Ewheels Road Course Build

[Biggsy]

Interesting discussion. In my experience, crashes, especially big ones, certainly happen a lot more often in advanced or open lapping groups. Novices seem to be too scared to really push it or do something stupid. In the Solo..... I've lost count of GT3's going into inside wall, old BMW racecars spilling fluids and screwing it up for others, a GT4 that landed on a roof 5 times while rolling across the run off area, a guy in a caged bmw who ended his day with a helicopter trip to ER for 12 days, and etc.

Maybe it's track dependent, some are more forgiving and not as fast, but for the ones I frequent, I see a lot more red flags in solo groups or open lapping, than it's been in beginner groups.

Agreed.

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[Biggsy]

Do you mind sharing a link to that part? Thanks Warren

No problem Todd. It’s listed here

https://trackcarbuilds.com/tcb-parts

It’s actually a business owned by @ddozier but don’t think he is still active here. I sent an inquiry about it a few months ago.

 

[GTP]

Maybe it's track dependent, some are more forgiving and not as fast, but for the ones I frequent, I see a lot more red flags in solo groups or open lapping, than it's been in beginner groups.

What are "solo" and "lapping" groups?

 

[Biggsy]

[QUOTE="tosha, post: 4184946, member: ]
Maybe it's track dependent, some are more forgiving and not as fast, but for the ones I frequent, I see a lot more red flags in solo groups or open lapping, than it's been in beginner groups.

What are "solo" and "lapping" groups?
[/QUOTE]
Solo means any run group without instructor so your usual intermediate group and up. Lapping groups or open lapping are days that there aren’t group sessions. Track is hot all day for all qualified drivers. I did one last year. Get on or off track wherever between 9am to 5pm. I respect endurance drivers more after that.

 

[GTP]

Solo means any run group without instructor so your usual intermediate group and up. Lapping groups or open lapping are days that there aren’t group sessions. Track is hot all day for all qualified drivers. I did one last year. Get on or off track wherever between 9am to 5pm. I respect endurance drivers more after that.

That is what I thought, but solo is not unique among the groups. Hence my request for confirmation.

I refer to lapping as open track day, also I've used a couple to verify my car temps are steady (tested up to 45min). Yeah, fatigue sets in quickly!

 

[tosha]

but solo is not unique among the groups. Hence my request for confirmation.

It depends on the org, I guess. The ones I run with allow solo signoff sessions within intermediate or advanced groups based on instructor recommendation, but these are for one weekend only. And then, there is a separate "test" (with a chief instructor or similar), upon which you may get promoted into solo group, and then you are just that - complete solo on permanent basis. No more instructors required. After some time and if you make positive impression, you can apply for instructor training program, and become an instructor yourself. Alternatively, you can do a racing school and get a racing license.

Open lapping is, as mentioned, open track 9-5. Can be either with point-by's or free passing (I've done both)

 

[TonyNJ]

I've lost count of GT3's going into inside wall, old BMW racecars spilling fluids and screwing it up for others, a GT4 that landed on a roof 5 times while rolling across the run off area, a guy in a caged bmw who ended his day with a helicopter trip to ER for 12 days, and etc.

Cue old BMW spilling fluids for others on my last track visit...

 

[Ewheels]

Another track day down with some more temp data and another second off my PB.

Back to Buttonwillow as the only thing I currently care about in terms of cars and racing is getting a damn sub-2:00 lap there....yet it has evaded me once again. That's ok, shaved another second off while still making tons of mistakes so I know a sub-2:00 lap is possible. Currently sitting at 2:01.5 so just need to tighten up the line and braking points and I'll be there.

In other news, the Mishimoto oil cooler that is a waste of money and time (as per the internet) is still holding up great. Back in December, highest oil temps were 255°F in 50°F ambient. This past weekend, I saw peak oil temp of 264°F and CHT of 235°F in 77°F ambient. Now, that's still a reasonably cool day so it certainly wouldn't withstand a 100°F day or maybe even 90°F but I generally skip the summer months anyway so that doesn't bother me.
It's right at the upper limits for temps so I may improve the ducting or add a bigger radiator down the road but for now, temps seem to be under control.

Suspension seems to be the weakest link at the moment. The Ford Track shocks with BMR's 250 lb springs in the front are amazing on the street but are still wet noodles on the track. I can feel the car sway from side to side in the twisty sections and I can hear scrapes on several dips in the course. How much will coilovers actually help my lap times....no clue, but from others' experiences, it should be fairly significant.

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