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Apologies if this has been asked before, but what are "good" times on Laguna Seca? I have a 2012 991 S, and my best (this past weekend) was 1:48.305. Previously I couldn't break under 1:54 so pretty pleased with the improvement, but have no idea if it's competitive with other folks or not. I have a friend with a 2014 991 base, and his best was 1:51. How about you guys with Caymans, what are the average #s on this course?
Here are the Clubsport results from last years Pirelli event:
A well driven GT4 on Hoosiers should be within 2-3 seconds of that time.
Here is the list of top times from the GT4 forum:
Turn 11 is obviously the most important, as it leads onto the longest straight. However, a lot of time can be lost by unwittingly lifting over the crest at T1 (just after S/F bridge). The next most important are T5 and T6, as these lead onto long straights and are steeply uphill. Now that the exit of T6 has more pavement, you really need to carry more speed and use all of it.
Also, I am running -1.7 camber front, -1.5 rear. Max I could go on stock suspension. Have sport cup 2s on it, and pagid endurance pads. Otherwise stock.
looks like I've got at least another 10 seconds of head room. I also found a video online of Randy Pobst posting a 1:39 in same car as mine
A friend of mine has an identical car to yours. With proper alignment and Cup2 tires he just ran 1:38.5 this weekend. For comparison, I have a 997.2 GT3 with Aero and ran 1:36.5 the same weekend. The fastest GT4 (Cayman platform) I have seen on RE71r tires was 1:37.2 driven by a professional.
Time is relative to your comfort and continued improvement is far more important than the ultimate result. Hope these times give you some level of a benchmark.
Here are the Clubsport results from last years Pirelli event:
A well driven GT4 on Hoosiers should be within 2-3 seconds of that time.
Here is the list of top times from the GT4 forum:
Turn 11 is obviously the most important, as it leads onto the longest straight. However, a lot of time can be lost by unwittingly lifting over the crest at T1 (just after S/F bridge). The next most important are T5 and T6, as these lead onto long straights and are steeply uphill. Now that the exit of T6 has more pavement, you really need to carry more speed and use all of it.
yeah, I definitely lift slightly before cresting 1 and lose speed there. I tried taking it flat out yesterday and it scared me a bit because I had a little too much steering angle and car got a bit squirrely. Need to work on that. Was watching video I took of the lap and realized I tend to coast up to turns. That's a good bit more I could shave there
yeah, I definitely lift slightly before cresting 1 and lose speed there. I tried taking it flat out yesterday and it scared me a bit because I had a little too much steering angle and car got a bit squirrely. Need to work on that. Was watching video I took of the lap and realized I tend to coast up to turns. That's a good bit more I could shave there
I’ve been studying and working with drivers at MRLS for years, from novices to professional drivers, and from the hundreds of gigabytes of HD video and data I have, it’s clear that the “lift” at the crest of T1 is the least injurious hit to lap times.
Systemic shortcomings, like coasting into the many corners at MRLS, are HUGE. And you should be focusing on the corners you spend the most time in FIRST.
OP - Thanks for starting the thread ... LS is one of if not my favorite track (for many reasons, not all of them have to do with driving). And congratulations on a new PB, that's always exciting & rewarding. I expect you will hear a lot of useful comments on how to continue to improve, but one thing in common will be the need to practice, practice, and practice. But practice correctly. And there are many ways to accomplish that (driving, instruction, coaching, etc); one tool I thoroughly enjoy is the LS Track Walk video with ProCoach and Ross Bentley. Since I have no commercial stake in their venture, I feel very comfortable in suggesting you purchase it and add it to your toolkit - it is very good.
PS - when the 991.2 and 992's with their turbo induced instant torque hit LS in force over the next few years, we'll all have to reset our expectations and definitions of fast around the circuit.
I’ve been studying and working with drivers at MRLS for years, from novices to professional drivers, and from the hundreds of gigabytes of HD video and data I have, it’s clear that the “lift” at the crest of T1 is the least injurious hit to lap times.
Systemic shortcomings, like coasting into the many corners at MRLS, are HUGE. And you should be focusing on the corners you spend the most time in FIRST.
from someone that has more races there than most in the world over the past 20 years, I can safely say, any "pro" or good club driver doesnt lift over turn 1. yes, MRLS is a point and shoot track, where you need to be on the gas or on the brakes at the limit to optimize lap time
Originally Posted by 24Chromium
Here are the Clubsport results from last years Pirelli event:
A well driven GT4 on Hoosiers should be within 2-3 seconds of that time.
Here is the list of top times from the GT4 forum:
Turn 11 is obviously the most important, as it leads onto the longest straight. However, a lot of time can be lost by unwittingly lifting over the crest at T1 (just after S/F bridge). The next most important are T5 and T6, as these lead onto long straights and are steeply uphill. Now that the exit of T6 has more pavement, you really need to carry more speed and use all of it.
a pirelli GT4 with pirelli slicks are 3-4 seconds faster than a GT4 street car on DOTs and another couple of seconds slower would be the street car on street tires. you run in the low 1:40s on street tires you are doing quite well in any car. Top pros barely broke 1:40 on toyo T1s street tires in the early 2000s in motorsport engine upgraded GT3 cup cars. Max the AX ran a 1:39 in a GT3 street car in the 2008 model year.
novices (first time on the track, running in the 1:55 range is pretty decent in any car)
turn 11 is not most important, as it is so slow for anyone. next, the approach to turn 2.(braking) ... turn 4, turn 5, turn 6 being the most important, as well as your exit and approach (braking) to the corkscrew.
nice smooth lap. very clean and conservative.
1 . dont coast to turn 1. fulll throttle using that line and wait until you feel compelled to brake into turn 2. many ways to attack turn 2. yours was an early apex which is fine, it creates a double apex. no problem
2. faster to turn 3
3, faster to t turn 4 (on the gas sooner
4. brake later to turn 5
5. brake later and not as much for turn 6. no need to downshift
6. corkscrew entry good, but dont upshift out of it. depnding on grip increase throttle to full until you go high on the right and start turn in. usualy a lift is all you need for 9
7. make the exit of 9 and the entrance of 10 a big S turn. , so the entrance to 10 is a trail brake
8. later brake and later apex for 11, but not bad.... rinse repeat for a few years!
Apologies if this has been asked before, but what are "good" times on Laguna Seca? I have a 2012 991 S, and my best (this past weekend) was 1:48.305. Previously I couldn't break under 1:54 so pretty pleased with the improvement, but have no idea if it's competitive with other folks or not. I have a friend with a 2014 991 base, and his best was 1:51. How about you guys with Caymans, what are the average #s on this course?
If you are REALLY interested in figuring out if you are using the capabilities of your car to the fullest I’d suggest you broaden your focus beyond lap times and do the following: Hire a professional coach for the day and put some basic data equipment (like an AIM Solo) in the car and then switch driving the car back to back. From basic speed traces you will be able to compare your brake points and mid corner speeds and with some more advanced info (like AIM Solo DL) you will see a comparison of your brake traces, brake off and throttle on points. I know this sounds expensive, but if you REALLY want to know, it’s really the only way to do it.
Anything else, like comparing two different cars with different tires, driven on different days under different conditions is pure speculation and will not add to your learning experience.
Good line, except turn 9. No need to go so far out to the right to setup for it (especially without downforce), you're just wasting time. Here's where I'd want to be (this is me in a 991.1 Cup. very different than your car obviously, but the line is the same):
(sorry skip to 1:00, when I link it here it isn't skipping straight to the correct location.)
Overall, lots of time to be had on the brakes and shortening up the time between initial brake application and when you go back to power (you're making your braking zones way too long and coasting to much in the middle), but that'll come with more seat time and coaching, so don't stress about it, just keep it in mind when you're at the track.
02-19-2018, 10:14 PM
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca times
