LEADASS

I can't make 'The Glen' sad to say, but I've already signed up for another NHMS de day on Oct, 12th. Next year I'd like to try as many different tracks as possible. Watkins Glen, and Limerock are the next closest (4-8 hours). I'd love to get her up to top speed and stretch the legs. Brian

Gary Knox

Brian,

I'm sorry to say that "top speed" won't be achievable at Lime Rock, and it's very doubtful at Watkins Glen (although it's likely to be 25 mph or so higher than LR. My S4 manual normally aspirated engine with only slight suspension mods and no LSD is capable of high 130's if I do the previous two corners JUST RIGHT at the Glen. The supercharger might get another 10 or 15, but you'll need to have LSD to do it, and probably a LOT more seat time. Also, I've probably driven 3,000 miles at the Glen, so know the turns and track fairly well.

You can ask Joe Thrift about the issues related to the "esses" on the back straight if you don't hit the apexes exactly right and you are going too fast! Not a pretty sight.

Now, a little counsel from an "OLD" balding/grey haired guy with very little driving talent but 75 days or so of track driving experience in a 928:
Concentrate on seat time, smoothness, and don't seek speed. The speed will come, but not until those two are fully accomplished. Trying to get too much speed too early might result in you having significant repair costs to the car!!! I've seen quite a few of those at every one of the dozen or so tracks I've driven on, ranging from WI to VA, and Canada. Never seen a two car incident, but there are nearly always 2-3 one car "hard impacts".

Good luck and hope to meet you at the Glen in '12. (I know it's a long ways away, but Virginia International Raceway is the other great 928 track on the east coast).

Gary Knox
West Chester, PA

James Bailey

The downside of driving a powerful car is it tends to coverup some really poor driving techniques......too easy to go fast even with out good car control and smoothness. And as Gary said track time is so important. Also recognize the risks and try to make your mistakes at 40 MPH not 140 MPH.

LEADASS

Joe Thrift told me it takes three minutes to learn bad driving habits and three years to fix them. A powerful car only helps with the bad. I found myself with a tendency to follow the line of the car directly in front of me (good or bad driver). It was much easier to focus on my line when there was no one in front of me. I could go faster because I was trying to run the best line, not stick with the guy in front. All these little things seem so simple, when you're on the track though it's much more difficult. I know my own process will be slow and am fine with that. I enjoyed the slow progress and hard won lessons I learned in that first day, and value the instructor's input. If it was easy there'd be no value to it. One day I hope to be in the league of Joe, James, Gary and the rest of you track rats. Until then just watch out. Brian

IcemanG17

this is SO TRUE.......I learned more about being a driver in a spec miata than I ever did in my "Widow" with 300whp.....then moving onto the Estate (I call my miata with 200whp) was probably the best thing I ever did for my driving....since everything comes at you slower, you have time to react better and there is less "pucker factor" (think really scared at the end of the straight trying to slow down)

I also think driving an automatic helps new drivers....just one less thing to worry about, so you can focus more on lines and braking zones....

Perfect example.....last year I caught a guy in a Viper ACR (600hp) at a Shelby Club track day.....I caught him entirely in the corners and on the brakes....He was driving in classic "squares"...or floor it on the straight...park it in the corners then floor it again.... Here is a video

pcar928fan

I tell anyone who will listen to learn to drive in a low HP car and learn how to carry the speed and momentum through the corners! If you learn that and then get in a powerful car you will be WAY, WAY FAST! Most tend to over brake and lolly gag through corners, not the Miata, 914, EARLY 911 drivers though! Those guys can have REALLY fast lap times and blow away cars with 2X or more the HP because the drivers actually learned to DRIVE THEM!

LarryM

James, you are Oh so correct. Small Hp makes you carry as much speed through the corners as possible. With a 5hp Briggs Stratton I noticed non smooth steering input bringing my revs down.

That principle works in a lot of things. My first welder was a cheap stick one, then I bought a nice gas shielded Mig, I thought I was cheating. My dad started me off Dove hunting with a .410 full choke single shot, Then I bought a 20gauge modified 870, again I thought I was cheating.
LM

LEADASS

Dude I totally hear what you're saying. I am completely convinced that learning on a low-po car is the best way.(problem is I'm a wingnut with 500hp) The real thing is I've never owned anything smaller than 16 ga.. Again I totally get it, My Dad got me a single to start with and away I went. At this point I've got more fire power than the Marines, and I love the push of big bores! I only hope I can overcome my own failings. I'll be the first to admit, I'm a total redneck/numbnut, but I'll never own anything smaller than 20/16ga. Peace through superior fire power. I want to change, I want to learn properly, I want to be a great driver, I'm just handicapped.https://rennlist.com/forums/graemlins/thumbup.gif

Shane

My first track day was stock, then a few months later boosted, I'm glad it worked out that way as the extra HP pushed my brakes (86.0) to the limit. One thing I noticed is how well the car ran After a day at the track shoveling gas through those injectors by the gallons... next day on the trip home the car was much more responsive and smooth!

LarryM

Brian, I was in the same boat. My first track day I ran a 71 Buick GS 455. No need to talk about its handling. Hey sorry, I didn't mean to come across negative. The GS is what I learned on, and a 55 CJ5.

The first track day of my current 928 made me start an upgrade list. The usual suspects, extra set of nice sticky tires and new suspension were the first to be replaced.

I'd love to add the Murph III. That has to be a blast to drive.

James Bailey

When at the track get your instructer or any other one to take you out in their car when possible. Observe what they are doing, how the car feels, the line they drive and how they take each corner much the same each and every lap.
Note how each input is smooth and gentle trying not to upset the car, how the grip on the wheel is light and gentle. Gear changes should be seamless the rear tires drifting slightly in the corners with the throttle controlling the rotation.
A smooth and gracefull dance to the tune of the exhaust.....it can be a thing of beauty !
Bottom line is track time and learning from as many drivers as possible most everyone can become a good driver only a chosen few are GREAT drivers. But it is one great adventure none the less.

MGW-Fla

Finally got to experience a DE this past weekend at Roebling Road after trying to coordinate attending for several years. My son had his Roush Mustang, and me with my '85 auto. Was a great experience, we are hooked no doubt! He took to it like a duck to water. I have a long way to go, but my car impressed me in proving the saying that the car's limits way exceeded mine. New found respect for the 928!

One of my instructors for the 2 day event said he had never even sat in a 928. He had a 944 for his PCA Club Racing. By our 2nd session, he told me he loved the sound of the V8 & realized he was anticipating hearing it as I accelerated on to the front straight each lap.

MGW-Fla

Here's a pic of me receiving on track instruction the 1st day. I'm sure all of those cars behind me passed me on the front straight passing zone!

There were photo takers selling photos of the new comers knowing some like me would pay to have record of our ventures. They even put the pic at the top of a small calendar.