look out ITB drivers, here I come...

[zooracer]

Just kidding, but seriously, I am moving on up towards the front.
Went to Lowes this weekend and raced in the CCPS race.
First race with a welded diff (had an open before).
During practice and qualifying I had to learn the track, in addition to how to drive with a welded.
Totally different driving style was needed. The car is much looser then before, at least in the rear. Brake, start the turn in, and man you better get on the power quick or the understeer will get you.
As soon as you go to throttle the rear kinda slides in behind the front wheels. Never felt anything like it, very weird feeling, but very fast.
Anyways, I qualified next to last with a 1min 36. The leader had a 1min 32.
So the race starts and I am now starting to really push my "new" car and I can feel the times a dropping.
Three laps to go and I lose oil pressure (pressure sender came loose), so I pulled off and shut down.
Have no idea what position I was in, because there was a required pit stop and I was impossible to keep track.
But, I checked the times for the race and I had a best of 1min 32 flat, which was better then the other ITB's in my race!
And, this is on tired Kumho's (not hoosiers like some of them had) and a 75K mile junkyard motor.
So, I am optimistic that with some money, money, and oh yeah, more money, that I can win at the ARRC.
I know, maybe I'm jumping the gun here, but next year, I predict I will be first in ITB at the ARRC.
Let the fun begin...

[Knestis]

Nicely done - sorry that it didn't pan out for a finish. Remind me what kind of car you have?

K

[zooracer]

a suzuki swift.
Lowes is a huge HP track, must be the longest straight of any track in the U.S.?
Now this is fine if you have some torque, but my 1300cc is 100hp and 83lbs torque stock really hurts me at the last part of the straight, especially when diving down into nascar turn 3 and 4.
The infield was a blast, but there was only one real braking section on the whole track which hurts me since that is my cars strong point.
So, with this in mind, it is an even bigger surprise that I ran the fastest lap time in the race.
It may have been the lap that I got behind an IT7 car for the whole nascar section and was pulling a higher top speed.
But I would assume the other ITB cars were able to do this at least one lap in the race...
Anyways, the car has the potential to take on anything in ITB. Just need to spend, er, develop it

[RSTPerformance]

ZOORACER-

!!!

The more the marier in ITB After last years disapointment, be prepaired for some faster Audi's!!!

We learned a lot at that event (ARRC 2004) thanks to a lot of helpful competition and supporters like Hoosier and Koni .

First test of the partially new Audi will be July 4 at Mid Ohio

Raymond "Was I supposed to smack talk back? :-P" Blethen
RST Performance Racing

[zracre]

you should make the trip to atlanta this july...if you have never driven RA you will thank yourself when you get to the ARRC....

------------------
Evan Darling
ITA Integra

[manny]

well i would like to add that the ccps race was my first time there and had such a blast racing with you guys, and waving you by. i was the back marker in the yellow mustang. still i had such a great time. hey zooracer did the ccps give out awards? see you guys in august!

[gran racing]

What Ray, pole for both of you guys wasn't fast enough? I'll bring some sand bags to put in your trunks.

Zooracer - this year try to see how many laps you can maintain at your fastest lap time. Money and more car prep will come.

------------------
Dave Gran
NER ITB #13
'87 Honda Prelude si

[RSTPerformance]

Dave-

Was it the track record??? Nope... It is time for Randy's track record to go down in history

Raymond

Zooracer... You race a swift??? I remember in the Northeast many years ago their was a lime green one that blew away everyone... good car choice IMO

[zooracer]

manny, the speed will come. You are new to this like me, and learning the tracks and improving the car will give more speed.
I credit my motorcycle road race and auto-x experience for my "fast out of the gate" luck with road racing.
I try to be very precise in my braking points, turn in, clipping apex's, etc., along with using all of the track, and just being as efficient as possible behind the wheel.
As Dave said, having consistent lap times can be a good indicator of how precise you are. Of course none of this will do you any good if you dont have that necessary amount of aggressiveness, or whatever you want to call it, to push just a little faster or harder through that corner. To experiment with a shorter brake zone, or higher entrance speed, or earlier throttle application. I work on one corner at a time with this, so I dont get lost or confused.
I admit Dave that my times were not consistent, but I was literally dropping my time almost every lap as I was learning the locked diff and new track.
Yes Ray, the swift has what it takes, no question about it. It's strong points are HP and brakes, but it has little torque, narrow track, and high center of gravity. But I still know it can win at the ARRC
With some aerodynamic work, little more HP, and some hoosiers, you guys better watch out!

[zooracer]

Oh, manny I didnt stick around after to see if money or trophies were handed out. After I got my novice permit back from the cheif steward I was out of there.
I am now officially a licensed road racer.

[RSTPerformance]

Zooracer-

Looking forward to it... Any well prepped ITB car can likely win the sprint race... It is by far the best class for a veriety of car choices with the ability to win

I think the toughest race to win is probably the ITB Enduro.... Those Canadians along with Chris Albin have that soooo figured out.

Raymond

PS: waht is your name? I know you have posted a lot, but I can never rember things like that :-P

[zooracer]

Hey Ray, it's matt batson.
Now, I didnt predict winning ARRC this year. Next year I should have the car where I want it, and more seat time too.
Still plan to be there this year though, just for the experience.
I think with a motor built to the limit's of IT, some aerodynamic stuff I'm working on, and some hoosiers that I will be winning races.
Of course some seat time too. I've had the car on track four times and am still learning the car besides the various tracks.

Quick question. I have some old Kumho's on the car, and put some of the tire treatment on the fronts before my last race at Lowes.
I was wondering if I can re-treat them a second time, to get a little more life out of them?

[Chris Wire]

Not to butt in, but let the durometer be your guide. The most effective way to use any tire treatment/conditioner/strengthener is to use a durometer. If you don't have one, it is simply guess work, and you will have a hard time duplicating the results from treatment to treatment.

Most tires, depending on the brand of treatment, will accept more than one application. As the rubber ages, you may find it necessary to treat the tires for a longer period each successive time you treat.

You may want to place a call to the vendor/manufacturer of the treatment for any specialized application tips.

(edit for spelling)
------------------
Chris Wire
Team Wire Racing
ITS Mazda RX7 #35
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Chris Wire (edited June 21, 2005).]

[zooracer]

ok, I'll look into a durometer.

From what your saying it sounds like another treatment will be okay though.
Guess it cant hurt anyways.