Run 1 (37.118) Getting a feel for the course and realizing this was going to be a very fast course
Run 2 (36.808) Picking up the pace a little on run 2
Run 3 (38.940) Having problems with turn 2 and turn 4. Can't figure out how to get into the turn correctly. Fellow driver noticed something that I wasn't doing right and coached me before my 4th run.
Run 4 (35.809) Received some coaching from Bucky, fellow driver and very seasoned at that, called me out on lifting the throttle in the first straight before turn 2. His advice... stay on the throttle and I should be bouncing off the rev limiter by the time I reach turn 2. Hitting the rev limiter in 2nd gear means that I am hitting somewhere around 55-57 mph at around 8500-8700 rpms. The K series engines love high rpms, but it sounds like the engine is going to bust loose at the seams for that brief few seconds. So per his advice, I changed strategy and kept the throttle down coming up to turn 2. Bouncing on the rev limiter I wondered if I would have time to get into the turn. Just at the entrance to the turn, braked and then off the brakes and turned into the corner. Coming out, once again full throttle into turn 3 which was also a showcase turn in front of the viewers. Essentially a very large arc. Hit that turn almost perfect with the rear rotating around as I headed for the final turn before finishing. Payoff was almost 1.5 seconds shaved off of my best time thus far. SWEET!!! Interesting note... full throttle and then braking actually set me up better for turn 2. Just the opposite of what I would have expected. Lesson learned.
Run 5 (37.133) Stayed on the throttle just like before, but as I got into turn 2 I got it all wrong and thought I was going to eat the cones. Suprisingly enough I didn't eat any, however lost a lot of time. I did my best to make up for it though.
Run 6 (35.561) Last run, have to make this one count is all I thought. In the words of Bucky "Go fast!". My comment in return was "Smooth", which he responded "Smooth is fast". Such simple words, but oh so true. Launch and into second gear as I rounded turn 1. Full throttle through the lane change towards turn 2. Wap!Wap!Wap!Wap! as I hit the rev limiter, brake hard and then accelerate through turn 2. Full throttle again through the slalom and brake and then into the showcase smoothly and full throttle again backout the other side towards the small chicago box. Quick brake before turn 4, and then it was full throttle again out and to the finish. Once again, as always, banging against the rev limiter as I passed through the finishing timing lights. My best raw time for the day.
I need to get comfortable at being constantly at the edge. Either full throttle or brake... no coasting or in between. Live in that oh sh!t feeling. Definitely learning my new limits as a driver and also for my car. Oh yes, my car feels freaking awesome. Loving the new suspension setup. Can't wait till next season when I get to really play with the suspension setup.
Again, thanks Bucky for the great advice.
Fastest Raw time of the day was 32.241 for a CM class 1986 Van Diemen RF-86. The bottom raw time was 41.787 AML class Mazda Miata. My best time was 35.561 placing me 36th out of 73 for raw time.
Top PAX time of the day was 27.505 and bottom PAX time for the day was 41.787. My PAX position was 36th out of 73 with PAX adjusted time of 30.262.
PAX is a method of handicapping cars. It's also known as RTP (Racers Theoretical Performance).
Cars are assigned handicaps based on their make/model/year and level of modification. These handicaps are based on actual performance of cars that have run in SCCA National events, and are determined by the national PAX administrator. They are used to judge performances at the national level, and are accepted by all competition entrants.
The most modified car is "A Modified", which gets a score of 1.00, so it's time would not be adjusted at all. Everything else gets multiplied by a figure that you could call a PAX handicap.
Here's an example:
Car Class Raw time PAX handicap PAX time PAX Result '03 Corvette SS 50.00 .840 42.0 2 '04 Focus HS 53.25 .780 41.53 1 '04 Dodge SRT4 STU 52.45 .820 43.00 3
So the Focus that finished three seconds slower than the Vette actually wins based on PAX index.
PAX values are adjusted yearly.
