cakneller
11-22-2006, 12:12 PM
Well, I finally got my car out to the track. And all I can say is YEAH!! :headbang:
It was a blast. I have been working on the car for what feels like forever and it seems that there's always something I still have to do, but it was at a point that I felt comfortable to take it out. I had recently installed the hotchkis bilstein shocks to match the rest of my suspension and they transformed the ride/handling of the car. I had previously had on KYB's. Also, I've switched from power brakes to manual with Baer brakes and that made a huge difference as far as consistent pedal feel and linear braking. It takes more leg, but I'm getting used to it. The other thing I was concerned about was my steering it is a fast ratio box but has a really light feel and I don't have a cooler. I was really amazed that it felt great at speed and wasn't too light. I kept a close eye on the PS and it did ok. I'm definatly going to add a cooler berfore the next track day.
The day itself was interesting the group was through SpeedTrials USA. I went with a buddy of mine who has an M3 and he ran in the advanced class I ran in beginner as it was my first day out in a long time and it was a shake down for the car. Most of the people there were driving imports; lots of STi's, Evo's, 240sx, couple Lotus Elise/Exige, 1 CTS-V, several M3's, mkV GTI, Civic Si, etc. Overall it was a well organized day with a decent amount of instructor time and some open track time. It was entirely too easy to pass on the front straight. What a blast!! The car did really well and I drove home in traffic with no problems. At the llimit it understeered a little and the Kumho Ecsta MX's were great especially for the price.
I can't wait to go again and it really taught me alot about the car and how much I have to learn.
Here's some photos!!
It was a blast. I have been working on the car for what feels like forever and it seems that there's always something I still have to do, but it was at a point that I felt comfortable to take it out. I had recently installed the hotchkis bilstein shocks to match the rest of my suspension and they transformed the ride/handling of the car. I had previously had on KYB's. Also, I've switched from power brakes to manual with Baer brakes and that made a huge difference as far as consistent pedal feel and linear braking. It takes more leg, but I'm getting used to it. The other thing I was concerned about was my steering it is a fast ratio box but has a really light feel and I don't have a cooler. I was really amazed that it felt great at speed and wasn't too light. I kept a close eye on the PS and it did ok. I'm definatly going to add a cooler berfore the next track day.
The day itself was interesting the group was through SpeedTrials USA. I went with a buddy of mine who has an M3 and he ran in the advanced class I ran in beginner as it was my first day out in a long time and it was a shake down for the car. Most of the people there were driving imports; lots of STi's, Evo's, 240sx, couple Lotus Elise/Exige, 1 CTS-V, several M3's, mkV GTI, Civic Si, etc. Overall it was a well organized day with a decent amount of instructor time and some open track time. It was entirely too easy to pass on the front straight. What a blast!! The car did really well and I drove home in traffic with no problems. At the llimit it understeered a little and the Kumho Ecsta MX's were great especially for the price.
I can't wait to go again and it really taught me alot about the car and how much I have to learn.
Here's some photos!!