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[ManwithSupra]

Good vids mate

[pedrosixfour]

Good vids mate

 

Cheers Richard.

 

I'm disappointed I didn't have the camera in the car before lunch as well though, myself and a single'd R33 GTS-T were hammering around as fast as we safely could and as different as the two cars were, he had more top-end but my gearing was much shorter and my brakes seemed stronger, we crossed the start finish line every lap like we were tied together!

 

The Skyline driver does have some footage of the run but the camera is forward facing and I'm behind him for most of it, when I do take over the lead I quickly discover my tyres have no more to give and we both head back to the pits for a cool-down.

Edited March 11, 2014 by pedrosixfour (see edit history)

[Chris Wilson]

It wants more roll stiffness, possibly the front bar full stiff (or even stiffer...) and the rear as is, or try stiffer on the rear, too. If that doesn't help much (I don't know how stiff those bars are, and as the car is the weight of a small lorry, any bars that will do much on track will have to be pretty massive), stiffer spring rates. It's probably under tyred at the front, you could go wider if you can go wider on rims and clearance allows. Have you got solid inner lower front wishbone bushes? I would aim for 38 or so PSI all round, hot. You could add more negative camber, but that will hurt braking, but sort the roll first. My dampers will accommodate stiffer springs (within reason) on the valving they have, or can be re valved for a big change. You could also try raising the rear and re setting camber again. You need some tyre temp measurements. You could also take some rear toe out, but it may get squirrelly under the brakes, or even in a straight line, you must keep SOME rear toe in. Be careful, playing with suspension settings can do unpredictable things. I don't know those tyres, but suspect that a change to something dearer will give better results. Michelin Pilot Sport Cups are my favourite.

 

My GTS-t wears its tyres totally evenly on track (but would wear the insides out in a few thousand road miles).

 

Sorry it's a bit disjointed, typing while eating and watching the news

[pedrosixfour]

It wants more roll stiffness, possibly the front bar full stiff (or even stiffer...) and the rear as is, or try stiffer on the rear, too. If that doesn't help much (I don't know how stiff those bars are, and as the car is the weight of a small lorry, any bars that will do much on track will have to be pretty massive), stiffer spring rates. It's probably under tyred at the front, you could go wider if you can go wider on rims and clearance allows. Have you got solid inner lower front wishbone bushes? I would aim for 38 or so PSI all round, hot. You could add more negative camber, but that will hurt braking, but sort the roll first. My dampers will accommodate stiffer springs (within reason) on the valving they have, or can be re valved for a big change. You could also try raising the rear and re setting camber again. You need some tyre temp measurements. You could also take some rear toe out, but it may get squirrelly under the brakes, or even in a straight line, you must keep SOME rear toe in. Be careful, playing with suspension settings can do unpredictable things. I don't know those tyres, but suspect that a change to something dearer will give better results. Michelin Pilot Sport Cups are my favourite.

 

My GTS-t wears its tyres totally evenly on track (but would wear the insides out in a few thousand road miles).

 

Sorry it's a bit disjointed, typing while eating and watching the news

 

Not at all Chris, clear, concise instructions with a couple of caveats thrown into the mix is certainly a lot more than I had to go on.

 

All of the bushes in the car's suspension were replaced with polyurethane a couple of years ago, for me it was the only feasible way of sorting some of the tired ones & to remove the need to keep replacing others as they expired

 

I did try the front ARB at the stiffest setting once, with the rear as it is but I got shed loads of understeer and after half a day the inside edges of the front tyres were chewed to the point of binning what was left. Granted they were old, hard R888s with nothing good to say about them at that stage but, I softened the front ARB and stuck on a pair of Bridgestone road tyres I carry as spares and the car was again "pointable", to a certain extent.

 

But I could definitely try both ARBs at the harder setting to see what comes about at the next track day in May.

 

Is a staggered tyre set-up critical on the Supra, I could probably fit 255 tyres to the four 9" rims I have, with the slightly more aggressive offset of +35 @ the rear.

 

I'm so very limited to suitable tyre options in 17" rims Chris, I'm trying to avoid full slicks, Kumho were one of the few available. 18" rims are probably easier to choose rubber for at this stage.

 

I know you're supposed to do one change at a time and retest but I'm going to do as big a clear-out of weight as I can before the next day but possibly raise the rear/reset the camber as well.

 

A slightly stiffer spring rate is something I'd consider only after I'm happy I've taken as much weight out of the car as possible without resorting to exotic materials, like plastic.

[pedrosixfour]

Second track day of the year tomorrow.

 

New digital tyre gauge in the tool box to monitor tyre pressures throughout the day, along with a tyre thermometer & new mains powered tyre inflator.

 

Front & rear ARB's have been put to their stiffest settings, I thought about doing this midway through tomorrow but decided that it might not be as much of a shock if I started the day with them already altered as it always takes me a few laps to get the feel for the car anyway due to the long spells between track days.

 

I also cut a couple of hopefully unnecessary bars out of the roll cage too, in all I took about 15kg of CDS out of the car, most of it from up high which can't hurt cornering.

 

Also managed to speed up the auto-blipper's reaction time a bit without having to redesign it. If it improves things I'm laughin', if not, there'll be more chopping & changing.

 

A new helmet is ready for action too, one that fits my melon head.

 

Oil & filter plus a new set of plugs complete the build-up.

[ManwithSupra]

Second track day of the year tomorrow.

 

New digital tyre gauge in the tool box to monitor tyre pressures throughout the day, along with a tyre thermometer & new mains powered tyre inflator.

 

Front & rear ARB's have been put to their stiffest settings, I thought about doing this midway through tomorrow but decided that it might not be as much of a shock if I started the day with them already altered as it always takes me a few laps to get the feel for the car anyway due to the long spells between track days.

 

I also cut a couple of hopefully unnecessary bars out of the roll cage too, in all I took about 15kg of CDS out of the car, most of it from up high which can't hurt cornering.

 

Also managed to speed up the auto-blipper's reaction time a bit without having to redesign it. If it improves things I'm laughin', if not, there'll be more chopping & changing.

 

A new helmet is ready for action too, one that fits my melon head.

 

Oil & filter plus a new set of plugs complete the build-up.

 

Auto blipper?? please expand...

[Al Massey]

Auto blipper?? please expand...

 

If it's what I think it is, it blips the throttle on a gear down change

[ManwithSupra]

If it's what I think it is, it blips the throttle on a gear down change

 

Yeah I am pretty sure thats what he means too, I wanted to know how he had done it on a non Fly-by-wire system?

Usually you use your foot to do it on the downshifts...

[pedrosixfour]

Auto blipper?? please expand...

 

If it's what I think it is, it blips the throttle on a gear down change

 

That's it exactly Al, it means I can forget about heel & toe braking, for now anyway. I have too much trouble keeping the damn thing straight to start dancing on pedals!

 

I took my old NA cruise control actuator, mounted it on the other side of the engine bay (had to because it was originally mated to an NA engine so the cable was too short to reach the 1JZ throttle body) & wired it up to energise when BOTH the brake pedal & the clutch pedal are pressed. Clutch pedal needs to be fully down for the system to work.

 

A 12v feed from the brake light circuit passing through a seat switch from a forklift positioned on the firewall behind the clutch pedal takes care of the control circuit.

 

As soon as either the clutch or brake is released the actuator and therefore the butterfly valve snaps closed ready for the next downchange.

 

The whole system is deactivated by a little switch mounted right beside the gearstick as it would hinder driving in the pits or other manoeuvring.

 

 

You can just about hear it in this clip from the last day out, it worked ok in some of the corners consistently but needed improving for others, hopefully the faster reaction will do the trick.

 

 

[ManwithSupra]

That's it exactly Al, it means I can forget about heel & toe braking, for now anyway. I have too much trouble keeping the damn thing straight to start dancing on pedals!

 

I took my old NA cruise control actuator, mounted it on the other side of the engine bay (had to because it was originally mated to an NA engine so the cable was too short to reach the 1JZ throttle body) & wired it up to energise when BOTH the brake pedal & the clutch pedal are pressed. Clutch pedal needs to be fully down for the system to work.

 

A 12v feed from the brake light circuit passing through a seat switch from a forklift positioned on the firewall behind the clutch pedal takes care of the control circuit.

 

As soon as either the clutch or brake is released the actuator and therefore the butterfly valve snaps closed ready for the next downchange.

 

The whole system is deactivated by a little switch mounted right beside the gearstick as it would hinder driving in the pits or other manoeuvring.

 

 

You can just about hear it in this clip from the last day out, it worked ok in some of the corners consistently but needed improving for others, hopefully the faster reaction will do the trick.

 

 

 

Cleaver stuff... Keep us posted on how effective it is

[pedrosixfour]

The stiffer roll bar settings seem apparent here....

 

 

 

But not so much here.....

 

 

 

And they may have been removed from the car altogether unbeknownst to me for this session!

 

 

 

Normal service resumed after lunch. (That's a right turn by the way. )

 

 

 

John Whelan, a well known ITCC and general racing veteran, took the reins of the Supra for a couple of laps after lunch and I was delighted to hear that his actual driving experience was a long way removed from his expectations as he first walked over to the driver's door. It certainly didn't take him long to settle into a good pace and he was only too happy to wring its neck with me in the seat beside him. A bit more power was all he said the car was really lacking, brakes & chassis are well up to the task.

 

RESULT!

 

No footage from the day, I had a big let down with the new helmet and I couldn't muster the enthusiasm to fit the cameras to the car. I even had 20 litres of petrol left at the end of the day, a first for me at a dry track!

 

The auto-blipper is now working much quicker, I'm happy to report, it still struggles a bit to recover quick enough for a double downshift but overall it's good.

Edited May 20, 2014 by pedrosixfour (see edit history)

[ManwithSupra]

The stiffer roll bar settings seem apparent here....

 

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/Cappo_/OTD19%20new/OTD19-480_zps3bb20b4c.jpg

 

 

But not so much here.....

 

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/Cappo_/OTD19%20new/OTD19-465_zps4e973beb.jpg

 

 

And they may have been removed from the car altogether unbeknownst to me for this session!

 

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/Cappo_/OTD19%20new/OTD19-275_zps0324ec18.jpg

 

 

Normal service resumed after lunch. (That's a right turn by the way. )

 

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a323/Cappo_/OTD19%20new/OTD19-039_zps39a97325.jpg

 

 

John Whelan, a well known ITCC and general racing veteran, took the reins of the Supra for a couple of laps after lunch and I was delighted to hear that his actual driving experience was a long way removed from his expectations as he first walked over to the driver's door. It certainly didn't take him long to settle into a good pace and he was only too happy to wring its neck with me in the seat beside him. A bit more power was all he said the car was really lacking, brakes & chassis are well up to the task.

 

RESULT!

 

No footage from the day, I had a big let down with the new helmet and I couldn't muster the enthusiasm to fit the cameras to the car. I even had 20 litres of petrol left at the end of the day, a first for me at a dry track!

 

The auto-blipper is now working much quicker, I'm happy to report, it still struggles a bit to recover quick enough for a double downshift but overall it's good.

 

Sounds like a good all round day mate.

Always nice to hear from a Pro driver what their thoughts are on the setup etc.

 

I would love to have such a driver in mine to see what they think, all I get is track instructors wanting a go

 

What was the let down with the helmet??

 

I know what you mean about putting cameras up, yes its nice to show some in car/external footage but man its annoying to manage.

[pedrosixfour]

What was the let down with the helmet??

 

It basically takes whatever noise is generated in the cockpit by the car and amplifies it to such an extent I could only do two laps before I had to return to the pits and don my old Peltor lid.

 

I even went out in a few proper road cars to see if the problem was with my stripped out interior but the addition of silencers, sound deadening, carpets & various lumps of plastic did very little to mute the incessant drone the helmet creates. I was properly pee'd off with it. I'm waiting for a response from Demon Tweeks on the matter & it had better be helpful.

[ManwithSupra]

It basically takes whatever noise is generated in the cockpit by the car and amplifies it to such an extent I could only do two laps before I had to return to the pits and don my old Peltor lid.

 

I even went out in a few proper road cars to see if the problem was with my stripped out interior but the addition of silencers, sound deadening, carpets & various lumps of plastic did very little to mute the incessant drone the helmet creates. I was properly pee'd off with it. I'm waiting for a response from Demon Tweeks on the matter & it had better be helpful.

 

What helmet is it?

[pedrosixfour]

What helmet is it?

 

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorsport/helmets/race-safety-accessories-pro-touring-helmet

 

Not the most expensive helmet ever made, granted.

 

But not the cheapest either.

[pedrosixfour]

Just managed to track down & pay for a lightly used (soiled??) Sparco Sprint 6 fire proof racing suit in my size which was no mean feat!

 

Most of the used suits available are for hobbits up to the six foot mark, I tried one of those suits on and I'm still looking for my left nut.

 

Still a few bits to collect up but the likes of the boots, gloves & underwear are pretty reasonable new, so once these are sorted along with a new set of tyres and I plumb my extinguisher in I think I'm all set to make a show of myself at the last Time Attack round of the year, mid-September!

Edited August 27, 2014 by pedrosixfour (see edit history)

[ManwithSupra]

Just managed to track down & pay for a lightly used Sparco Sprint 6 fire proof racing suit in my size which was no mean feat!

 

Most of the used suits available are for hobbits up to the six foot mark, I tried one of those suits on and I'm still looking for my left nut.

 

Still a few bits to collect up but the likes of the boots, gloves & underwear are pretty reasonable new, so once these are sorted along with a new set of tyres and I plumb my extinguisher in I think I'm all set to make a show of myself at the last Time Attack round of the year, mid-September!

 

Nice one I have to sell my OMP First S race suit as its now too big for me lol.

I have only used it twice.

[pedrosixfour]

Nice one I have to sell my OMP First S race suit as its now too big for me lol.

I have only used it twice.

 

 

What size?

 

I'm a 64 in a Sparco, which I think equates to a 62 in OMP.

 

Not that it really matters now.

 

Maybe you should hold onto it for when the mid-life spread takes hold!

 

Race suits can be funny to get to fit nicely as well, just because (I'm assuming) you lost some weight around the mid-section, a skinnier suit might be too short in the leg or body to be comfortable.

[ManwithSupra]

What size?

 

I'm a 64 in a Sparco, which I think equates to a 62 in OMP.

 

Not that it really matters now.

 

Maybe you should hold onto it for when the mid-life spread takes hold!

 

Race suits can be funny to get to fit nicely as well, just because (I'm assuming) you lost some weight around the mid-section, a skinnier suit might be too short in the leg or body to be comfortable.

 

I cant remember what the size was now lol, Yeah I am loosing the spare Tyre in the middle

[dr_jekyll]

im going to be moving my latest car towards a track day car, I miss my trakday exploits

[Dan_Q]

Hello everyone, I don't come on here all that much these days but thought i'd do a 2014 summary ha ha.

 

Ended up doing 1 track day (well, sprint practice day really) and 3 sprints in the supra. Managed the class win at the first one, and two 3rds in class at the others.

 

heres a snap from the complex at croft:

 

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10440674_10152542208614735_6358218446627905403_n.jpg?oh=4eb230f0a437e5ffc453551093e4950e&oe=54AB76F6&__gda__=1421553571_26613a67b2b1db3afb562f1cd5c4d831

 

and for a laugh i did a guest drive in my stock daily 1600 corolla. 9 in class- managed a second

 

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10731164_10152613347179735_7635470078524928649_n.jpg?oh=a51d43ff345995456baf1c73371109f9&oe=54F2C9F5&__gda__=1424835488_599b1a55fa49b7e25aa7d1df5cb672ba

 

LOL that was a lot of fun

 

Hope everyone is well Does anyone have any plans for 2015? I'm not sure which way to go yet.

[pedrosixfour]

Well Dan, had my last track day of the year yesterday (Friday) myself. Good to see your still flying the flag in the Sprint Series and going home with silverware to boot!

 

I'll be throwing my name into the Irish Time Attack Series hat for next year with the hope that I don't make a total bags of it, fingers crossed!

[Dan_Q]

Hey great stuff man good to hear you're still out there were you at your usual local track for the last one?

 

ha ha i'm trying my best with the silverware fella but TBH i really believe i have no talent in RWD- i was progressing well but seem to have hit a brick wall! the silverware was only really because in the opening event, the others in my class were rookies and still learning it- as soon as they got a grip i was nowhere! After the fun of popping the stock corolla in for a round its making me think of going back to FWD next season because its so natural- so despite the mk1 escort training i had when a kid and mk2 celica more recently (beam axle cars are soooo much easier to control- less grip!) I feel lost! If that does happen, the supra will be staying as a more daily / track day / weekend duty car- i love it too much to move it on.

 

Wow now that sounds really interesting. How many rounds and which tracks etc will you be competing at etc? if you come across the pond for a round i'd love to come watch if the dates add up I'll assume it will be all your side though?

[LasseV]

Hey great stuff man good to hear you're still out there were you at your usual local track for the last one?

 

ha ha i'm trying my best with the silverware fella but TBH i really believe i have no talent in RWD- i was progressing well but seem to have hit a brick wall! the silverware was only really because in the opening event, the others in my class were rookies and still learning it- as soon as they got a grip i was nowhere! After the fun of popping the stock corolla in for a round its making me think of going back to FWD next season because its so natural- so despite the mk1 escort training i had when a kid and mk2 celica more recently (beam axle cars are soooo much easier to control- less grip!) I feel lost! If that does happen, the supra will be staying as a more daily / track day / weekend duty car- i love it too much to move it on.

 

Wow now that sounds really interesting. How many rounds and which tracks etc will you be competing at etc? if you come across the pond for a round i'd love to come watch if the dates add up I'll assume it will be all your side though?

 

Can you tell why Supra doesn't suit you well? And what you think about n/a sup as a track car?

 

And congrats for your good results!

[pedrosixfour]

Hey great stuff man good to hear you're still out there were you at your usual local track for the last one?

 

Yeah, Mondello mate, it's only an hour up the road, it would be rude not to!

 

How many rounds and which tracks etc will you be competing at etc? if you come across the pond for a round i'd love to come watch if the dates add up I'll assume it will be all your side though?

 

I think the series consists of seven rounds mainly at Mondello but a mixture of the international track and the national track which is tackled in both directions and that apparently is a real challenge. I'm almost certain there is a round at Kirkistown up north which I would certainly love to do as not only is it a much freer flowing track but I've never been to any other track (the option is non-existent here in the good ol' Republic!).

 

I seem to recall a round at Anglesea a couple of years ago as well but I may be mixing that up with the Irish Touring Car Series (i.e. those with an actual budget!)