VIR with SVT Superfest: Lead-follow with Instructor

[LiM3y]

Just got back from a great weekend at VIR with the SVT Superfest weekend. In the past, I have run with First Settlers PCA in May, but this event had fewer run groups and 4 sessions a day vs 3 with PCA. Had a fun time running with Boss Mustangs and Shelby's - and the M3 held its own. There was one other E92 M3 at the event, so we stuck together! At night, I surrounded my bed with copies of Roundel and lighted incense sticks to keep the Detroit Demons at bay!

I had a great instructor that gave me a lot of confidence back after the last time out I clipped a wall at NHMS (not posting that film), and I picked up some speed - 2-3 seconds from last year. My best lad was 2:22.95, with an HLT potential best lap of 2:10.0 (). I think with some slightly bigger balls in Nascar and the Esses, I can break 2:20's. I had the usual struggles with Oak Tree, and Nascar got done correctly maybe once all weekend! I was definitely faster through the Snake and routinely braked to ~100-105 going into the Esses - I am not quite ready to hit them at 115-120!

Set-up:
MDM mode (I am sticking with this for the time being. I know DSC off is faster, but I like the insurance it provides after the hassle of replacing getting fixed up again after a miss)
Hankook RS-3 275/35/18 on APEX ARC-8 18x10 rims
Turner stage 2 camber plates
H&R Front sway bar
Cantrell brake ducts
PFC-01 pads
Eibach springs
aFe CAI/RPI scoops
Magnaflow exhaust - loud and droney!

Three things I didn't know I needed until I got them:

1) Wheel studs - these just made life so much easier. Originally, I didn't worry too much about hand threading wheel bolts and using the mounting tool, but putting the studs in and finger spinning the lug nuts on before impacting them down made switching wheels a breeze. Also, an 80 ft.lb torque stick extension makes life easy too!

2) Brake ducts - made a huge difference to pad wear. After 4 track days, the pads areless than half worn, and I had good brakes all day - all session long. By the time I had cooled down running to South Paddock and back, the brake pedal was back to full firmness. Get these for stock brakes!

3) Camber plates - made a big difference to tire wear (running -2.5, zero toe) and had consistent wear across the whole tire tread.

Anyway, here is the film. I am still trying to get Race Render to work properly, so that will come later! This is my second session on Sunday doing lead-follow with my instructor

[klammer]

Run with plenty of stangs here in the Midwest. Usually a great group of guys, way better than vettes on track cause they actually point by. Nice driving and think sub 2:20 is not a problem as the line looks right, just have to go after it a bit more nice video

[Jaypod]

Cool vid - thanks for sharing. The helmet cam certainly gives you an interesting perspective. You can tell from the camera angle that you were looking up and well in front of where you were driving, especially on the turns.

Now go plant your front bumper on his rear bumper!

Hope you get the race renderer figured out, would be cools to see some data as well.

[jbraslins]

Nice vid.

Important question to ask yourself is if you really need to break below 2:20. Your lines and pace is good. You can have great time at track running this kind of pace. But as you push for those last 5..15 seconds, your risk is going up dramatically.

I promised myself not to do that in a DD without cage/harnesses/seats.

Just food for thought

[LiM3y]

I think my braking/lifting before the Uphill Esses answers that question! VIR has a couple of spots that are unforgiving if you are not fully committed to your speed.

Like I mentioned, I had a minor shunt at NHMS last time out directly resulting from overdriving and the cost and inconvenience of fixing that was disproportionate to the 2-3 seconds I had gained.

[LiM3y]

Originally Posted by klammer

Run with plenty of stangs here in the Midwest. Usually a great group of guys, way better than vettes on track cause they actually point by. Nice driving and think sub 2:20 is not a problem as the line looks right, just have to go after it a bit more nice video

The Mustang guys were great and the only point-by issues in the group were from a Corvette! At the end of the day, like all track days I have been too, we are all car guys looking to have fun. There are always a couple of hard-ons there that are "off message", but you just keep out of their way.

I did play the role of a rabbit in the group and I had a couple of Boss's and a Camaro chasing me a little. One guy took the country road around Turn 1 after he outbraked himself on the front straight. I caught a glimpse of a red flash going across my rear view mirror as I rounded the Apex that indicated that he was a little "off line".

[von_zoom]

Hummm - great driving. Seems like I remember doing this same line around the track in my old E92, wonder why it looks familiar?

Bob, no problem doing the Esses faster. Same entry, with the need to be smooooth all the way up. Remember, keep power on the car going up hill and brakes at South Bend are important.
Regards, vz

[LiM3y]

Originally Posted by von_zoom

Hummm - great driving. Seems like I remember doing this same line around the track in my old E92, wonder why it looks familiar?

Bob, no problem doing the Esses faster. Same entry, with the need to be smooooth all the way up. Remember, keep power on the car going up hill and brakes at South Bend are important.
Regards, vz

Thanks, Doc! I have had great instructors at VIR! I think I should probably have driving gloves on for the Esses too!

There was funny moment with the instructor (runs a Green M-coupe #368 to preserve anonymity) at NASCAR where I just brushed the brakes and there came a "Whoa" through the chatterbox, to which I replied "What's up?" - "Did you just do Nascar without braking? - "No, I brushed them just like you said!" - "Really? Brush harder! [Pause] Hmmm, I'll have to try that line!". I did feel good though!

Do you know if any groups are running the Grand Course in Fall? I was looking but couldn't see any events. First Settlers used to run it in the Fall, but seem to have 2 days of South course and one day of Full course.

[von_zoom]

Do you know if any groups are running the Grand Course in Fall?

You might check out TrackDaze, Nov 11-12. I think that one day will be the Grand East and registration is likely open now. Good group to run with. I will probably be doing Audi Nov 9-10 and then TrackDaze following. Lot of instructing seat time, but the season is winding down.

Understand some carnage among the Vett folks (yellow C6) during your event. If you play hard, you pay equally, but I guess you unfortunately found that out already
vz

[LiM3y]

Originally Posted by von_zoom

You might check out TrackDaze, Nov 11-12. I think that one day will be the Grand East and registration is likely open now. Good group to run with. I will probably be doing Audi Nov 9-10 and then TrackDaze following. Lot of instructing seat time, but the season is winding down.

Understand some carnage among the Vett folks (yellow C6) during your event. If you play hard, you pay equally, but I guess you unfortunately found that out already
vz

Yep - an instructor's 'vette went airborne after losing all his brakes on the back straight during the yellow session. My buddy Roger arrived just after it happened, and I took a photo of it rounding Oak Tree just beforehand too. He elected to straight line the top of the back straight, took off Dukes of Hazzard style, clipped the tire wall and landed by the left hander of Rollercoaster. He got lucky as the car started to rotate its nose up. He landed very close to a guy on the track apparently - could have been awful! There were tires everywhere on the track and grass to test one's off line driving.

On Sunday, another 'vette lost it coming out of Snake and hit the tires on the right. The photographer was there and caught it on film - he got some air too!

[von_zoom]

Remember our discursion - 5 through 6 is where 70 % of off road price damage occurs at VIR. If you are after the $5.00 wooden HPDE trophy, this is where you are apt to loose it. How shameful to loose the HPDE event at so simple the location.

See you this fall?
vz

[paradocs98]

I didn't know you'd had an off at NHMS. Glad all is ok.

I really want to do VIR at some point. Are the climbing esses taken flat-out the whole way, or is there throttle modulation going on?

Helmet cam is an interesting perspective. Maybe you can give us between-run footage, too, à la the Driver's Eye series on youtube/Drive. Provided, of course, that you're wearing your helmet in the classroom, while eating lunch, etc.

[von_zoom]

Originally Posted by paradocs98

I really want to do VIR at some point. Are the climbing esses taken flat-out the whole way, or is there throttle modulation going on?

, etc.

Well, depends upon which car you are pointing. My Z06 in no way will do them flat out. That said, my E92, I would enter the esses with a late apex at/around 110, and exit at 115 all things normal. Not flat out, but the key is to maintain power on the car while you are going uphill. Each part of the esse is a late apex and I try and stay off the girders. The change of elevation and the turns causes loss of speed, and to some degree, grip. So power will help. As you top the hill, you are faced with South Bend which must be taken with care. I would "stab" the brakes to settle the front, turn in a shade early, nibble at the girder, and track all the way out with full power on the car at this point.

Suggest you take it in easy but with progressive performance when you are there. The esses can grab you and make your day away from good.

vz

[paradocs98]

Originally Posted by von_zoom

Well, depends upon which car you are pointing. My Z06 in no way will do them flat out. That said, my E92, I would enter the esses with a late apex at/around 110, and exit at 115 all things normal. Not flat out, but the key is to maintain power on the car while you are going uphill. Each part of the esse is a late apex and I try and stay off the girders. The change of elevation and the turns causes loss of speed, and to some degree, grip. So power will help. As you top the hill, you are faced with South Bend which must be taken with care. I would "stab" the brakes to settle the front, turn in a shade early, nibble at the girder, and track all the way out with full power on the car at this point.

Suggest you take it in easy but with progressive performance when you are there. The esses can grab you and make your day away from good.

vz

Thanks. When I make it to VIR, I'll look for you.

[yandy]

nice video and driving, I need to make to VIR some time soon.. elevation changes FTW. All our tracks are flat down here.