At Mosport yesterday

[BioBanker]

I definitely agree, no R compound for first track event.... especially not in an NSX.

First off - Ive done many track events before, just not in the NSX. Second, Im not about to go out and buy street rubber specifically for the track. R compounds are my daily drivers. The NSX is actually 10x more forgiving on a track that what Im used to, S2000s. Plus, many cars are now coming stock with R Compounds. Do you suggest that everyone who tracks an Elise for the first time go out and get street rubber for the occasion?

The helmet thing has been discussed to death and we all agree it was dumb. It seems to be perfectly acceptable with many groups on this known to be tretcherous track, but I will not go back on a track without mine. But like I said, when you're climbing into your car with a GT Class winner from the 24hrs of Daytona, and he says "you wont be able to communicate with me if you wear your helmet"........

 

[2slow2speed]

First off - Ive done many track events before, just not in the NSX. Second, Im not about to go out and buy street rubber specifically for the track. R compounds are my daily drivers. The NSX is actually 10x more forgiving on a track that what Im used to, S2000s. Plus, many cars are now coming stock with R Compounds. Do you suggest that everyone who tracks an Elise for the first time go out and get street rubber for the occasion?

Dave,

Yep, the Elise with the Sports Package does come with the A048's from the factory and the 360CS comes with the Pirelli Corsa System Tires (similar to the R-compound Pirelli Corsa) and the STi comes with the same tires as the NSX-R in Japan, Bridgestone RE-070 (very close to R-compounds but not quite the same)

That being said other mainstream track cars like the Porsche GT3 (turn key track car) comes with street tires.

Most of my friends who are *very* experienced track drivers chose to drive their GT3 at the track with street tires first to get the nuances of the car and to get used to the car, eventully they did move to R-compounds but on the average it took them 3 to 4 events to make the transition. They spent the first few events getting used to driving the GT3 with street tires first.

If I would have chosen to track my GT3 I would definetely would have tracked the GT3 with street tires until I could get close to 100% out of the street tires before moving to the R-compounds, simply because that would have allowed me to develop the skills needed to drive the car fast and consistently at the limits at reasonable speeds without getting myself into a lot of trouble.

The sad part is that I've been to track events with Elise's where the drivers are complete newbies and are not really learning much about their cars because the handling limits of the R-compounds is so high and even more so with a great handling car like the Elise, eventually when they spin or have an off it's usually at much higher speeds which is usually pretty scary

Same thing with the STI's but in their case it's a double whamo, driving a 4WD car that is pretty forgiving and driving with pretty sticky street rubber, they don't learn as much as they possibly could.

You are making a conscious choice driving with R-compounds first at the track, so thats by me, just be careful driving out there and be safe while having fun

Ken

 

[2slow2speed]

Ya'all are welcome to come to Canada anytime. I suggest you do not plan a visit between November and March though, there's not enough room in the NSX trunk for all the long underwear.

Hmm.. I would probably need to carry some chains too if travelling during the snow season

 

[Peter Mills]

Dave:
I realize that this is way in advance but...I'll be at Mosport next year around the first weekend in July. I'll post the exact date early next year. This July we had 1 US NSX and 4 Canadian NSX's. In 06 I hope to have more. The event is run by Trackmasters. I will be willing to help you with the course and if you request I can be your instructor.
I always carry my in car communicator for instructing so bring your helmet.

 

[BioBanker]

Peter - I wanted to go this year, but family pulled me out of town the same time as the event. To hell with them next year! After looking at the fall track schedule, perhaps I will be divorced by then . I just have to teach a couple of toddlers how to marshal and all will be perfect.

So yes, you are almost certain to see me. Id love to have you instruct me and yep, Ill have my helmet .

 

[SMGNSX]

Hey Ken,

That track looks like a blast, lets go and take You, me, Kip and Brian B it will be a blast LOL!
Steve

 

[Andrie Hartanto]

If anyone wants to go to Mosport, I would be interested.

 

[WESMAN]

Mosport spoils you with those great photos & hundreds of them. I've been to VIR where they were shocked I wasn't impressed with 15pics- all low speed, looks like I'm parking. I left Mosport with 344pics after a two day event.

 

[NSXDreamer2]

The sad part is that I've been to track events with Elise's where the drivers are complete newbies and are not really learning much about their cars because the handling limits of the R-compounds is so high and even more so with a great handling car like the Elise, eventually when they spin or have an off it's usually at much higher speeds which is usually pretty scary

Same thing with the STI's but in their case it's a double whamo, driving a 4WD car that is pretty forgiving and driving with pretty sticky street rubber, they don't learn as much as they possibly could.

I believed same things could be said in a nsx and I'm really ready to get an AE86 to learn the real driving..... Anyone, esp. those who's in CA, can help me locate a nice one? (I'm serious)

I'm not sure, but looking back 10 years ago, do you think the old timer track junkie would say the same thing about the nsx being easy to drive?? Without the whole traffic systems being upgraded and allowing higher speed limit on public roads, we will see more and more of those people like that Elise's owner you pointed out. Yeah, cars are getting faster and more capable, but a normal person just using the car's ability less and less (% wise)

 

[NSXDreamer2]

Yikes! no passengers? what happened with the passenger policy, did someone have a bad off recently at Pacific Raceways? I can understand the timing issue for most HPDE's, but don't understand the passenger policy

It actually happened from last year, just so that the last event you attended was hosted by Speedware, and they are more loosely on regulations.
Alfa club only let intructor's group taking passenger and B group's in case by case situation... which they let anyone go on track in any group last year.

Sadly to say, Don at Proformance Race School strictly enforced that and he told us that from the incidents of the CGT, the insurance will possibly getting higher next year, and it will eventually affecting us the lappers... more money spent on track days.