I just came back from Street of Willow and posted my best of 1:36.032
my last best time at SOW was 1:38.9xx- this was when the car was completely stock.

no engine mods, i just have suspension mods- coilovers, strut bars, braces, etc etc.
i also have some brake upgrades as well (pads, lines, fluid)

i think i did decent considering i have Continental Contiprocontact tires....which grip like stock (or less than stock). They are 245/40/18. These have been used in all my last track events (about 3).

To any of you SOW guru's, what would be the most the car should be able to do... as I am in the process of trying to work with what I have right now as tires are expensive.

any positive or negative input would be appreciated.
Thanks.

 

If I remember, Sky ran a 1:35 or something at Streets. Then again, Emilio in a close to stock S2000 with Nitto NT05s ran a 1:25 or so. I don't think the S2000 is 10 seconds faster than the RX-8.

 

before sky sold his car, he hit 2:28 with nt01

i get to a point that mod is not quite necessary, put more track time and make yourself a better driver, can make you at least 1-2 sec faster

 

I have never driven Streets of Willow but it looks like a momentum track. So the more speed you are able to carry through the turns the better (obviously). #1 thing to improve your times is seat time. Follow someone who is a better driver and watch how they take turns and consider getting a coach or tape record your laps and have an experianced driver watch them and make suggestions. As far as the car the things that would help the most are tires (nto1's are great), alignment (get some negitive camber and maybe a little rear toe in to help the car turn) and corner balancing are very important.

 

I have the same set up with yours now...

My first time at street of willow was 1:39 mazdaspeed spring and shocks
second time 1:37 mazdaspeed spring and shocks
third time 1:34 with megan coilovers
all 3 times use street tires, Federal 595RS 235/40/18

Just follow the faster guys, find out the best line, and best braking point

by the way...mine is 04 4speed AT
I think If mine is MT, I can do a lot better >"<

And there was a instructor drove my car, and he did 1:33 with passenger(me), so I think my AT still can go faster...like 1:32

And I agree with Rotary__Rocket, (we've been in the same track twice^^),mods doesnt make a huge difference untill you have the skills to drive the max of your car practice !!!better line... braking point ...trial braking

 

I always go CC Best is 1:32 something.

Last year I only got 135.5, it depends upon the line you take around the bowl.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8oD2...eature=related