| Author | Message | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1618 Registered: 1-2002 |
dom: sorry about missing you. i feel like a jerk, getting you out there, and then not being able to make it. accept my apology. there's an event slighted for nov. 7th; maybe i'll see you there? hubert. | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 513 Registered: 11-2002 |
Yes, definately. My biggest problem is time. Prior to this, my last time trial was over a year ago (maybe even 1.5 years). So, usually, everything I learn is forgotten the next time I go.  This same club is supposed to have another event in december. I would like to try to make it, but we'll see how things go as we get closer to the date. Dom | ||
| billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Member Username: Fatbillybob Post Number: 411 Registered: 8-2002 |
Sorry again Dom, I trailer my car and usually have everything...a full tool box, oil, water, brake fluid, chewing gum and duct tape. Next time we will all get out and have a good time. Are you game for going out again? | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 511 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well, I had a blast today. Lots of fun in the GT4, though I did not push too hard (OK, OK, I'm a puss y. I was still getting used to the car, but I think I did OK. I was pretty tired from lack of sleep last night (why must babies keep you awake when you need sleep??!!), and wound up calling it a day at ~3:00. I wish there was a second day of events, because I really feel like I was improving as the day went on. I did get an instructor to ride with me for one of the sessions, which was really helpful. Learned a few lessons: Lesson 1: Bleed your brakes. I thought I would be OK, since they felt pretty solid. Well, half-way through the first session, my pedal falls to the floor. I nearly pooped in my pants. Oh well, live and learn. Lesson 2: Carry the appropriate tools. Among my tools, I had an 8mm and 10mm wrench. The brake bleeder screws on the 308 use a 7mm on the rears, 9 mm on the fronts. Doh!! Well, at least I was able to borrow some tools. Aside from that the GT4 performed flawlessly. Both oil and water temp stayed normal, even though it was a hot day. Now if I could only fix that loose nut behind the wheel... Dom | ||
| Sunny Garofalo (Jaguarxj6)
Intermediate Member Username: Jaguarxj6 Post Number: 1066 Registered: 2-2003 |
Sorry, its a school day. 6 business days to go before I start my new job in SD, I'm swamped in and out of office. Have fun! Sunny | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1586 Registered: 1-2002 |
billy bob: youre right about renting a boxster? wish we had one more day... mad dash to the track. yeah, i got some cheating bastard ideas, but you'll have to show, to see. glad you got a good impression off darrin. hopefully he'll set you up right. regards, hubert. | ||
| billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Member Username: Fatbillybob Post Number: 406 Registered: 8-2002 |
Dom, So sorry to Dom who I think we got all fired up to go . Any other FC'ers going? Sorry Dom, will make it up to you next time. Hugh, Cheating toys??? Sound great. All my talk about slicks getting you itchin to spend money? Talked to Darrin today sounds like my kind of guy! As soon as I get my stuff together I'll be seeing him for the align. I wish we both had just a bit more time. The track event is so cheap we could have rented an s2000 honda and a porsche boxster and shared! | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1585 Registered: 1-2002 |
billy bob: how's this : cracked radiator?!!? yup, my car's pissing antifreeze all over the engine bay. i know, i know ... how lucky am i. i won't be there, as i gotta fix it tommorrow (parts not in yet), but WILL be at buttonwillon the 7th of novemeber (and will bring a new bag of cheating bastard toys).-hubert | ||
| Jordan Witherspoon (Jordan747_400)
Intermediate Member Username: Jordan747_400 Post Number: 2322 Registered: 12-2002 |
Renting a car would work! Last time I was there somebody rented a Z4 and beat it up on the track. Doesnt sound like much, but it was suprisingly a lot of fun! | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 509 Registered: 11-2002 |
Billy Bob, Definately rent something. Also, if you want to take a couple laps in the GT4, I would love it, just so I can see how someone else who knows what they are doing drive the line. Dom | ||
| billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Member Username: Fatbillybob Post Number: 403 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hugh, This sucks! I'm screwed for Friday. A series of B.S. issues is keeping the 348 off the road. BOZO tire monkey damage a 17" wheel on tire dismount so I have 3 out of 4 good tires/wheels. I ordered 4 new challenge wheels 18" that arrived but only got 2 out of 4 slicks for them. If the tires do not show up by magic before the tire mountign shop closes I'm out. I'm going with D5 Pirelli's by the way. So this is great I got a car with no wheels. This is so lame. I'm actually half thinking about renting something just to go play. | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 503 Registered: 11-2002 |
For those of you going from OC, what time do you plan to leave. I know we have to be there around 7:30, but I suspect if I leave at 5:30 AM, then I will hit LA traffic and never make it. Maybe 4:30 AM?? That will probably get me there really early, but may be better than being late? Dom | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Intermediate Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 1407 Registered: 10-2002 |
sounds like fun, guys... gonna have to miss this one, though. WORK WORK WORK! ack. Dom, make sure you bleed those brakes before you go out there. Billybob... Did I hear you say 18" speedlines? Way to go!! woo-hoo!!  | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 491 Registered: 11-2002 |
Woohoo!!! I just signed up, and sent my paypal payment for the event. I think it's going to be a blast. Dom | ||
| billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Member Username: Fatbillybob Post Number: 385 Registered: 8-2002 |
Gene, I did not get your mail. Try me @ [email protected] or get my number from byron. I'm free this sunday then 9/16-19 o and off. Hugh, I just ordered some 355C speedline wheels and slicks. Should be here by next friday. I'll have to rework ride heights then I'm ready to see darrin. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1537 Registered: 1-2002 |
billybob: also look up the pirelli pzero corsa: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Pirelli&tireModel=PZero+Corsa dom: i'm not sure about instruction. | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 488 Registered: 11-2002 |
Anyone know if there will be any instructors available? I've done previous time trials with my FWD Alfa, which is a completely different beast than the GT4. So, now I have a mid-engine, RWD, with no anti-lock or rev-limiter. It's going to be a lot different, and I wouldn't mind some instruction on my first few laps. Dom | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1536 Registered: 1-2002 |
billybob: i sent you a PM. not sure as to what sizes you run, but here's the pilot sport cup site: http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Michelin&tireModel=Pilot+Sport+Cup best, hubert | ||
| billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Member Username: Fatbillybob Post Number: 383 Registered: 8-2002 |
Hugh, I'll let you know when I go to Darrins. If I can't get my car ready in time I may look you up for the spec Miata. Email me your # or give the miata guy a call for the particulars. I can either meet at the track if he dropps cars or if he is local I can pick one up with my trailer. I am interested in this for some time in the near future anyway. Also the MPSC do not come in 17" sizes I need. In fact I am limited in many 17's so I'm on the hunt for some 18's. But time is against me and I do not want to align the car with the 17's I have now until I find out how long I'll have to run them. | ||
| Gene Agatep (Gagatep)
Member Username: Gagatep Post Number: 369 Registered: 8-2002 |
billy bob, i greatly appreciate and accept your offer. check your private e-mail Thanks, Gene | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1533 Registered: 1-2002 |
billybob: you should try the michelin pilot sport cups. much more predictable than the hooisers, longer life and they grip almost as well. if you're serious about renting the spec miata, i can call a buddy that's in that biz. let me know. otherwise, i'll see you at the track. like i said before, if you need any help/input with setup while at darrins, call me. regards, hubert. | ||
| Dom Vitarella (Dom)
Member Username: Dom Post Number: 485 Registered: 11-2002 |
There is a good chance that I may be able to make it. My in-laws will be in town, so it may be a good chance for me to escape while they are there to help take care of the baby. I'd really like to take the GT4 to a track event. I'll have to take a day off from work, and check out a few more things before I can finalize. Anyone know when the last day to sign up is?? Dom | ||
| billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Member Username: Fatbillybob Post Number: 381 Registered: 8-2002 |
Well Hugh, I have no idea. I was on my warm-up getting up to speed and basically the tire just went away with no warning I could feel. It may have been going flat in a previous lap but I was maybe 3 laps in and while things felt squirely I was thinking it was becasue stupid me lowered the car without realigning it. So maybe if I had a brain I would have noticed soemhting was not right. You are right I was lucky at the slowest point in the track ! Hoosier has a tech notice for similar situations on just the 285 dot race tire with rear and mid engine cars. I think tail heavy cars put too much pressure there and blow beads if they are airing down and loose sidewall support. Perhaps the extra negative camber from doing the lowering (not more than 3 degrees less then challenge spec) is allowing me to go faster and put more pressure on the tires the sidewalls can't take. I do tend to whip it and gas after the brake zone into turn 3. And yes it is pretty scary driving a three wheeler. If I can't find anything else I'll get another set of victo's. I may just get some 18" wheels so I can get slicks. Slicks are hard to find in 17"'s. It is going to be tight. I want to go on the 24th. I may have to borrow a BMW just to go if I don't get my junk in time. I sure would like to rent someone's spec miata. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1532 Registered: 1-2002 |
billybob: Sorry to hear about the tire, that's scary ••••, but on the upside, had that happend after the omega (i.e., turns 8 or 9), your weekend might have been a lot worse. Glad to hear you're okay, and hopefully you can see Darrin before the next event. Again, glad to hear you're okay. But, do you have any idea on why the tire blew? Pressure? Cording? ps: what rubber you gonna' try out next? | ||
| Byron (Bmyth)
Intermediate Member Username: Bmyth Post Number: 1391 Registered: 10-2002 |
Billybob... sorry to hear about the flat... hopefully, it's just paint and the wheel stills turns true. | ||
| billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Member Username: Fatbillybob Post Number: 380 Registered: 8-2002 |
Gene, Do you need some help? It is always more fun to have more buddies to run with. Hugh, I just got back from WSIR. I had a blow out on turn 3 up the hill! I can't believe I kept it on the track. Then thinking geez what a for sh*t driver (not hey my tire is going away) I make the turn at the top of the omega and of course blow out of the turn and break the bead off the tire. Thinking the wheel was trash anyway I slowly putted to the pit. To my surprise I rode on the rubber all the way with the bead off and did zero wheel damage. Being lazy I decided not to winch me car up on my trailer. With my brother acting as guide up the trailer I proceeded to put that wheel into the side of the trailer fender and basicaly screw the paint on the wheel. SO I guess I can't win. anyway...that's it new rubber all around and it goes to see Darin hopefully before 10/24/03. | ||
| Gene Agatep (Gagatep)
Member Username: Gagatep Post Number: 366 Registered: 8-2002 |
my car is still non-functional. i've still got my engine out. if i'm done with the service before Oct 24th Count me in. | ||
| billy bob (Fatbillybob)
Member Username: Fatbillybob Post Number: 378 Registered: 8-2002 |
Count me in Hugh! Lets go have some fun. I'm not a big streets fan but for 100 bucks geez that's a steal. I'll probably still not have my alignment done. I'll be at WSIR Thursday. If the car really sucks I'll go see Darin. If it is kinda lame I'll probably be lazy as usual. | ||
| Hubert Otlik (Hugh)
Intermediate Member Username: Hugh Post Number: 1520 Registered: 1-2002 |
Want some cheapo track time?? Here ya go: http://www.redlinetrackevents.com/eventM.htm $100 bucks, refreshments provided free of charge, but all tracks are now charging a $10 gate fee (lame). I'll be there, anyone else wanna go? *Disclaimer: I'm not financially affiliated with these guys in any way, but bribes are welcome.* -hubert founder "yeah, right" racing. |