Yesterday Sleeper SE drove very well. Had I driven his car he might have embarrased me. It was the first event with the 16x7.5's and some sorta new Falken Azenis 215/45 16's. (they have 3000 road miles on them) So with Full camber and 1/16 toe out before the camber was adjusted he managed 2nd in class. The grassroots motorsports Mini Cooper (former 2nd in H stock at nationals car) Is now an STS car. Matt battled the mini all day on a course that was quick on concrete with many transitions but also some very narrow gates that did not favor the big maxima (or my S2000, I was wanting a mini that day). At the end of the day the Mini pulled out .5 seconds on matt for the win. Matt said that the car was now handling to the point where he never actually thought to himself. Whoa it's understeering, or Whoa it's oversteering. I rode a lap and found it was very neutral and I was amazed at the grip the car now had on turn in, it felt like my S2000 it would find the apex no matter what. Tire roll over was non existant. I personally think the car is now great and we just need to work on driving. Will it hang with those civic hatches in STS. Probably not, will it trophy next year if we can get matt alot of seat time. I think so. In my mind we have one thing left. And thats to move the battery to the trunk. We might also play with having Sanner make us a smaller front sway bar or atleast take some material off of this one. even though the car felt neutral it did have a bit more body roll for my taste (again i'm used to an S2000) Matt stated that he didn't notice the body roll and he's very happy with how it is. Who knows we might try the weaker front sway bar and not like it. I'll let matt chime in and give you his thoughts.
Cheers
Ian

 

do you have any idea if the results will be similar with 3rd gen with the independent rear suspension?

 

also, wont removing the fsb cause increased wear on the suspension as each side has to bear more load independently during turns

 

Glad to hear the Mini is now STS Let me know what happens with Saner Fabrication. I had contacted them twice about a larger RSB and never heard back. I'd be interested in a slightly smaller FSB and would split setup costs with Matt if anything did come of it.

P.S. Good luck @ Talladega! : Hope their satellite works better than the tests this week!
http://www.precisionracingorg.com

 

Talladega was GREAT. I was in 3rd gear in the S the entire Lap. it was a solo 2 at solo 1 speeds. Absolutely INSANE. It was a shame we had such a small turn out. If you can do I it I highly recommend Going to memphis this weekend. The course would really suit the maxima.