Race Tracking Your Supra - Information exchange

[FLtrackdays]

Mega impressed with this senior editor’s article on track setups!

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a42951929/race-car-setup-psychology

I personally love a more “twitchy” fast response turn in coming from a S2K. But never thought how annoying it would be in say a 24 hour race or if you were mentally/physically tired.

What’s y’all’s thoughts on the article?

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[frankenm]

Saw some mentions of Racebox Mini paired with a smartphone app in here. Does anyone still run this or has everyone graduated?

Might pick one up for cheap so was trying to decide if this was a good option

?

I used one hooked up to Harry’s lap timer and it is very accurate when comparing my official times from my transponder when I run both

hassle of getting it ready for track days stops me from using it… mainly an issue with Harry’s lap timer

 

[Rocksandblues]

Mega impressed with this senior editor’s article on track setups!

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a42951929/race-car-setup-psychology

I personally love a more “twitchy” fast response turn in coming from a S2K. But never thought how annoying it would be in say a 24 hour race or if you were mentally/physically tired.

What’s y’all’s thoughts on the article?

It is a decent overview

wish I could turn the steering down on the Zupra. I chase tenths in TT. But don’t make set up changes between tracks or sessions beside air and hp.

that is just on another level above me.

driver mods is still the biggest thing we can do

 

[nibble]

Mega impressed with this senior editor’s article on track setups!

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a42951929/race-car-setup-psychology

I personally love a more “twitchy” fast response turn in coming from a S2K. But never thought how annoying it would be in say a 24 hour race or if you were mentally/physically tired.

What’s y’all’s thoughts on the article?

in my experience, to control "loose" car to go faster, you will be closer to the edge of "in control" and "out of control". closer to the edge, faster than "not so loose" car but just slightly off the edge, it'd be much slower. of course off on the other side of the edge, you lose control which you don't want to do. - some other day topic. To be on the edge for prolong time, it will cause fatigue faster. As you already know, just 20 - 30 min. of DE session can be physical. typical sprint race lasts 45 min. ~ 2 hours. Although you will be on stints of 1 ~ 2 hours, within 24 hours, the fatigue does not get completely relieved in between stints.

A comparison you could try if you have time, in GT7, try to drive sprint and endurance model of BMW M6 GR.3 car. very slight difference, but you may notice it driving on Nurburgring 24h configuration for hours.

 

[FLtrackdays]

It is a decent overview

wish I could turn the steering down on the Zupra. I chase tenths in TT. But don’t make set up changes between tracks or sessions beside air and hp.

that is just on another level above me.

driver mods is still the biggest thing we can do

Sorry if I forgot, did you get a baseline lap with a pro yet? I’m still waiting to do that myself for stupid reasons. Like thinking my car needs to be ”setup” perfectly. I can’t wait to see how my car does with a professional in it! And you probably have already done this, but turning off everything may give you that extra tenth of a second you’re looking for ?

in my experience, to control "loose" car to go faster, you will be closer to the edge of "in control" and "out of control". closer to the edge, faster than "not so loose" car but just slightly off the edge, it'd be much slower. of course off on the other side of the edge, you lose control which you don't want to do. - some other day topic. To be on the edge for prolong time, it will cause fatigue faster. As you already know, just 20 - 30 min. of DE session can be physical. typical sprint race lasts 45 min. ~ 2 hours. Although you will be on stints of 1 ~ 2 hours, within 24 hours, the fatigue does not get completely relieved in between stints.

A comparison you could try if you have time, in GT7, try to drive sprint and endurance model of BMW M6 GR.3 car. very slight difference, but you may notice it driving on Nurburgring 24h configuration for hours.

Again I’m really comfortable with a “loose” car. She still feels a bit heavy to me. And I’m driving with a stock seat. Harder to gain that confidence with my left knee against the door. Also have had some brake bed in issues (rookie mistake), all fixed now. A lot of bad excuses ? for not being on the edge even more…

 

[Rocksandblues]

Sorry if I forgot, did you get a baseline lap with a pro yet? I’m still waiting to do that myself for stupid reasons. Like thinking my car needs to be ”setup” perfectly. I can’t wait to see how my car does with a professional in it! And you probably have already done this, but turning off everything may give you that extra tenth of a second you’re looking for ?




Again I’m really comfortable with a “loose” car. She still feels a bit heavy to me. And I’m driving with a stock seat. Harder to gain that confidence with my left knee against the door. Also have had some brake bed in issues (rookie mistake), all fixed now. A lot of bad excuses ? for not being on the edge even more…

I love how the editor explains from different pro drivers perspectives and dependent on what they are doing. Agree that with HPDE, I’m fine with the physical part. I still workout, do weights and cardio. So I still enjoy it. My max seat time is with Chin Motorsports. Driving the last “happy hour” and draining a tank of gas. My ADHD neurons are still firing that whole hour… but who knows when they’d cut off on track. I sure am drained after a good day of tracking! That’s for sure

Have you considered decaf??

have not gotten a pro time A couple
Pros have driven mine. But only at 8/10ths effort

 

[6SPDA91]

I have read through all 24 pages of this and really appreciate the dialogue, logs and great feedback from veterans of the sport.

Here's a few questions from someone getting ready for their first "official" track day (hopefully these are useful for others getting ready).

1. For the supra, is there anything that MUST be done prior to getting on the track (free track day or otherwise). Ex. Aluminum skid plates, etc.

2. A lot of discussion has been made about the car itself, what about tools that you would recommend bringing?

3. Other must have or nice to have items?

4. I think it was mentioned a few pages back, but is an instructor included in the free track day or just the event?

5. What does a track instructor typically cost?

 

[adawine]

I’ll attempt to answer most of that.

1. Nothing required to hit the track, plenty of stock supras successfully doing track days. Recommended to do, but not necessary, would be brake pads and brake fluid. Drivers mod and just getting out there is the best thing you can do.

2. Tools necessary for a track day are pretty universal. Basics like Jack, Jack stands, impact wrench, lugnut socket, torque wrench, tire pressure gauge, tire inflator, etc. Not a comprehensive list by any stretch. For your first track day, I would just focus on the basics and just get out there. Generally speaking, if you do need to do any work on the car, there will be more experienced people there with the required tools who are more than willing to help.

3. Nice to have items are always personal preference, but a pop up tent, lawn chair, sunscreen, and a cooler with snacks and drinks is always a good idea.

4. Can’t speak on the free NASA track day, I didn’t do mine.

5. A lot of track day clubs provide free instruction with their days for novice groups to get oriented. Check up on Motorsportsreg for local track days and clubs that come through the area and they’ll have in their description if instructors are available or not.


Also, just have fun. First track days can be really intimidating, but they’re a great time and highly addictive.

 

[6SPDA91]

I’ll attempt to answer most of that.

1. Nothing required to hit the track, plenty of stock supras successfully doing track days. Recommended to do, but not necessary, would be brake pads and brake fluid. Drivers mod and just getting out there is the best thing you can do.

2. Tools necessary for a track day are pretty universal. Basics like Jack, Jack stands, impact wrench, lugnut socket, torque wrench, tire pressure gauge, tire inflator, etc. Not a comprehensive list by any stretch. For your first track day, I would just focus on the basics and just get out there. Generally speaking, if you do need to do any work on the car, there will be more experienced people there with the required tools who are more than willing to help.

3. Nice to have items are always personal preference, but a pop up tent, lawn chair, sunscreen, and a cooler with snacks and drinks is always a good idea.

4. Can’t speak on the free NASA track day, I didn’t do mine.

5. A lot of track day clubs provide free instruction with their days for novice groups to get oriented. Check up on Motorsportsreg for local track days and clubs that come through the area and they’ll have in their description if instructors are available or not.


Also, just have fun. First track days can be really intimidating, but they’re a great time and highly addictive.

Thanks. Definitely great answers which should keep in the spirit of the thread.

Gotta figure out when I'm doing my track day still.

 

[nibble]

I have read through all 24 pages of this and really appreciate the dialogue, logs and great feedback from veterans of the sport.

Here's a few questions from someone getting ready for their first "official" track day (hopefully these are useful for others getting ready).

The absolute must have is a good night sleep the day before. sounds silly but hard for some people.. some showed up with red eye but pumped in the morning and then requiring intravenous feed of caffein by afternoon. Get a good sleep.

 

[FLtrackdays]

I have read through all 24 pages of this and really appreciate the dialogue, logs and great feedback from veterans of the sport.

Here's a few questions from someone getting ready for their first "official" track day (hopefully these are useful for others getting ready).

1. For the supra, is there anything that MUST be done prior to getting on the track (free track day or otherwise). Ex. Aluminum skid plates, etc.

2. A lot of discussion has been made about the car itself, what about tools that you would recommend bringing?

3. Other must have or nice to have items?

4. I think it was mentioned a few pages back, but is an instructor included in the free track day or just the event?

5. What does a track instructor typically cost?

Only thing I’d add to @adawine ‘s great response, is check your hot tire pressure and torque your lug nuts after the first couple of sessions. He did mention bringing a pressure gauge and torque wrench, those should be the only tools you use every track day. Beginner or experienced driver, torque em to 101 ft/lbs and don’t let your hot tire pressure creep over 36 psi. You’ll have more fun (grip) with them not swelling over 40 psi. The lug nuts are just a safety thing I think everyone should do.

Anyone ever see the video of pro driver John Dean driving Wei-Shen Chin’s Acura NSX (I can’t find it right now)? They show it at lots of beginner classes. Anyway, I was there that day. Scary as shit! There’s another video floating around of another guy I know where his came off on a MX5. He plays it for classes as well. Moral to the story, torque your nuts people! ?

 

[6SPDA91]

4. You'll get an instructor and also be put into the HPDE1 run group.

5. Almost all organizations will provide instructors free of charge. Entry level run groups you are 100% with an instructor. Next level instructor in the morning, free in the afternoon. Next two levels you run full solo. I think the only time you'll ever need to pay is one you hire a personal instructor/coach.

Wonderful. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[AHP]

Most HPDE orgs provide instructors at no cost. There are some that do add a surcharge, though. I believe Chin has a $100 'coaching fee'. It should all be laid out in the event registration info.

 

[FLtrackdays]

For the money and the fact @1slow_mk5 is using them (ironic name being the fastest Supra at Homestead so far this year)

I bought them again. Just can’t beat ‘em for the price, imo. I don’t see the Paragons I’m currently on lasting as long as the Hawks did. And they feel great (both pads), so… just my 2 cents ?

 

[ABQautoxer]

On the topic of brake pads, which are the Project Mu ones people like?

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