Very nice Les! Love that story with the GTR, very impressive indeed!

 

Did a "Phase 1" course today with Evolution racing.
Initial impressions on the Wavetrac
are favorable indeed. As if the SRT didn't already launch hard, it now seems to launch even harder. I found exiting corners to NOT be unpredictable and if anything, seemed a bit more stable. But when the rear end broke loose on exit due to too much throttle, it was recoverable without being dramatic, it came back nicely. Where it seems to have the biggest impact for me so far, is how it dances
through a slolem. I'm driving much faster/harder through and the back end is amazingly
stable. If I find something else tomorrow after phase 2, I'll update here.

 

My day wasn't what I expected. The track was slippery and I was overly confident and aggressive. I wanted to try lots of different settings for the tires and shocks. It was a poor decision. Let's just say I need a paint job. After making some repairs to the steering link that looked like a horse shoe I managed a 56.2 which is not my best time. (55.660) The short version of what happened is that the back came out, returned, came out and returned which put me on the last grain of asphalt in the high speed sweeper. As I lifted to brake the transmission up shifted which caused the rear to kick out onto the grass. The car wouldn't brake or turn so I pointed the opposite direction away from concrete and spectators. The front rim smacked and uprooted the fence post and it and the chain link fence went over the bumper, both sides of the car and across the roof where I finally stopped. The drivers rearview mirror is gone. The air bags didn't go off and the headlight damage is minor. The windshield was spared. The scratches are deep across the hood, fenders and roof. A few creases in the drivers door. Crap. But I've got to tell you, racers are the best. I coaxed the car with the wheel moving all over (drove backwards) to the Audi VW corner and they had my wheel off and the car up in the air in 2 minutes (we can straighten that) popped off the end link, vise gripped the link so it would move while they put a hollow jack arm over the link and coaxed it straight. 15 minutes later I was back on the track testing the car. The toe is off .... go figure, but those guys were the best. I raced all three heats without issues ..... besides being the most scratched and dirty car on track. I left before the finally results were posted but I believe I was 10'th fastest of the day and I was 3rd or 4th in my class. I won't know for sure until latter. The fence doesn't have a scratch on it. Dang. What to do. Leave it for now, paint it, wrap it ..... gut it and put in a roll cage ....... I'll post up pictures latter. For the moment I'd love to find a drivers side steering link and Aero Blue drivers side exterior mirror on the cheap.

Les

 

that's racing Les....stuff happens...glad you are good with it...members, we need a mirror for Les...

 

At the end of the day I ended up at my usual tire pressures and with the suspension set close to full hard front and rear. That's where the car was best. The Wavetrac worked great which convinced me to push it a bit harder than usual. And I was rusty. This little go kart track is real tricky and technical. Oh, the fence broke the GoPro and the video card is blank ....... the day was full of FAIL! I'm ok about what happened, the how and why. I missed all the living things and concrete and the damage is cosmetic. 2/3 of the car is badly scratched. The car is resting in the basement now but I'll wash it tomorrow and post pictures for the curious. I never in a million years thought I'd loose the car where I did and believed I had it saved until I hit. 5 or 10 more feet ...... that I didn't have.

Les

 

I'm very sorry to hear about this Les. On a positive note, you're fine and the car isn't totaled. I've seen many videos of cars getting totaled at the track, so I'm glad to hear you're aren't one of them.

 

Les, mine came around on me one day, and by the time I corrected, I just had to lock it up...thank goodness for the new brakes....I stopped a foot from a road sign....that would have hurt...lol....stuff happens when you are pushing it...sorry about the paint...that won't be cheap to fix....but, it is fixable.

 

I have a drivers side mirror (but SSB) that I bought from one of the forum "part outs". It's yours if you need it.

 

Thanks for the offer. As of now, in my drunken stupor, I need to sleep it off. I'd prefer an Aero Blue but if one doesn't appear in a few days I'll take any color. I'l be in touch before long one way or the other. When I post pictures .......... it will hurt, a deep hurt. Right now I don't feel anything.

Les

 

That's stinks man, I was like "no no no" when I was reading that. Good that the other guys helped you out though...

Were the wheels/tires/KW's damaged?

 

Forgestars are scratched but straight. Suspension is un damaged except the steering link. I'll look it up so I can be more specific. The tires are fine but almost worn out. I'm thinking of trying Hankook RS3's next. 255/35/18's on the front and 285/35/18's on the rear. I need to think hard on the car's future, I've reached a crossroads of sorts.

Les

 

Make it track-only...

Everything that makes you faster on the track, punishes you while daily driving. Everything that makes the daily drive enjoyable, handicaps you on the track.

If you simply want a decently quick car in the corners, and respectable speed, and you're willing to come in 4th every Sunday against track-only cars, then stop modding yesterday. If the thought of a permanent residence off the podiums gives you nightmares, then the car has to seriously go under the knife, and wave goodbye to the creature comforts that keep the wife civil while she's riding with you.

With my car, I've got peace knowing I'm slower than a modded Civic. But I'm upgrading things here and there to insure that all systems, even when pushed hard, perform without blinking in the face of adversity.

 

Really sorry to hear about this Les. You've been waiting so long to run the wavetrac with all the other mods and time you've
put in. This just sux.
Take some time and don't make any "racing" decisions until you recover.
Man, I'm really bummed for you.

 

A few cell phone pictures taken yesterday. One before and 2 after. I'll see if I can motivate myself to wash the car and get better photos. Coming soon: Poll, paint or wrap. Color, design, 2 tone wrap, matte black wrap, so many options.

Les

 

Les, from the old guy...no bull this time...take your time, save if you need to, and fix the car right. You need to have it painted, do the steering repairs, and of course, replace the tires...can't push her hard on old skins, my friend...that is the risk you take, and that can bite. It's a bummer, but not the end of the world....do it right, you have done it right so far...we are here for ya....

 

Les, sorry about my other post... I thought your car was SSB....

 

Here are the racing results of my expensive day. The 350Z's ..... one turbo and one with a Vortec and both with 295's on all four corners.

Les

Resultados Carrito.Net Ultimate Racer
Agosto 14, 2011
Front Wheel Drive Competition:
Nombre del Piloto Marca Categoria Best Time Hit 1 Hit 2 Hit 3
1 Beto Herrera Honda Civic Coupe Blanca FWDC 53.822 53.822 54.300 no time
2 Nandy Montes Honda CRX Amarillo FWDC 55.066 55.894 56.973 55.066
3 Penco Ruiz Honda Civic Roja FWDC 56.719 56.719 57.723 58.188
4 J.D. Torres Honda Civic Roja FWDC 56.722 56.722 57.733 58.192
5 Javier Torres Acura RSX Negro FWDC 57.521 57.521 58.162 no time

Rear Wheel Drive Street:
Nombre del Piloto Marca Categoria Best Time Hit 1 Hit 2 Hit 3
1 Jesus Navas Nissan 350Z - Gris RWDS 55.229 55.229 55.555 no time
2 Daniel Arzola Nissan 350Z - Gris RWDS 56.131 56.191 56.646 56.131
3 Leslie Howard Chrysler Crossfire RWDS 56.277 56.277 56.707 56.489
4 Ariel Velazquez Ford Mustang Negro RWDS 57.336 57.336 57.43 57.798
5 Jesus Thiele Honda S2000-Amarillo RWDS 57.358 57.358 57.362 57.412
6 Erbet E. Diaz Honda S2000-Gris RWDS 57.502 58.144 57.502 58.491
7 Jorge Serrano, Jr. BWW 325 RWDS 57.863 57.949 57.863 no time
8 Ruben Melendez Honda S2000- Gris RWDS 57.989 58.396 58.221 57.989
9 Fernando Gonzalez BMW 325 Gris RWDS 58.554 59.167 58.767 58.554
10 Jorge Cintron BMW 325 RWDS 59.548 59.828 59.548 no time
11 Jose Llama Lexus ISF Azul RWDS 59.891 1:01.311 59.891 01:00.8
12 Jorge Arzola Porsche Boxster Amarillo RWDS 1:00.720 1:00.770 1:00.720 no time
13 Geraldo Peņa Honda S2000-Azul RWDS 1:00.818 no time 1:02.327 1:00.818
14 Javier Cuyar BMW 135 Blanco RWDS 1:01.043 1:01.043 1:01.226 1:01.413
15 Edgardo Bermudez Pontiac Trans Am Vino RWDS 1:01.204 no time 1:01.204 1:02.190
16 Fernando Velazquez Nissan 370Z Blanco RWDS 1:01.458 1:01.458 1:02.207 no time
17 Michael Rivera Mazda Miata Verde RWDS 1:02.473 1:04.867 1:02.473 no time
18 Ricardo Belazquez Nissan 300ZX Gris RWDS 1:02.558 1:02.821 1:02.558 1:02.946

Front Wheel Drive Street:
Nombre del Piloto Marca Categoria Best Time Hit 1 Hit 2 Hit 3
1 Willie Cheng Honda Civic - Blanca FWDS 57.593 57.812 57.797 57.593
2 Jose Figueroa VW Rabbit Negra FWDS 59.369 59.861 59.371 59.369
3 Omar Soto Honda Civic Verde FWDS 59.467 1:00.164 59.467 59.494
4 Luis A. Maldonado VW GTI Negro FWDS 59.888 1:00.199 59.953 59.888
5 Wilfredo Montano VW GTI Negro FWDS 59.905 1:00.050 59.994 59.905
6 Ricardo Recci Audi 4000 Blanco FWDS 1:00.031 1:00.762 1:00.248 1:00.031
7 Paco Nevarez Honda Civic 4dr Blanco FWDS 1:00.647 1:03.924 1:00.647 1:00.741
8 Carlos Acosta Acura Integra Rojo FWDS 1:00.833 no time 1:01.370 1:00.833
9 Carlos Recci Honda CivicCoupe Negro FWDS 1:01.329 1:01.895 1:01.439 1:01.329
10 Carlos Soto Honda Civic Azul FWDS 1:02.124 no time 1:02.416 1:02.124
11 Gilberto Rodriguez GM Cobalt Amarillo FWDS 1:02.409 1:03.187 1:02.409 01:02.7

All Wheel Drive:
Nombre del Piloto Marca Categoria Best Time Hit 1 Hit 2 Hit 3
1 Hector J. Martinez Mitsu Evo IV MR Gris AWD 54.269 54.635 54.269 54.424
2 Francisco Jimenez Subaru WRX Wagon Negra AWD 57.926 58.163 57.926 no time
3 Itiel Figueroa Subaru STI Azul AWD 59.86 59.86 1:00.101 no time

 

Off topic, but can you fit a 255/35/18 under the front without modifications?

 

I think Les is running this on a +30mm offset... 9" wide rim.

Definitely beefy, and I don't think you could pull it off if lowered. I'm lowered 1.5" in the front, and I rub on occasion with a 225 on an 8.5" rim.

 

Les, so sorry to hear about this. I know exactly what you went through. Hell, just two weeks ago I did a 720 on our course and finally stopped about 2 feet from the edge of the tarmac. Scary.

It could always be worse. I just got a spare set of windshield surrounds and some other parts (no side mirror though) let me know if you need anything...

I am fairly certain it is. I know he drives is here and there occasionally, but I think only 6K miles and mostly all track...