Any instructors attending the NASA Willow Springs event on 02/11/2006

[Scin]

If any instructors with NSX experience will be running the NASA Willow Springs event on 02/11/2006, I would definitely like to hook up with you. I will be running HPDE1, this will be the first track experience for the 94 NSX and I.

 

[SolidCitizen]

Hi, I regularly instruct at the NorCal events but I unfortunately can't get out to many of the SoCal NASA events. You are very wise to seek out someone with NSX experience. Just a bit of warning, there are instructors out there (in any track club) that would see your NSX and think it can be pushed to the limit without much concern. It might be best to question your instructor to test their knowledge and teaching ability. Ask them to explain how to safely shed speed if you've gone too fast into a turn, or what to do if the tail starts to slide when accelerating out of a turn. If they say things that don't make sense to you, I'd ask for a reassignment.

If any instructors with NSX experience will be running the NASA Willow Springs event on 02/11/2006, I would definitely like to hook up with you. I will be running HPDE1, this will be the first track experience for the 94 NSX and I.

 

[SKB NSX]

Good Advice, Solid Citizen. I had raced FF's many years ago, and a '73 Porsche Carerra RS for a few years in SCCA, and I like NASA much better. After a year with my NSX in HPDE 3 and 4, I've had quite a few excellent instructors, but I haven't yet found an instructor in SoCal with any NSX experience. And the NSX is definitely a different beast, especially entering turn 8 and exiting turn 9 at Big Willow !

Luckily, Autowave initially set my Comptech suspension up, Eric Messley did my alignment, and I got some good advice from Doug Hyashi. My engine's pretty much stock except for i/h/e, I figured I'd better learn how to drive it before adding much hp.

Scin, I'm looking forward to seeing you out there in February. I have a '94 too and it'll be nice seeing another NSX out there.

 

[Scin]

Hey cool! I'm glad there will be another NSX there. It sounds like you will be in a different run group. Perhaps you can ride with me a few laps and give me some pointers? I'll keep an eye out for you.

I currently have i/h/e and I just put in Bilstein shocks and tein s-tech springs (linear, 20% stiffer then stock, slightly lower).

 

[SKB NSX]

Scin,

I'm certainly NOT an instructor, and I don't know if NASA allows non-instructor ride-alongs in HPDE 1. But if they do, sure, I'll try to help in any way I can. I've had the most luck with Shane, (has a 240Z and Elise), Don, (has an M coupe), and Mike, (has a 325e). Even though they don't have NSX experience, they're good instructors.

It sounds like you have limited track experience, so focus on learning basic techniques, (heel/toe, the correct line, straight line braking, looking ahead, etc.) I'd recommend you buy the Ross Bentley book, Speed Secrets, it's only $18.00. NASA is and excellent organization, always runs on time, be sure to have your car teched before going (it's usually $10), be at the Driver's meeting early Saturday morning and after every session, NASA has a dwonload session, where a group instructor answers questions and all the drivers talk. Don't miss them.

HPDE 1 is NOT racing, just drive at your own, safe pace and take the opportunity to learn slowly. This is the best time to build proper techniques and not develop any bad habits, (I should know, I'm still trying to break mine !)

I'll look for you out there and help in any way I can. If you have any questions, PM me and I'll give you my mobile number.

 

[Scin]

Thanks for the advice. I plan on taking it slow to learn the basics and get a feel for the car. I am finding the stock pedals a little bit difficult to heel toe with, are you running the stock pedals?

Would you suggest I contact one of the instructors you suggested ahead of time, or just try to grab one of them at the track? If you suggest I contact them ahead of time can you pm or e-mail me any contact information you might have?

Thanks!

 

[SKB NSX]

Scin,

I ran all last year with the stock pedals and also had a little difficulty in heel/toeing, but I added the autovation pedals for SOS a few months ago and it's LOTS easier now. There is a wonderful installation guide in issue 03 of NSX Driver a few months ago, although I actually put the new throttle pedal on top on the plastic one to raise it 1/4" for a more even feel with the brake pedal.

I wouln't know how to reach any of those instructors, unless you put out an sos on the NASA HPDE forums, (I assume you visit that site). If you tech your car prior to the event instead of at the track, you should have time to find one of those guys.

 

[kenjiMR]

Willow Springs can be quite scary on the straightaway approach. Take it easy at first... Honestly, I would have recommended you to go to Buttonwillow for your first track event. I don't consider Willow Springs to be beginner friendly, though my only experience there was while I was taking my racing license testing.

 

[2slow2speed]

Thanks for the advice. I plan on taking it slow to learn the basics and get a feel for the car. I am finding the stock pedals a little bit difficult to heel toe with, are you running the stock pedals?

What size shoe do you wear? Make sure that your driving position is correct. I can pretty much heel and toe with the stock pedals on the NSX with almost any kind of shoe that I wear (I wear a size 9).

BTW: NASA used to run a mentoring program for the newbies, I'm not sure if they still have that program going but you might want to check around.

 

[Scin]

Thanks for the input everyone!

SKB NSX, funny thing is I broke down and bought the Autovation pedals before you even replied! I've been practicing with the stock pedals and I am getting better, although sometimes other traffic looks at me funny as I double clutch all the way down to 1st gear at every stop. I bought the Ross Bentley book.

I definitely don't have any trouble with the idea of looking ahead to where I am going. I used a 600cc sport bike as a daily drive for almost two years. I've personally seen a new rider wreck by looking where they *didn't* wan't to go, and I have read about it frequently. I am usually looking ahead to the next corner to see how I will setup for it, as I am going thru the current corner.

kenjiMR, I have heard the same thing from some friends. I will be careful and focus on learning. I may try to make button willow the weekend before.

2slow2speed, I wear a size 10. I am doing better as mentioned above, but the gas pedal just seems a little deep. I don't really have any issues with the distance between the pedals.

I will check around regarding the mentoring program, it would be nice to have a good instructor that could follow me through several events.

 

[ediddynsx]

You can talk to Jon Martin at Cerritos Acura 562-402-5281 he knows a lot of good instructors for the NSX. Alex Vizcarra is a driving instructor from what I am told. You can find him here www.gruppemusa.com

Gruppe M USA
Phone
866-421-7366

Fax
310-657-0214

 

[2slow2speed]

You can talk to Jon Martin at Cerritos Acura 562-402-5281 he knows a lot of good instructors for the NSX. Alex Vizcarra is a driving instructor from what I am told. You can find him here www.gruppemusa.com

Gruppe M USA
Phone
866-421-7366

Fax
310-657-0214

No offsense, but you are REALLY starting to sound like a "Jon Martin" groupie , have you started a fan club yet?

 

[2slow2speed]

2slow2speed, I wear a size 10. I am doing better as mentioned above, but the gas pedal just seems a little deep. I don't really have any issues with the distance between the pedals.

Given that you don't have a spacing problem between the pedals try moving the seat forward, that should help quite a bit.

Most people who are used to driving on the streets have their seats farther back than appropriate and that *will* affect your ability to reach the pedals for heel toeing. Sometimes they also have the seats reclined too far back and have their arms overextended as well.

In the correct driving position your knees should be slightly bent and you should be able to press all the way down on the clutch/brake/gas pedals without having to extend your knees at all.

Same thing goes for the steering wheel while holding the wheel at 2 and 10 o'clock your elbows should be slightly bent and comfortable and you should not have to have them fully extended to turn the wheel.

Check out the following videos and watch the arm and foot position of the drivers:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8561369878817702526&q=nsx

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5837539614514712471&q=nsx

http://www.norcalevo.net/video/motegibattle.wmv

BTW: You don't need to double clutch on the NSX, it has synchros. That should make the timing easier to manage on the heel toe as well.

 

[2slow2speed]

Some videos of Willow Springs so that you can become familiar with how the track looks from inside the car.

Use the videos to learn which way the track goes (along with the track map), remember that the guys who are driving on the videos are very experienced drivers, so don't expect to be going anywhere close to their speed on your first track day.

http://www.gofastvideo.com/gallery/...ing-videos/willow-springs---rosamond,-ca.html

Map of Willow Springs:

http://www.willowspringsraceway.com/trackinformation/RoadCourseLg.htm

 

[Nimbus]

Willow Springs is indeed a tougher course and an intimidating course for newbies due to the fact it has at least 3 corners where you can not see the end of the track out widths until it's too late. The next door Streets of Willow is far easier for beginners.

 

[SKB NSX]

Hey Buddy,

I want to apologize for not letting you in for a ride-along the last session of the day, but since we were doing 2X2 race starts and I was having a battle with both the Trans-Am's, I didn't want the distraction.
Seems you had a great time, and did quite well.

Are you registered for Cal Speedway ? Seems we have 48 TT'er's registered and it will be the first time in NASA history where TT will have it's own sessions w/o HPDE 4 tag-alongs. Cal Speedway's fast, sure wish I had about 200 more hp, my 258 rwhp ain't gonna cut it with the big boys !

Hope to see you there !

 

[Scin]

Hey no worries, I understand completely. I definitely had a good time. I was doing a lot better by the end of the 2nd day. The car ran great and at least in my group it was nice to see it pull by the 350'z and EVO.

I'll be at Cal Speedway, I think I'm hooked. I'm also going to run a Porsche Club event at spring Mtn the week before. It looks like Cal Speedway was sold out completely within a few days, I'm glad I registered early. So I will see you there.

My friend has several photos of you going up turn four, I'll have to post them or send them to you.

Hey Buddy,

I want to apologize for not letting you in for a ride-along the last session of the day, but since we were doing 2X2 race starts and I was having a battle with both the Trans-Am's, I didn't want the distraction.
Seems you had a great time, and did quite well.

Are you registered for Cal Speedway ? Seems we have 48 TT'er's registered and it will be the first time in NASA history where TT will have it's own sessions w/o HPDE 4 tag-alongs. Cal Speedway's fast, sure wish I had about 200 more hp, my 258 rwhp ain't gonna cut it with the big boys !

Hope to see you there !

 

[SKB NSX]

It's way too easy to get hooked . . . the route to financial ruin ! Glad you had such a great time, Willow wasn't that daunting, was it ? Now, CaSpeedway, which I have never run, is supposed to be FAST.

I'd love to see those pictures, you can send them to me at [email protected].

See you March 6 & 7th !