Proof how modding the driver is the way to go

[bigjae1976]

In the organization I instruct for, a check ride is required to move up to the next group. So I get assigned to give a guy in a stock 370z a check ride into intermediate. No big deal...until someone have me the small detail that he had 3 blizzaks (snow tires) and 1 Potenza S04. And, of course he gridded up 3rd from the front. First time I was nervous getting into a car.

And he got slaughtered.

Actually, he didn't. 2 cars passed him all session and stayed within 5 seconds of them.

On 3 snow tires.

[Estoril Blue]

I was instructing a guy in a stripper 325 with cheap all-seasons. They howled like a dying water buffalo - but he drove them quite well.

[FormulaMMM]

That's funny. I've heard snow tire performance in warmer temps and on dry roads is notably worse than all seasons. And I can't imagine running my current Conti DWS on track. They feel like they're going to throw in the towel on highway ramps.

[Z K]

I once ran a track day in a used 250k mile 1989 240SX freshly purchased for $2k. It came with T-rated Roadhugger tires. Had a blast!

[FormulaMMM]

Originally Posted by Z K

I once ran a track day in a used 250k mile 1989 240SX freshly purchased for $2k. It came with T-rated Roadhugger tires. Had a blast!

Did it make it to a 2nd track day?

[CanAutM3]

Winter tires can be surprisingly sticky in warmer weather. I remember quite a few years back running the first time attack of the season with my GTi on winter tires because my r-comps were not delivered on time. I faired relatively well and collected precious points for the championship . The drawback is that I completely destroyed a perfectly good set of winters in just a few laps .

However I absolutely agree with the thread title

[Z K]

Originally Posted by FormulaMMM

Did it make it to a 2nd track day?

The 240SX ran fine the whole time. I was actually instructing that day so I wasn't expecting to drive but took the car out for the heck of it. Very fun and lots of unexpected sliding.

That car ended up in my friend's hands later and he ended up spending over $50k on it. Restored the whole car to like-new condition. Chassis stripped, bead blasted, seam-welded, NASA-approved roll cage and repainted... turned into a monster track machine with an Corvette LS motor under the hood... and it has AC and a stereo in it so he can drive it on the street...

[W///]

Originally Posted by Estoril Blue

I was instructing a guy in a stripper 325 with cheap all-seasons. They howled like a dying water buffalo - but he drove them quite well.

That made me laugh so hard for some reason