Waterford Hills PCA Driver's Education Event Write-Up.... (sorry, long)
09-14-2006, 04:50 PM
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Waterford Hills PCA Driver's Education Event Write-Up.... (sorry, long)
Today was the last DE of the year for my father and me. We both ran in yellow group and got 4 run sessions of 20-25 minutes each (a bit under 90 minutes total).
For the first session, we both took it easy and got reacquainted with the track to start, then started to push a bit harder for the last 5-10 minutes. Maybe it's just a personal problem, but I always feel like at least the first half of the first session is this way even though I've run at Waterford Hills over a dozen times.
Once I got warmed up, my instructor watched me for a few laps to see what needed the most improvement. After observing for 2-3 laps, he suggested we work on fine tuning a couple turn in points...which we did for the remainder of this run session as well as the next run session.
On the second run session, I started out behind my father on the grid and he was pulling away rather easily both through the turns and and straight aways. I stopped trying to keep up about 5 minutes into the session and just continued working on my braking, turn in points, and throttle modulated steering for the remaining 15. I was pushing a bit more than I'd like, thought maybe I was just entering my turns too hot but instructor said entry speed was fine and suggested adding more tire pressure in the front to counteract the understeer.
I really felt good going into the third run session with 2 PSI more tire pressure in front tires (40 hot/33 cold up front post adjustments IIRC...will check temps tomorrow and write down for starting point next year). This time, I started 1 car behind my father on the grid with a modded red 993 (see pictures further down) between us. After 2 laps or so, I passed the 993 and caught up to my father. After another couple laps, I managed to pass my father. I was feeling on top of the world at this point and then it happened....
I was going around a sweeping left called swamp turn 1 (see track map below) testing how close I could come to the turn in cone when BAM...I got 2 wheels off into the grass which quickly turned into 4 wheels off and some CPR practice, followed by 2 feet in. The end result of this whole debacle...sitting on the grass facing the wrong way! Oh, I also managed to shoot grass and dirt about 15 feet into the air (see pictures below, dirt on wheels and on roof/trunk area). After coming in to let the safety chariman check that the car and I were fine, my instructor and I hopped back on the track and got 5-10 minutes of much improved driving.
Between the thrid and fourth run sessions, my instructor took me out in his Mustang (late 90s or early 2000s, stock engine with exhaust, hoosiers, suspension, brakes, racing seats with harnesses) and showed me a couple pointers. It was one thing to tell me how I should take a turn, but him showing me really helped much more. I also was able to see how he steered the car by modulating throttle.
The fourth and final run session started where the third left off. It was a fantastic session, took me 3-5 minutes to catch up to my dad who started several cars ahead...and then I spent the last 15 minutes chasing him down. I was right on his *** the entire time and actually received two passing flags, but becuase nobody was being held back (we were passing other cars as a team, 2 at a time) I waved them off so I could continue following. It was great to see that I could stick with pops for such a long time...and it shocked a lot of people as there were more than a few comments when the session ended.
As I said to my instructor early in the day, the main goal was consistency. The last session of today was by far my most consistent of all time...and being a passenger in his car between third and fourth is a big reason why. I made some serious improvement throughout the day (a couple key turn in points, much better throttle modulated steering and a bit more consistent braking) and finally have my dad pondering how he can regain the edge (mods hopefully!).
Obliigatory paddock shot of us parked together:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/996TTandS4YellowGroup.jpg">
Track map:
<img src="http://waterfordhills.com/track9b.GIF">
Two very clean 993s, black is a C4S:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/Clean993s.jpg">
Not only was it a clean C4S, check out license plate and engine bay:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/SCd993C4S.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/SuperchargedNVR2OLD.jpg">
Many of you have seen pictures of the Achet Grey Audi S4 avant located in MI...this car is owned by the same person:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/VerduraPorsche.jpg">
Did my best to capture off road excursion:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/OffRoadExcursion1.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/OffRoadExcursion2.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/OffRoadExcursion3.jpg">
P.S.-I wasn't so happy with my brakes late in sessions (and on way home from event!), pedal feel got soft and pedal travel increased greatly on occasion which really reduced my confidence in hard deep braking. Next year, I'll try running a more aggressive front pad (Pagid Orange currently) and better fluid (Valvoline DOT 4 currently). Anyone have suggestions on pads? I'm leaning toward Motul RBF600 fluid, FWIW. Oh, definitely considering Stasis center diff as well...seems like an awesome bang for the buck.
For the first session, we both took it easy and got reacquainted with the track to start, then started to push a bit harder for the last 5-10 minutes. Maybe it's just a personal problem, but I always feel like at least the first half of the first session is this way even though I've run at Waterford Hills over a dozen times.
Once I got warmed up, my instructor watched me for a few laps to see what needed the most improvement. After observing for 2-3 laps, he suggested we work on fine tuning a couple turn in points...which we did for the remainder of this run session as well as the next run session.
On the second run session, I started out behind my father on the grid and he was pulling away rather easily both through the turns and and straight aways. I stopped trying to keep up about 5 minutes into the session and just continued working on my braking, turn in points, and throttle modulated steering for the remaining 15. I was pushing a bit more than I'd like, thought maybe I was just entering my turns too hot but instructor said entry speed was fine and suggested adding more tire pressure in the front to counteract the understeer.
I really felt good going into the third run session with 2 PSI more tire pressure in front tires (40 hot/33 cold up front post adjustments IIRC...will check temps tomorrow and write down for starting point next year). This time, I started 1 car behind my father on the grid with a modded red 993 (see pictures further down) between us. After 2 laps or so, I passed the 993 and caught up to my father. After another couple laps, I managed to pass my father. I was feeling on top of the world at this point and then it happened....
I was going around a sweeping left called swamp turn 1 (see track map below) testing how close I could come to the turn in cone when BAM...I got 2 wheels off into the grass which quickly turned into 4 wheels off and some CPR practice, followed by 2 feet in. The end result of this whole debacle...sitting on the grass facing the wrong way! Oh, I also managed to shoot grass and dirt about 15 feet into the air (see pictures below, dirt on wheels and on roof/trunk area). After coming in to let the safety chariman check that the car and I were fine, my instructor and I hopped back on the track and got 5-10 minutes of much improved driving.
Between the thrid and fourth run sessions, my instructor took me out in his Mustang (late 90s or early 2000s, stock engine with exhaust, hoosiers, suspension, brakes, racing seats with harnesses) and showed me a couple pointers. It was one thing to tell me how I should take a turn, but him showing me really helped much more. I also was able to see how he steered the car by modulating throttle.
The fourth and final run session started where the third left off. It was a fantastic session, took me 3-5 minutes to catch up to my dad who started several cars ahead...and then I spent the last 15 minutes chasing him down. I was right on his *** the entire time and actually received two passing flags, but becuase nobody was being held back (we were passing other cars as a team, 2 at a time) I waved them off so I could continue following. It was great to see that I could stick with pops for such a long time...and it shocked a lot of people as there were more than a few comments when the session ended.
As I said to my instructor early in the day, the main goal was consistency. The last session of today was by far my most consistent of all time...and being a passenger in his car between third and fourth is a big reason why. I made some serious improvement throughout the day (a couple key turn in points, much better throttle modulated steering and a bit more consistent braking) and finally have my dad pondering how he can regain the edge (mods hopefully!).
Obliigatory paddock shot of us parked together:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/996TTandS4YellowGroup.jpg">
Track map:
<img src="http://waterfordhills.com/track9b.GIF">
Two very clean 993s, black is a C4S:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/Clean993s.jpg">
Not only was it a clean C4S, check out license plate and engine bay:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/SCd993C4S.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/SuperchargedNVR2OLD.jpg">
Many of you have seen pictures of the Achet Grey Audi S4 avant located in MI...this car is owned by the same person:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/VerduraPorsche.jpg">
Did my best to capture off road excursion:
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/OffRoadExcursion1.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/OffRoadExcursion2.jpg">
<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v654/DocSlow/OffRoadExcursion3.jpg">
P.S.-I wasn't so happy with my brakes late in sessions (and on way home from event!), pedal feel got soft and pedal travel increased greatly on occasion which really reduced my confidence in hard deep braking. Next year, I'll try running a more aggressive front pad (Pagid Orange currently) and better fluid (Valvoline DOT 4 currently). Anyone have suggestions on pads? I'm leaning toward Motul RBF600 fluid, FWIW. Oh, definitely considering Stasis center diff as well...seems like an awesome bang for the buck.
09-14-2006, 04:58 PM
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Git yer **** to a different track!
I had the most trouble with swamp turn when i was at waterford. Its has a blind apex and I was always wanting to turn-in too early. Didn't really get it until the last 2-3 sessions of day 2.
That Matt's red pcar? He was a nice dude
That Matt's red pcar? He was a nice dude
09-14-2006, 05:07 PM
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Next closest track is 2 hours. Hmm 20 min or 2 hours!? :P
I actually really like swamp turn, kicks *** once you do it a few times. I spank my dad in that section...he's a bit too cautious going through there IMO.
Yes, that would be Matt. I've never actually met Matt (not even today, just recognized his name on the list of drivers and their respective number/color). I find that funny considering I've seen his car at Piggie's at least a half dozen times, drove in it at least once to test newly installed parts, and sat in th trunk while "supervising" Piggie's install of Stasis rear brakes. ;-)
Yes, that would be Matt. I've never actually met Matt (not even today, just recognized his name on the list of drivers and their respective number/color). I find that funny considering I've seen his car at Piggie's at least a half dozen times, drove in it at least once to test newly installed parts, and sat in th trunk while "supervising" Piggie's install of Stasis rear brakes. ;-)
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09-14-2006, 05:21 PM
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understandable, wish i had a track that close. hah, i scared the **** out of my instructor
once or twice going into swamp pretty hot. All was well, but I think he was right to be concerned =p
09-14-2006, 05:21 PM
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OK, attempting to not sound like a total n00bsicle....
What are the odds that I'll notice a difference between 503F dry boiling point fluid (Valvoline DOT 4) and 593F dry boiling point fluid (Motul RBF600)? It seems like the Valvoline DOT 4 isn't too shabby. Not only that but whenever I get tech inspected, they test the fluid for water and there is always none...nada, zip, zilch.
<sigh>
<sigh>