Fotos Time Trial Ponce 13 Marzo 2011

I hope it's ok to post this link. These are some of the cars I race with and I thought a bunch of pictures is worth a thousand words. Enjoy the sights and imagine the sounds.

Les

 

Nice range of different rides. Hows the RX7 fair against the SRT6? Has always been one of my fav rides. Just something about them, such an interesting design to me.

Also any of those hondas sleeper? I tend to dismiss hondas (specially in that crowd with R35s and such ) but done properly I have seen a few rare track beasts.

Also EVO or STI who's king? Iv always felt the EVO to be stronger all round.

 

It's difficult to speak to which car is better/faster. It seems the EVO's "stock or close to it" are faster than the Suby's. The Suby's are harder/more expensive to work on, I'm told. None of the cars I run with are anywhere near stock. Many run from 450 to 500 RWHP and some even more. Those pesky Honda's have around 225 to the wheels and are really difficult. They are so light that they can out brake me and depending on what tire they're using are better in the corners too. The RX-7 is highly modified and one of the fastest cars when the owner brings it. He has several cars, usually shows up with 2 or 3 in a huge trailer (Atom, RX-7, GTR) but his new toy is the white GTR. The black Corvette has 530 RWHP NA and 800 with nitrous. (not used at the track) To give you an idea how the SRT-6 does, I run the same times as the red Corvette. (track owner) I'm faster than the Suby with the orange wheels, faster than the Honda's in the pictures (others are faster than me) faster than the white EVO and slower than the silver grey one. The other Suby's are a bit faster than I am but I don't feel bad. They run methanol injection and more tire. (and break from time to time) The 350Z is supercharged and our times are pretty equal. He is slightly faster but mostly because he has 295/30/18 on all four corners. More tire means better corner speed.

Les

 

Cool pics!

 

Nice pics. Lots of nice cars.

Why do some of the cars have blue masking tape on the front?

 

The blue tape is painters tape (comes off easily) and protects the paint from sand and small rocks. However, It does nothing against the larger debris but it's better than nothing. Many of the nicer cars have 3M clear bra or something similar. Some are wrapped. All in the name of paint preservation.

Les

 

Well, that is the difference Les...if you the $$$$ to just turn your car into a true race car, and trailer it around, it certainly will be faster. I'm am an old street racer. So, even though I have a trailer, it has yet to be used, at least for my cars. I still like to play around with them, so, I'm just not into setting up suspensions and such. I drive them like I stoled them from time to time...but only a few HP mods for me right now. I don't ever see me going round and round, but do like to accellerate...lol...I think these cars do very well stock, against a lot of modified cars... and if we match their modifications, we would be superior in most cases...with matching $$$ for $$$... I have stated all along, you have spend 5-10 times what we have in these cars to match HP...and in some cases handling... They will be around for some time if the parts stay available

 

Very nice Les as usual. Thanks for sharing!

 

Finally got the photos to load...nice competition Les... many look to be track cars only...

 

Yep, a lot are race cars. The photos without helmets were taken on the "parade lap". The organizers let you take a passenger for 3 slow paced laps, as well as spectators cars, to get more people hooked on the sport. We have a very competitive group of Yaris and Fiesta owners duking it out now. But you won't find them in the photos.

Les

 

Les: Wish I could drive your track with you.

Was just at Putnam Park on Saturday. My newest addition to the car: R6 Hoosiers. Oh my God! I have a totally different car. I became a very different driver. I was getting such faster speeds in the corners, I started to get a bit taken back. These damn tires stick like no other.

Today, my whole body is so sore. I had to use by left hand, arm to keep me upright, even with my harness on when driving. So, now I'm starting to seriously look at seats.

I'm seeing this car do more than I have ever seen it do. For the first time, I saw this car keep up in the turns with all the others. Les: you gotta get a set. You might get 3 days out of them; they are totally worth it. I'm never going back to the Michelins.

 

Keep talking dirty to me Jane! I've been told the Hoosiers are worth 3 to 5 seconds depending on the track. I'm committed to street tires for the remainder of the season but for next season ....... I want to go all the way ....... badly. REALITY CHECK. I don't have a support team and will have to drive on 2 of them to the track. I've almost convinced myself. Are you still running on the stock rims and tire sizes?

Les

 

I was thinking A6's for all but the 20 minute sessions.

 

A6's are for autocross and won't last long on a road coarse.

I'm on stock rims.

Here are my sizes: P245/35ZR18 R6 Fronts
P295/30ZR19 R6 Rears.

These are 40 treadwear. These tires are addictive and you won't go back.

I do tow my car to the track. These tires aren't street legal, but I have had to drive them on the street; drove to the car wash cause I'm too lazy and it's too hot to wash outside.

I called Hoosier Tire Midwest. They'll ship out that day and I had them delivered to my tire place. 800-365-1955. With tax and shipping, $1478.75 + 80.00 to mount and balance. Not much cheaper than the Michelins, but well worth it.

You won't be sorry. But, you'll really need to use 2 sets cause they recommend you heat set them, which means you have to change to another set after your first run with them. However, I'm not doing that. I hope to get 2-3 days out of them. I'll just have my mechanic rotate them and I might have them flipped.

If I were you, I wouldn't wait much longer. You are missing out on what the SRT6 can really do. I had no idea. I was becoming more frustrated with the car as I struggled in the turns. Now, I just feather that wheel and go.

Have I gotten "dirty" enough??

 

[quote=JaneBridges] But, you'll really need to use 2 sets cause they recommend you heat set them, which means you have to change to another set after your first run with them. However, I'm not doing that. I hope to get 2-3 days out of them. I'll just have my mechanic rotate them and I might have them flipped.


I'm not certain if I'll ever get into R compound tires or not (currently running street tire class), but would really love to experience the 6 with the grip of those A6 or R6 Hoosiers. That being said; and I'm sure you know this Jane, but tire rack and other retailers will "heat cycle" your racing tires purchased from them for I believe $15. per tire. Money well spent. Their claim is that the machine used will provide a much more even heat cycling than you will get doing your own at the track, not to mention your tires are good to go when you get them. You will get more life and performance out of your tires doing this....... so they say.

 

I just heard about this at Putnam. I'll keep it in mind. The guy that told me about it said something like, "don't waste your money." However, hearing your perspective, it would be better for me as I can't change tires constantly, nor can I transport more than 4 extra tires when I'm racing. If I have a crew person with me, there isn't much problem in changing 4 tires very quickly; but by myself, I doubt it. The only time I change the tire is when the cords are showing.

Thanks for the advice about heat soaking.

Jane

 

I'll most likely try Ventus Z214 in 245/35/18 and 275/35/18 when the time comes. Jane, do you know how much toe and camber your running on the rear tires?

Les

 

Bring me a set of those for the Dragon Let me worry about the State Troopers

 

Les: I'm not sure about the tow, but my camber is -2.

 

Nice cars!! They look sporty and fabulous.