow me out. I survived that corner okay at 2:40, 5:53, 8:50, 11:53, 14::30, 20:45 and 23:50, so why loop on the last lap? Looks like I was apexing that corner about 40mph on the other laps but 50mph on the last one, plus maybe lifted during the turn...

That always in an interesting setup! How were you doing on the wet track? Looks like it was a lot slower of a day than usual.. On a dry day I think I take sunset around 60mph? Looks like you just got a wet spot and just lost traction. Though, it also looks like you were going into the corner hot. I can't really see your tach but top is 80mph and I can see you still at 80 at the beginning of the outside entrance rumble strips. I'm glad nothing crazy happend when you spin! That corner gets a lot of people and the inside spin into the K-wall is no bueno...

I do like that Speedventures has two advanced groups. I think I would be somewhere inbetween Red/Green. The cars in RED are usually crazy fast and I feel like I would be a moving cone to them..

[Rovert]

One day....I need to experience the freedom/thrill of being on a track. My old high school teacher with a ZR1 told me to not just for the fun but also, that it teaches you to respect the road.

I just never got around to it since I don't want to risk breaking something and have no idea what to expect or what to do/bring, etc.

Don't be afraid of breaking something in just general education of this. If you are all out of common sense when driving you'll break something but I believe you have more than that from your statement. If something breaks when you are learning advanced driver techniques, it's because you needed to fix it!! Better have it fail at a track with hopefully plenty of safe runoff than a public street with pedestrians and many solid unmovable objects. You'll come in with fear and leave with respect which will far make up what you will save in the long run rather than making mistakes on public roads and crashing.

[UdubBadger]

But that guy isn't going HAM. Not as much win there. :P

Truth


- Goin' H.A.M. Mobile

[az3579]

Fear of breaking something isn't a very good reason, mainly because you won't be going nearly fast enough to lose control or break something on the car. Give it a dozen or so track events and then perhaps you'll be pushing it to the limit. It takes a long time to actually max the car out; nobody goes out on their first time out and drives it to the limit the right way. There is nothing to fear; driving on the track is safer than driving on the street because everyone is paying 100% attention to driving. Nobody's yakking away on their phones. Nobody is texting. Nobody is putting on makeup, or drinking coffee. Don't even worry about yourself. Just stay focused and you'll be alright.

[Rovert]

Damn...that must be my problem. I'm using GPS to guide me on the track while i drink an oversized slush in one cup holder and a hot grande latte in the other. Trying to sip through the helmet is a pain in the butt and distracting.

[Torxuvin]

Damn...that must be my problem. I'm using GPS to guide me on the track while i drink an oversized slush in one cup holder and a hot grande latte in the other. Trying to sip through the helmet is a pain in the butt and distracting.