Road Racing my S14... (REAL road racing, not that fake stuff!)
11-21-2010, 06:30 PM
#1
Road Racing my S14... (REAL road racing, not that fake stuff!)
Saturday Race: MSR-Houston Counterclockwise
I was in a battle for 3rd for most of the race with the Neon in E-Production and the Miata running in GT-L. both are MUCH higher-prepped classes than my car and both were running Goodyear slicks. I'm on used R888s.
Finished 3rd overall and 1st in STU. Set new PB of 1:51.4, which is a new track record for STU!!
Sunday Race. Same deal, different day, running the track "backwards" today.
The yellow Miata was behind me and never caught up. about the time he'd get close, we'd get in some traffic and he would drop back.
The first 10-12 laps of the race, I was keeping up with the RX7 and the Caterham in a race for 2nd. They would trade places every lap or so and I was right behind them the whole time. We got into some traffic and I was in 2nd for about 3 turns and then they both got back around when we hit more traffic. I started making some mistakes and overdrove the tires. tires got greasy and they both got away from me. I never caught up after that. Still finished a solid 4th and everyone else in the top 6 were EP or GTL cars running slicks.
Considering they had me in power, grip, and weight, I think I did pretty good.
Finished 4th overall and 1st in STU. Set new PB of 1:51.8 this direction. 2 sec off track record, but that was set in August by a guy that runs the same car in World Challenge Touring car. to be 2 sec of his fastest ever lap I think I'm doing okay.
I was in a battle for 3rd for most of the race with the Neon in E-Production and the Miata running in GT-L. both are MUCH higher-prepped classes than my car and both were running Goodyear slicks. I'm on used R888s.
Finished 3rd overall and 1st in STU. Set new PB of 1:51.4, which is a new track record for STU!!
Sunday Race. Same deal, different day, running the track "backwards" today.
The yellow Miata was behind me and never caught up. about the time he'd get close, we'd get in some traffic and he would drop back.
The first 10-12 laps of the race, I was keeping up with the RX7 and the Caterham in a race for 2nd. They would trade places every lap or so and I was right behind them the whole time. We got into some traffic and I was in 2nd for about 3 turns and then they both got back around when we hit more traffic. I started making some mistakes and overdrove the tires. tires got greasy and they both got away from me. I never caught up after that. Still finished a solid 4th and everyone else in the top 6 were EP or GTL cars running slicks.
Considering they had me in power, grip, and weight, I think I did pretty good.
Finished 4th overall and 1st in STU. Set new PB of 1:51.8 this direction. 2 sec off track record, but that was set in August by a guy that runs the same car in World Challenge Touring car. to be 2 sec of his fastest ever lap I think I'm doing okay.
11-21-2010, 08:35 PM
#3
There are a ton of tracks near you, albeit near is a relative term. The track those photos came from was only 10 miles from the house. The place I raced last month was 250 miles away. Within a 5 hr drive of home, I have about 6 or 7 tracks to play at. you have just as many, if not more in NY, NJ, PA, CT.....
11-21-2010, 11:28 PM
#5
Helllz naw they weren't stock. the red one that was following me was in Production. i.e. built engine, built suspension, weighs not a lot.
The ones in the back of the pack were Improved Touring. basically rip the carpet out, bolt on coilovers, and balance/blueprint the engine- ,aybe a mild cam.. don't remember the rules. otherwise they're mostly stock..
The ones in the back of the pack were Improved Touring. basically rip the carpet out, bolt on coilovers, and balance/blueprint the engine- ,aybe a mild cam.. don't remember the rules. otherwise they're mostly stock..
11-22-2010, 05:10 AM
#9
No drifting here. tires are expensive enough as is. They already cost me $400 a weekend when I'm not sliding around! plus sideways is slower.
there's a lot of rev limiter action going on, but it's cause my shock settings were wrong and I was lifting my inside rear tire and spinning all the way out of the corner.
11-22-2010, 03:07 PM
#11
Watkins Glen, NY
Monticello, NY
Limerock, CT
New Jersey Motorsports Park (Millville, NJ)
All excellent tracks to run on that are close to LI. There is a guy I know from your area with a blue C6 Z06 and he runs all those tracks. I've been to Limerock and NJMP. Next year looking to run on Watkins Glen and hopefully at Monticello if they still will allow HPDEs.
11-22-2010, 03:15 PM
#12
Saturday Race: MSR-Houston Counterclockwise
I was in a battle for 3rd for most of the race with the Neon in E-Production and the Miata running in GT-L. both are MUCH higher-prepped classes than my car and both were running Goodyear slicks. I'm on used R888s.
Finished 3rd overall and 1st in STU. Set new PB of 1:51.4, which is a new track record for STU!!
Sunday Race. Same deal, different day, running the track "backwards" today.
The yellow Miata was behind me and never caught up. about the time he'd get close, we'd get in some traffic and he would drop back.
The first 10-12 laps of the race, I was keeping up with the RX7 and the Caterham in a race for 2nd. They would trade places every lap or so and I was right behind them the whole time. We got into some traffic and I was in 2nd for about 3 turns and then they both got back around when we hit more traffic. I started making some mistakes and overdrove the tires. tires got greasy and they both got away from me. I never caught up after that. Still finished a solid 4th and everyone else in the top 6 were EP or GTL cars running slicks.
Considering they had me in power, grip, and weight, I think I did pretty good.
Finished 4th overall and 1st in STU. Set new PB of 1:51.8 this direction. 2 sec off track record, but that was set in August by a guy that runs the same car in World Challenge Touring car. to be 2 sec of his fastest ever lap I think I'm doing okay.
I was in a battle for 3rd for most of the race with the Neon in E-Production and the Miata running in GT-L. both are MUCH higher-prepped classes than my car and both were running Goodyear slicks. I'm on used R888s.
Finished 3rd overall and 1st in STU. Set new PB of 1:51.4, which is a new track record for STU!!
Sunday Race. Same deal, different day, running the track "backwards" today.
The yellow Miata was behind me and never caught up. about the time he'd get close, we'd get in some traffic and he would drop back.
The first 10-12 laps of the race, I was keeping up with the RX7 and the Caterham in a race for 2nd. They would trade places every lap or so and I was right behind them the whole time. We got into some traffic and I was in 2nd for about 3 turns and then they both got back around when we hit more traffic. I started making some mistakes and overdrove the tires. tires got greasy and they both got away from me. I never caught up after that. Still finished a solid 4th and everyone else in the top 6 were EP or GTL cars running slicks.
Considering they had me in power, grip, and weight, I think I did pretty good.
Finished 4th overall and 1st in STU. Set new PB of 1:51.8 this direction. 2 sec off track record, but that was set in August by a guy that runs the same car in World Challenge Touring car. to be 2 sec of his fastest ever lap I think I'm doing okay.
You going to keep using the R888s or going with something more sticky in the future?
And yes this is real racing. I get sick of trying to explain to my friends that I am not "racing" but driving in high performance drivers events.
11-22-2010, 07:42 PM
#15
Thanks for the props, guys
Engine is pretty much stock 110k mile KA. I put some S13 exhaust cams in it, aluminum flywheel & crank pulley, then typical I,H,E. still on stock internals and ECU. (waiting for rules to update and hopefully allow the SR20DET in this class.. if not, then I'll do an NA build on my spare KA in the garage)
moar pics are in the directory above- should be an open directory...
and now for video of the Saturday race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYJvJ..._order&list=UL
it's 25 min long, so it's in 3 sections.
Engine is pretty much stock 110k mile KA. I put some S13 exhaust cams in it, aluminum flywheel & crank pulley, then typical I,H,E. still on stock internals and ECU. (waiting for rules to update and hopefully allow the SR20DET in this class.. if not, then I'll do an NA build on my spare KA in the garage)
moar pics are in the directory above- should be an open directory...
and now for video of the Saturday race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYJvJ..._order&list=UL
it's 25 min long, so it's in 3 sections.
11-24-2010, 08:14 PM
#16
11-25-2010, 02:35 AM
#17
Thanks for the props, guys
Engine is pretty much stock 110k mile KA. I put some S13 exhaust cams in it, aluminum flywheel & crank pulley, then typical I,H,E. still on stock internals and ECU. (waiting for rules to update and hopefully allow the SR20DET in this class.. if not, then I'll do an NA build on my spare KA in the garage)
moar pics are in the directory above- should be an open directory...
and now for video of the Saturday race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYJvJ..._order&list=UL
it's 25 min long, so it's in 3 sections.
Engine is pretty much stock 110k mile KA. I put some S13 exhaust cams in it, aluminum flywheel & crank pulley, then typical I,H,E. still on stock internals and ECU. (waiting for rules to update and hopefully allow the SR20DET in this class.. if not, then I'll do an NA build on my spare KA in the garage)
moar pics are in the directory above- should be an open directory...
and now for video of the Saturday race: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYJvJ..._order&list=UL
it's 25 min long, so it's in 3 sections.
11-25-2010, 05:45 AM
#18
Watkins Glen, NY
Monticello, NY
Limerock, CT
New Jersey Motorsports Park (Millville, NJ)
All excellent tracks to run on that are close to LI. There is a guy I know from your area with a blue C6 Z06 and he runs all those tracks. I've been to Limerock and NJMP. Next year looking to run on Watkins Glen and hopefully at Monticello if they still will allow HPDEs.
11-25-2010, 07:46 AM
#19
Don Istook in a World Challenge TDI VW is the current record holder going CW. He usually brings up the back of the pack in WC races, but managed a 4th place finish in STU at Runoffs this year.. Just makes it that much more obvious the difference in amateur and pro racing.
11-25-2010, 07:50 AM
#20
Ricer math...
I have to run a stock intake manifold, and ITBs aren't really a good idea at a track where you have all kinds of dust and chunks of tire rubber flying through the air. first time you suck one of those in or get a chunk stuck in the throttle linkage (has happened before in Goughary's 350Z), your day changes for the worse...
I have to run a stock intake manifold, and ITBs aren't really a good idea at a track where you have all kinds of dust and chunks of tire rubber flying through the air. first time you suck one of those in or get a chunk stuck in the throttle linkage (has happened before in Goughary's 350Z), your day changes for the worse...
11-25-2010, 08:03 AM
#21
Ricer math...
I have to run a stock intake manifold, and ITBs aren't really a good idea at a track where you have all kinds of dust and chunks of tire rubber flying through the air. first time you suck one of those in or get a chunk stuck in the throttle linkage (has happened before in Goughary's 350Z), your day changes for the worse...
I have to run a stock intake manifold, and ITBs aren't really a good idea at a track where you have all kinds of dust and chunks of tire rubber flying through the air. first time you suck one of those in or get a chunk stuck in the throttle linkage (has happened before in Goughary's 350Z), your day changes for the worse...
11-25-2010, 02:54 PM
#22
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 678
Man that looks like fun! The KA can be a fun little motor...I still enjoy my '93 Altima (I/H/E/P) for daily driving even though it's just the backup beater. FYI, over at Nissanclub, a member swapped in a VQ30 and is now running a newer IM w/videos...looks real fun
11-28-2010, 06:41 PM
#23
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Posts: 2,036
That looks like fun, and an interesting group of cars to run with. At least you're RWD!
I should try to get some videos of a local guy who runs his track max at road courses. Keeps up with top guys in spec Miata and S2000 classes. Those are full race cars, and he's chasing them in a 4th gen!
I should try to get some videos of a local guy who runs his track max at road courses. Keeps up with top guys in spec Miata and S2000 classes. Those are full race cars, and he's chasing them in a 4th gen!
12-02-2010, 07:21 AM
#25
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No, but I think Brian Won used to be around a long time ago, but not with a very modded max. The guy is Andy with a white 4g purpose built for road racing. Has roll cage, carbon body panels, race seat, custom suspension, custom racing brakes, built NA de-k motor, customized 5 speed, etc.
Used to post here a long time ago, but still runs a shop building race cars and parts. Will try to get pics next time they do a meet at the shop.
Used to post here a long time ago, but still runs a shop building race cars and parts. Will try to get pics next time they do a meet at the shop.
12-03-2010, 09:49 AM
#26
I still talk to Brian every day. He did a 3.5 swap and a bunch other stuff to the car. didn't think he'd been to the track any time recently though, so I figured it wasn't him.
Mike Kent has a pretty nice turbo VG and is out on the left coast somewhere, but I haven't talked to him in a couple years.
Mike Kent has a pretty nice turbo VG and is out on the left coast somewhere, but I haven't talked to him in a couple years.
12-06-2010, 06:31 PM
#27
Yeah.. like the thread title states, this is REAL road racing. not full-contact NASCAR stuff, but door to door all the way around the track racing.
No drifting here. tires are expensive enough as is. They already cost me $400 a weekend when I'm not sliding around! plus sideways is slower.
there's a lot of rev limiter action going on, but it's cause my shock settings were wrong and I was lifting my inside rear tire and spinning all the way out of the corner.
No drifting here. tires are expensive enough as is. They already cost me $400 a weekend when I'm not sliding around! plus sideways is slower.
there's a lot of rev limiter action going on, but it's cause my shock settings were wrong and I was lifting my inside rear tire and spinning all the way out of the corner.
good to see you out there mixing it up. i started taking the V out to events and its a blast.
12-19-2010, 06:12 AM
#30
Yeah.. like the thread title states, this is REAL road racing. not full-contact NASCAR stuff, but door to door all the way around the track racing.
No drifting here. tires are expensive enough as is. They already cost me $400 a weekend when I'm not sliding around! plus sideways is slower.
there's a lot of rev limiter action going on, but it's cause my shock settings were wrong and I was lifting my inside rear tire and spinning all the way out of the corner.
No drifting here. tires are expensive enough as is. They already cost me $400 a weekend when I'm not sliding around! plus sideways is slower.
there's a lot of rev limiter action going on, but it's cause my shock settings were wrong and I was lifting my inside rear tire and spinning all the way out of the corner.
12-20-2010, 08:32 AM
#31
If you don't lock up tires and flatspot them, then they last a looot longer!
I also drive the car a bit more aggressive than most and have it set up fairly loose. thus I slide around a bit and it wears the tires more. but it's faster.
If you go out and drive the car conservatively, you can still run competitive and a set of DOT-Rs will last you most of a season.
I also drive the car a bit more aggressive than most and have it set up fairly loose. thus I slide around a bit and it wears the tires more. but it's faster.
If you go out and drive the car conservatively, you can still run competitive and a set of DOT-Rs will last you most of a season.
01-19-2011, 01:34 PM
#32
Played in the rain this weekend.
Started 12th, finished 6th overall in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkT3QbD_r7s
Next day in a full-out downpour I started 6th, finished 3rd overall.
Started 12th, finished 6th overall in this video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkT3QbD_r7s
Next day in a full-out downpour I started 6th, finished 3rd overall.
01-20-2011, 12:53 PM
#34
Sounds fun. do you know anything about those lotus 7 type cars?
I am thinking about building a Locost (lotus 7 type car from plans available on the net)
They are from what I've heard some of the fastest street/strip cars you can build. I am actually thinking about building one from scratch or use a super stalker kit to put my Ls1 in one of them, as long as I can find a reasonable dry sump solution.
I am thinking about building a Locost (lotus 7 type car from plans available on the net)
They are from what I've heard some of the fastest street/strip cars you can build. I am actually thinking about building one from scratch or use a super stalker kit to put my Ls1 in one of them, as long as I can find a reasonable dry sump solution.
01-20-2011, 09:03 PM
#36
Sciff, what you want to know about them? The ones in the videos above are "real" Caterhams, owned by a friend. He rents them out to people for the races. Red one is almost stock engine. ~100hp, 1400lbs. Yellow one is built engine and way faster. no idea on power though.
A Locost looks similar, but that's where it ends. Completely different parts. grab an engine and drivetrain, build a tiny open wheel frame, scab on a suspension that works, and voila.
Irish.. That's why I bought a used G with cash at 1/3 the price of new. 6 mo later, I bought a used trailer at 1/2 price of new- with cash- to tow the car to the track. 6 mo after that, I bought a used F250 at 1/5 the price of new- again with cash- to upgrade from my free 1/2 ton Chevy that couldn't pull my trailer over 55mph.
If you're willing to settle for something that's not brand spanking new (and pay cash for it) you can go a lot farther.
For the price of a new 2009 WRX, I got a modded G35 with 50k miles, a trailer with 2500 miles, and an F250 powerstroke with 100k miles.
And while I'm not making payments on any of that stuff, my $500/month "car payment" goes into the bank so I have liquid cash next time I want to buy a vehicle.
A Locost looks similar, but that's where it ends. Completely different parts. grab an engine and drivetrain, build a tiny open wheel frame, scab on a suspension that works, and voila.
Irish.. That's why I bought a used G with cash at 1/3 the price of new.
6 mo later, I bought a used trailer at 1/2 price of new- with cash- to tow the car to the track. 6 mo after that, I bought a used F250 at 1/5 the price of new- again with cash- to upgrade from my free 1/2 ton Chevy that couldn't pull my trailer over 55mph.If you're willing to settle for something that's not brand spanking new (and pay cash for it) you can go a lot farther.
For the price of a new 2009 WRX, I got a modded G35 with 50k miles, a trailer with 2500 miles, and an F250 powerstroke with 100k miles.
And while I'm not making payments on any of that stuff, my $500/month "car payment" goes into the bank so I have liquid cash next time I want to buy a vehicle.
Last edited by Matt93SE; 01-20-2011 at 09:06 PM.
01-24-2011, 08:18 PM
#37
01-24-2011, 08:19 PM
#38
If you don't lock up tires and flatspot them, then they last a looot longer!
I also drive the car a bit more aggressive than most and have it set up fairly loose. thus I slide around a bit and it wears the tires more. but it's faster.
If you go out and drive the car conservatively, you can still run competitive and a set of DOT-Rs will last you most of a season.
I also drive the car a bit more aggressive than most and have it set up fairly loose. thus I slide around a bit and it wears the tires more. but it's faster.
If you go out and drive the car conservatively, you can still run competitive and a set of DOT-Rs will last you most of a season.
04-17-2011, 04:52 PM
#39
Irish.. That's why I bought a used G with cash at 1/3 the price of new. 6 mo later, I bought a used trailer at 1/2 price of new- with cash- to tow the car to the track. 6 mo after that, I bought a used F250 at 1/5 the price of new- again with cash- to upgrade from my free 1/2 ton Chevy that couldn't pull my trailer over 55mph.
If you're willing to settle for something that's not brand spanking new (and pay cash for it) you can go a lot farther.
For the price of a new 2009 WRX, I got a modded G35 with 50k miles, a trailer with 2500 miles, and an F250 powerstroke with 100k miles.
And while I'm not making payments on any of that stuff, my $500/month "car payment" goes into the bank so I have liquid cash next time I want to buy a vehicle.
6 mo later, I bought a used trailer at 1/2 price of new- with cash- to tow the car to the track. 6 mo after that, I bought a used F250 at 1/5 the price of new- again with cash- to upgrade from my free 1/2 ton Chevy that couldn't pull my trailer over 55mph.If you're willing to settle for something that's not brand spanking new (and pay cash for it) you can go a lot farther.
For the price of a new 2009 WRX, I got a modded G35 with 50k miles, a trailer with 2500 miles, and an F250 powerstroke with 100k miles.
And while I'm not making payments on any of that stuff, my $500/month "car payment" goes into the bank so I have liquid cash next time I want to buy a vehicle.
Big DC-area mortgage payments leave limited cash available for real racing though
04-17-2011, 04:56 PM
#40
It's much more fun as a weekend driver. I don't think I'd even want to be on a track with it. Not safe at all. Not half as fast as a Miata. Hot as hell inside.
for me though, I think the next order of business is going to be rallycross rather than road course. Maybe pick up an old forester or something and spec it out for modified SCCA RX....
money....time.....money.
that's all I need!