Hey Clayton, it's hard to tell from video sometimes but it seems you where driving a bit more aggressive in this video then your past videos, which is why I said slow her down.

It looks like you got some red mist towards the end chasing the STi and it could have clouded the fact that you knew the tires where going away.

We just don't want to see you end up in a wall.

btw, any update on the gearbox?

 

No update yet. Local shop hasn't had time to remove it yet, and Shep has been busy preparing for his big event from this past weekend. Hopefully, he'll be available today or tomorrow...

Yeah, it's funny about the red mist. I had never heard that term before until my last vid posted on here, and now that I know what it is (and recognize its effect), that's all I was thinking about behind the STi, because I knew that was a perfect time for it to occur. You may not be able to tell, but since I was only allowed to pass him on a straight, I was letting off between turns instead of going full boost the whole way. What I was doing was trying to leave some distance through the last few turns, but then set myself up to come around 10 really hard for a quick whip-by. Not sure if you can see in the vid, but he had already given me the pass signal before I went 2-off. It's probable that I was getting some red mist there, but I also took that turn the same way the rest of the night but on my street tires with or without cars in front of me.

 

Speaking of safty, im just curious as to why you havent got a set of harnesses given all the track time you see. Might be a wise investment

 

Haven't decided on the best way to use one whether with a harness bar or not.

 

Not only safety with the harnesses, but also performance The shifting aorund in the seat (obvious in Road racing with high speed, high G turns) can affect your driving postition, and subsequently, your driving...

 

I have a question about the original post. Did you have a chance to research the tire problem. One off tire manufacturing defect or similar wear on the other front. Not familiar with that track so not sure where the wear should be at after lapping. I would like to know if you get a chance or get any good info. Very spirited driving by the way. Thanks

 

Just a suggestion, but stick with street tires rather than R-comps. Looking at the video, the last thing you need is a set of tires that takes you that much closer to the limit, corded or not.

Oh, and AutoX, AutoX, AutoX as much as you can....

 

Excellent point, I usually say the same thing about beginners. Hell, I didn't even try R compounds until after a year of driving with advanced groups. I spent more than 4 years on street tires. I see a lot of people just starting this open tracking and jumping into tires that make them so much faster, they don't know how to drive the car and very bad things happen.

 

There are a lot of good points in this thread and video. I agree about the safety and wellbeing of you and your ride. Red mist... OH YEAH Take yourself back a notch, go up a gear, ... you will be faster where it's important and safer because transfers will be smoother. The car will be less upset...

Good job, keep it up.

 

Did you mean to go up a gear in terms of the shifting? I am already in 4th the whole way. I don't know if 5th would be a good idea. I used to drop to 2nd and 3rd in some turns, but then I decided to keep it in 4th with only one downshift in the very slow hairpin at turn 7, but that's the only time I'm in 3rd.

91TB78, I already auto-x more than I road race, but I don't see what you mean by telling me to auto-x for road racing purposes. The difference in the two is drastic. I don't use the same techniques for both. I also have race tires so soon, because I use them to be competitive in Solo II. I then use both the street tires and race tires at track events. I bring both and switch off.

 

I would stick to street tires on a road course for now.

 

I believe karting is much closer to open tracking then autox is. When I first started open tracking, I had to overcome some autox habits that made bad habits on the road course.

Karting is great cross training for the open track IMHO. The karts are very low powered so it's all about smoothness, speed maintaince and braking points.

 

Sounds good, dohcvtec/razorlab.

 

I just meant that continue to AutoX to nail down good car control fundamentals. If you're already Autoxing a ton, then disregard. I just feel that every road racer should start somewhere (karting and/or AutoX) for good car control basics.

Understood about the SoloII events and using r-comps. I assume you're AS, BSP, or higher. But like what has been said before, keep the R-comps off the track until you know your limits a bit better.

 

Nice vid, Clay. Your videos remind me of an on-track 'battle' I had with a Z-06 at BeaveRun a couple months ago. We were just about dead even on track - he couldn't pull away from me, nor I from him. While behind him I saw him push wide, apex early, and put a wheel off and almost spin like you did. I didn't know it at the time, but he had the HPDE 3 group leader in his car to get signed off for HPDE 4.

After we got off the track, the driver said he had 'a couple of tips for me'. The group leader pulled me aside and said not to worry about his tips. He said the guy was fast, but driving at the very limit. It wasn't a matter of 'if' he would wreck the car but 'when'. That fact that you mention twice you didn't realize the tires were going away is pretty scary, and you got real lucky at the end there - that could have gotten really ugly. The Corvette guy has since 'slowed down' a bit, and what do you know, he's faster than me now. Pace yourself and get as many instructor-type passengers in the car as you can. I want to line up with you at Nationals next year - don't wreck the car!