Suzuka Circuit Log

[kyrix1st]

Background
I've been to numerous circuits (local/international) in Japan, but I've yet to conquer a lap of Suzuka International Circuit, the spiritual prime of Japanese car enthusiasts. I'm very excited to say the least that I'll be lapping the full course on March 29th. I made this thread for the following reasons:

1. To log every Suzuka session with preps, lap times, and impressions;
2. To share my current settings; and
3. To get some advice on future settings from the readers!

Preparation #1

Vehicle settings
Tyre: Z232 Hankook Ventus R-S4 265/40/18
Tyre Pressure: 32 psi cold
Tyre alignment: -3.0 front & rear (alignment pin removed)
Wheels: Enkei NT03RR 10.5j x 18 ET 23 squared
Brake pads: Endless MX72 F&R
Brake fluid: Endless RF650
Suspension: EDC stock
Differential: Stock
Differential fluid: Motul Competition 75w-140
Engine oil: Redline 0w40
DME: stock
Aero: CF front splitter + M performance rear spoiler
Exhaust: Stock rear + Laptorr front-mid pipe catless
Transmission fluid: Omega 690 Red Label Laptorr spec (75w-80)

Necessary equipment
1. Gloves
2. Full face Helmet
3. Long sleeves
4. Racing shoes
5. Driver's License
6. ゼッケン（Zekken） (number plate)
7. Passport pictures x 3
8. Gopro 4&5 with mics
9. Gopro batteries

Supplementary equipment
1. Racing license (class A or above)
2. Racing suits

Notes
-CC-H class: classified as under 2:50
-CC-B class: classified as over 2:50

Lap times #1
BL: 2:42 with traffic

Impression #1(2018/07)
-It is near impossible to downshift without 6 point harness into the first corner due to heavy lateral G. Still deciding on whether to take the wide line or out-in-in-out. Ideally the latter as most modified E92s take that line.
-Top speed recorded at 135km/h entering double S corners.
-E92 M3 has 80% chance of rear slippage into the Dunlop curve on radial tires.
-Degner is fun 3rd gear into entry, dropping down to 2nd gear on the exit for best acceleration.
-Hairpin requires patience.
-Car's overall balance is shown on Spoon curve. Brakes feel a little too soft for modulation.
-130R requires more practice. Braking and downshifting at 230km/h into entry, exiting around 160km/h. Need to carry more speed without letting the rear loose. Fast tap braking and throttle seems to be the key.

Car setup #2
F: 265/35/18 RE71R (2.1 bar cold)
R: 265/40/18 RS4 (2.1 bar cold)
Stock EDC (2 clicks, sport)
Recaro RMS raceseat
Sabelt 6P harness
Exhaust: Laptorr x pipe(catless) + Eisenmann race rear muffler
Aero: CF front splitter + M performance rear spoiler
Engine oil: Redline 10w60&0w40(7:2 mix)
Brake pads: MX72
B fluid: IDI BF338

Road condition
Weather: Clear
Ambient temp: 5~11C.

Lap time #2
BL: 1:57.1 with heavy traffic.
Fastest stock E92 ran 1:53.7 on PS4S, stock 19 inch wheels.

I want to know best possible lap from all the laps I did... does anyone know how to do this on race studio?

Impression #2(2019/01)
-Started out with higher cold psi than usual. Rear started to grip well on 5th lap, front on 3rd. No overheating on either tires.

-Had to brake early into Attwood curve into the back straight due to increasingly soft feel of brake pedals. Should be able to go full throttle in 4th then threshold brake downshifting to 3rd with better pads. Best to stay inside of the hairpin for faster exit. Redman and Hobbs is tricky as always.. took wide line this time.

-Seat position is weird with helmet on.. feels like I'm standing straight. Need less inclination.

-Steering wheel judders like hell on ~40% braking force after I went over my head running 10 laps without cooling the brakes. I've confirmed that it is the pad deposit as the judder remained the same after changing out to street tires and checking the rotors. Will put Endless CC40(formerly known as ME20) to see if this rubs off the deposits.

Pics #2

Simple but not so clean



Gotta say this F82 looks wicked



Nice weather.

[Richbot]

Jealous. My favorite circuit on the “I’ll probably never drive” list.

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Jealous. My favorite circuit on the “I’ll probably never drive” list.

My tyres have broken in nicely over 1,000km of various road conditions. It will be very interesting to see how these hold up against 3x + 30 min sessions in Suzuka.

A bit nervous to be honest, Spoon curve (turn 13~14) for me is the scariest part going in 5th gear with huge lateral Gs even in Assetto Corsa.

[roastbeef]

13-14 is my least consistent turn in gran turismo. lol

[kyrix1st]

4/18/18

I went to Suzuka to get JAF domestic class A racing license. Scared and angered my neighbors as usual cranking her at 3 a.m. (finished my cold cycle as well since I was on 15w50. They must really hate me now)

Arrived at around 4:40 a.m. I came to wrong entrance (hotel) but the toll guy was nice enough to let me stay in the parking lot until the main gate opens at 6:00 AM.




Clearly not the best day to have a race... or is it?




Super GT safety car seems to be Macan Turbo. Interior was dirty as
Poor Porsche...


Restaurant. I advise not to eat here. Food is too salty and is nowhere the quality of Buffet at Okayama International.


Crazy bikes clocking nearly 250km/h on the main straight


There's a 30-minute written exam section after 90 minutes of lecture on various rules. It is tedious but important as flag rules directly influence your performance rating in the afternoon race. Took the picture of the books after I came home..



Fortunately, it was sunny by noon, so grip was optimal! Among the cars was Cayman R and S, modified GT86, Evo 10, MR-S, Mx-5. No car came close to mine in a straight line, so the officials put two slalom sections on the start and middle of the main straight. I was still the fastest.



Test race ended without an incident. I got my racing license (officially issued next month) and am now an official (beginner) racer!

One pic of Cayman R. I am sure the price will skyrocket in the next 20 years

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Richbot

Jealous. My favorite circuit on the “I’ll probably never drive” list.

I've driven it plenty of times in Forza/Gran Turismo.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

Background
I've been to numerous circuits (local/international) in Japan, but I've yet to conquer a lap of Suzuka International Circuit, the spiritual prime of Japanese car enthusiasts. I'm very excited to say the least that I'll be lapping the full course on March 29th. I made this thread for the following reasons:

1. To log every Suzuka session with preps, lap times, and impressions;
2. To share my current settings; and
3. To get some advice on future settings from the readers!

I mentioned this in the other thread, but do you have plans to buy something like an AIM Solo 2 DL? (or similar product from Motec, etc.)

Seems like a necessity for what you are doing and would really let you focus on how the car setup is working, where you can go faster, etc.

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by dparm

I mentioned this in the other thread, but do you have plans to buy something like an AIM Solo 2 DL? (or similar product from Motec, etc.)

Seems like a necessity for what you are doing and would really let you focus on how the car setup is working, where you can go faster, etc.

Hey, I probably will!

It's hard to work out priority though. I am planning to race in Euro Cup (sponsored by Dunlop) but I will probably start in 4-cylinder class (~2,000cc) since I don't have enough experience. I will definitely need good coilovers, alignment plates and tyres first and foremost. Loggers will require aftermarket sensors and parts, and they are CRAZY expensive in Japan.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

Hey, I probably will!

It's hard to work out priority though. I am planning to race in Euro Cup (sponsored by Dunlop) but I will probably start in 4-cylinder class (~2,000cc) since I don't have enough experience. I will definitely need good coilovers, alignment plates and tyres first and foremost. Loggers will require aftermarket sensors and parts, and they are CRAZY expensive in Japan.

The AIM device does not. It plugs into the OBD2 port and pulls all of its data from there.

[ricardofors68]

Btw, there is a group buy thread for the Aim Solo DL2, just sayin. I rode at Suzuka when I was stationed in Japan (Atsugi). Not for the faint of heart, Japanese riders are a quiet fearless bunch. Only once though, I stuck to Tsukuba and Ebisu with my gaijin riders group doing endurance racing.

[NoCarrier]

Very very cool. I was there last year and I tried hard to find a track day opportunity before my trip but was unsuccessful. The best I could do was a couple laps in one of their go-karts. Such a great track. Congrats on getting your license!

[BayE30]

I was at Suzuka in 2013 for F1, was a very nice facility. Wish i could drive my M on that track~!

[EJT86]

My Forza laptime would CRUSH your real lap time lol. That’s really cool, and the pictures also get me a lil jealous

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by EJT86

My Forza laptime would CRUSH your real lap time lol. That’s really cool, and the pictures also get me a lil jealous

I am on Assetto Corsa. Bring it on.

[kyrix1st]

Found a reference video for what's possible on the circuit with a barely legal road car. Hoping to drive half his pace...
Edit: Not road legal. No rear view mirror

[kyrix1st]

Had my first run at Suzuka Circuit south course today. Pretty fun course to drive for a short wheelbase roadsters, so it usually hosts JAF gymkhana events.

Road condition went from wet to slightly wet, but still slippery off the record line.