Veloce Raptor

I was cleaning out my in car video files and realized I had recorded only one session when I was driving for fun at the MSR 3.1 mile course 3 weekends ago.

Fun times!

333pg333

Nice driving Dave. What tyres were you using? Seemed to hang on pretty well under the circumstances. Same for the brakes. What were the differences between your car and that one that you were dicing with early in the video?

Veloce Raptor

These tires were Toyo RA1's, on about their last or 2nd to last heat cycle before one of them corded.

That other car, an E46 M3, has the same suspension I do, weighs a bit more, but also has about 130 to 140 more horsepower and much larger contact patches. You could really see the HP on the longer straights. In addition, his power band, and redline, is significantly higher than mine, so he had less shifting to do overall, especially in the technical sections.

333pg333

I'm surprised how well those old RA1s seemed to deal with the loadings. I'd have thought we'd hear more groaning from them.

Guessed that was about the differences in the cars. He started to pull away initially but then it looked as if he ran out of tyres/brakes and fitness. Looked like lots of fun though. Do miss....

Nizer

Your car also seems more attracted to apexes.

Veloce Raptor

They are actually the current-production RA1's. They grip well, but don't last nearly as long as the pre-2007 ones...and they cord out before they cycle out (IMO). I really don't much like them, and probably won't use them again. Was doing 2:24's and 2:25's on them. After the cord, I changed out to the Hankook Z214's (C51 compound) and did a bunch of high 22's and a single 2:21.9, in DE traffic.


Um yeah...you noticed, too, eh?

MUSSBERGER

I think we need to pass the hat for a new set of skins for you.

Dwane

Nice driving! Do you have any comparisons for the hankook's?

Veloce Raptor

They compare very favorably with Hoosier R6's.

333pg333

Dave, is the C51 the softest compound on those? How many laps do you get before they go off per h/c?
Just a shame you guys don't get other R specs in the U.S. Things like the Bridgestone RE55s Yoko AO50's, Dunlop DZ03s, and fastest of all lately the Hankook Z221s. These are a lot quicker than the RA1 / 888's and depending on compound quite possibly as fast as a full slick (albeit for only a few laps).

It would be interesting to compare notes.

Veloce Raptor

Wish we did!

No, the C51 is not the softest compound. The C71 is. Depending on which tracks I drive & weather, I can get 18-24 full hard heat cycles on a set of C51's.

333pg333

Have you run the C71 Dave? If so, how many hot laps in a row can you get and would these compare to a full slick for a qualifying situation?

Veloce Raptor

I have not personally ruun them. Friend who have suggest their performance/life is similar to the Hoosier A6. So maybe 6 hot laps in a row tops, depending on ambient temperature and driving style? Comparinging to a slick is unfair, because the C71 will come up to temp immediately and be good to go on lap 1, IMO, whereas a full slick will take several laps to come in before it is at its optimum.

Dwane

That's what I've read....thanks Dave!