[Back2Dubs]

Just got back from a weekend of track at Thunderhill with NASA HPDE. Weather was perfect mid 80s or so and besides an altercation with a rock (R32 lost

) it was a blast. This trip was a 'birthday gift' for my son, so he ran most of the sessions (his first time ever driving on a track). He was supposed to run his modded '91 MR2, but the engine rebuilt didn't finish on time. I was glad to have him in the R32, though, as the little VW is an amazingly forgiving vehicle. Riding shotgun with him I saw one or two manuevers that would have most likely thrown a rear or mid-engine car into a spin (such as a sharp wheel jerk to the left and partial lift off of the throttle at high speed to try avoiding loosing a wheel on the back side of a burm), but the R32 just settled itself right back into the line...awesome! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
There was another R32 running in our Group 1&2, but he doesn't frequent the Vortex (yet):

Here's my car getting ready to head out to the grid:

...a couple nice Vishnu'd EVOs:

...lined up (big group, but this track is a long one):

...nice Porsche 996 http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif :

...following a black STI (best color for this car IMO):

...one truly awesome car! Owner says he built it himself and it was very, very nicely done inside and out. Car was very competitive with anything on the track in Group 4 and sounded fantastic http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

...and lastly, a rock hit my windshield and caused this graceful arc

:

 

[RipperMan]

Re: Trackday at Thunderhill...R32 out to play (Back2Dubs)

how did u do?

 

[Back2Dubs]

Re: Trackday at Thunderhill...R32 out to play (RipperMan)

Quote, originally posted by RipperMan »

how did u do?

I personally ran just one session. At the Group 1&2 level the driver is by far the most important factor, but after running a few laps I only had a few high HP cars pass on the straights and was able to put some fair distance between myself and some very capable cars in the twisties (even with all-season Pirellis).
Only real weak point of car was that these tires just don't stand up to the high heat of the track on a hot day. After 3-4 laps mid-day they started to feel spongy, greasy and melted a bit. I've run with them in 55 degree weather and they were ok (for a street tire), but this time it became realy obvious that I'll need a different type of tire for the track, especially when it heats up.
From the observation area I was able to watch my son and he was doing really well in the corners. As the day wore on he was able to put more and more distance between himself and some of the STIs and older 911s, but would loose some ground on the staights. As he mentioned after the last run of the day the R32 felt so easy to drive and forgiving that he felt fairly fresh even on the last session after two full days of driving http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif
Now he at least has a feel for car control at high speed so that when he gets his 320+ bhp MR2 back he'll be better able to control it

 

[chwmy]

awesome. great father/son activity!

 

[my_vw_sucks]

Re: Trackday at Thunderhill...R32 out to play (Back2Dubs)

What the hell, the one event I can't go to is the one where there are actually two R32s at the track. Too bad about the window. Must have been the same damn rock that hit me up there back in June.

 

[GTI4ME]

Re: Trackday at Thunderhill...R32 out to play (my_vw_sucks)

Nice write-up! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif Are you glad to have the car back in your hands?

 

[Back2Dubs]

Re: Trackday at Thunderhill...R32 out to play (my_vw_sucks)

Quote, originally posted by my_vw_sucks »

What the hell, the one event I can't go to is the one where there are actually two R32s at the track. Too bad about the window. Must have been the same damn rock that hit me up there back in June.

Too bad you couldn't make it...
Yeah, that was probably the same rock

 

[Max Rebo]

Re: Trackday at Thunderhill...R32 out to play (Back2Dubs)

Quote, originally posted by Back2Dubs »

From the observation area I was able to watch my son and he was doing really well in the corners. As the day wore on he was able to put more and more distance between himself and some of the STIs and older 911s, but would loose some ground on the staights.

This is good to read, and should humble some of the skeptics. When on the track at a non-pro level, it's all about the driver and not so much the car. It doesn't matter if you have the highest HP car there... if you can't drive it well, then you're going to be left behind. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[Back2Dubs]

Re: Trackday at Thunderhill...R32 out to play (Max Rebo)

Quote, originally posted by Max Rebo »

This is good to read, and should humble some of the skeptics. When on the track at a non-pro level, it's all about the driver and not so much the car. It doesn't matter if you have the highest HP car there... if you can't drive it well, then you're going to be left behind. http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

True, true. Quite a few of the instructors drive 1st generation RX-7s with relatively low HP, but when these guys pour it on in the twisties its pretty amazing what they can get out of these old cars http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[scharged]

I'm doing a long day this sunday at sebring and I'm a llittle worried about the stock pads

I have a nice set of sticky RE070's so hopefully i wont ride the brakes too bad or I'm afraid I could get myself in trouble.
first track day with the R too : /
any suggestions

 

[Mike Solo]

Re: (scharged)

Quote, originally posted by scharged »

I'm doing a long day this sunday at sebring and I'm a llittle worried about the stock pads any suggestions

Porterfields!

 

[Back2Dubs]

Re: (scharged)

Quote, originally posted by scharged »

I'm doing a long day this sunday at sebring and I'm a llittle worried about the stock pads I have a nice set of sticky RE070's so hopefully i wont ride the brakes too bad or I'm afraid I could get myself in trouble. first track day with the R too : / any suggestions

So far I haven't had any trouble or fade with the stock brakes. Main thing is to set up the car carefully for each turn, drive the 'line' suggested by the instructor and just concentrate on being smooth(smooth=fast http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif ). I've found the R32 doesn't like being tossed around much since it is no lightweight to begin with. I think that's maybe why some folks here have issues with the stock brakes fading on the track.
Good luck, have fun, be safe and enjoy the experience http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[BlackMagicPearlR32]

Re: (Back2Dubs)

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif I'll be there soon

 

[Back2Dubs]

Re: Trackday at Thunderhill...R32 out to play (GTI4ME)

Quote, originally posted by GTI4ME »

Nice write-up! http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif Are you glad to have the car back in your hands?

, yeah, I am

My son did really well, but he drove my car like it was his turbo! Revs were always between 4-6.5 RPMs in any gear at any time

 

[Back2Dubs]

Re: (BlackMagicPearlR32)

Quote, originally posted by BlackMagicPearlR32 »

http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif I'll be there soon

Hmmm, you mean you'll be at the track soon or you'll have some experience soon?
Anyway, it'll be great if a few more R32s to come out and play http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif

 

[reflexgti]

Re: (Back2Dubs)

I'll be at Thunderhill this Friday. There's still some signups left for those interested. http://www.unlimitedlaps.com
Steve

 

[Back2Dubs]

Re: (reflexgti)

Quote, originally posted by reflexgti »

I'll be at Thunderhill this Friday. There's still some signups left for those interested. http://www.unlimitedlaps.com Steve

Oh so, so tempting...

Unfortunately, I'll have to sit this one out. My neighbor is going, though (big Italian fella). If his car is released from the shop he'll be in his '95 S4 Avant...if not he'll be in a beige Audi sedan.
Have fun http://****************.com/smile/emthup.gif