S550 Rear spoiler recommendation for Road America?

[RedStallion27]

Hey everyone,

I’m considering my first HPDE at Road America (5th HPDE overall) in my 2016 GT Perf Pack and looking for aero advice.

• Car: stock PP front splitter, spoiler-delete trunk, 200TW tires
• Driver: novice/intermediate (experience is all on slower technical tracks)

At Road America speeds (deep into 5th gear on the straights), is adding a rear spoiler worth it for stability, or is the stock PP front with a bare trunk fine at my pace?

If you recommend one, what spoiler adds high-speed confidence without too much drag on the long straights or unbalancing the stock front end?

Thanks!

 

[67GTA]

Your experience is going to weigh heavily on this. Is this your first ever HPDE, or just first one at Road America?

 

[RedStallion27]

Your experience is going to weigh heavily on this. Is this your first ever HPDE, or just first one at Road America?

It will be my 5th HPDE. According to my instructors, I have been learning at an advanced pace, for whatever that is worth.

 

[TMSBOSS]

Although I didn’t follow this advice. Don’t change anything. Spend money of tires, pads and instruction. A day with a patient, knowledgeable instructor is likely what you need at this point. Also expect to run through brakes at Road America.

FYI. Instructor rule number one, always complement and encourage students, especially novice students. When I tech folks how to shoot I layer on the positives, then I give them a short list of things to work on. So take the instructors “Evaluation” with a grain of salt.

 

[byronj]

Dont put more rear aero in the car unless up balance out the front. Drive your car the way it is and grow into the car. If anything put more DF on the front before you add to the rear.

 

[RedStallion27]

FYI. Instructor rule number one, always complement and encourage students, especially novice students. When I tech folks how to shoot I layer on the positives, then I give them a short list of things to work on. So take the instructors “Evaluation” with a grain of salt.

That’s a good point. My statement is indeed based on their encouraging comments, and also on quickly being upgraded to solo driving and Intermediate class. I still have a LOT to learn.

 

[GAR944]

Whilst in the learning phase, keep everything as consistent as possible. Bar any obvious, that is crap, issues. The less you change the car, the more you can feel your improvements. You aren't looking for speed yet, it will come with your driving naturally. My suggestions to friends is when you can lap consistently within about half a second then we know your driving isn't the limitation. Give or take.