Taupo 17-2-08 TMMC Dual Sprints
Discussion
Just got back from my first ever 'race' event. A 60 car field but because I was a novice had to get the special briefing and only got one seeding run.
But today, for the first time ever, everything clicked. Qualified 6th with Richard Gee 5th.
After the first sprint moved up to 4th with only balls-out race-cars with slicks ahead. After the second sprint was up to 2nd behind a mental Skyline Turbo.
Got caught behind a Diesel Jetta
in the final session and dropped back to 3rd behind a caged/stripped S13 with a 1UZ.
Think I probably went 5 seconds faster around track 2 than ever before; from about 3 seconds behind Richard to more than 2 seconds ahead.
Have definitely and consistently found the limits of the over-cycled CR500's under-steering the fronts & over-steering the rears after the second lap of each session, but never feeling out of control. Will need to get some new treaded tyres and also find an opportunity to run the slicks.
Won't claim to be a 'Driving God' yet but will be seeding myself in the quick group at trackdays in future 
Most fun I've ever had in the Westie
even with the sunburn 
But today, for the first time ever, everything clicked. Qualified 6th with Richard Gee 5th.
After the first sprint moved up to 4th with only balls-out race-cars with slicks ahead. After the second sprint was up to 2nd behind a mental Skyline Turbo.
Got caught behind a Diesel Jetta
in the final session and dropped back to 3rd behind a caged/stripped S13 with a 1UZ.Think I probably went 5 seconds faster around track 2 than ever before; from about 3 seconds behind Richard to more than 2 seconds ahead.
Have definitely and consistently found the limits of the over-cycled CR500's under-steering the fronts & over-steering the rears after the second lap of each session, but never feeling out of control. Will need to get some new treaded tyres and also find an opportunity to run the slicks.
Won't claim to be a 'Driving God' yet
but will be seeding myself in the quick group at trackdays in future Most fun I've ever had in the Westie
even with the sunburn NIIIIICE! 
I knew you'd get the hang of it sometime Guv.
A little yellow-Elise driving birdie tells me that all of a sudden you went VERY ballistic and it's great to see you getting the potential of the car. Don't stop here either, I'm sure there's more pace for you to find in it yet.... can't wait for my next Pax ride!
I knew you'd get the hang of it sometime Guv.
A little yellow-Elise driving birdie tells me that all of a sudden you went VERY ballistic and it's great to see you getting the potential of the car. Don't stop here either, I'm sure there's more pace for you to find in it yet.... can't wait for my next Pax ride!
Good stuff Graham. Any pics?
I'm not sure if you've done it already but I'd seriuosly suggest you pay for some coaching. You'll find the car/experience much more rewarding and it's much easier when you have someone with race skills coaching you. I have done a few and found huge gains from poor technique. It's money well spent and better than most "mods".
It's quite cool outbraking someone with a faster car into the hairpin with the tyres chirping on the verge of lockup and then turning in hitting the apex and powering out. Gosh I miss trackdays.
Soon as I'm back on track I'm going to get some training from those GT3 boys like Jono etc!
I'm not sure if you've done it already but I'd seriuosly suggest you pay for some coaching. You'll find the car/experience much more rewarding and it's much easier when you have someone with race skills coaching you. I have done a few and found huge gains from poor technique. It's money well spent and better than most "mods".
It's quite cool outbraking someone with a faster car into the hairpin with the tyres chirping on the verge of lockup and then turning in hitting the apex and powering out. Gosh I miss trackdays.
Soon as I'm back on track I'm going to get some training from those GT3 boys like Jono etc!
Maurice has been coaching me, when he's not traveling the world. He & Chris McCormack have been very good at sharing their advice & experience.
While this increased my intellectual understanding of the Westie & how to drive it, it so far had virtual nil effect on my actual track driving.
Whatever type of mental-block I had, just seemed to disappear on Sunday. I was really weird to tuck in behind Richard . . . "Must keep up, Must keep up, Must keep up, . . . hang-on, I can go faster !?!?!"
Probably could have gone a bit quicker as I was over-driving the car by the end but very close to the limits of the rubber.
Must get back to the track ASAP . . . with the slicks !!!
While this increased my intellectual understanding of the Westie & how to drive it, it so far had virtual nil effect on my actual track driving.
Whatever type of mental-block I had, just seemed to disappear on Sunday. I was really weird to tuck in behind Richard . . . "Must keep up, Must keep up, Must keep up, . . . hang-on, I can go faster !?!?!"
Probably could have gone a bit quicker as I was over-driving the car by the end but very close to the limits of the rubber.
Must get back to the track ASAP . . . with the slicks !!!
Kiwi Carguy said:
...progress onto that Ultima...
I prefer these myself...http://www.pistonheads.com/roadtests/doc.asp?c=112...
Though the Ultima having a roof could be handy...
Graham.... just another thought... next trackday, make sure you opt for the "Experienced" group... you're selling yourself short being on-track with anyone other than those who are fully experienced / quick trackdayers.... if anyone needs to go down a group and get back studying, it's me (sooo need to do more trackdays)
(sooo need to do more trackdays)I want both
Know it's greedy but an Ultima GTR would be the sensible daily driver . . . it's got a windscreen & roof.
Not sure about any pics from Taupo. Will have to find out who had cameras from the club secretary.
Hopefully someone go a pic of Richard finding the truckload of dirt that an enormous Thunderbird dragged onto the track.
Know it's greedy but an Ultima GTR would be the sensible daily driver . . . it's got a windscreen & roof.
Not sure about any pics from Taupo. Will have to find out who had cameras from the club secretary.
Hopefully someone go a pic of Richard finding the truckload of dirt that an enormous Thunderbird dragged onto the track.
Esprit said:
Graham.... just another thought... next trackday, make sure you opt for the "Experienced" group... you're selling yourself short being on-track with anyone other than those who are fully experienced / quick trackdayers.... if anyone needs to go down a group and get back studying, it's me (sooo need to do more trackdays)
I'm booking in for the Playday on Monday 17th March. $100 for Track 2 @ Taupo. (sooo need to do more trackdays)Come on George, there's more to life than green lips
Kiwi XTR2 said:
Esprit said:
Graham.... just another thought... next trackday, make sure you opt for the "Experienced" group... you're selling yourself short being on-track with anyone other than those who are fully experienced / quick trackdayers.... if anyone needs to go down a group and get back studying, it's me (sooo need to do more trackdays)
I'm booking in for the Playday on Monday 17th March. $100 for Track 2 @ Taupo. (sooo need to do more trackdays)Come on George, there's more to life than green lips
Shame it's only track 2... really love the full track.... good thing is that the timing may work in well with a trip down home.
Just got back from another TrackDay at Taupo. Westie went brilliantly again
Tyres are totally poked but if there's ever a Mini CanAm Drifting Series I'll be in.
Late in the day I got BLACK FLAGGED
Back to the pits a parked up waiting for my telling off
Turns out one of the bolts on my rear diffuser had come off and it was starting to flap. Very appreciative for getting pulled in before doing any real damage.
Tyres are totally poked but if there's ever a Mini CanAm Drifting Series I'll be in.
Late in the day I got BLACK FLAGGED
Back to the pits a parked up waiting for my telling off
Turns out one of the bolts on my rear diffuser had come off and it was starting to flap. Very appreciative for getting pulled in before doing any real damage.
Gassing Station | New Zealand | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff