Another track day at Hallett - Critique Me
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Another track day at Hallett - Critique Me
I had my 3rd track day on 3/28. Looking for some pointers on my next one (4/21). We'll be going to the same track and same direction, but as a private day.
Please excuse the cargo shade flapping in the wind on this one:
I am mainly wondering what I should do at the end of the straights between Turn 11 and 1 and Turn 1 and 2. I am at the rev limiter in 3rd gear near the end and if I am having a good lap I am at the limiter a little earlier. I chose not to shift to 4th just to keep things simple so I could focus on hitting my reference points this day, but I feel I'm leaving some time on the table.
Between Turn 11 and 1, I could see shifting to 4th and leaving it in 4th to continue onto the next straight into Turn 2. Not sure how efficient it would be to go to 4th and then back down to 3rd.
Let me know what you guys think. I ran in competitive driving mode this time as I could feel the car pulling some power from me last track day. I took someone's advice from the forum on not shuffle steering. That helped for sure with smoothness. Just looking for more pointers.
My best lap back on 10/25 was 1:36.22. My best lap from 3/28 is 1:31.75.
Can't wait to try to improve some more!
Please excuse the cargo shade flapping in the wind on this one:
I am mainly wondering what I should do at the end of the straights between Turn 11 and 1 and Turn 1 and 2. I am at the rev limiter in 3rd gear near the end and if I am having a good lap I am at the limiter a little earlier. I chose not to shift to 4th just to keep things simple so I could focus on hitting my reference points this day, but I feel I'm leaving some time on the table.
Between Turn 11 and 1, I could see shifting to 4th and leaving it in 4th to continue onto the next straight into Turn 2. Not sure how efficient it would be to go to 4th and then back down to 3rd.
Let me know what you guys think. I ran in competitive driving mode this time as I could feel the car pulling some power from me last track day. I took someone's advice from the forum on not shuffle steering. That helped for sure with smoothness. Just looking for more pointers.
My best lap back on 10/25 was 1:36.22. My best lap from 3/28 is 1:31.75.
Can't wait to try to improve some more!
Last edited by Mugen1516; 04-06-2015 at 01:03 PM.
#2
All I can say is that looks like an insane amount of fun. I'm signed up for my first HPDE in 3 weeks. Are you heel/toe braking on the downshifts or letting the clutch bring the engine up to speed?
#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
On this last track day, I was heel/toe braking for the downshift. My previous track day I just left it in 3rd all the way around the track. I may downshift for Turn 9 also next time, as I am slowing down quite a bit there.
#4
Burning Brakes
I'm not familiar with this track, so I won't address how you are getting around the track. You have good basic car control, but I would suggest two things in general related to your technique. First remove (or relocate) the smart phone - it's probably a distraction at this point in your learning curve. Focus on being smooth and consistent not lap times. Second, watch your hands and hands positions. Work on not crossing you arms and not getting thumbs or hands inside the steering wheel, as you did on the left hander at the 2:05 mark. Don't let that develop into a bad habit. Although you're running solo, don't hesitate to ask an instuctor to ride with you to help you refine and progress.
Good luck - enjoy the ride!
Good luck - enjoy the ride!
#6
Drifting
Member Since: Feb 2005
Location: in ur mirror, 'bout to pass.. CA
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I'm not familiar with this track, so I won't address how you are getting around the track. You have good basic car control, but I would suggest two things in general related to your technique. First remove (or relocate) the smart phone - it's probably a distraction at this point in your learning curve. Focus on being smooth and consistent not lap times. Second, watch your hands and hands positions. Work on not crossing you arms and not getting thumbs or hands inside the steering wheel, as you did on the left hander at the 2:05 mark. Don't let that develop into a bad habit. Although you're running solo, don't hesitate to ask an instructor to ride with you to help you refine and progress.
Good luck - enjoy the ride!
Good luck - enjoy the ride!
Car sounds good and squared away, and obviously you are having a great time!
#8
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
IMHO-I'll echo what PaConehead said about the phone; get it out of there. Good points-throttle modulation is good, you're not stabbing the pedal coming out of the turns, rather rolling onto it. Keep that up. Also, eyes up, looking into the turns. And remember to breathe! I found myself literally holding my breath in excitement while zooming about the track! It goes a long way to relaxing your mind and hands, and it's pretty good about keeping one upright as well...
Car sounds good and squared away, and obviously you are having a great time!
Car sounds good and squared away, and obviously you are having a great time!
I could move the phone to the center console. Just using it to record data that I never end up using to overlay on my videos haha.
#9
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Checking my pads right now before my next track day on 4/21.
Measured my brake pads and the minimum thickness found for the front was 6 mm and rear was 7.5 mm. They were basically new before the last track day and I believe they start at 9 or 10 mm.
Thinking about just leaving it and running them again. Thoughts?
Also, did fresh bleed/flush of RBF600 before last track day. Bleed again or should be fine?
Measured my brake pads and the minimum thickness found for the front was 6 mm and rear was 7.5 mm. They were basically new before the last track day and I believe they start at 9 or 10 mm.
Thinking about just leaving it and running them again. Thoughts?
Also, did fresh bleed/flush of RBF600 before last track day. Bleed again or should be fine?
#10
Checking my pads right now before my next track day on 4/21.
Measured my brake pads and the minimum thickness found for the front was 6 mm and rear was 7.5 mm. They were basically new before the last track day and I believe they start at 9 or 10 mm.
Thinking about just leaving it and running them again. Thoughts?
Also, did fresh bleed/flush of RBF600 before last track day. Bleed again or should be fine?
Measured my brake pads and the minimum thickness found for the front was 6 mm and rear was 7.5 mm. They were basically new before the last track day and I believe they start at 9 or 10 mm.
Thinking about just leaving it and running them again. Thoughts?
Also, did fresh bleed/flush of RBF600 before last track day. Bleed again or should be fine?
#12
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Ended up changing my mind and putting fresh OEM pads in. This next track day is a private day so I may get more track time and also there will be less traffic so I may run more, faster laps needing more brakes.
Oh and here's some carnage I found from last track day:
Getting some rubbing from my rear 345 PSS's on hard bumps. No problems in front. I'm lowered on LG Motorsports G2 Coilovers. Didn't have a problem on stock suspension.
Oh and here's some carnage I found from last track day:
Getting some rubbing from my rear 345 PSS's on hard bumps. No problems in front. I'm lowered on LG Motorsports G2 Coilovers. Didn't have a problem on stock suspension.
#14
Safety Car
It's tough to judge without being in the car to see if it's laterally maxxed out. Your car is very different than mine, I noticed one guy I was chasing would go deep before diving for the T1 apex. He'd actually go through that low spot. My car wouldn't hold there so I was forced to cheat the entry and it cost me in exit speed and made me quite vulnerable entering T2. Try exiting 2 just a little hotter, my right wheels would usually be nipping the curbing on 3. I'd cheat the entry to T4 a little bit to shave some real estate. Try to exit 5 a little faster, the dirt there isn't very threatening. It's the exit of 6 that's nasty. Try to carry more speed through 7/8, I noticed I carried more speed through there than my competitors and could close the gap a bit. Just watch out for how it affects your entry to 9 or you'll start blowing the apex. If you set up the splits on Harry's lap timer, you'll be able to determine if rowing 4th is worth the effort. It'll come down to how hot of a lap you want, there isn't much to be gained but if you were to TT at some point I'd suggest rowing it if you can maintain consistency.
#15
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
It's tough to judge without being in the car to see if it's laterally maxxed out. Your car is very different than mine, I noticed one guy I was chasing would go deep before diving for the T1 apex. He'd actually go through that low spot. My car wouldn't hold there so I was forced to cheat the entry and it cost me in exit speed and made me quite vulnerable entering T2. Try exiting 2 just a little hotter, my right wheels would usually be nipping the curbing on 3. I'd cheat the entry to T4 a little bit to shave some real estate. Try to exit 5 a little faster, the dirt there isn't very threatening. It's the exit of 6 that's nasty. Try to carry more speed through 7/8, I noticed I carried more speed through there than my competitors and could close the gap a bit. Just watch out for how it affects your entry to 9 or you'll start blowing the apex. If you set up the splits on Harry's lap timer, you'll be able to determine if rowing 4th is worth the effort. It'll come down to how hot of a lap you want, there isn't much to be gained but if you were to TT at some point I'd suggest rowing it if you can maintain consistency.
Thanks for breaking it down turn by turn. I really appreciate it. Some general notes I made for myself before I left the track were to start trying to make visual references for start of brake and letting off of brake for each turn. I've been doing it mostly by feel which is why it may seem I'm letting off early.
So, I agree with Turn 1. I need to make my reference point and then try to carry more speed through it.
Turn 2, I agree with you as well. I think subconsciously I'm trying to be easy with the throttle exiting the turn knowing I'm in 2nd gear and it can break loose. I'll try to roll into it a little sooner/harder and try to nip the curbing to straighten out my line at Turn 3.
Turn 4, I will try your suggestion. I think I got caught up with all of the youtube videos where the instructors are telling them to stay out wide and then come in. It may be more of a safe/late apex thing and not necessarily the faster way.
Turn 5, I definitely agree I could exit hotter. I always end up with a lot of real estate between apex and track out point and feel like I'm intentionally driving to the track out point.
Turn 7/8, I'll have to conquer my fear of being blind haha. I know what's there coming in. It's just trying to commit before I see it.
Turn 9, any thoughts on going down to 2nd gear there? My only thought there.
Turn 10, any thoughts there? Wonder if I should close it in a little sooner like your suggestion of Turn 4.
Thanks for your tips! Can't wait to figure more stuff out on the 21st. It'll be a private day with only 4-5 cars on track at a time so less traffic AND more seat time/sessions.
#16
Safety Car
4: you're not gaining much time, but there is some. In this case, T5 is immediately after so no need for a fast exit.
7/8: I never felt threatened, it's really only dangerous if you're off line.
9: if you can hook.
10: I would stay wide on the entry, you want a faster exit for the front straight.
7/8: I never felt threatened, it's really only dangerous if you're off line.
9: if you can hook.
10: I would stay wide on the entry, you want a faster exit for the front straight.
#17
Pro
Thanks for breaking it down turn by turn. I really appreciate it. Some general notes I made for myself before I left the track were to start trying to make visual references for start of brake and letting off of brake for each turn. I've been doing it mostly by feel which is why it may seem I'm letting off early.
So, I agree with Turn 1. I need to make my reference point and then try to carry more speed through it.
Turn in point is at the end of curbing on the right hand side, you should be carrying around 63 mph
Turn 2, I agree with you as well. I think subconsciously I'm trying to be easy with the throttle exiting the turn knowing I'm in 2nd gear and it can break loose. I'll try to roll into it a little sooner/harder and try to nip the curbing to straighten out my line at Turn 3.
Carry your braking deep and turn in really late to 2. It's a throw away so get slowed down to get a good exit to 3
Turn 4, I will try your suggestion. I think I got caught up with all of the youtube videos where the instructors are telling them to stay out wide and then come in. It may be more of a safe/late apex thing and not necessarily the faster way.
Wide was the way to go until they repaved last year. I think that a bit of off camber was added to the outside of the turn because there is less grip out there now. Split it up the middle on entry and then move right to line up with the side of the track just past the inside curbing.
Turn 5, I definitely agree I could exit hotter. I always end up with a lot of real estate between apex and track out point and feel like I'm intentionally driving to the track out point.
I agree but watch out, your car will want to push here
Turn 7/8, I'll have to conquer my fear of being blind haha. I know what's there coming in. It's just trying to commit before I see it.
7 is a real ball-check. Tap the brakes and get the car moving toward the left side curbing at 7. Then go straight over the right side curb with your right wheel. Straight down to the third from the end white stripe, stab the brake hard and turn in early to the bitch. Cut the corner and use the uphill to your advantage to load the car.Yes go to 2nd gear
Turn 9, any thoughts on going down to 2nd gear there? My only thought there.
Turn 10, any thoughts there? Wonder if I should close it in a little sooner like your suggestion of Turn 4.
Thanks for your tips! Can't wait to figure more stuff out on the 21st. It'll be a private day with only 4-5 cars on track at a time so less traffic AND more seat time/sessions.
So, I agree with Turn 1. I need to make my reference point and then try to carry more speed through it.
Turn in point is at the end of curbing on the right hand side, you should be carrying around 63 mph
Turn 2, I agree with you as well. I think subconsciously I'm trying to be easy with the throttle exiting the turn knowing I'm in 2nd gear and it can break loose. I'll try to roll into it a little sooner/harder and try to nip the curbing to straighten out my line at Turn 3.
Carry your braking deep and turn in really late to 2. It's a throw away so get slowed down to get a good exit to 3
Turn 4, I will try your suggestion. I think I got caught up with all of the youtube videos where the instructors are telling them to stay out wide and then come in. It may be more of a safe/late apex thing and not necessarily the faster way.
Wide was the way to go until they repaved last year. I think that a bit of off camber was added to the outside of the turn because there is less grip out there now. Split it up the middle on entry and then move right to line up with the side of the track just past the inside curbing.
Turn 5, I definitely agree I could exit hotter. I always end up with a lot of real estate between apex and track out point and feel like I'm intentionally driving to the track out point.
I agree but watch out, your car will want to push here
Turn 7/8, I'll have to conquer my fear of being blind haha. I know what's there coming in. It's just trying to commit before I see it.
7 is a real ball-check. Tap the brakes and get the car moving toward the left side curbing at 7. Then go straight over the right side curb with your right wheel. Straight down to the third from the end white stripe, stab the brake hard and turn in early to the bitch. Cut the corner and use the uphill to your advantage to load the car.Yes go to 2nd gear
Turn 9, any thoughts on going down to 2nd gear there? My only thought there.
Turn 10, any thoughts there? Wonder if I should close it in a little sooner like your suggestion of Turn 4.
Thanks for your tips! Can't wait to figure more stuff out on the 21st. It'll be a private day with only 4-5 cars on track at a time so less traffic AND more seat time/sessions.
https://www.facebook.com/ShakyDogRacing
#18
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
#19
Pro
#20
Safety Car
Don't be afraid to deviate from my input, it's based on my sole Hallett experience with my CMC F-body. Another thing to consider is that driving styles vary from person to person. I've only driven that track June 2014 so I have no idea what it was like on the old surface. I do know that it has a similar rhythm to a local track that was also recently repaved, so they both tend to favor old *** tires and they also don't chew them up. I also know I did damn good relative to a field I'd never raced against as a rookie. It truly is the highlight of my year. fmcokc, you make me want to cage my Z06. That track looks like a blast with an extra 100hp!