Another track day at wakefield park. It was insane fun, so sorry about the long write-up, feel free to skip down to the videos. But I felt I had to share.
First of all; I did not get any motion sickness. Maybe because I've taken Chris' advice and run with open windows. This has improved the enjoyment a lot.
Second: the day was mostly dry, even though the forecast was miserable. We only got rain in the afternoon. But boy was it fun!
Third: I was fast(er) again! Last time I was in the 1:16s here, this time my fastest lap was a 1:12.75
Fourth: great company! I've had very nice neighbours again, the TrackSchool guys (organisers) were as friendly as ever, if not more. I've met other 86'ers. Very friendly ones. They pointed me towards a NSW 86 club.
And I've met a chap who was/is a member of the xgn forums - Daveo555,from 10 years ago in the GTL league, and he's still a great chap, he was one of the officials. Small world!
And finally, and very importantly; I've turned off the TC after the 2nd session. I just felt it's time. It was just the 5s-TC button method, not the full pedal dance, by the way.
Before this, I could always (well often) feel the TC intervening out of corners, even in sport VSC mode. Without, the car have livened up; I could chuck it into corners much better, and get out of corners with a bit of throttle very well. Laptimes tumbled at that point from mid-13's into the 12's.
The Nittos held up well, by the way. They seem like really nice tyres, altho I can see they won't last very long.
I've actually managed to push so hard that I went off in the dry! (half-spun out of a corner & over-corrected...) Finally I've met my skill limit
And boy I had fun! The car is so much better without TC - it can bite a bit, but the wet session ....it's a story itself.
I went out behind a black mx5, he was very eager, mostly sideways out of corners. It was great to watch while catching my car a few times myself. We had too much fun for a few laps. He went off once, then I was leading he was following. When we parked after the session, in one minute he came around from the other row of boxes with the biggest bloody grin on his face (mirroring my face I guess) and we had a good laugh and chat about how fantastic this session was. He had some dirt racing background, and was very good - and brave - at getting the car sideways.
Dave actually came to us afterwards to chat because he and a bunch of guys were watching us and they saw how much fun we had and enjoyed watching us
Track days should be like a utility service, free and guaranteed for everyone! It was the best track day so far I've been at. I'm still smiling just thinking about it all.
Videos as promised ( tell me if you guys had enough
)
Sorry about the noise, I had to keep the windows open.
And sorry about the offset between the sensors & the video, Harry's laptimer while great, is not perfect. I'm trying to sort it out but it's a lower priority item - there's no simple solution it seems. I've talked to Harry.
This was my 5th track day, and I wasn't in the slow/beginner group now, thankfully.
Now, the videos:
Session 1
TC in sport mode. I've set the exact same fast laps twice, a:14.42, on lap #6 & #7 (link to the start of lap 6)
https://youtu.be/BDVHtZS-qnY?t=6m57sSession2
TC in sport mode. 1:13.47 on lap #13, then 1:13.42 on lap #15 (linked)
I've linked this with a bit of lead-in to show that overtaking was not restricted anymore, interestingly - and I made full use of it
https://youtu.be/ym8g48uhL0A?t=7m35sSession 3
TC off from here on!
Fastest is a 1:12.93 on lap #23 (linked)
https://youtu.be/Ji3Wis1uJIY?t=7m42sSession 4:
I'm starting to push more, result;
1:12.75 on lap #29The white SS overtaking me a lap later is a 700HP supercharged V8. He was my neighbour. He pulls slowly away but I'm not far behind...up to a point.
Me pushing results in a pretty poorly executed corner and subsequent visit to the grass here:
https://youtu.be/epAzLhR8cPE?t=12m1sSession 5, the fun wet session. Just watch
https://youtu.be/sEAytKf8gYA?list=PLhqTUceyDpzJaz_ISDFZAZJ6tKJu4Ntx1Session 6, the last session.
It is slowly drying, so less sideways action from me. We've lined up with mr black mx5 again, but he was too good in the greasy conditions and pulled away
https://youtu.be/cEDPfAlI5sI?list=PLhqTUceyDpzJaz_ISDFZAZJ6tKJu4Ntx1