Really? Another Miata thread....

[rherold9]

Doesn't everyone run pads made from compressed dirt?

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Yes, only the best compressed dirt from the top of the Andes stops my car!

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[rherold9]

Decided to make the trip to Watkins Glen this past weekend. It was a really beautiful drive from PA on....



There were 15 drivers or something insane this weekend in TT5. This was my first time at The Glen and I can see where it gets it's reputation of a very scary and unforgiving track. Walls are everywhere. Turns range from 65-70mph to 100mph with average speed I'd say around 70mph or more. There is no 'slow' turns here and there is basically almost no off room except T1 and outside of bus stop?

It was a cold one this weekend



I came in the weekend with a goal of 2:15 as it was my first time. On Saturday the car was not confidence inspiring and I was not confident with the track at all. In really cold temps 30-40s my car likes to let's say just slide out of nowhere. Car was not stable at all Saturday. I only mustered a high 2:19.9 as I was driving scared most of the time. Sunday I watched several videos again and talked to people. I noticed my line wasn't really off at all and it was just pushing for faster lap times and trying different things is all I needed to do

I made a couple changes to the car to make it feel more stable in higher speed which was lowering rebound 3 clicks in the rear and increased rear tire pressure 2 psi cold. Went out for the instructor session on new Conti's and the car felt much much better. Ran a 2:17 without a problem. The first TT session was soon after the instructor group and I thought I will push to grab a nice lap time here. After having to deal with some traffic the first 2 laps I eventually got so pissed I passed a Porsche on the outside of the of the outer loop into the chute during lap 3 that was driving like a douche for TT standards...

I start getting in a groove in lap 4 down to a 2:15. The final 5th lap I hit a 2:14 and I feel like that car has more in for sure. Easily was going to hit a low 14 or high 13 the next lap... Really wish people had more TT etiquette sometimes. Racing env will be different and I understand, but sometimes TT can be like HPDE3 again when you are in a Miata and I get frustrated as it takes me a few laps to get in a groove for really fast laps vs running 90% consistent laps at a decent speed





I go out in the instructor group before the next TT session and hit two 2:15's playing in traffic without an issue. Tons more to go in the car.... I'm picking up speed everywhere, car feels great, and I'm slowly pushing more in corners.

Go out for the TT session and all is well. I grid in front of all the slower lap time cars with high hp this time to avoid the previous problems instead of being nice. One e36 m3 with a slower lap time tries to pass me without a point into bus stop the first hot lap (you aren't allowed to pass without a point on the first hot lap of TT) so I drag race him into the brake zone and put bus lengths on him the rest of the course so I don't have to see him again. Start getting into a groove and run a 2:15. I start catching up to an S2k and he lets me by (thank you Mike for proper TT etiquette). And this where things get a little hairy for some reason I don't understand still after looking at my data and other people's videos with their speed.... See 2nd slide of this video:



I brake slightly later into bus stop and all is well. I'm carrying a few more mph into bus stop and use the curbing as usual. I feel that car gets light over the first left curbing and you can see me correct slightly. I'm usually full throttle at this point, but because of the looseness I'm only 30% according to data. Car starts to rotate more and more quickly as I keep the light throttle in trying to hold the drift vs over correcting in this high speed section. Car isn't moving at all but more sideways so I lift once I hit the left curbing at the exit, put both feet in and go full lock.... Thankfully the car stops in time somehow

Only damage being a set of brand new Conti's in the garbage as I can't buy anymore. Sigh. Guess it's better than the wall, but still a lot of money as I'll need to buy a brand new set of Hoosier's finally





After running take off Hoosiers I want to be sure the tires I have are taken care of vs the ones I had this weekend which were only supposed to be "10-14" heat cycles but only gave the confidence of a 2:17 consistently for the rest of Sunday and were dead after 3 hard laps... With the car getting loose at full throttle in the esses of the Glen is scary...

The goods:

• Beat my goal of a 2:15 with a high 2:14 and know there is more my first time at Watkins Glen
  
• Found out how Hoosiers feel vs Conti's. They feel a lot different and will need a lot of adjustment!
  
• Got more seat time at another track and know how my car feels at more higher speed track. In turn, starting to understand how to make little changes to this car for certain tracks, speeds, and conditions
  

I will for sure be back and faster next time... Looking forward to VIR in a few weeks!

[Senor_Taylor]

Glad you escaped hitting the wall!

[Beej]

Damn man, sorry about the tires but you put both feet in at like the perfect time. Glad to hear you had a good weekend otherwise!

[Scott]

What pads did the NC MX5 Cup cars use?

They use Hawk DTC 60 fronts and DTC 30 rears

 
Turns out they use Pagid's now and haven't been having issues.

[Senor_Taylor]

What pads did the NC MX5 Cup cars use?

They use Hawk DTC 60 fronts and DTC 30 rears

 
Turns out they use Pagid's now and haven't been having issues.

Is it bad I've never heard of that brand?

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[ScottyB]

great writeup! your experience sounds really familiar to everyone i've heard tell stories of the glen....fast and scary. nice recovery from that spin, def code brown

[D_Eclipse9916]

What pads did the NC MX5 Cup cars use?

They use Hawk DTC 60 fronts and DTC 30 rears

 
Turns out they use Pagid's now and haven't been having issues.

Is it bad I've never heard of that brand?

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It’s more a euro brand and old school brand. That said, Pagids fall apart at 50% so not solving your problem.

[rherold9]

Thanks guys. Glad I didn't hit it either. I'm very quick to both feet in vs trying to be a hero. I guess it usually can work and takes a bit of luck!

Nice teaser though:



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[Kaan]

i hope brown santa got you a big old WANG

[Deceus]

[rherold9]

Seeing all the recaps for the final event I guess I should post something... I managed to break my hand being an idiot.... Made me miss October and November events. Even with that, I managed to place 2nd overall for the NASA-MA region this season in TT5. This was my first full season of TT so not too bad. Although, nothing spectacular, but just goes to show you that showing up and staying consistent is key. I had a few podiums this season(3rd/2nd), but managed several 4th places and a couple 6th places. I did hit a new PB basically every event this season. I also, set some pretty decent times at brand new tracks through the season. So, all in all a good season of driving

Have a few things planned for the off season. Herold and Spicer Fabrication will be opening up shop again!

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[Jake]

Although, nothing spectacular, but just goes to show you that showing up and staying consistent is key. I had a few podiums this season(3rd/2nd), but managed several 4th places and a couple 6th places. I did hit a new PB basically every event this season. I also, set some pretty decent times at brand new tracks through the season. So, all in all a good season of driving

Have a few things planned for the off season. Herold and Spicer Fabrication will be opening up shop again!

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Earning enough season points to get a season podium means that you did more than show up... you showed up and the car was reliable, leading to that consistency. I know some people who can throw down a great lap time every sixth lap, but are always dealing with busted parts on their car so they don't finish races. Congrats on 2nd and eager to see what you do for 2020!

[rherold9]

Thank you! I'm glad this car has treated me well. Hopefully it will continue into next season. These cars have continually been said to be very reliable so we'll be seeing if that's true over the seasons

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