We just got back from Barber Motorsports Park, after running with the Alamaba Porsche Club HPDE event. Everything people have said about Barber Motorsports park is true: This is a world class facility, and a superb track. It has now become my new favorite. :thumup: It offers amenities, such as an air-conditioned spectator viewing area, closed circuit video feeds from most of the turns, and impecably manicured lawns....even artwork adorns the racetrack.

Track conditions were absolutely brutal. It was 100F outside, and humid, and the track surface temp was 134F. We ran my car with just 9psi wastegate pressure, and Nitto NT-01's, and full interior. I corner balanced the car, and total weight with me inside and 1/3 tank fuel was 3425lbs.

With roughly 22K hard track and street miles on my original Darton Sleeved shortblock, the car ran remarkable well, even in the 100F weather. I ran a total of eight 25min sessions. This was my first time at Barber Motorsports Park, so Jose E. (zippy350z) was kind enough to ride along on the first session, and show me around the track, and also let me borrow his TracMate. This is by far, the most challenging and technical track I have driven, and was loads of fun. 80ft worth of elevation change, and many of the braking zones lead you to a blind apex...so you very much have to "feel" the track, since you can't see many of the turn you are braking for.

I made a video of my fastest lap of the day. Plenty of 1:46-1:47's, and when I finally had a wide open track on my last session, I ran a 1:44. Eagletangogreen was riding shotgun, and that is his helmet bouncing around in the frame. http://www.forgedperformance.com/med...os/barber1.wmv

For those of you that havent tracked your cars yet, it's an amazing experience, and I hope more of you decide to get into it. It's a true test of driver, machine, the tune, and the setup.

 

Nice! Open dumps ftw

 

sweet!!

 

Nice thats pretty cool I would love to track my car.

 

Seems to be a really nice track.

I wish we had such posh racetracks out here in Cali.

 

That looks like so much fun, I want to do that!!!

 

Looks like a great time! I on the other hand.. spent most of the weekend on the interstate. I like the looks of that track.

John

 

ok, you're making me want to take a chance on damaging my paint! lord, that looks fun!

 

The best part, is is SURE beats working on a Sat, like we usually do.

Gurgen, cry my a river....LOL...you have a half dozen of the best tracks right in your backyard...haha. This is my little slice of heaven, out here in the sticks.

 

Nice run Sharif - looks like fun - can't wait to hit the track in my car!

 

NICE video... Glad to see the car hasn't lost anything over the past 20k+ miles. Beast runs strong

 

NICE! I want to go to that track so bad. Maybe later this year I will get some tires and go.

 

Looks like fun...soon enough Nice driving man.

 

LOL....

I know..i meant the actual facilities.

You got portopotties at Horse Thief Mile, Streets of Willow, and "normal" bathrooms at Big Willow.

Cali SPeedway is nice, but we don't get to use any 'air-conditioned' observation rooms... same for the other tracks. It'd be nice to actually hang out somewhere during the off-times, and not at the paddock.

Plus, no lawns at all, much less nice ones.

Good deal Sharif...tracking is better than sex sometimes....well, it's better than BAD sex, anyway.

 

We are working on the details of the first Forged Performance Invitational. It's going to be 10 close customers/friends for some track fun. More details will come shortly.

 

What, I'm not invited? LOL

 

July 14 pm or July 15 am, c'mon... i've got that day already marked on my calendar!!!

Wait a minute - you run in 100 degree temps with all that gear on and no AC? Yikes, torture sweat test.

 

it was good to see you guys again, and meet some that i hadnt yet. hopefully ill be able to get on the track again when you guys come back. i took a few crappy pics.

 

Nice, wow those changes of elevation are wild, I am used to flat Florida.

By the way how were the NT01's I am thinking of using those for the track, also what sizes were they?

 

Yeah, turn 3 is a REAL buttpuckerer. I had to track out very wide, just to keep the car pointing somewhat straight over that crest, at WOT.

Eagle1 turned me onto the NT-01, and Zippy350z uses them as well. Both of those guys are much more skilled drivers than myself. The tire was working very well, but did get a little slippery towards the end of the day, with the extreme track heat we experienced. The sizes we are testing now are 275/35/18 and 315/35/18, with about -3.3 degree camber front, and -2.2 in the rear. We had to raise the car slightly in the rear, to keep the 315's from rubbing, so I dont know the exact camber in the rear. Ideally, you want a 30'ish offset, but i am running a 22 offset rear. Aside from Hoosiers, you would be hard pressed to find a better DOT. Hoosiers are very fun, but they only last me 2 weekends, and they are toast. The NT-1 should have a life expentancy of at least 3 times that.