911vet

Jason, thanks for the info. I never tried a downshift at 11 and I think I would agree it could be unsettling. I just have to learn to carry the speed and get on the gas sooner to be faster in Thunder Valley.

I've typically been in 3rd through the Esses and Madness (6 - 11) but tried downshifting into 2nd at 7 a few times. I guess I need to keep experimenting.

924RACR

My observations... Need louder pipes! I can't hear the revs!

Seems like you can likely walk the Turn 1 apex back a bit... I was thinking you just weren't sticking the apex, till you grabbed it at the end of the curb!

As for that line through Madness... I was surprised to see you go all the way over to the left prior... not seen that before... I prefer to brake/apex later, track out most of the way to the LH side, then come back just a bit for better turn-in into Madness. Definitely not a complete throwaway, though - someone who doesn't hug the inside will scream right around the outside of you for the RH'er into the Esses (is that 9?) and deny you the apex. Maybe easier to watch than explain...

Definitely gotta straighten out those Esses. You're driving two distinct turns, a left then a right. If you find the right reference point on the horizon, it's a straight line.

Looks like you need to get more comfortable with the RH'er into Thunder Valley, though your marks look good - just seems like you don't yet have the confidence in where your track-out is, and so end up pinching it. That should come with experience.

Coming out of Thunder Valley, the LH'er over the crest of the hill (14?) - gotta let that puppy track out more, all the way to the curbing, maybe 4/5ths of the way down the curbing. You can carry a lot more speed, and get back on the gas briefly.

For comparision - here's me setting a lap record there (with apologies for the traffic blocking the view):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC7Cv...e=channel_page

SundayDriver

Yes. But what is not obvious is how far he is staying off certain apexes. If you look closely you will see that he is about 1/2 car width off of 3 (first left side apex in the bus stop section of the keyhole) and 10b (the right hand apex) which sets you up for a balanced entry into 11.

Once you stay off the apex at 3, you discover you can go in much faster and get on power much sooner. That alone is usually worth almost 2 seconds when folks figure out that part.

11 is much faster than most people will take it. It is an INCREASING radius corner so (taken at full speed) you will be sliding until you get to the apex then it opens up. If you are aligned with the V in the treeline at the apex, you are good to go. If not, then you better start adjusting quickly and back off.

RDL

Mark,
You are correct with your assessment of the chicane and getting back on the power sooner. Additionally most people don't go thru the keyhole anywhere near as quickly as you can. I have found the proper line will allow you to be full throttle very early and have 5 to 10mph more at the end of the back straight.

11 is where I tend to whimp out. I drive my car to and from the track and I've seen too many cars get banged up at 11. I ease up a bit and apex a little later as a safety factor. This is DE afterall and 7/10ths is all I'm prepared to do. This is also reflected in many other turns in the video.

disasterman

I think that there is much to be gained by downshifting to second at 11, it's just a matter of stabilizing the car before turn in, it does require a quick shifter just over the hill though. I was there fri thru sunday (6+ hours of drive time). Gray 944 turbo with the orange splitter.

Barfly

2nd gear is pretty low for that corner. I am at or near redline entering the braking zone, in the 2 car examples I provided, while in 3rd gear. I tap the brake making the braking zone very short. That corner is very fast, and as Mark said it opens up beyond the apex allowing you to carry more speed than you would think.

______
Jason

disasterman

I will have to try to carry more speed.

Jim Child

That would never work in my car. There is tons of speed in that corner. I strongly suspect that you're overslowing the car going to 2nd gear. When in doubt try to find the speed that makes the higher gear work for you.

disasterman

Are you downshifting to second at the end of the long straight or before madness?

Jim Child

Nope. I don't use 2nd gear at all at Mid Ohio unless forced to by traffic.

RickBetterley

Watching that video, all I can think is 'so that's why dogs hang their heads out the window!' Interesting perspective having the camera looking over the outside mirror; most of the videos we see are from inside of the car.
BTW - looks like a great track; I'll have to try it some day.

aeshultz

Disasterman;
I'm with Jim on this- his car is worlds faster than mine, and I'm never in second gear unless balked by someone. I'm usually redlined in third coming into the braking for 11, and grab 4th at track out in Thunder Valley.
'83 NA w/ all of 130 hp, btw.

North Coast Cab

Jim,
You running the Club Race in two weeks at Mid Ohio?

Jim Child

Nope. I'll be at Putnam with NASA. I really wish they weren't scheduled for the same weekend, otherwise I'd be doing both.

924RACR

+1 to that; I actually have to soft-pedal it going in there, hold it on the redline for a few breaths, then do my turn in - that's why my entry there seems so soft in the video above.