Track days - Watkins Glen - 9/27 & 9/28
09-14-2004, 02:27 PM
#26
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Just talked to guy down at SpeedSource and they gave me a really good insight into the chassis dynamics for our car. I was actually a bit confused and awed when the guy told me this is what the car designed to do after I told him about my braking 'problem'.
I was told that the suspension and alignment are really set up to perform the best under normal driving condition, and that includes braking at normal speed. It is no surprise there. Under braking the rear end will get lighted up and the rear suspension is going to give a little toe out and the car will stop brilliantly. But this is for normal speed braking. If you like me will need to brake at 120+ mph, the toe-out will becoming too excessive and it will cause that wriggling and fishtailing at the back end.
His suggestion is to dial in some toe-in at the rear, possibly around 3mm for both sides (ie 1.5mm on either side) This will, according to him, greatly increase the stability of the back end under track braking condition. The other possibility is to lower the car with stiffer suspension in order to control that nose diving, thus reducing the excessive toe-out under heavy braking.
I was told that the suspension and alignment are really set up to perform the best under normal driving condition, and that includes braking at normal speed. It is no surprise there. Under braking the rear end will get lighted up and the rear suspension is going to give a little toe out and the car will stop brilliantly. But this is for normal speed braking. If you like me will need to brake at 120+ mph, the toe-out will becoming too excessive and it will cause that wriggling and fishtailing at the back end.
His suggestion is to dial in some toe-in at the rear, possibly around 3mm for both sides (ie 1.5mm on either side) This will, according to him, greatly increase the stability of the back end under track braking condition. The other possibility is to lower the car with stiffer suspension in order to control that nose diving, thus reducing the excessive toe-out under heavy braking.
09-14-2004, 04:04 PM
#29
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One of the guys at work used to build custom race cars and has all of the equipment to do the alignment and corner weighting. The only question is whether he will have the time to do it before the track day.
09-14-2004, 04:32 PM
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>One of the guys at work used to build custom race cars .........
Great to have a friend like this ;-)
I think with your coilover setup, its essential to have a balanced corner weightings. Plus other necessary adjustments to go along with that.
Great to have a friend like this ;-)
I think with your coilover setup, its essential to have a balanced corner weightings. Plus other necessary adjustments to go along with that.
09-21-2004, 01:06 PM
#31
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It looks like we will be seriously out numbered by Hondas this weekend. Like to the tune of 12 to 1! 
Not to worry, they are a good bunch of guys and they had a big turn out last year too. This time it sounds like they are starting the event off with a bang.
Not to worry, they are a good bunch of guys and they had a big turn out last year too. This time it sounds like they are starting the event off with a bang.
Yes, We're throwing the unofficial Sunday night meet and greet BBQ at Seneca lodge. The minimum buy in is $15. which will provide, Dogs, Burgers, Ribs, Chicken, Salads, Chips, Dips, Condiments, Plates, Cups and Utensils. It is a BYOB event and of course beer will be flowing.
It is being hosted by myself and the NY R-speed gang starting between 4 and 5 pm and most likely going till we pass out. We currently have 25 people signed up and paid for. We encourage prepayment to David Bowlin, either through paypal which will have a reservation cutoff by Thursday the 23rd.
There is a strict No pay No play rule based on past experience, but we may accept limited last minute newcomers at the Q depending on circumstances.
We put this together basically because last year we were sick of Mcdonalds and Pizza Hut by Monday night. Last year my wife and I ate at a decent restaruant near or on the water, I think John Berger was there with his own group too but I forgot the name of the place. But as with most track related deals many people arrive at all times and don't care to search for food and we wanted to combine it with a beforehand get together for some fun, and to meet the new faces.
Here is the link to that post and information for paypal contacts and what we have dicussed thus far:
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=945338
It is being hosted by myself and the NY R-speed gang starting between 4 and 5 pm and most likely going till we pass out. We currently have 25 people signed up and paid for. We encourage prepayment to David Bowlin, either through paypal which will have a reservation cutoff by Thursday the 23rd.
There is a strict No pay No play rule based on past experience, but we may accept limited last minute newcomers at the Q depending on circumstances.
We put this together basically because last year we were sick of Mcdonalds and Pizza Hut by Monday night. Last year my wife and I ate at a decent restaruant near or on the water, I think John Berger was there with his own group too but I forgot the name of the place. But as with most track related deals many people arrive at all times and don't care to search for food and we wanted to combine it with a beforehand get together for some fun, and to meet the new faces.
Here is the link to that post and information for paypal contacts and what we have dicussed thus far:
http://www.honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=945338
09-21-2004, 06:33 PM
#34
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Originally Posted by Speed Racer
That's a bummer.
Have you tried talking to Joe Lee to see if it is possible to squeeze you in?
Have you tried talking to Joe Lee to see if it is possible to squeeze you in?
09-21-2004, 06:57 PM
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There are always a few cancelations and they are filled on a first come first serve basis. So if you follow up with them a few days before the event you might get lucky.
I've talked to Joe a couple of times last year. I can't say that I know him very well but he did seem like the guy who knew what was going on at each of the events and would be a likely person to contact for more info at the last minute.
I've talked to Joe a couple of times last year. I can't say that I know him very well but he did seem like the guy who knew what was going on at each of the events and would be a likely person to contact for more info at the last minute.
09-22-2004, 02:36 PM
#36
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Happy Day
:D - NASA just had a spot open up and I in!! I think for both days, not sure yet til I get details back from them. Now for the hotels and helmet!
09-22-2004, 03:49 PM
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Sweet! So there will be at least three of us going.
Tigger and I were going to meet up in Lebanon, NH on Sunday and then caravan over to the Glen. We both have rooms booked at the Longhouse Motel (see first post for more info). You should check to see if they have any rooms available.
When you go shopping for a helmet, making sure that it has at least a Snell M95 rating. You should also plan on wearing a long sleeved shirt, pants, and secure fitting shoes. Clothing should be made of natural fibers (i.e. cotton).
Tigger and I were going to meet up in Lebanon, NH on Sunday and then caravan over to the Glen. We both have rooms booked at the Longhouse Motel (see first post for more info). You should check to see if they have any rooms available.
When you go shopping for a helmet, making sure that it has at least a Snell M95 rating. You should also plan on wearing a long sleeved shirt, pants, and secure fitting shoes. Clothing should be made of natural fibers (i.e. cotton).
Last edited by Speed Racer; 09-23-2004 at 02:22 PM.
09-23-2004, 10:37 AM
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After a few phone calls last night I think we decided on meeting up in Albany, NY between 12:30 and 1:00. Seeing that none of us are familiar with Albany we just randomly picked a "convenient" place to meet. As it stands right now, the plan is to meet up between the James R 'dick' Greer Memorial Field and Dapper Farrell Park. (use 250 McCarty Ave, Albany, NY 12209 for driving directions)
I'll have my cell phone with me so just give me a call once you are near Albany and we will work out the final details as soon as we see the area. Once we are all there we can grab something for lunch then hit the road again. We should reach the Longhouse Motel around 6:00. (use 3625 State Route 14, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 for driving directions)
Some last minute things: remember to bring your NASA membership & track registration info, a small cooler to keep food & beverages fresh at the track, folding chair, painters tape to mask the headlights, long sleeved cotton shirt, eye protection (i.e. helmet with visor or glasses), etc...
Please re-read the first post for more info regarding HPDE.
I'll have my cell phone with me so just give me a call once you are near Albany and we will work out the final details as soon as we see the area. Once we are all there we can grab something for lunch then hit the road again. We should reach the Longhouse Motel around 6:00. (use 3625 State Route 14, Watkins Glen, NY 14891 for driving directions)
Some last minute things: remember to bring your NASA membership & track registration info, a small cooler to keep food & beverages fresh at the track, folding chair, painters tape to mask the headlights, long sleeved cotton shirt, eye protection (i.e. helmet with visor or glasses), etc...
Please re-read the first post for more info regarding HPDE.
Last edited by Speed Racer; 09-23-2004 at 10:54 AM.
09-23-2004, 11:46 AM
#39
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The schedule for the event has been posted on the NASA website. Lots of great info so take the time to go through it all.
Hey Tigger you are going to be car #8! I'm glad I saw that before I made up the numbers.
I also noticed that there will be a Lotus Exige on the track on Monday. Now that is a car I want to check out. :D
It looks like we will have four RX-8s at the track. 3 of which will be running in HPDE1 and I'm going to be the oddball in HPDE2. There was one name I didn't recognize (Ronald Kornmiller). Do you guys know him?
The schedule says that the gates open at 6:00am and we should plan on being there a few minutes before that just to make sure that we can at least get one garage bay. That way we will have a decent area to work on the cars if the need arises.
Hey Tigger you are going to be car #8! I'm glad I saw that before I made up the numbers.
I also noticed that there will be a Lotus Exige on the track on Monday. Now that is a car I want to check out. :D
It looks like we will have four RX-8s at the track. 3 of which will be running in HPDE1 and I'm going to be the oddball in HPDE2. There was one name I didn't recognize (Ronald Kornmiller). Do you guys know him?
The schedule says that the gates open at 6:00am and we should plan on being there a few minutes before that just to make sure that we can at least get one garage bay. That way we will have a decent area to work on the cars if the need arises.
Last edited by Speed Racer; 09-23-2004 at 02:25 PM.
09-23-2004, 12:25 PM
#40
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Looks good, one thing, when I go to The Watkins Glenn web site and use the Mapquest tool shown there, their directions show using the southern I88 from Albany.
Total Est. Distance: 445.63 miles (north route)
Total Distance: 432.3 miles (south route)
As it is all interstate going south, and north it looks like a combination of backroads and highway, perhaps we should consider the south Interstate route. We'll already be tired of driving by the time we get to Albany, so shorter, easy Interstate driving would be my choice to get it over with asap.
Total Est. Distance: 445.63 miles (north route)
Total Distance: 432.3 miles (south route)
As it is all interstate going south, and north it looks like a combination of backroads and highway, perhaps we should consider the south Interstate route. We'll already be tired of driving by the time we get to Albany, so shorter, easy Interstate driving would be my choice to get it over with asap.
09-23-2004, 12:53 PM
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The directions from MapQuest are kind of funny. If you ask for directions from where we will be stopping in Albany to the motel it chooses the northern route (3:41, 226 miles). If you request directions to the track it takes the southern route (3:53, 216 miles). Keep in mind that the motel is also a little north of the track (0:14, 7 miles).
It is interesting that it thinks that the shorter southern route will take longer. Either way is fine by me. I'll let you guys decide the road we take.
It is interesting that it thinks that the shorter southern route will take longer. Either way is fine by me. I'll let you guys decide the road we take.
Last edited by Speed Racer; 09-23-2004 at 01:34 PM.
09-23-2004, 01:59 PM
#42
I think my friend is going to take the southern route, after discussions last night, he said it adds another 1hr + to his commute if he comes up to Albany... if we go south, we can probably meet him after lunch! That would be great!
4 8's nice!
--Tig!
4 8's nice!
--Tig!
09-24-2004, 08:24 AM
#44
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Possible change of meetup time
Originally Posted by Speed Racer
After a few phone calls last night I think we decided on meeting up in Albany, NY between 12:30 and 1:00.
Hows about 1:30 to 2PM meetup in Albany instead? Thanks.
Last edited by Spin9k; 09-24-2004 at 08:27 AM.
09-24-2004, 12:55 PM
#46
Pincus will probably end up just meeting us at the hotel, though if the timing works out (we will call him on route), then we will meet in Binghamton.
As for the time shift. That is fine with me, however, I think we are looking at a 3 3/4 hr ride from Albany, and if we stop to have lunch for an hour... that would put us there around...
meet at 2 in Albany... eat till 3... arrive glen 6:45... and none of that takes into acount gas stops, which we will definaly need.
I say we aim more like 1:15-1:30 at the latest...
Thoughts?
As for the time shift. That is fine with me, however, I think we are looking at a 3 3/4 hr ride from Albany, and if we stop to have lunch for an hour... that would put us there around...
meet at 2 in Albany... eat till 3... arrive glen 6:45... and none of that takes into acount gas stops, which we will definaly need.
I say we aim more like 1:15-1:30 at the latest...
Thoughts?
09-24-2004, 03:10 PM
#48
Momentum Keeps Me Going
You guys go ahead, I'll meet you at the hotel. We'll can sit down over a nice dinner and swap travel stories. Safe trip to all...
By-the-by my Tmobile cell doesn't work anywhere near the Glen, but I'll be there by 6ish or before.
Safe trip to all...By-the-by my Tmobile cell doesn't work anywhere near the Glen, but I'll be there by 6ish or before.
09-29-2004, 07:46 PM
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Hey guys,
I had an awesome time hanging out with everyone at the track and it was great to meet some new people. Thanks for coming out.
Kerrie took a ton of photos and video of the event. The attached photos are just a teaser of what's to come.
The video from my bumper cam of the last 45-minute session came out well and the perspective really gives you a sense of speed. During that session I had a fun chasing down Aaron in his 944 Turbo. That car was surprisingly fast and it would slowly pull away on most of the straights.
Anyways, chime in and let me know what you thought of the event.
I had an awesome time hanging out with everyone at the track and it was great to meet some new people. Thanks for coming out.
Kerrie took a ton of photos and video of the event. The attached photos are just a teaser of what's to come.
The video from my bumper cam of the last 45-minute session came out well and the perspective really gives you a sense of speed. During that session I had a fun chasing down Aaron in his 944 Turbo. That car was surprisingly fast and it would slowly pull away on most of the straights.
Anyways, chime in and let me know what you thought of the event.