Road Course Junkies, Let's compare notes
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by gkull
I was mainly showing her how easy it is to enter a turn to fast and do an off the throttle pitch it sideways into a 4 wheel drift. It slides for a moment and then scrubs off enough speed that the tires rehook and then you have the ability to then get back on the gas and get on out of the turn
Do you run those really wide tires on the street? COM rules state that the tire must be covered by the fender. To run fender flares puts you in the top class. Prepared. That's a full race class.
Last edited by turtlevette; Nov 20, 2006 at 01:35 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by FB#1
Are you guys running track days without a rear sway bar ? or keeping the factory bar ?
I've got a 3/4" rear and once it steps out, there's no coming back.
I've got a 3/4" rear and once it steps out, there's no coming back.
The rear bar also limits the size tire you can run as well as the backspacing. I run 5" backspace. There is no way i could do that with a rear sway bar.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Originally Posted by FB#1
Are you guys running track days without a rear sway bar ? or keeping the factory bar ?
I've got a 3/4" rear and once it steps out, there's no coming back.
I've got a 3/4" rear and once it steps out, there's no coming back.
I do remember doing a 360 degree back when I had quality BFG 15 inch tires on 8.5 inch rims and my 3/4 rear sway.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 763
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From: Loveland Colo
GKull,
If you are actually asking for my opinion, I am honored, but but must respectfully decline at this point in the discussion. I am at this time strictly a wannabe, I have never been on a track in my life. I am trying to build my car to be able to perform well, by researching and listening, but too much work still remains to be done on it to even think about taking it out now.
I would suggest you contact VBP, they have the experience in both racing and engineering to provide insightful discussion and competent answers to your questions. (And, as I have said before, the only problem with calling them is that they like to talk cars so much you can spend hours on the phone with them!)
John
If you are actually asking for my opinion, I am honored, but but must respectfully decline at this point in the discussion. I am at this time strictly a wannabe, I have never been on a track in my life. I am trying to build my car to be able to perform well, by researching and listening, but too much work still remains to be done on it to even think about taking it out now.
I would suggest you contact VBP, they have the experience in both racing and engineering to provide insightful discussion and competent answers to your questions. (And, as I have said before, the only problem with calling them is that they like to talk cars so much you can spend hours on the phone with them!)
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
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From: Detroit MI
Originally Posted by FB#1
Are you guys running track days without a rear sway bar ? or keeping the factory bar ?
I've got a 3/4" rear and once it steps out, there's no coming back.
I've got a 3/4" rear and once it steps out, there's no coming back.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
Originally Posted by FB#1
Are you guys running track days without a rear sway bar ? or keeping the factory bar ?
I've got a 3/4" rear and once it steps out, there's no coming back.
I've got a 3/4" rear and once it steps out, there's no coming back.
I use to have the VPB's 1 1/4 front and 7/8 rear. What a nightmare to drive ... handled like it was on rails until it broke loose, then see you. There was no saving it at all. After fighting with those sway bars for a couple of years, I took them off and they are collecting dust in the corner of the garage.
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Team Owner
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From: This vette goes to 11 Milford MA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05
Originally Posted by Restorod '79
I opened this thread to look for wheel/tire combinations for our old cars. There seems to be no good competition tires in 15". .
Kumho doesn't make a V710 in that size? I could have swore they had them. I was running the silver C5 Coupe in group 3. Ran a bunch of 1.03's in practice once I had some clean laps. I was pitted directly across the paddock from you guys. My two buddy's in the stock C5 Z's were running 59's!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 596
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Hey guys- Just got in from a long monday-
I'll have to give the rear bar a few more tests before I drop it. It made the car feel stable when I tested saturday night. I did NOT, however, get to that breakout point. I'll probably go with the voices of experience and road race without it.
69autoXr- Thanks for the tip on the Hoosiers- I'll check those out.
I'll have to give the rear bar a few more tests before I drop it. It made the car feel stable when I tested saturday night. I did NOT, however, get to that breakout point. I'll probably go with the voices of experience and road race without it.
69autoXr- Thanks for the tip on the Hoosiers- I'll check those out.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by Fastguy
. My two buddy's in the stock C5 Z's were running 59's!
I have to wonder if they have done any tweaks to their "stock" configuration to run that fast.Steve,
I'm using the black soft 17x9 with a 5" backspace. Running 275/40s.
I still like your idea of getting used 27x8x15 used racing tires from Seakonk. That would work better than my 17" street tires.
Last edited by turtlevette; Nov 20, 2006 at 10:16 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,544
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From: Youngstown Ohio
I'm planning on running a couple HSRA events this year, unfotunately I'm classified in group 10 with the most radical cars, CanAm/ TransAm/ IMSA etc. I have no plans of even trying to win, just run. HSRA gets pretty aggressive.
If you really are looking to race, there are alot of real race Vettes out there that are cheaper than rebuilding a street car.
If you really are looking to race, there are alot of real race Vettes out there that are cheaper than rebuilding a street car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
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St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by turtlevette
I still like your idea of getting used 27x8x15 used racing tires from Seakonk. That would work better than my 17" street tires.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
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St. Jude Donor '03,'11
Originally Posted by Yellow73SB
Those are the tires I run. They are very wide for them only saying 8 inches wide. Mine are 11.5 at the widest point and the tread I think is 9-10 . They rub the front sway bar and the rear. I think the only run up front on lock to lock.
Make sure to bring adult supervision.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
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From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
I know we talked about some of this earlier but we seem to be coming around to it again with this sway bar discussion. I think it would be very valuable if we all explained our setups and how the car handled. Otherwise, a comment that a 7/8" rear bar made the car completely uncontrollable doesn't have enough context to make a determination. I noticed on my last skid pad test that my rear tire temps were significantly lower than my fronts. I'm running 245/295 f/r so I definitely need to lean on the rears more to balance out the handling (I also need to step up the front tire size). So knowing spring rates, sway bars, camber settings and tire type/size would be a great help in correlating how each car compares to the other.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,334
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From: Midland TX
Originally Posted by blue72
I'm really enjoying this thread! I too am interested in becoming involved with something like this where I can start off casually and progress as skill (and money) permits. Are there any members of the TX chapter present on this forum? I would love to accompany on a race trip sometime!
-Jason
-Jason
$275 for a weekend - 4 20-minute sessions per day with classroom in between. They try and match instructors to students that run the same kind of car (not Mini Cooper instructors with Vette students). You'll be hooked. I know I am.
Le Mans Master
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From: Brazos TX
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72vette_454, I don't see blue72's post. Where is he located? I'm a member of Motorsport Ranch. If someone wants to come down and check it out they can visit anytime the track is open. We may even be able to meet there and I can give a ride.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Midland TX
Originally Posted by burners
72vette_454, I don't see blue72's post. Where is he located? I'm a member of Motorsport Ranch. If someone wants to come down and check it out they can visit anytime the track is open. We may even be able to meet there and I can give a ride.
I wish I lived closer to MSR. It is about 5 hrs for me.
I had a 99 w/ auto when I went in July for my first HPDE. It was fun but the auto sucked. It overheated about 1/2 to 3/4 through each session. Nice track and facilities.
I've got a 6-speed now and will be going back. It is an anniversary edition so I don't want to mess it up. I will start looking for a track car. I'm nearing the end of my 72 restoration so I'll need something else to sink my money in
At least the 72 seems to be appreciating in value - that keeps the wife off my back for a while.