[VIDEO] 2009 430 Scuderia at Auto Club Speedway, California

http://www.vimeo.com/6174821

 

I was running a set of old Hoosier A6 with 90+ laps, they get toast after 40 laps at autocross. Big mistake, the car was so loose (extreme oversteer). The car was oversteering on Turn 1 and 2 (everywhere indeed). I set the manettino to Sport for two laps, and the stability control was kicking in heavily at the bowl, scary stuff.

The tires were producing barely 1.0g of grip, my Toyo RA1 in the 996 GT3 produced higher g-forces (1.1g), and my GT3 RS with both Michelin Sport Cups (1.2g) and Michelin slicks (1.4-1.5g) worked much better.

Here are my videos with the Porsches.

996 GT3 on Toyo RA-1
http://www.vimeo.com/2272301

997 GT3 RS on Michelin Slicks from Porsche SuperCup
http://www.vimeo.com/2366002

The Scuderia was slower than my two previous GT3 on all the turns, but it was related to tires and setup. With this handicap, the Scuderia was still 2 secs faster than my RS on Michelin Sport Cups (DOT-R), and 3 secs faster than my 996 GT3 on Toyo RA-1.

The speed on the straights was insane, I had some drag races with a Nissan GTR, C6 Z06, modified 996 Turbo, Exige S, and others.

The telemetry confirms that this car is about 1 sec faster than my 997 GT3 RS in a 60 secs loop.

 

I use Traqmate to capture telemetry. I use a Sony HDR-TG1 camcorder that records to memory stick, so low power consumption and lightweight (titanium casing).

I merge the traqmate data and video with Trackvision, it comes with the Ferrari gauges, it is easy to synchronize video and data and trim the video.

For internet posting, I convert the merged file to DivX (great compression) and then post in vimeo.com

The camcorder uses a professional grade window mount, like the ones used in TV shows and movies, it can handle up to 75 lbs of weight, the camcorder is under 0.5 lbs. The camcorder has a noise reduction cover (professional grade as well), to prevent the horrible sound from the wind at 150 mph over the mic.

The car reached 160 mph in one of my laps, even though my exit to the Speedway was slow (lack of grip), the RS reached 153mph on Michelin Sport Cups and 156mph on slicks.

 

Here is another video from this past weekend. This one is longer, with more traffic and plenty of fun.


http://www.vimeo.com/6189722

 

That actually is the display unit from the Traqmate, it works as a lap timer, and it doesn't display g-forces. In low to no traffic track days, I try different lines and check lap times while on track.

This display unit goes connected to a control unit located on the floor, the control unit uses accelerometers and also a GPS antenna. The display unit allows you to start/stop the control unit, and you can check some of the data in the pit area without a laptop.

However, it is not until you get the data to a PC and run the software that comes with the system, when you can analyze the data in deep, and compare it to telemetry from other cars at the same track.

 

The control unit needs a 12v connection, a ground, the cable to the display unit and the cable to the GPS antenna. Mine has an additional wire to the RPM signal. You program the display unit plugged to a PC and enter the following parameters:

- # of cylinders: 4 (yes, weird)
- weight (include driver, helmet, fuel)
- Tire circumference (be precise here, I measured my rear tires)
- gear ratios and R&P gear

With these information, plus the gps antenna and accelerometers in the control unit, it can gather g-forces in two axis, RPM, current gear, speed, horsepower, track map, lap times, car position on track, etc. You can plug other sensors to the control unit (yaw rate, wheel speed sensors, Throttle position, brake position, steering angle, etc).

The Scuderia is such a great car that it comes with a plug to connect the Traqmate (no kidding). 12v, ground and RPM signal right behind the passenger's seat with this plug. I could not believe it, wiring these things take weeks or months on research, trial and error. It took me 1 hour to wire the control unit, it took me weeks to do the same with the GT3 RS.