A progress report card I guess you can say. Below was my last track event, set up and time. I'll sum it here.

https://my350z.com/forum/autocross-road/346082-got-back-from-streets-of-willow-and-need-advice.html

On my March 21st, I ran with this set up. Please note it is pretty much my first time at a real track.
Suspension: Koni Yellow (soft around), Tein S-Tech, Hotchkis (front soft - rear - medium)
Tires: Falken RT-615 f 265/35/18 (34psi) r 275/35/18 (32psi)
- negative 1.5 cambers all around
- Traction Control System ON
and I ran a 1:42 Best

vs yesterday RED INDICATE SOME CHANGES

Suspension: Koni Yellow (stiff around), Tein S-Tech, Hotchkis (front stiff - rear soft)
Tires: Falken RT-615 f 265/35/18 (31psi) r 275/35/18 (29psi)
- negative 1.5 cambers all around
- Traction Control System OFF
and I ran 1:38 Best (4 seconds faster )

Now don't laugh at my time, I am satisfied about it. Not that it is the fastest compared to everyone else. I am satisfied that I have improved thanks to researching, watched you tube videos, listening to advices from folks on the board and at the event. My goal that was was to hit 1:40 flat yesterday and looks like I exceeded that. I haven't mastered the lines yet but I am more familiar with it. Yeah I admitted I got sloppy at some points and got held up by some people (I took beginner class).

I have an idea on what to do @ the next event. Like braking later, hmmm I might want to soften the rear by one or stiffen my rear by one and do things a bit more smoothly.

Again, if you have any suggestions feel free to add. Or how to set up my current setup that would be great too. It was because of suggestions that did helped me.

~Robert

 

looking at your post, your 4 seconds most likely came from your VDC being off. at the beginner level, you shouldn't be too worried about tire pressure and suspension settings. too many changes in such a short period of time could mask each respective indication.

 

+1... also you're getting more experience and your skills are getting better so that's probably contributing to the faster lap times as well. at the begginer level you should be concentrating more on the lines and proper driving technique.

 

hey robert, i'm very happy for you meeting your goal. i was in the timing booth watching your times crossing my fingers each time you crossed the finish line.

+1 on making adjustments to your car slowly. I made a sway bar adjustment and felt the oversteer issue go away a bit. i actually felt understeer in my front tires after setting the rear bar from stiff to medium.

i also made some tire pressure adjustments slowly after each session. oh and congrats on beating your arch nemesis.

 

Again thanks everyone for your help. I am feeling more confident now. I still would like to stay in the beginner class. There are some things I know I can improve on and experiment a little.

Toan, man you guys punk me soooo good. Throughout the entire drive back run I was thinking 1:32 how did she do it. It wasn't till David revealed it was a joke when we were having dinner. OMG I was sooo relieved. Good One!!! nawwwww I actually look up to her and all. She is still my motivation to strive for better.

~Robert

 

lol. that was so funny! that's what you get for kicking the trash can. har har.

toan: "look at the paper. the paper doesn't lie." thanks for being in on the joke. i'll miss you and kelly when you leave.

CONGRATS ROBERT! we'll soon get our times as low as those 4wd-ers .. one day.

 

4wd is boring. rwd is a lot more fun, especially in a Z with so much torque. i honestly think the s2000's lack of torque helps it at a track like SOW. that and 500 less lbs.

we'll miss you guys too. we've met lots of great people at the tracks here, i can only hope the east coast will have the same.

 

good job on the improved lap times robert. it was nice meeting you. i had started the day with 35psi cold all around and went to 32psi. definitely helped. didnt want to make any more changes than that. see you back at the track soon. how about doing an autoX during the summer since its so hot in the desert

 

I really think that people that start doing track events in a modded car are not only wasting their money but also their time to some degree. Your first at a real track? You likely wouldn't know the different between Koni Yellow and Koni Magenta.

You very likely found that difference in becoming more familiar with the track than with the multitude of changes you made. I'm not knocking it, but leave the car in a moratorium in regards to changes and focus on driving skill. Once you outdrive a component (e.g. brakes), then upgrade the component. I doubt you'd outdrive a stock suspension setup, let alone that pricey one you're running.

Tire pressure is the only thing you should be adjusting. Remember, higher pressue in the wet.

Be safe!