Road Course Junkies, Let's compare notes
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: Atlas is shrugging KC, MO area
I've done the chalk thing. I don't know that I was clever enough to use all the info it gave me, as I was mostly making sure I wasn't chewing up the sidewall. I did take the tread that is slightly on the sidewall off the rears of the set I'm pulling off, so I think I was running as soft as possible. Maybe you could explain more about how to use that information.
Don't know about now but Hoosier used to make a good autoX tire. But a smooth driver on street tires can beat a sloppy driver on great tires. I know as when I first started that's exactly what happened to me. Be smooth and consistent is the best way to better times.
Have fun. 
Base was Whiteman where they now keep the B2s. Awesome airplane.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 210
From: Detroit MI
Here's some of my first in-car video. I also have some autocross footage from Grissom in October coming soon.
Gingerman Raceway, South Haven MI, Oct 13 2007
Gingerman Raceway, South Haven MI, Oct 13 2007
Last edited by 69autoXr; Dec 26, 2007 at 01:28 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 4
From: Formerly from the Great White North but now residing in the Desert Southwest NM (The Land of Dis-Enchantment?)
Chris,
Great video...I've been kinda just watching this thread and it's got me ready to get the '73 back together and get out on the track. Our first NCCC event is in Phoenix later in February before it gets too HOT. I'm finishing the rebuild of the suspension and going to move up from IIIMA/B to RP.
Great video...I've been kinda just watching this thread and it's got me ready to get the '73 back together and get out on the track. Our first NCCC event is in Phoenix later in February before it gets too HOT. I'm finishing the rebuild of the suspension and going to move up from IIIMA/B to RP.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 210
From: Detroit MI
Here's some video of a couple of autocross runs at Grissom Indiana from late October 2007. This was an NCCC event; the course was faster and more open than a typical SCCA course would be like at Grissom. I was on Hoosier A6's. Be sure the volume is on!
Last edited by 69autoXr; Feb 4, 2008 at 09:08 AM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
That's just cruel! 
I mean, I can't even get my vette out the garage right now and you're tempting me with the events of the season to come. 
I also can't get my vette out the garage since much of the external engine parts are in the basement ...but seriously!
Those are some nice runs ...the video makes it look like those cones are invisible until just before you pass through them -- hope that was a video effect
Now I'm psyched!
Brian.
I mean, I can't even get my vette out the garage right now and you're tempting me with the events of the season to come. I also can't get my vette out the garage since much of the external engine parts are in the basement ...but seriously!
Those are some nice runs ...the video makes it look like those cones are invisible until just before you pass through them -- hope that was a video effect
Now I'm psyched!
Brian.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
I'm in the process of reviewing data from last falls HPDE at Putnam Park in preperation for my April visit there this year, and thought this might be interesting to you guys. I finally figured out a decent way to overlay my runs from Traqmate over a google earth map of the track. This really highlighted some areas that I need to work on.
1 - I was letting off the gas way too early on the main straight (I already knew this, but its painfully obvious from the data)
2 - I was turning in & apexing too early in corners 1 & 2
3 - I wasn't using the whole track
4 - I was turning in & apexing too early in corners 5 & 7 (90deg turn)
If you zoom in real close, you can see the path relative to the land marks, including the rumble strips at the inside of the corner.
Any other observations, suggestions are welcome.
1 - I was letting off the gas way too early on the main straight (I already knew this, but its painfully obvious from the data)
2 - I was turning in & apexing too early in corners 1 & 2
3 - I wasn't using the whole track
4 - I was turning in & apexing too early in corners 5 & 7 (90deg turn)
If you zoom in real close, you can see the path relative to the land marks, including the rumble strips at the inside of the corner.
Any other observations, suggestions are welcome.
Last edited by Jason Staley; Feb 19, 2008 at 09:09 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Jason, that is a very cool overlay. I'm interested in how you did that. I have a G2x that probably outputs similar data. How accurate do you feel the overlay is? It looks to me like you aren't even close to the inside of some of the corners. Is that true or is it the overlay? I'm not familiar with Putnam Park, I assume you are running it clockwise. Overall, very cool.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,116
Likes: 156
From: Mid West
Cruise-In III Veteran
I haven't figured out an exact way of overlaying the data on top of the Google map. I'd say its more of an art than science at this point.
I exported the path out of Traqmate as a GIF file. Then imported it into Google Earth as an overlay. The trick is scaling the GIF image and positioning it on top of the track. I did a best fit using the corners as my guides. I went back and forth between slightly moving the GIF and scaling it until the it fit the best I could get it. I'm sure there are areas that it is not perfect but it does a decent job. I can't move the path in any direction without a portion of my path falling off the course, so I think its pretty close to reality.
As to me not running at the inside of corners 2 and 8. That is true, I didn't get to the very inside of those corners. The instructors at the event actually recommended not going to the inside of turn 8 (the 180 degree turn) and staying about at the center of the track. I tried going closer to the corner a few times, but they were right ... it slowed me down on those laps.
I exported the path out of Traqmate as a GIF file. Then imported it into Google Earth as an overlay. The trick is scaling the GIF image and positioning it on top of the track. I did a best fit using the corners as my guides. I went back and forth between slightly moving the GIF and scaling it until the it fit the best I could get it. I'm sure there are areas that it is not perfect but it does a decent job. I can't move the path in any direction without a portion of my path falling off the course, so I think its pretty close to reality.
As to me not running at the inside of corners 2 and 8. That is true, I didn't get to the very inside of those corners. The instructors at the event actually recommended not going to the inside of turn 8 (the 180 degree turn) and staying about at the center of the track. I tried going closer to the corner a few times, but they were right ... it slowed me down on those laps.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 655
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota Fl
Turtlevette,
The tire fit OK statically but with corner loads at speed the fenders would hit for sure. I barely clear the Hoosiers I run. There is no way in the front unless the fiberglass gets reworked.
I'm having pretty good luck with the hoosiers. 25.5x10x15 hossiers TD's up front and 26.5x9.5x15 in the rear. These are on Real racing Wide-5 wheels with adapters, 5" backspace 15x10. Offset trailing arms. They work very well. don't last forever but work great when they are new.
Right now 3500 lbs with me in it. Balance is pretty good and cross weights are pretty good also.
The tire fit OK statically but with corner loads at speed the fenders would hit for sure. I barely clear the Hoosiers I run. There is no way in the front unless the fiberglass gets reworked.
I'm having pretty good luck with the hoosiers. 25.5x10x15 hossiers TD's up front and 26.5x9.5x15 in the rear. These are on Real racing Wide-5 wheels with adapters, 5" backspace 15x10. Offset trailing arms. They work very well. don't last forever but work great when they are new.
Right now 3500 lbs with me in it. Balance is pretty good and cross weights are pretty good also.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From: San Marcos CA
I just repaired mine and then boxed it. Mine cracked at the corner were the metal gets thinner going under the pumkin. (side view). If yours is cracked at the holes I would replace it and then box the new one.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I have a question. Chris, what kind of camera and lense are you using? What is your max rpm in the video? I also watched your A-X video. Are you getting front end push that is causing the sawing back and forth of the steering wheel?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 210
From: Detroit MI
The camera was borrowed, but I think it was a Samsung mini DV (tape). The front end isn't pushing-I think you'd be able to see it in the video-it's probably more that my steering is a bit sloppy, bump steer, wide front wheels with shallow backspacing, etc. I'm not sure what my max rpm was in this video, probably somewhere close to 6K. I wasn't trying to wring every last bit out in this video; I'm in a class by myself usually at the track events, so I go out to enjoy myself and make sure I put the car back on the trailer in one piece. In fact when I watch this video I think it looks really slow. I'm much more fond of the autocross video-in that, I am going for every last bit.