I have one documented video from Panoz Track Days at 1:51:3.

 

OD About the times, you guys know I had to pipe in.. I don't have anything official but I think overall the new track surface is quicker than the old.

The one session that TA and I did some lead / follow my student timed us and on the good laps we were "unofficially" around 1:50 consistently. Keep in mind that was the 2nd session on Saturday when the track was still cold and we were just exploring on the "re-learning" curve.

Even though I don't have any sort of timing for Sunday PM (Darn Camcorder ) I know that I was a fair amount faster just from the shift points and speed in gear. For example: I was going through the whole back straight in 4th saturday morning and running against the rev limiter out of 9 on Sunday.

TA said that he experienced similar increases in speed so If I had to guess upper 1:40's should come fairly regularly.

 

TA2/TG, I don't know hoe much faster you are than your friend in the Bullitt Mustang, but for reference, on Saturday, his TT times were around 1:51-1:51, and on Sunday, he got down to 1:48-1:49. So, a couple seconds shaving off on Sunday makes sense, it was warmer, and there was more rubber down on the track.

 

good info thanks--just gives me a time to think about. i think we are getting to that stage where the cars(excluding one b--a-- Z) and drivers are very close and it helps to compare notes.
OD

 

What was Rob hitting at Road Atlanta... 46-48's?

 

Here's a little tidbit for you guys that plan to clean your MAF. I just used a can of CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner from Pep Boys to make sure the trackside cleaning was complete. Some of you know that we had a hard time getting the "O" ring back into place because it was enlarged, probably just from the heat. This time I put the ring into a plastic bag and in the freezer for a short period of time to let the cold shrink it and when I popped it into place, I had no problem at all fitting it in. So, next time someone does that at the track, remember the cooler may be a timesaver.

Also, I thought I was just getting used to the power of my car before because it just didn’t seem to have the giddy up it used to have. I can tell now that I was slowly loosing power and I'm confident the cleaning has made a big difference in the performance.

 

Damn, you guys are having too much fun and I am sorry I couldn't make it up there but I really was there in spirit. I checked in w/TA to make sure all ya'll were safe and sound. I slept very warm in my own bed w/Leeann curled up next to me so I did miss the drinking, farting, comradrie, etc. but I was ok anyway (thanks for the concern).

MD, I feel your pain. At Panoz a couple weeks ago a little smoke turned into a lot of smoke and we are now building one really stupid, track motor with all kinds of really cool stuff inside. I've decided to go the route of most of the 80's metal/hair bands and make up for lack of talent with more noise/power. It should be fun to haul this thing around with the power expected on the little tires (225/45/17) and see how it goes.

Anyway, Glad you all had another dynamite weekend and I hope to see you all soon.

P.S. : Mass airflow cleaner is more expensive brake cleaner but I have to say that they have a great marketing department. Great idea on freezing the o-ring Don, I will try that for sure.


chas

 

How much faster would you say the track is now?

BTW, Steve, Dan, and I will all be down for Seat-Time.

 

STF, will you ride with me one time on Saturday? This will be my first time at the track.

 

Yep, no worries.

....

 

I am a little late to join the review of the weekend party. I have been a little busy this week. So here it goes, I will try to keep it short and sweet.

I HAD A BLAST!!

That said, I feel better.

Phlash, you rock. hauling the lodge down is tough work, and extremely generous of you. And to secure all the food too, and the big *** grill that kept us warm, thank you man. You are a class act, and we are all glad that you are part of our group...even if you are an outsider.

She won't see it, but Hazel, thank you. I learned a lot while working Turn 7. She take her job very seriously, and rather than just tolerate the NASA workers, she trains them, teaches them to really work a corner, and I appreciated it. I felt like I learned a lot.

All the drivers in our little group, thanks for putting on a good show, and thanks for waving as you go by us. It is nice to see the appreciation, while we stand out in the cold and keep everyone safe.

Mood, and Lego, sorry about your mechanical issues, it is never good to have the car break, I know how it feels. But I am sure you will both come back stronger, and faster than before.

Everyone else, great weekend. I had a blast, telling stories over the fire of the big *** grill, listening to the symphony of snoring, and freezing my *** off all in the name of good fun.

Now, I can't wait to get on the track again. It is just too much damn fun.

 

Hey, L8, what's the story with the busted cone avi?

 

I sir, have no recollection, of any events, that may or may not have led to a cone getting mauled.

 

A couple of pics...

Holy compressed suspension


Another

 

entering turn 1?

 

Most likely.

 

My favorite car there...

 

the blue first gen was here last year for the Mitty. he was fast then, and very fast this time. He qualified in the top 10 for the lightning race on Saturday, I can't remember if he qualified ahead of, or behind the silver Bridge Ported 1st gen.

 

Just to update everyone - well the engine has gone its way to the speed gods. But, I am so excited about a new engine that I can't wait to do it. I am really leaning towards putting a Cosworth engine and heads in the car. Yep, you heard that right the F1 engine builders have started building VQ35 engines and heads with a red line capability of 10,500 rpm.
I never thought my misfortune would turn out so exciting, just the thought of saying I have a Cosworth engine would be worth the money!

Also, I helped Lego last weekend put the new rear end in his car. He got so excited when we put it in that he had to throw up - or was it the heat?

 

so the Turbo setup and everything is gone huh. That is too bad, it was a really nice setup. But yeah, to say you have a Cosworth built engine, would just kick ***. you might actually have to start racing the car, instead of just blowing everyone away in DE.

 

I want a ride!

 

The turbo set will stay, Cosworth builds two types of VQ35 engines, a high compression (11:1) and a low compression engine (8.8:1). I haven't decided which one to get, if I go with the high compression I won't have as much torque and will have to run a really low boost with race gas, if I go with the low compression I can get a lot more torque with high boost but may have lag issues.

And I will give rides to anyone, just show up at a Chin event as they allow passangers.

 

any idea when you will have ti put back together. or do you need to find a bank to rob first.

are the Cosworth engiens you reference, the same ones they are using for the Grand Am GT Nissan entries?

 

No bank to rob, just doing some research before I lay down my cash. And Cosworth doesn't build Unitech engines - Nissan does. And Nissan wants $15,000 for just the heads on there race engines, and I don't have that kind of money!

Cosworth use to build F1 engines and they took Michael to his first F1 title. Yet, they where pushed out, but still build a lot of other race series engines. Maybe, I should try to fit one of their 2.3L V8 and tranny in my car, then my red line would be 20,000 rpm! Could you imagine the sound the car would make - heaven!

 

Hey MD - the Cosworth option sure seems like a smart idea. They know what they are doing so you are certain to be getting a quality product. What kind of power would you get?