Happy New Year Everyone! I figured I should update the progress. This might be all over the place as I play catch up.
Last year was the most track time I was able to do within a season and this year I plan to do a lot more. I didn't do much over the summer. I finally was able to dial in the Xineering module with the proper settings so now that is one less thing to worry about. I have gone down the path of this becoming more track than street car which has always been the plan in the back of my head.
I didn't plan on going with a roll bar+seat+harness system just yet because I wanted to use those funds for track time. I ended up getting a local deal for a Chromoly Watson roll bar that I couldn't pass up. I plan to run TT with NASA either this year or next so I have been careful about adding weight to the car which is why I went with the Chromoly bar. Ended up getting PCI fixed mount, Sparco seat and harness. Man does the PCI mount really sit you low. Thanks to
@Ewheels and
@JeffV8 for helping with install pictures and tips. The good news about the roll bar install was that I didn't knick any brake lines but the bad news is the drill bit walked on me so ended up having Revolution Automotive in Baltimore finish it.
View attachment 92332
I attended my first open track day at NJMP Lightning with Hooked On Driving. I see why people prefer open day to sessions. A lot of seat time and it allows the driver to use it as a true test day. For me, it was my first time with the seat and bar set up so I was adjusting to what was comfortable throughout the day. Also this was my first time towing my car to the track so now that I have the Tundra ready, I can expand my track venues. Fastest time of the day was 1:19. I was struggling with tire pressures and didn't really start feeling confident until the last hour of the day.
View attachment 92330
View attachment 92329
Been wanting to do Road Atlanta for a few years and was finally able to make it happen with MVP Track Time. Man oh man what a track. It was intimidating at first but after a few sessions I was able to get more comfortable and really push the car. Im a solid intermediate driver but there is always that fear of possibly pushing the car too much and then end up going off. I think this event is where I really started seeing what the car can do and got more comfortable with applying throttle earlier and harder. Road Atlanta is now on my calendar every year and maybe twice this year. The weekend was going great until the last session of the weekend. I got misfires in the second to last session and attributed that to low fuel. I went to get gas and everything was fine. I restarted my car to drive to grid for the last session and it was as though the car's power was cut. Ive never had that happen before. Then all sorts of codes were thrown and car wouldn't start. I was able to go out for one or two laps before checkered flag and the car ran fine. Will look more into into before spring.
I did the stupid thing when loading my car on the trailer, I burned my throwout bearing. After the 15 hour drive home, it was a nice surprise to find out I couldn't release the clutch from the engine. That ended my season as I was trying to make VIR later that month. Will fix that later this month.
Here is best lap of 1:43 from the weekend. I was in traffic most/all of the weekend. After looking at data, I know I can get into the 1:40s.
View attachment 92328
After every event, I fall in love with the car even more.