S197 2012 GT Street/AutoX build Build Thread Profile - S197 Mustangs

[JDmustang82]

haven't really had much to add to the build thread. But now that I started the race season I was able to add some sponsors, and I have been hoarding wheels and tires!

 

[Bill Pemberton]

Understand you have hoarded tires , but what are you running in CAMC , since you can't use the race slicks. Enquiring minds want to know, ha.

 

[JDmustang82]

Understand you have hoarded tires , but what are you running in CAMC , since you can't use the race slicks. Enquiring minds want to know, ha.

Right now I am using a set of Bridgestone RE71RS in 305/30/19's. I also have a set of the new RT660+ in the same size on another set of wheels. both wheels are 19x11's. I really like the Bridgestone's for the cooler weather hear in Michigan and the Falken's seem to perform better when its 70*+ as the Bridgestone's heat up quick and then get greasy when its hot out.

 

[Bill Pemberton]

If you don't have a sprayer consider getting one as many folks will hose down their RE71RSs on hot days to keep them cool. It seems the hot tickets on an Autocross course are still the RE71RSs , A052s, and the new Vitour though some drivers found the Tempesta to be difficult to get to temp on a cool day. Quite a few drivers in various Classes at the Spring Nationals were finding the Vitours just would not get warm enough to really be sticky. The problem seemed to be a bit less for those with the bigger cars, i.e. Vettes, Mustangs, Camaros. Just an observation to pass on to folks.

 

[Dave_W]

Maybe the Vitours will be the ticket with the hotter temps around Labor Day in Lincoln.

 

[Bill Pemberton]

Oh, that could be the case for sure, Dave_W, but just an observation since there are quite a few drivers going to the Tempesta, yet it appears it may suffer with cool temps. This may be a helpful note to folks who autocross in cool areas of the US or Canada , though we know the tire has been making inroads with many drivers and with the crazy weather in Lincoln who knows. Some friends who do more HPDE or Time Trials are really liking the tire , since it seems to last very well and it does get nice and sticky on a road course. Over the past 43 years, since I have always been close to the Solo Nationals sites, I have found it beneficial to simply observe, because sometimes there are little surprises one doesn't always encounter in tire tests. It is always interesting to see what is working with the various Classes, because often there is a tire that works well with some vehicles, yet it ends up not being the favorite with other Classes ( i.e. works well on Mustangs, but maybe does not work as well on a Miata ). Just an example listed above , not necessarily an actual one currently, but it is always good to note what is working at Lincoln or at the National Tour Events leading up to the big event. I am super thankful we have so many choices currently, though one has to wonder what this tariff mess may mean for prices in the near future.

 

[JDmustang82]

Well this past weekend I competed in my first ever Tire Rack National event! it was a blast and defiantly on another level compared to my local events. I went for all three days so I could do the test and tune and see how the surface was, and try to calm me nerves of all the new that this event shared. There where 9 total drivers in Cam-C and Saturday I finished 5th. I was not happy with my driving as i made a huge mistake my second run, and with only getting three runs I was to focused on not screwing up again that i really didn't improve my time on my third run. But Sunday I went out swinging! Running the third fastest time in Cam-C but still finished the event sitting 5th overall because I couldn't put enough time between me and the other drivers to move up to third. But overall a great experience and I will be doing other for sure!

 

[Bill Pemberton]

CAMC is one nasty Class and considering your first National Tour Event you should be ecstatic in my humble opinion. It is pretty common for folks who don't have a ton of experience to go to a National Event and end up at the end of the group. A Mid Pack finish and even more important a top 3 run on Day Two shows you are making solid strides. Seat time and that killer aggression should help plenty, but ask lots of questions, listen in on your super fast competitors and get sticky, fat rubber! Did you happen to meet big Dave Whitworth *( DaveW on TMO ) while there --- I noted he " Won " the Class!

 

[JDmustang82]

CAMC is one nasty Class and considering your first National Tour Event you should be ecstatic in my humble opinion. It is pretty common for folks who don't have a ton of experience to go to a National Event and end up at the end of the group. A Mid Pack finish and even more important a top 3 run on Day Two shows you are making solid strides. Seat time and that killer aggression should help plenty, but ask lots of questions, listen in on your super fast competitors and get sticky, fat rubber! Did you happen to meet big Dave Whitworth *( DaveW on TMO ) while there --- I noted he " Won " the Class!

I am very happy with this out come! I also finished the event 70th out of 173 drivers pax time so still a little lower then mid pack! And yes I did introduce myself to Dave, I didn't mention I was also a TMO member because i was asking car setup questions!

 

[Bill Pemberton]

Well, since you both have Black Beauties good chance he remembers you!

 

[Dave_W]

Only getting 3 runs is a complete mindset change for most drivers new to national events, especially if they get 8--9 runs at their local events. You get used to creeping up on your fastest time, and only drive 90% on your first run.

The best advice I got for national events is try to drive 110% on your first run. If you end up actually overdriving, just back off a bit on your nest two runs. But if you guessed wrong on the limit and got a good clean run, you're way ahead of where you'd be if you had started at 90% the first run. And it's much easier to back off a bit from a known limit, than try to dial it up to an unkown limit in your two remaining runs.

The other thing is to never waste a run. If you hit a cone or spin early in a run, don't waste the rest of the run by backing off - use it to find the limit or try a different line on the rest of the run. That said, multiple spins on a run is generally frowned upon.

 

[Bill Pemberton]

Great advice from Dave_W..............don't waste a run, if you hit something or make an error finish the run at full blast!