New DD - Saturn Ion Redline

[cornfedbill]

I have Powell springs, Koni adjustable strut inserts up front and Bilsteins in the rear. I have aluminum from control arms off an LNF car with new bushings that are solid (without the factory voids), and poly bushings in the rear axle assembly. I upgraded to Brembos up front and have Hawk HPS pads all around.

The learning is mainly timing equipment and related issues. The goal is to hit a perfect average speed, not to have the fastest speed. With the GPS failure and a new navigator for the big race, we didn't do well. On the shorter (Loup 2 Loup) race, we were only 0.484 seconds off perfect. We were testing a new GPS and software with my normal navigator (my oldest son). Once we learn how to get the most out of the new hardware and software, we will be much more competitive.



Still, our 6th place this year and 3rd last year in the Loup 2 Loup race are respectable. Our best in the Sandhills Open Road Challenge was a 4th place 3 years ago. We missed 3rd by 0.015 seconds.

All in all, my little Saturn with only 2 liters of power fares well against all the American V8 and V10 cars and the Porsches in our class. Overall, I was quite pleased with the car. The new brakes were quite linear and dealt well with high speed braking (120-80 for corners). I had plenty of power to get to 120-130 mph for the straights.

I will box in the area between the bumper cover and the radiator, so I have better cooling and less air under the nose next year.