Sebring - May 5 & 6 - Chin Motorsports (new pics 5/11)

[pdisme]

So I just counted up SEVEN different Radical drivers are registered for Sebring on May 6th! :grinning-smiley-003 Not sure what is going on but I like it. Too bad I'm the only novice. :lol2:

http://www.chinmotorsports.com/participants/list.asp?eid=204

Wonder if we could get a sweet picture of them all lined up in the pits.

[jrfootin]

I would like that; I'll let Chris know, he is going to be there with one of the 6 guys.

[Lasombra52]

Betcha your getting excited Dave. Can't wait til the weekend huh?

[pdisme]

If the weather holds out, I will be one happy MF on Sunday. I'm going to try to get down there early enough Saturday to do some ride alongs with Jamie during the last session and then I'm hoping Sunday I can make some real improvement with his and Greg's help. If another track day gets ruined by rain, I will kill someone. :)

[zzzzdoc]

Got my fingers crossed for all of you. Forecast is iffy, but then again, this is Florida. What the heck do they know?

http://www.weather.com/weather/weekend/USFL0451?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared

[pdisme]

I am taking my rain tires this time, just hope I don't have to use them, Sebring gets submerged with even a little rain so they're only good for the smallest amount of precipitation.

[jrfootin]

That is going to suck if it rains this weekend!!!!

2 weeks no rain in Floridal the weekend we go, rain!!!

Go figure?????????

[pdisme]

I know, I'm going to be really pissed off it the weather screws up another track day; how is it possible that it only rains on weekends?

[zzzzdoc]

I am taking my rain tires this time, just hope I don't have to use them, Sebring gets submerged with even a little rain so they're only good for the smallest amount of precipitation.
How long does it take you to change all 4 tires?

[pdisme]

Maybe 20 minutes. I don't have a fancy cordless impact wrench so I have to put my wheels back on with the regular torque wrench, but just one bolt per wheel so it's pretty quick regardless. :)

[zzzzdoc]

I always thought they were corded impact wrenches at IRL or NASCAR races. Are they cordless? I'll have to look more carefully.

[pdisme]

There they are probably corded and running off an air compressor for super torque and speed, but a nice De Walt 18v or 36v cordless impact works fine for casual use and can torque down to the needed 180 ~ 200 and break them loose without issue. I've got other things I want to buy first, like a HANS, so I'm saving the $300 for now and using a regular torque wrench. If I had regular lugs I'd probably invest in the cordless now since that would be annoying as hell having to torque 20 bolts instead of 4.

Of course last time at Sebring, a Porsche owner didn't bother to torque his lug nuts at all, or even put them back on the car for that matter; he found out about his mistake in turn 1. :lol2:

[zzzzdoc]

Forecast is looking better for you guys. Got my fingers crossed for you. Stay dry and drive safe.

Saturday, May 5
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/blue_frcst_bg/03.gif
High: 88 °F RealFeel®: 94 °F
Partly sunny



Saturday Night, May 5
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/blue_night_bg/07.gif
Low: 68 °F RealFeel®: 65 °F
Overcast


(http://wwwa.accuweather.com/premium-accupop.asp?partner=netweather&traveler=0&zipcode=33870&metric=0)
Sunday, May 6
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/blue_frcst_bg/04.gif
High: 84 °F RealFeel®: 84 °F
Some sun with a thunderstorm possible



Sunday Night, May 6
http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/common/images/wxicons/blue_night_bg/12.gif

[zzzzdoc]

What distance is too great between the lug nuts and the wheels? Is it somewhat speed dependent?

[pdisme]

What distance is too great between the lug nuts and the wheels? Is it somewhat speed dependent?

Basically when there is an air gap between the wheel and the car, you're in trouble. :)

[pdisme]

Just got an update from Jamie who's in the drivers meeting right now; there are apparently a few notable vehicles driving today including an F40, an Enzo and even an Audi LMP2 race car from a few seasons ago, along with an assortment of Radicals. Weather is beautiful and I hope to be on the road to get there by 3 PM so I can check out the cars and do some ridealongs with him.

[zzzzdoc]

Aaargh!!!! Bummer that I couldn't make this weekend. Awesome that the weather cleared up.

It would be so cool to see an LMP2 and an Enzo at speed. Oh well.

How come those vehicles weren't on the roster for Chin?

*** Actually, looking at it, the F40 was, but not the LMP2 and Enzo.

[pdisme]

I don't think they were here with Chin officially; there's always a few others that seem to get cars in somehow, probably some agreement to cooperate with each other. I unfortunately got delayed out of Tampa due to stupidity followed by rain and missed all the cars on track, just caught a glimpse of a Challenge car being loaded into the truck. The Audi will not be back tomorrow either, so I really missed out on that one. :(

Water under the bridge, I'm about to go grab some food with Jamie and then I hope to get plenty of sleep and have a really excellent day tomorrow.

Oh, another novice driver today pushed a bit beyond his limits in turn 16, he was driving for a while, too fast and getting tired, now his Subaru WRX is about 18" shorter on the front end than it was at the beginning of the day. :tdown: You have to take breaks when you're tired!

[zzzzdoc]

I was wondering about all those 1 hr sessions. If I'm really pushing it, I think I'd want to take a break in the middle for a few minutes. Hard to maintain that level of intense concentration for that long at a time. Impressive that those guys can do it at LeMans and Sebring. Even more impressive at night.

Have fun tomorrow. Keep the radical's dimensions the same before and after.

[pdisme]

Yep, really a good idea is to run 10 to 30, then 40 to 60 minutes in, so you're not stuck in the crowd at the start and not running too long in one burst. Going out at the start sucks because it takes a while for the convoy to break up since novices have limited passing zones.

[zzzzdoc]

Dave, this is your Dad calling. Get some sleep. Step away from the keyboard with your hands up.

[pdisme]

LOL, just wrapping up some work now, I'm gonna be sleeping in about 15 minutes and not getting up until 7:15, which is a LOT of sleep for me.

[zzzzdoc]

So, no recaps of the weekend????

Those vicariously living through you need to know.

[pdisme]

Event went pretty well, there were a LOT of Radicals there. (Mine is third one in, of the nine :grinning-smiley-003 but there were actually about 12 to 13 of them there)

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/540/medium/2007-05-06_071.jpg

I drove somewhat erratically in the morning, was over analyzing my turn in points and kept adjusting each lap rather than being consistent. Ended up spinning the car too, but fortunately it happened going straight and I never left the track, jammed the clutch in instantly so no damage and no one hit me. :) My instructor and a few others agreed that it was probably related to brake bias being too much towards the rear as the instructor I had that day was probably about 100 pounds heavier than the car had been set up for so the rear wheels locked up under heavy braking and it came around. We dialed it towards the front a bit more and things were smooth the rest of the day. After lunch I got much more consistent on the laps and eventually at the end of the day I did a 2:45 which is best one for me so far. My video sucks because the camera mount came loose and basically just gives you a nice view of my instructor's helmet the whole time, but I'll post it up anyway so you can at least see the data.

Here's why you don't want to drive longer than you should; this was an instructor too, trying to get a few extra laps in at the end of the day:

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/540/medium/2007-05-06_072.jpg

Full gallery of pics is at:

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/showgallery.php/cat/540

Some of my favorites:

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/540/medium/2007-05-06_070.jpg

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/540/medium/2007-05-06_043.jpg

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/540/medium/2007-05-06_051.jpg

[pdisme]

So, no recaps of the weekend????

Those vicariously living through you need to know.

Was already typing it. :)

[zzzzdoc]

Was already typing it. :)
Great minds...

[zzzzdoc]

That 00 says it all. :(

[pdisme]

That 00 says it all. :(

Actually a bunch of people made that mistake evidently; that one happened Saturday. During the last hour on Sunday there were two more wrecks, one injuring a passenger although I'm not sure how severely. The last hour is actually decent to get some good laps in because people start clearing out, but you just can't take the chance of driving at that point if you're feeling tired at all or haven't been drinking lots of water all day long because you will suffer and then you'll wreck.

[zzzzdoc]

Did Greg make it, or was 2nd gear his undoing?

[pdisme]

Did Greg make it, or was 2nd gear his undoing?

Nope, no third gear so no Greg. :) He hasn't been able to drive his car for five or six weeks now because people keep thinking they have found the problem, then they haven't and another week goes by. I think he's going to just send the whole engine/tranny off to the experts.

[Tofu]

Looks like you had a good time.

[Shuey2k]

Nope, no third gear so no Greg. :) He hasn't been able to drive his car for five or six weeks now because people keep thinking they have found the problem, then they haven't and another week goes by. I think he's going to just send the whole engine/tranny off to the experts.

yep, I am sending the whole thing out for a refresh so I should be good to go for the rest of the season.

[jrfootin]

I had a blast too. My Radical is in that line up of Radicals.

Greg, Are you going to have your car up & running for the PBOC event on the 19th?

[Shuey2k]

I had a blast too. My Radical is in that line up of Radicals.

Greg, Are you going to have your car up & running for the PBOC event on the 19th?

I wouldn't count on it Jamie, the engine is heading to CA so it is really a matter of how quickly they can turn it around.

[jrfootin]

OK, keep me posted.

I had a blast on Robeling Road. Got to drive the PRo6 Radical & a 1500 High downforce car. And of course my car too!!!!

We did a 1:07 around the track as a best time!!!!!! I think with new tires, and a better day weather wise, we could have done under 1:05.

[Shuey2k]

OK, keep me posted.

I had a blast on Robeling Road. Got to drive the PRo6 Radical & a 1500 High downforce car. And of course my car too!!!!

We did a 1:07 around the track as a best time!!!!!! I think with new tires, and a better day weather wise, we could have done under 1:05.

Which car did you like the most? THe new Prosport is fast

[pdisme]

Got a few pics from the photogs at Sebring last time, still haven't received my CD yet, look what you missed Greg!

Full gallery: http://www.talklambo.com/pics/showgallery.php/cat/540

Some of the new highlights:

Me: :)

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/519/medium/CHIN_Sebring_May_5-6_2007_DL_-_17_056_Medium_.jpg

ROFL!! How'd you like to see this in your rear view when you're in a Mercedes coupe?! :lol2: :lol2:

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/540/medium/sebring7.jpg

Same for the Corvette driver:

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/540/medium/sebring8.jpg

Lots of Radicals:

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/540/medium/sebring5.jpg
http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/540/medium/sebring12.jpg

Poor Jamie, a Ferrari sandwich; he's sayin' get that slow horse out of my way: :lol2: :lol2:

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/540/medium/sebring14.jpg

The boss:

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/540/medium/sebring10.jpg

[pdisme]

I heard that the Audi driver was telling people it cost less to maintain than a Miata. :)

[lambogurl]

That 00 says it all. :(

I probably should be embarrassed to ask this question (this is all new to me), but what does the 00 mean??

[lambogurl]

Me: :)

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/519/medium/CHIN_Sebring_May_5-6_2007_DL_-_17_056_Medium_.jpg

:grinning-smiley-003 HOT!!! :)

[pdisme]

I probably should be embarrassed to ask this question (this is all new to me), but what does the 00 mean??

That was just coincidentally his assigned car number for the day; but he clearly was a big zero that day. I'm sure it will buff out. :lol2:

[pdisme]

Jrfootin, is this your car?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ilwVqlZmX3A

[zzzzdoc]

Is his right hand drive also?

[pdisme]

Yep, most are since you have to pay extra to get left hand.

[zzzzdoc]

Also, what is the accepted point by procedure with Chin. Is it to stay in the racing line, slow slightly, and point to the car to pass you out of the line (like the second pass) or to move out of the racing line and point by to be passed by the faster car staying in the racing line (like the first pass).

I thought you were supposed to stay in the line and it is the passing cars responsibility to get around you.

Guys, what's the proper procedure?

[pdisme]

You are supposed to stay on line and make the person passing you pass on the side you prefer them to pass on; they have to come off line to pass and you are expected to ease up on the throttle or even brake if it's a low HP car passing you, such as a Miata that's been stuck behind you for all but the long straight and wouldn't be able to make it past you in the passing zone without a little help.

Unfortunately not all drivers do this and not all instructors remember to tell drivers to do this so sometimes you end up with people all over the place.

[zzzzdoc]

OK. That's what I was taught. So much for the first pass.

[pdisme]

Don't worry, I'll give you plenty of opportunities to practice your point by. :owned:

[jrfootin]

yea, that's me driving & my friend Lee shooting video with his cell phone!

[jrfootin]

zzzdoc & everyone,

I just bought a new Radical.

If anyone is interested, my Red Radical is for sale! I'll make anyone on this board a great offer!!!???

send me a PM if anyone is interested.

[pdisme]

Start a new thread about selling the car, I'll link in some pics I have of it and will also send it to the couple people I was talking to about it this past week. I may have three people who are all interested and two of them might come to Sebring in June to check it out, including my instructor from this past weekend; after riding with me he's thinking he might want one.

[jrfootin]

I will post it for sale in the classifieds on this board now

[pdisme]

J, did you pay Colour Tech South for pictures from the May 5/6 event? I got mine in the mail today; extremely disappointed. :tdown: They charged me $40, which is $5 off normal, and sent me a whole 13 pictures! Not only that, the 13 were based on two laps I did after that black flag at the end of the day when everyone thought the day was over but I was still hanging out in the pits. I think the only reason they got any pics is because during the black flag I went over and asked to see some pics but they couldn't find any, although they "knew they had some of my car." So lucky for them a 10 minute bonus was added to the day, I went out and they got just enough to charge me. Most of the pics were rapid shots of the same turn too, so it's really like five pictures from different angles.

I emailed them to see if they'd be willing to comp me on pics from the next event they're at with me. The Top Gear Photography guys that did the photo work back in December charged me $35 and sent me a DVD with over 150 pics of the Gallardo plus as many of the other cars as would fit on the DVD; I got some great pics of really cool cars on there.

[jrfootin]

No, I never got around to finding the guy to see what he had. With what you are telling me, I'm glad I didn't find him.