NA6CE 1992 Form vs Function Build and History

[theothersawyer]

Looking forward to track day photos

I'm trying to post some but Flickr has been giving me issues the last few days....

I didn't get nearly as many photos as normal, because this was an appreciation event. So instructors didn't have to instruct and I didn't have to take photos! I still did take some though! I also got out on track and got a new PB lap time! Woo!

[theothersawyer]

IMG_3159 by Danny Sawyer, on Flickr

IMG_3268 by Danny Sawyer, on Flickr

[— kung fu jesus —]

I instructed at an FRS/BRZ HPDE today. It was such wonderful weather. It gave me more time to adjust to so much that I’ve changed over the past two years on the car. It has been a great season, despite a few setbacks. There is one, maybe two events left this year, so it’s like gravy on your mashed potatoes to get this seat time.

The sessions were longer today, so I got about 100 minutes overall. Good enough for at least 50-60 laps.

All the rapid changes had me a little frustrated at times, but I am starting to get acclimated and predicting the car’s behavior. The biggest assets are definitely the Xidas, composite FIA seat, the 4.3 Torsen, and, surprisingly, the slim QR hub.

The Xidas shine at these HPDEs. The are helping me build my confidence and their consistency really helps immensely.

The seat has been a little tricky to adjust how I needed it, but now that it is, it really takes a lot of fatigue away and offers peace of mine (along with the HNR) that my safety is upgraded at least 10 fold.

Though I only have 2 events on it, the shorter 4.3 Torsen is really better-matched to my engine. I am able to ‘dig’ out of slower, technical corners far better than the previous 4.1 unit. The lockup on it is really predictable and the car no longer falls on its face in 3rd and 4th gears.

The slim QR hub’s benefits were two-fold. First, it makes egress far easier with the race seat in. It also shortens the time it takes to swap out the seats between street and track configurations. No having the steering wheel in the way makes the job about 20 minutes. Second, the extra inch the QR hub moves the wheel forward (towards me), the more natural my arms rest on it. I have 34” arms, so now they are less stretched out and the natural position at 3 & 9 o’clock feels more relaxed. That extra inch also helps me most in footwork on the pedals. I now have more room to heel-toe that I have previously had much difficulty doing because my right knee would contact the wheel or my hands while turning. I’m surprised I didn’t resolve this sooner.

The goals for the last event and next season is to get better data acquisition and video. Something easy to setup and operate between sessions. I want to collect data on my rear track bumper. What little data I do have, I see faster speeds on straights and a noticeable reduction in my lap times.

I want to add some more downforce in the rear for more grip in high-speed corners. I’m not trusting the grip of the rear tires, so I need some reassurance or a larger pair of balls.

I am debating what to do with wheels and tires. I run 14x7 RPF1s and 195/60-14 Falken 615k tires. I like smaller wheels, but I am thinking of moving on to 205/55-14 NT-01s and a set of 15” street wheels/tires. Alternatively, I may just move back to 15x8 or 15x9 wheels for better tire sizes and selections.

I have been pleased with the Stop Tech Trackday pads, especially from a dual use perspective, but I would like something with a little more bite. I will have to consider the proportioning valve and different tires in so much as how they may react with these pads currently and go from there. In short, the handicap I place on myself using smaller tires with more sidewall may be the source of some of my issues and concerns.

Finally, I need to study more on my skill. I think a lot of that will come from film and data, but my technique needs work.

I may also explore a modular front splitter and changing the rollbar for space. All in due time. I have also been slowly weighing a move to an NB or swapping a 1.8 into my current car.

[— kung fu jesus —]

Sold! She went to her new home this morning. I hope the new owner enjoys it as much as I did.

[theothersawyer]

Nnnnooooo!!!!! Did it go to someone we know?

[— kung fu jesus —]

No. Friend of friends.