Any Rennlisters from New Zealand?
04-21-2015, 12:42 AM
Rennlist Member
Starting to sound good. I would just caution against Ardmore (and maybe other runways?) though as it is like driving on a cheese grater. No problem for top speed runs or maybe even that giant slalom idea but anything twistier and it gets expensive. The first of my two gymkhanas was at Ardmore and while entry was only $50 or so and fuel not much more, it cost me $400 in tyre wear for a total run time of 15 or so minutes max. And I was lucky as I had near new 300 treadwear tyres and it just scuffed them down neatly by a quarter of the useable tread. Guys on softer rubber had huge chunks ripped out so it may have cost some of them closer to a thousand to replace them outright. It wouldn't bother me personally again as I've kept enough old tyres around for next time, but thought I should at least let others know what to expect if fanging it on a very harsh surface. Massive fun was had, but the cap I won that day I call my $500 cap... 
If anyone knows somewhere that may suffice please speak up :-)
04-21-2015, 12:58 AM
Drifting
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04-21-2015, 01:07 AM
Racer
I found the most interesting stuff was about slip angles, traction patches and the physics of the car on the track. Once you start to understand the relations between inputs, physics and traction you start to inherently know what is needed to trip a vehicle for a swifter lap. Biggest issue I identified after reading a few chapters (I haven't got even half way through the book) is you really need to go off an practice some of the techniques before reading further and layering on more information for fear of it just becoming one big jumble and mess. Unfortunately I dont have enough laps in a single year in NZ to put this into practice.
One thing I could really benefit from in the GT3 is finding the limits of adhesion. Ive been scared to utilise the performance of the car because I dont know where the boundaries are and the thought of "loosing it" is daunting essentially on track with others close buy and at the speeds it carries. The first time out in that car it was consistent and seemed forgiving putting in 4-5 laps out of 10 all within a few tenths of each other. But there was so much more there I wasn't accessing as I was already driving it 3-4 seconds faster than my 993 PB and I had no idea where the boundaries were and didnt want to take the chance to find out so erred to caution. The 993 is different as Ive had ample opportunity over 14+ years to loose it or play to find the limited of that car.
I wonder if anyone would be interested in hiring a track or a skid pan or a large carpark to learn some of that car control right on the edge of traction in a controlled, open and safe environment. Id like RSG to organise something like that this year if its possible. Its a shame we have no MIRA style test facilities - however HD has a wet skit pan and a track. Would need to be a smallish group to get the most out of it as its really requires a tutor for much of it...bit like Porsche Experience at Mt Cotton for those here that have done that, but obviously much cheaper and using your own car...
One thing I could really benefit from in the GT3 is finding the limits of adhesion. Ive been scared to utilise the performance of the car because I dont know where the boundaries are and the thought of "loosing it" is daunting essentially on track with others close buy and at the speeds it carries. The first time out in that car it was consistent and seemed forgiving putting in 4-5 laps out of 10 all within a few tenths of each other. But there was so much more there I wasn't accessing as I was already driving it 3-4 seconds faster than my 993 PB and I had no idea where the boundaries were and didnt want to take the chance to find out so erred to caution. The 993 is different as Ive had ample opportunity over 14+ years to loose it or play to find the limited of that car.
I wonder if anyone would be interested in hiring a track or a skid pan or a large carpark to learn some of that car control right on the edge of traction in a controlled, open and safe environment. Id like RSG to organise something like that this year if its possible. Its a shame we have no MIRA style test facilities - however HD has a wet skit pan and a track. Would need to be a smallish group to get the most out of it as its really requires a tutor for much of it...bit like Porsche Experience at Mt Cotton for those here that have done that, but obviously much cheaper and using your own car...
04-21-2015, 01:37 AM
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04-21-2015, 01:43 AM
Rennlist Member
HD Long Range Weather Forecast is looking ok for next Tuesday. Bring it on.
04-21-2015, 02:07 AM
04-21-2015, 02:27 AM
Instructor
Join Date: Feb 2015
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I wonder if anyone would be interested in hiring a track or a skid pan or a large carpark to learn some of that car control right on the edge of traction in a controlled, open and safe environment. Id like RSG to organise something like that this year if its possible. Its a shame we have no MIRA style test facilities - however HD has a wet skit pan and a track. Would need to be a smallish group to get the most out of it as its really requires a tutor for much of it...bit like Porsche Experience at Mt Cotton for those here that have done that, but obviously much cheaper and using your own car...
We both agreed that the wet skid pan at HD is not very realistic and thought a wet closed track would be ideal. I'd definitely be keen on an organised day of this kind of driving, I think it would definitely help understand the car and be beneficial for Targa when the roads can be damp/wet and you don't know what corner is coming up next.
I've done a private day at HD with Down Force and we wet up the sweeper with the water truck and spent an hour or so trying to control power slides and do figure eights. Can't say anyone mastered it and I was in my awd RS4 so even harder... But it was fun and definitely got a better feel for the car.
From memory it was $1500 each for 6 of us, but that was a full day, with lunch and 3 instructors.
04-21-2015, 02:29 AM
Rennlist Member
Yes, BB is parked in Chris B's garage and will be brought out. However be aware that Paul is looking to drive her. I also want to get the last owner to break his cherry, Jason, out there before one of us totals her. The Grinch will also be around, however BB2 won't as Paul is driving one of Doug's cars down.
Are all of the spares etc in BB2? I can't remember how much BB has ;left in pads.
Are all of the spares etc in BB2? I can't remember how much BB has ;left in pads.
04-21-2015, 02:44 AM
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My preference would be to get a small renegade group together and hire HD and the water truck... Then do sessions at each corner, taking turns to power slide around it, then convoy back to do it again... And again and again. You could control the dampness with the truck as it will dry out with time and driving... The track used to be $1500/day... Anyone know the current rate? Maybe one instructor to give tips and pointers?
Keen?
04-21-2015, 02:45 AM
Yes, BB is parked in Chris B's garage and will be brought out. However be aware that Paul is looking to drive her. I also want to get the last owner to break his cherry, Jason, out there before one of us totals her. The Grinch will also be around, however BB2 won't as Paul is driving one of Doug's cars down.
Are all of the spares etc in BB2? I can't remember how much BB has ;left in pads.
Are all of the spares etc in BB2? I can't remember how much BB has ;left in pads.
Yes, all the spares, fluids and transponders etc are in BB2 at Paul's. Couldn't get to Repco in time so we'll need another of those 10W-30 Semi synth oils too as BB2 does her own oil changes and drank a litre or so after each race.
Moochier - I could be up for some power sliding practice, having drifted the sweeper in the dry but then stuffing up the exit.
04-21-2015, 02:48 AM
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Yeah sorry for the bad link... Couldn't figure out how to do one... The hyperlink icon just kept crashing my iPad, so tried the '<>' button but got that funny 'not link link!'
04-21-2015, 02:49 AM
Burning Brakes
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04-21-2015, 03:36 AM
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I'm not 100% on surface friction levels, but the area at the Greenlane expo site, where the V8 Utes usually do there burnout show... I did a Renault gymkhana there late last year... It's a pretty big area and probably cheap to hire. My preference would be to get a small renegade group together and hire HD and the water truck... Then do sessions at each corner, taking turns to power slide around it, then convoy back to do it again... And again and again. You could control the dampness with the truck as it will dry out with time and driving... The track used to be $1500/day... Anyone know the current rate? Maybe one instructor to give tips and pointers? Keen?
The Greenlane expo site sounds promising anyone have the contact details for that one?
With what I have in mind I don't think an insurer will touch us? Car control at the limit. That said it would be obstruction free and almost 100% impossible to hit anything one would hope (unlike the 2012 parade gymkhana). That was where I first me Clive Pilkington... but he didn't seem very friendly to my rookie self ;-)
If there is enough interest I'll need help to organise this as I'm offshore till Sept...
04-21-2015, 03:40 AM
Rennlist Member
Should be plenty of time in those 5 hours for BB runs so I expect everyone can just go turns about to keep it interesting. Yes, better put Jason in first just to be safe, in case the curse of the Macca Cup strikes again. Anyone have a spare AIM that could stay in her for the day? Yes, all the spares, fluids and transponders etc are in BB2 at Paul's. Couldn't get to Repco in time so we'll need another of those 10W-30 Semi synth oils too as BB2 does her own oil changes and drank a litre or so after each race. Moochier - I could be up for some power sliding practice, having drifted the sweeper in the dry but then stuffing up the exit.