First 944 SPEC race. Heck First race ever.
09-28-2009, 01:30 PM
#1
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First 944 SPEC race. Heck First race ever.
So, I just finished my first real race. A three hour enduro in my SPEC 944.
It was so much fun. Great learning experience. The pit stops were a nice bonus, nothing like playing at being an ALMS racer. That is me in the car, my co-driver checking pressure and our gas man.
The car is a bit off the pace, but I think a lot is wrong tires and not fully tuned suspension settings. Rest of being off the pace is a not a fully tuned driver.
It was so much fun. Great learning experience. The pit stops were a nice bonus, nothing like playing at being an ALMS racer. That is me in the car, my co-driver checking pressure and our gas man.
The car is a bit off the pace, but I think a lot is wrong tires and not fully tuned suspension settings. Rest of being off the pace is a not a fully tuned driver.
09-28-2009, 02:09 PM
#5
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I am in the SPEC class. The director of the series said I could use my Fuchs until I found a set of cookies as I am not a threat to the top placings. Same with my tires. Just one more reason to choose 944 SPEC, they are super accommodating and enthusiastic to get as many cars out there racing as possible.
09-28-2009, 02:48 PM
#6
Fascinating. Do SPEC races use a standing start? Do you qualify via lap times?
That's the second time recently that I've seen a hole by the wheel arch for indexing the torsion bar -- what does it allow you to do, and how much time does it save?
That's the second time recently that I've seen a hole by the wheel arch for indexing the torsion bar -- what does it allow you to do, and how much time does it save?
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09-28-2009, 04:10 PM
#11
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The car ran really well. Minus the push. The external Mocal oil cooler no doubt helped to keep things inline.
The races use a rolling start and are gridded a number of different ways. Since the SPEC cars were running in a larger group they gridded by when you had registered for the event. Made for an interesting start as there was a GT3 behind me at the start. He didn't stay behind me for long.
I have done lots and lots of track days before getting my provisional license. Near forty of them. NASA does sometimes have licensing weekends which is the fastest way to get your provisional but you still need to have some track experience, and a race car, to participate in these.
My car has Hankook RS-2s on it. I got them for $69 a piece. Vs. the over a $100 for the RA-1s. My budget was stretched so I had to go with them. THey are a good fast street tire, but on the track the large gaps between tread blocks makes them loose when they get real hot. Maybe as they get worn down they will get faster with less tread squirm. They are also a 200 tread wear rating vs the RA-1s which are either a 40 or 100 treadwear rating depending on who you talk to so certainly less sticky.
The hole allows for complete removal of the torsion bar in under ten minutes per side. So yes, it save a ton of time. You can adjust the t-bars by welding a tab on them and pulling them out enough to rotate, for this you don't need the hole. For a track car, it is a no brainer. All SPEC guys have this mod.
The races use a rolling start and are gridded a number of different ways. Since the SPEC cars were running in a larger group they gridded by when you had registered for the event. Made for an interesting start as there was a GT3 behind me at the start. He didn't stay behind me for long.
I have done lots and lots of track days before getting my provisional license. Near forty of them. NASA does sometimes have licensing weekends which is the fastest way to get your provisional but you still need to have some track experience, and a race car, to participate in these.
My car has Hankook RS-2s on it. I got them for $69 a piece. Vs. the over a $100 for the RA-1s. My budget was stretched so I had to go with them. THey are a good fast street tire, but on the track the large gaps between tread blocks makes them loose when they get real hot. Maybe as they get worn down they will get faster with less tread squirm. They are also a 200 tread wear rating vs the RA-1s which are either a 40 or 100 treadwear rating depending on who you talk to so certainly less sticky.
The hole allows for complete removal of the torsion bar in under ten minutes per side. So yes, it save a ton of time. You can adjust the t-bars by welding a tab on them and pulling them out enough to rotate, for this you don't need the hole. For a track car, it is a no brainer. All SPEC guys have this mod.
09-28-2009, 04:21 PM
#12
The hole allows for complete removal of the torsion bar in under ten minutes per side. So yes, it save a ton of time. You can adjust the t-bars by welding a tab on them and pulling them out enough to rotate, for this you don't need the hole. For a track car, it is a no brainer. All SPEC guys have this mod.
09-28-2009, 05:04 PM
#13
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Yah, you're giving up a LOT of grip compared to RA1s. I have RS2s on my DE car and they're good, but not in the same league as RA1s. But for a first season (first race!) you're not looking to win anyway, so it was probably money well saved!
09-28-2009, 05:51 PM
#14
Race Director
I am in the SPEC class. The director of the series said I could use my Fuchs until I found a set of cookies as I am not a threat to the top placings. Same with my tires. Just one more reason to choose 944 SPEC, they are super accommodating and enthusiastic to get as many cars out there racing as possible.
Smart call... The goal is to everyone on track and running. Small stuff we can figure over time. You are not going to be beating any one on street tires. Even so you will be having fun and getting going. Since you are on streets don't worry to much about the car right now. Just get comfortable. You maybe able to cure the understeer with set-up, but that also could be your line. Don't worry about it now just drive and worry about tuning on RA-1's.
Glad you had fun out there!
09-28-2009, 06:20 PM
#15
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Pontifex - nothing to stop you from doing this. Search on the site for the write up on how to do it. It has been posted many times here. Besides the 924 originally came with holes to do this. So did early 911s. It was stupid for Porsche not to include these on the 944.