I think we can get away with 3rd gear most of the time except for Turn 3. I did try getting into 2nd on Turn 5 (the Bowl) but run into the same 3-2 downshifting issues. Furthermore, during turn-out, the tail becomes twitchy because it's hard to modulate the throttle smoothly on 2nd gear at 7-9k rpms (and it was soaking wet during my track day). In the end I get better speed out of Turn 5 if I keep it on 3rd gear and there doesn't seem to be much of a power difference.

Another point of interest is Turn 10 on lowered suspension. There was an abrupt change in the road's surface gradient coming down the hill and it felt like it was hard on the driver's front suspension. Did it bottom out for those who have lowered springs?

 

What happened to Roy? I hope everything is alright......

 

His CAT died unexpectedly, and his 8 got constipated. I think everything came out OK, but still not sure about Roy though...:p He hasn't come out to play since....

 

I had no bottoming out issues and my car is lowered 30mm. Also note that most lowering springs are quite a bit stiffer than stock (as mine are). Now, coming off turn 10 my traction control light was almost lit solid. That elevation change definitely is doing something to the car. I know Spin9k ran that whole day with DSC on one-touch-off. Spin9k, and issues with turn 10.

downshift, how in the world did you get any power coming out of the bowl in 3rd? I ran almost the whole course in 2nd. Quick shift into 3rd after the bowl, 3rd and a little 4th on the straight, and quick into 3rd right before diving into turn 3.

 

I don't know, but it did pull. 2nd gear gave me more troubles than worth the extra tenth's in exit speed. It might be different on a dry track, I guess.

 

I ran the track in third gear except for turn three Where i had to down shift into second gear. The stock tires lose grip shifting down here. Then its back to third going over hill into turn six. Then i don't shift again untill turn 12 going down main straight. Then back to third into turn one. My car is stock I am ordering some sway bars hopfully i will have them installed fir the next track day.

 

Phew, finally got approved! Not going to make it to the next event, nice meeting some of you guys earlier in the month. The red wagon is going to have some balanced upgrades the next time I hit the track.

On the subject of the wagon, went to the Wicked Big Subaru meet last weekend... How many drive wheels are in this pic? Mine is the first red wagon on the right...

http://www.plaftaphoto.com/post/IMG_3797.jpg

-B
05 LGT wagon