VIR - Great News/Frustrating News/Bad News

[SonnyJack]

The car is back!!!!!!

Wow! My two day excursion down to VIR was nearly flawless, making the 7 mos worth of repairs well worth it! I say nearly flawless because while the car was perfect, my GoPro 6 took a dump on me and I have NO VIDEO! I had my "beat to hell" but fully functional GoPro Hero 3 but not the mounts and couldn't get it into the mount for my 6.

To recap, last July 5th I ended up with a delaminated MFactory driveshaft. However, prior to that I had been experiencing poor acceleration on shifts from 4-5. Was having several seconds of unexplained stuttering/hesitation and never maxed out 5th gear on either the front or back straights. Repairs included a new OS Giken Clutch, a race transmission from diffsonline and an 8 yr old used driveshaft from a wreaked 2013 E92 M3. Also burned out my methanol pump so that was replaced with an adjustable trunk mounted AEM unit.

I nearly shit myself mid-way through my first outing Monday morning on PSC2's when I was bouncing off the rev limiter in 5th gear just past the flag stand on the back straight! The hesitation is gone and the car was a freight train on every lap! I was running consistent 2:11's in traffic, and when I say traffic, I mean TRAFFIC!! The intermediate run group had by far the highest number of participants (50+) and we had some clowns who just ignored repeated blue flags. We also had a few lightly modded Miata's who were horrible at giving point byes on the first day. They were better on day two but some of the other clowns just stayed bad. I followed a Supra for two full laps and a half dozen blue flags before getting a point bye, and then immediately found myself behind a Camaro who tried pointing me bye on the left as we climbed the hill on the front straight. THE LEFT!!!!! He found me later and said "hey man, nice running with you. When you turned down that point bye I figured you just wanted to stay put." I bit my tongue but wanted to scream at him "NO DUDE, I TURNED DOWN THE POINT BYE BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO KILL ME!" Spoke to the meet director later and he said about a half dozen people had already complained about the Camaro's, a father and son.

The slowest time when traffic was the worst was 2:28!

After switching to the R7's early on day 1 the point byes became more frequent and then it was the Z06 guys who were the problem. No offense to any 'vette driver's but in the intermediate run group they're real good on the straights but not very good at braking and turning. I'm certain they were befuddled when they couldn't pull away on the straights but at that point I was in full cheat-mode. My trail braking was much more consistent on the R7's but unfortunately when I would nail it on turns 1, 3 & 4 it would put me on somebody's bumper and then lead to a delay and hopefully a point bye prior to the uphill esses.

I'm still losing too much time between 10 and 11 (oak tree) and while I've gotten better I know there's something I'm just doing wrong there but can't put my finger on it. My best times with the R7's were 2:08's again with traffic.

Bottom line is that the car is running great for what seems like the first time in years. The hesitation I was experiencing has actually been there for years and obviously the track was the only place where it would fully reveal itself because well, even when the car was still street driven you can't just go around playing Fast & Furious. Four years ago when I did my first 1/2 mile event is when I noticed it, but while it was frustrating I didn't give it much thought.

Now, I did a lot of complaining about point byes but things changed during yesterday's 2nd session. It wasn't supposed to rain, and while it never truly "rain-rained" it did enough for me to play it safe on the R7's and I only pushed when there was no visible rain drops on my windshield. No prize money at stake and after 7 mos in the shop I wasn't taking any chances. I was at the front of the run group on that outing and I think I must have pointed bye about 30 cars, always watching my rear view for the next Chevy rage-monster looking to blow my doors off. I like to think my point byes were timely and given far enough in advance to not disrupt anyone's flow.

Thanks again to everyone who provided input during my car issues of last year. I appreciated all of your comments/suggestions! Also, thanks for the input on the HANS device. As everyone stated it was a non-issue once the driving started and I didn't realize I was wearing it.

SJ

[Scrippy]

I'm so jealous, I love VIR! How were your runs through the rollercoaster straight? Did you stay in 6th on the gas or have to let off? VIR is definitely in my top 5 of NA tracks! I know exactly what you mean with lack of point by, it can be frustrating. Great story and I'm glad the car performed for you.

[SYT_Shadow]

Glad you enjoyed your outing!

I don't know who you were running with, but if you run with PCA and someone needs multiple blue flags to let you by, you can report this to the hot pit stewards and they will address the issue.

[SonnyJack]

Originally Posted by Scrippy

I'm so jealous, I love VIR! How were your runs through the rollercoaster straight? Did you stay in 6th on the gas or have to let off? VIR is definitely in my top 5 of NA tracks! I know exactly what you mean with lack of point by, it can be frustrating. Great story and I'm glad the car performed for you.

Thanks!

I was braking at the bottom of the dip right before turn 14 and depending on how much speed I was carrying I would be in either 3rd or 4th and then either stay in 4th or shift to 4th all the way through hog pen. I was very happy with the car's stability slowing from 160+ down to 50-60 to make the turn to start roller coaster. I was catching and/or pulling away from cars through that section and the uphill esses.

[SonnyJack]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

Glad you enjoyed your outing!

I don't know who you were running with, but if you run with PCA and someone needs multiple blue flags to let you by, you can report this to the hot pit stewards and they will address the issue.

Thanks!

This was TrackDaze and I did that twice for different drivers. Unfortunately one of those times ended up being right before the checkered so I didn't get to go back out. I know they spoke to the Miata guys and they adjusted on day 2 but I also know they spoke with some of the others and they didn't adapt at all. I know everybody pays to participate so I try not to be overly whiny.

[turbo_joe]

Planning any other upcoming events? I am signed up for Nasa at VIR in May and it will be my first time going there

[dparm]

If you're frustrated with traffic and poor SA from other drivers, make the move to time trial.

[SonnyJack]

Originally Posted by turbo_joe

Planning any other upcoming events? I am signed up for Nasa at VIR in May and it will be my first time going there

Yeah, I saw that one late and then it looked sold out so I'll have to try and run with them later this year. You are gonna love VIR! Long drive down (at least half of the way on little country roads) but well worth it.

I'm gonna hopefully run with Chin again this year at PittRace and also when they do Summit Point. My goal is to try and get in at least a half-dozen events this year. I've got an RV coming this Fall so hopefully going on longer distances will be less taxing. My Yukon is doing alright but I'm getting close to my towing maximum and I know I'm just shortening it's lifespan. Hills are a killer!

[turbo_joe]

Originally Posted by SonnyJack

Yeah, I saw that one late and then it looked sold out so I'll have to try and run with them later this year. You are gonna love VIR! Long drive down (at least half of the way on little country roads) but well worth it.

I'm gonna hopefully run with Chin again this year at PittRace and also when they do Summit Point. My goal is to try and get in at least a half-dozen events this year. I've got an RV coming this Fall so hopefully going on longer distances will be less taxing. My Yukon is doing alright but I'm getting close to my towing maximum and I know I'm just shortening it's lifespan. Hills are a killer!

The NASA event isn't sold out, I just signed up today. I will probably attend some Chin events this year as well

RV will be sweet, I am trying to upgrade to an enclosed trailer this season so I can camp out of it

[SonnyJack]

Originally Posted by dparm

If you're frustrated with traffic and poor SA from other drivers, make the move to time trial.

Trust me I know. That's why running with NASA makes a great deal of sense. With TrackDaze unfortunately people get promoted quickly from beginner to intermediate and then it's a slower progression into the advanced group where I've never heard of any issues. Intermediate is also where it seems there are the largest disparities in both ability and car performance. I am no expert but I've been driving this car for 12 yrs now and I know it's characteristics/handling very well.

I've also run with Chin and they have a very fast intermediate group and I've never had point bye issues with them. TrackDaze does a bunch of things in this area which is how I ended up there. Gonna ask about getting a check-ride progression into the advanced group at my next event.

[SonnyJack]

Originally Posted by turbo_joe

The NASA event isn't sold out, I just signed up today. I will probably attend some Chin events this year as well

RV will be sweet, I am trying to upgrade to an enclosed trailer this season so I can camp out of it

Today?! I'm on it. Which run group did you sign up for?

[turbo_joe]

Originally Posted by SonnyJack

Today?! I'm on it. Which run group did you sign up for?

Supersize HPDE
HPDE3 for three days

https://nasaproracing.com/events/3596

I have run with Nasa before and already have my okay for solo/group 3 but I also plan to take my TT test that weekend

[SonnyJack]

Originally Posted by turbo_joe

The NASA event isn't sold out, I just signed up today. I will probably attend some Chin events this year as well

RV will be sweet, I am trying to upgrade to an enclosed trailer this season so I can camp out of it

Well, let's see what happens. Signed up for HPDE 3 so hopefully can get check-ride cleared for that.

Yeah, the RV was originally supposed to be delivered last month but Covid delays pushed everything back. I believe the same chip shortage which has hit car manufacturers also hit the RV market. Waiting on a Class C Dynamax Isata 5 w/Explorer package. Diesel motor so decent amount more towing capacity than the Yukon.

[turbo_joe]

Originally Posted by SonnyJack

Well, let's see what happens. Signed up for HPDE 3 so hopefully can get check-ride cleared for that.

Yeah, the RV was originally supposed to be delivered last month but Covid delays pushed everything back. I believe the same chip shortage which has hit car manufacturers also hit the RV market. Waiting on a Class C Dynamax Isata 5 w/Explorer package. Diesel motor so decent amount more towing capacity than the Yukon.

That is gonna be a nice setup, I know delays have hit everything hard. Enclosed trailers are very hard to come by right now.

See you at VIR

[dparm]

Originally Posted by SonnyJack

Trust me I know. That's why running with NASA makes a great deal of sense. With TrackDaze unfortunately people get promoted quickly from beginner to intermediate and then it's a slower progression into the advanced group where I've never heard of any issues. Intermediate is also where it seems there are the largest disparities in both ability and car performance. I am no expert but I've been driving this car for 12 yrs now and I know it's characteristics/handling very well.

I've also run with Chin and they have a very fast intermediate group and I've never had point bye issues with them. TrackDaze does a bunch of things in this area which is how I ended up there. Gonna ask about getting a check-ride progression into the advanced group at my next event.

Yes, Chin is pretty strict about their run groups. Just make sure you get bumped up to the highest group possible very quickly.

If you run with NASA, be sure and do the HPDE Passport when you move from DE3-->4-->TT. You can get a ton of Toyo Bucks (I think $900) and huge discount on some new brakes from Hawk. Also, have a local member refer you...you will get a discount, and they will get a credit too.

[kayha12]

I instruct and run time trials with NASA

Would love to have you join us in the ranks - I assume you would run in the HPDE 3 group (Advanced) where point bys are required but can be done anywhere. With NASA it's a pretty quick group, in general those guys are quite situationally aware and you shouldn't have any "issues" with traffic. That's in quotes because if you're looking to do flyers with zero traffic, you'll either need to grid first and get it done in the first couple laps or wait until you're in time trials

And please don't take offense to this, but if you're doing 2:08s with a supercharged m3 on R7s, there is lots of room for improvement and would not worry too much on timing and focus on developing that driver mod.

Let me know if you have any questions on the track or NASA in general. Happy to share some insights/data/video/etc

We've got a few super fast folks on the board that runs 2:00 or faster at VIR, and they're all in my time trial class (10:1 power to weight ratio) ThunderMoose in his e46 and jakob66 in his e92 m3

I just did a 2:02 last weekend, trying to hit a 2:01 in May!

[SonnyJack]

Originally Posted by kayha12

I instruct and run time trials with NASA

Would love to have you join us in the ranks - I assume you would run in the HPDE 3 group (Advanced) where point bys are required but can be done anywhere. With NASA it's a pretty quick group, in general those guys are quite situationally aware and you shouldn't have any "issues" with traffic. That's in quotes because if you're looking to do flyers with zero traffic, you'll either need to grid first and get it done in the first couple laps or wait until you're in time trials

And please don't take offense to this, but if you're doing 2:08s with a supercharged m3 on R7s, there is lots of room for improvement and would not worry too much on timing and focus on developing that driver mod.

Let me know if you have any questions on the track or NASA in general. Happy to share some insights/data/video/etc

We've got a few super fast folks on the board that runs 2:00 or faster at VIR, and they're all in my time trial class (10:1 power to weight ratio) ThunderMoose in his e46 and jakob66 in his e92 m3

I just did a 2:02 last weekend, trying to hit a 2:01 in May!

No offense at all. The times I listed were WITH traffic. I had no clean laps over the entire two days. Sometimes I would catch the train before roller coaster and that would ruin a lap and sometimes it was around the esses where I was fastest and that would ruin a lap. In extreme circumstances it was for the entire lap, hence the 2:28 I mentioned!

However, I was very pleased that I was getting more consistent with my trail braking in 1, 3 & 4. That felt very good especially after missing the last 7 mos of last year with the car in the shop.

On a clean lap I would have expected low 2 min with my current setup/skill level which still would have left a lot on the table. Trust me when I say I know I still have a lot to learn. I think part of my problem between turns 10 & 11 is that I coast too much because I've never successfully trail braked at oak tree. No idea why I've got a brain lock there.

I look forward to meeting you in May!

[SonnyJack]

Originally Posted by turbo_joe

That is gonna be a nice setup, I know delays have hit everything hard. Enclosed trailers are very hard to come by right now.

See you at VIR

What sized/type of enclosed carrier are you looking at?

[dparm]

Running in TT will make you faster, guaranteed. You will be running with the fastest guys and always have a rabbit in front of you -- plus there is virtually no traffic.

[kayha12]

You should come out to Summit Point April 18-19 with NASA MA, I know Turbo Joe and I will be there

[turbo_joe]

Originally Posted by SonnyJack

What sized/type of enclosed carrier are you looking at?

24-28 enclosed loaded with Ac/heat and some other options

[admranger]

Originally Posted by SonnyJack

Waiting on a Class C Dynamax Isata 5 w/Explorer package. Diesel motor so decent amount more towing capacity than the Yukon.

I so wanted a Dynamax (but on the Freightliner chassis) but couldn't afford one when we got our RV. Not that I was slumming it as I was in a 40' American Coach pusher w/Cummins. Previous owner had put a Banks kit on it so it had decent power. Class C is nice as you won't have to wait weeks if you break a windshield since it's not a custom situation. Is the Isata 5 under 26k lbs GVWR so you don't have to get a Class B license (well, in NV it's a class B if over 26k GVWR anyway).