JackOlsen

In less than three weeks, <a href="http://www.opentrackchallenge.com/profiles/team130.htm" target="_blank">Tyson Schmidt and I</a> will be participating in the <a href="http://www.opentrackchallenge.com/" target="_blank">Open Track Challenge</a>, a seven-track time-trialing event that takes place over seven days in Nevada and California. In our class (Touring Three), we have to drive the same car, with the same tires on it, from track to track (a total of about 1400 miles of highway driving, in addition to the on-track miles).

There are currently nine other entrants in touring three, and I'm interested in anyone's thoughts on where Tyson and I will fall in the pack when the dust settles and the event is over. Obviously, driving skill and experience are going to make a bigger difference than any other factors -- and Tyson and I are still pretty new to track driving (two events for him, about nine for me). But we've managed to get my old car categorized in the under-2.7-liter class, which gives us some advantage, and -- although my car is not a dedicated track car by a long shot -- we're going to make a few new tweaks to improve its performance, including better suspension settings, a front splitter and rear IROC tail, and a new set of 8x10x17 wheels with (hopefully) 275's in the back and 235's up front. We're limited by the rules to Yoko A032R's. I'd predict we'll go through two sets of the tires in the seven days.

The other cars are:

01 Honda S2000 Charles Fletcher, Marlene Fletcher, Mike Middleton
00 Audi S4 Norman Babcock, Michael Babcock
90 BMW M3 Lance Boicelli, Jerry Sharman
90 Nissan 300ZX Carl Merritt, Sarah Fairfield
95 Mitsubishi Eclipse Justin Dubois, Arnie Thishler
02 Subaru WRX Don Alexander, Rick Herrick
88 BMW M3 Tamara Hull, Bill Arnold
73 Porsche 911 Jack Olsen, Tyson Schmidt
01 BMW 330ia Young-Kyu Yoo
83 Porsche 944 Dan Lofgren, Rick Lofgren, Tom Lofgren

The car we're driving is a 2430-pound 1973 911 with a 282-hp 3.6-liter engine, Turbo brakes, 21/30 torsions, 22/22 antisways, and a very capable close-ratio gearbox with a max speed in 5th of 141 mph at its 6850 redline.

I know on paper this compares pretty well with the rest of the pack, but -- as I said -- some of these other entries are track cars, and their drivers have a great deal more experience than Tyson and I. Mechanical attrition will certainly be a factor for the more hopped-up models in the pack (but hopefully not us).

But does anyone on the west coast know about any of these other drivers or these cars?

I plan on keeping a running log of the event posted to the Pelican BBS as we do it. I'll post a link to it here.

Ed Bighi

I wish I could run that thing. I thought about it, but it seemed too much of a commitment. It wouldn't be too hard as far as the car since my sc is pretty quick, as anyone who has ever seen it run can attest, but 7 days away from business was too tough. I didn't know the spec tire was the Yoko A032R. I have been using that tire on track and street for years. Don't fret too much about what is right on paper. If I dwelled on that I would never go to the track. You see, I run a stripped sc with a stock 210,000 mile powerplant and have no problem getting by z06 vettes, nsx's or just about anything else that is on the track. I just believe in the car, don't give a damn about anything else, and drive the **** out of the car. Here is what I recommend.

First, the A032 does last a while. You should be able to run one set for the whole event. I know because I get at least half a season out of mine and I haven't met anyone who drives a car harder than I do. But, and I emphasize but, they do lose their grip from midlife down. Every tire tends to do that somewhat, but none more so than the A032. Maybe that is why they last so long. Also, you don't need 17's to kick *** on all the other cars, but if you are running them and don't mind the extra weight, fine. The pressures I run with those tires on my 2300 pound sc with 205/55/16 on 16x7 and 245/45/16 on 16x9 fuchs varies from 29/34 which is factory recommended and 25/30 if I feel like a tad more consistent grip. Some people believe in less of a pressure gap front to rear, but I find that factory recommended pressures or at least gaps, are spot on. You have to remember the weight differential front to back. The higher pressures will make the car snappier and quicker to your inputs, but it will be edgier also. The lower numbers, I find work pretty well all around since my car is on the light side compared to stock and the sidewalls on the A032's are pretty stiff.

Second, get used to driving that thing sideways, because the grip on the Yoko's will start to diminish. When I am faced with that situation on the Yokos, I can either take turns a little slower, or keep the speed up through the corners and deal with a tad of oversteer. I just go in as fast as I can and deal with whatever the thing throws at me. At least those tires are consistent once you are already sideways. Those things also like high temperatures when they wear down, so that type of driving style will help. Also, I run mine even when the cords show. I have never had one blow, and I've been through a few. You lose a little more grip (fun) but they seem to hold together.

Now as far as your competition. I have gone up against all those types of cars you listed with no problem at all passing them hard. And all were modified. No matter what the modification. Here is how. They are all understeering cars with the exception of maybe the S2000 which will understeer less. So on hairpins, if you have a good right foot and are good with car control in a 911, you can get by them. You also weigh less than all of them. So outbrake them. I usually don't care what starts to pull from me on a straight, be it a Viper GTS, Z06, whatever, I just brake late enough to get past him or at least get on his *** and keep it there thrugh the twisties because at some point that car with an understeering tendency will lose speed in some turn. Always works for me so it should for you also.

Don't worry about suspension and any of that. As long as it isn't understeering, no problem. Oversteer is no factor unless it is a ridiculous ammount or if you are not comfortable using it. Years ago i set up my car towards oversteer so that I would never see a trace of understeer. It has been working like a charm ever since I befriended oversteer. Especially on slower turns where the heavier front engine cars are pushing. I oncer read that Schumacher, Montoya and Ralf Schumacher always set up their cars that way to ensure that they never see understeer and have enough oversteer to be creative. It also gives them the luxury to adapt themselves to the ammount of oversteer present that day instead of the other drivers in the F1 field who chase a neutral setup all day long.

Again, I wish I were doing that event. I am slapping myself for not doing it after going down that list. I don't know any of the drivers, but those types of cars I see every weekend at the track. I know all their weeknesses. Just figure out how hard every one of those people are driving their cars and drive harder. Good luck Jack.

JonT.

That was a kick *** post ed--thanks for the great read! I love reading about Porsches running circles around other cars. I wish more people would post informative and or racing type stories to read.

nate

I look forward to hearing how things go here. I'm just getting into tracking my car (2 events so far) and am envious of you in year-round track climates. That being said, look out for the WRX (assuming the CPU and turbo have been upgraded). I work with a guy who has one pushing around 325-375hp (yes, out of a I-4!) which will demolish another co-workers S4. Having said that, no one I run with (p-cars excluded) can keep up with me on the trip 100-40. Also, with the 3.6l, you should have all the cars listed beat on the power weight ratio. Good luck.

Mein 14

Agree with Nate-

My daily driver is a WRX with the TurboXS Stage II package ($1700 for a boost from 227hp to 298hp). My only other mod is good pads.

Bottom line: the car is downright menacing in a track environment. Be careful.

Hugh

Well, one thing is for sure -- Jack has all those ugly stepsisters (especially the Subaru) beat to death in the COOL department. Best of luck!

Flying Finn

[quote]Originally posted by Hugh:
<strong>Well, one thing is for sure -- Jack has all those ugly stepsisters (especially the Subaru) beat to death in the COOL department. Best of luck!</strong><hr></blockquote>

I back that. That black little beaty is really something, awesome looking 911!

Jeff Curtis

Here's where the bummer lies within Jack, and correct me if I'm wrong please. If I understand the way this event is run, you will likely arrive at the track at different times, you have so many laps to get your best time, then you have to move onto the next track?

Some of the issues I see here is:

1) How hard will you push your car? It's likely that often you will be on the track without the competitors that are in your class...if only a few. So where do you judge in how hard you have to drive the car to be competitive within your class??

2) I think you're going a bit nuts on tire sizes...I would say stay with your 16" Fuchs and put a 225 up front, 245 in the rear...a nice RELIABLE and non-rubbing combination. Don't try a big tire combination right before embarking on this adventure!! You're used to the car on the track with reasonably sized rubber. The Yokos will stick, and provide good consistent grip. If I remember correctly, you won't have to run so many laps that they get too hot...so run them with your street pressures - somewhere around what Ed suggested.

3) I agree with Ed in that you'll only need one set of tires, the Yokos fair well in the "how long do they last" category.

4) Also, as mentioned earlier, you have a light car when compared to the others, an S2000 is 3500 plus pounds if I recall, your modified 3.6 powerplant, coupled with your 22mm sway bars and 21/30 torsion bars will be plenty of car to "whoop up" on the competitor...beware the M3s though, they're so damned fast, and easy to drive, I know.

Overall, I don't think you'll have a problem being competitive. You're up against some great cars that do well at autocrosses and track events...but I believe you have some distinct advantages, afforded only by your thinly veiled "conversion"...a 3.6 is hard to beat when installed in a 964, I could only imagine how it pushes an older/lighter tub around!

Ted Ritter

My favorite part of this post is the age of the 911 vs. the newer beats...very cool!

richard glickel

Jack,

I'm all for you kickin' anybody's ***. But, tell me, how'd you manage to get a 3.6L classified as a 2.7? If anything, given the power-to-weight ratio, a converted early 911 should be the equivalent of a 3.8!

Nice going.

Richard <img src="graemlins/yltype.gif" border="0" alt="[typing]" />
'87 Carrera 3.6L

JackOlsen

Jeff, they're going to be running 30-minute sessions, I'm pretty sure, and posting everyone's times immediately after each session. So we'll have a pretty good idea of how hard to push as the day progresses.

With regard to the new wheels and tires. If they don't work, we'll go right back to the 16's. I agree that a reliable package is more important for an event like this than a 'perfect' one.

I don't think I've ever been up against a track-prepped M3. All the ones I've run with on the track have been easy pickins. But I'd guess they were strictly stock. I have had my behind handed to me by an S2000, though. Do they really weigh that much?

And Rich, I got the classification change based primarily on the slowest component in my car... which would be me. Going up against all the track-prepped cars in Touring 2 would have been hopeless. If I ever gut my car, and make some more aggressive suspension changes -- and improve my driving skills -- I think I could be competitive against the T2 guys.

H. D. Smith

I recently seen a g-force challenge where an old 914-6 managed to place very well against the new imports, but I do feel that Jack will be able to run his own race and the 911 will come out on top. GO Jack!

Jay H

Very interesting post! Good Luck Jack!

Just an FYI for everyone - Honda's website lists the S2000's curb weight at 2810 pounds.

Chris Martin

Sorry that I cant really add any value to this thread. Good reading above. I just want to wish Jack a safe and fun trip!

Best of luck <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

George 86T

Jack--Your Black Beauty has been my wallpaper for the better part of the last year. Do NOT prang that "sweet thang"--I don't want to have to mess with before and after pics!! Good Luck--Drive WFO --but Safe!