mitch236

You may have penned my new motto: Speed happens!

a4944

Yes, I need to get to a PCA event. I run with a mixed club and there are normally no 951 instructors. I run well in my group. It always bothers me when there are faster cars. It's amzing how sloppy you can get in chase or even the worse being chased mode. I let someone pass because I was getting sloppy, he went ahead and got sloppy, then had the nerve to wave me by again. I didn't want to take it but how can you wave off a pass. It's alot fun running with a cars at similiar speeds.

Mark

APKhaos

Mark,
THSCC is a great group, with some good instructors and lots of fast cars. You may be right about 951 specialist instructors, but there are at least a few THSCC instructors who could drive just about anything quickly. I'm sure Matt Graham would set you up - just give him a call! My green student last weekend drove an '86 951.

You would be welcome at PCA events, of course. At VIR, Zone 2 is running a 3 day Full course event 2-4 April, and First Settlers has a 3 day North course event 14-16 April. PM for more info.

RedlineMan

Hey Mark;

I normally manage to separate myself from distraction pretty well. Probably because I am used to being overtaken by snarling packs of Fleischunds and existing - albeit briefly - in their chaos! I have certainly seen that phenomenon in some of my students.

Please have a read of this article in my Pilot Emeritus Series. It is slightly more slanted to the driver that gets pissed off rather than merely distracted, but it essentially talks about this very thing!

http://redlinerennsport.homestead.co...JekylHyde.html

Often times, merely thinking about a situation such as this will lead to you solving it on your own. The addition of some discussion will sometimes give you other points of view or input that may trigger a solution in your mind.

Such is the value of Rennlist, eh?

mitch236

John, the article is great but the backround still has me seeing double!!

Almost every spin/off I witnessed involved sloppiness while passing or being passed. The best advice is to try to remain focused. Keep to your game plan and let folks pass if they show up in the mirror and pass ONLY when comfortable with the situation then reel yourself in immediately. It's amazing how much red mist there is following a pass

a4944

I played with the car a bit on the street today. Does limited slip allow you to get on the power sooner even in intermediate speed turns? If I coast and yank the wheel then the car seems neutral. If I yank and get on the power gradually than the backend wants to come out. Does not having limited slip cause the backend to break loose easier powering out of intermediate turns? I know that limited slip would help in the tight turns, I always get alot of wheel spin trying to power out of those without limited slip. Does it also help in faster turns? I would think the inside wheel would spin sooner without limited slip and the car would ultimatly have less traction when on power going through turns.

Thanks,
Mark

dgz924s

Never YANK or COAST! Be SMOOOOOOTH and the rear end happy stuff will fade away or you need sway bars etc. .....LSD will help keep the power on both wheels to a percentage. Will help cornering speed by means of better response when combining suspension and traction. Dal

a4944

Yes, I was in a parking lot. I'm trying to get more of a feel for the breakaway characteristics of the car. The Porsche is neutral with the current setup. I'm used to more understeer. I switched cars and tried the same thing at lunch with the Audi. It pushes pretty bad. I was looking for louder squeal of the tires with the Porsche (street Kuhmo MX) at the track. I associated that with being on the edge. Tossing an understeering car somewhat helps with initial rotation. I don't need to do that with the Porsche. I agree, smooth is better, especially for a neutral car. The Audi had wider track tires; 235s vs the 205 front/225 back of the Porsche. It only weighs 100lb more. The tires are likely one of the main reasons the Porsche seems slower through the turns. I'm going to go with 225 front and 245 backs next time. Thanks everyone for all of the help. It has helped me to think through and understand the car better. Can't wait for the next event.

Thanks,
Mark

Z-man

Your handling characteristics won't change too much vs. your current (205/225) setup: you'll have more grip, but you will still have the 20mm difference front to rear. Therefore, the car will handle the same, but at higher speeds.

A suggestion: if you can find an extra set of 8 inch wide wheels, then go with a 245 "at all four corners" setup. The 8Jx16 wheels will fit under the front fenders and you won't have any rubbing issues with 245's. 245's at all four corners is definately the way to go with the 944S2/951/951S/968.
Just be careful: the car will definately be even more neutral! Another benefit with going 245's all around is the ability to rotate tires. Choose the right tire, and you can rotate front to back / side to side! (Tire management is an often neglected science in track driving, IMHO...but that's a whole different thread!)

Side note: I run with a basically stock suspension with the 245 tires: only difference is an upgraded rear sway bar - 968 M030 set to full firm. (BTW: I use Pirelli P-Zero C R-compounds on the track) This setup give a whole new meaning to the term "Crisp turn in!"

-Z-man.

dgz924s

However minimal, weight of fatter tires takes more to spin and you will be trying to spin more at a time lag is present. Just another consideration. Dal