This was round 1 of the SAU-Vic championship. It's been about 1 year since I've been to HH and this was only my second time so I had forgotten pretty much everything from last year. The car is pretty much the same as last year- same tyres (although now with less tread), same power, same suspension but I'm running bigger front brakes from a 33GTR now, also running street pads on the front (last year I ran a more race type pad which never really came up to temp) so I was hoping to improve on my time from last year which was a 69.08.The weather was pretty much the same as last year too, cold and overcast in the morning but the sun came out and it started to warm up the track. I ended up running a 64.60. The event winner was Chris the owner of Racepace in his R33 GTR who ran a 54.42. My first run I really didn't remember where I was supposed to be on the track and was just trying to get some temperature into the tyres and brakes. I ran a 71.91 which was a good place to start from. Then ran a 69.27 after which I realised I need more fuel (1/4tank is not enough unless you have a surge tank) so I added a good 30kgs in fuel weight before my next run which ended up being slower (69.82). Then the sun came out and warmed up the track and the it felt much grippier and cleaner after 3 sessions. My next run was a 65.91. I pushed a fair bit harder in this run but it felt slower to me from the drivers seat and didn't really expect to knock off 4 secs. At this point I jumped on the forum on my phone to look up Mike's time from last year They also had a 60% passenger session so I grabbed the guy who was winning our class (under 3L capacity) in his 944. He was running consistent 59sec passes and the car was not super powerful (3L 4cyl NA) so I figured he must be a good steerer. I drove and he pointed out where I should be on the track and when to turn in. Some parts I was doing right but most parts I was turning in at the wrong time which put me on the wrong part of the track. Also I wasn't using enough ripplestrip in most parts which really straightens up some of the s-bends. Straight after that I ran a 65.37 and I pushed harder again in the next run and got a 64.60 and that included a little bit of time lost around turn 2 when the car went abit sideways. My final run was much slower, 66.31 as I got abit too sideways into turn 3 and backed right off after that since it was the last run of the day and I needed to drive home. I was happy with 64.60 but I think there is still definitely more time that I can shave off with some more practice. I am still not fully committed over the crest before oh-shit corner, I partially lift off the throttle just before I go over the crest, the same goes for some of the sweepers where the car feels unsettled. I found that the rear of the car isn't really stable in the off camber downhill turns. It's not losing traction under power but is losing lateral grip through the turns as the road twists and the weight shifts. I think next time I may try removing the rear strut brace to see if that helps, it may be trying to lift a wheel as the body stays flat. I think there's possibly a 63 or maybe even a high 62 after a lot more practice and more aggression. Problem is the track is a bit unforgiving if you come off, I think there was 2 or 3 cars that went home with damage. If anyone is thinking of trying out this track I highly recommend it. It's a short lap but very technical and interesting. MSCA are having a round there on Sunday March 6th. Unfortunately it's my cousin's wedding so I can't go but there is usually a few members from here who go to MSCA events. some pics below: this was from my last run (it's turn 4 RH sweeper downhill for those of you who know the track). i turned in abit too hard, went down the turn sideways and ended up going to far in towards the apex and just touched the grass on the exit.
and here's the guy who came second in an r34 gtr (55.79). it's actually steeper in real life, don't think the video really captures the hills that well. [yt]My8dCDPdZwY[/yt]
Great times, I knew with good tyres very low 60s were possible there, last time I went I was even worse than my first time as I was on old and worn road tyres and ended up sliding backwards when I pushed hard. This is definitely a track where a well set up NA can give TTs a real scare and I think you are well on your way to doing that. Keep it up!
Thanks guys. Peter I also think low 60's are possible with some more practice and some slight changes to the car. I am currently running bridgestone street tyres so there is even more to gain with R-comps but I'd like to keep running the car in the standard RWD class so need to stick to tyres with a treadwear above 100, so no r-comps. I might try something like a bridgestone RE-11 next which should be much stickier than my street tyres and still ok for standard rwd class. Chad you should definitely go there, you will love it.
i think we need to see you out there too graham, have you been there? your street car runs the same suspension and similar tyres to my car. a few friends who were there on the weekend in ~200rwkw skylines/200sx's were running 61/62 secs but they are a fair bit lighter than a 300zx.
