Just started at the track

Joined
18 August 2006
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3
I have just started running at the track. I have 2005 stock. I replaced the rear tires with Advan 07's after the OEM's. They are working but I am looking for a quick win. The first track layout I beat the Viper but the second is faster and therefore I think better braking and changing the front tires with pads. This is only a small track.

Stock runs 255r40/17 and front is 215r40r17. I have not found any competition tires for the front. any ideas or is it new wheels?

Any advise is welcome.

www.gvilleroadrace.com has the track times.

Thanks
 
Few of us had been successfully using 235/40/17 for the front. (I had not tried 'em myself) With only minor rubbing on full locks (most likely not going to use full lock on track but at the pits) But they most likely fit on aftermarket 8 inches rims. They might or might not work with the OEM 7 inches.
 
Are you talking about driving around a track, or at a dragstrip?

If you're talking about driving around a track, stop worrying about what tires you're using. The biggest factor by far at the novice level is driver skill. An experienced driver in a slower car will beat a novice driver in a much faster car, 10 times out of 10. You're just learning now. Use whatever tires you normally drive on the street, and don't worry about "winning". Once you get a lot of experience, you can start thinking about less important factors (like moving up to track tires).

For street tires, the Yokohama Advan Neova AD07 (that's what it's called - I assume that's the tire you're talking about) isn't available in sizes to fit the NSX front. I can give you more advice on tires but again, upgrading the capabilities of your car when you're a novice isn't going to make you any faster; you're not using anywhere near the full range of those capabilities at this point in your driving career. Concentrate on having fun and learning a lot. Keep it up, and the "winning" will come along with the experience.

Also - are these events with an instructor riding in your passenger seat, with classroom sessions as well? Or is this an open track event, where you can learn lots of bad habits without anyone to tell you otherwise? Many such "open track" type events without instruction - sometimes called "test and tune" - are absolutely the worst possible way to learn how to drive around the track faster.

And for heaven's sake, NSXPO 2006 is in your part of the country this year - sign up! It includes two days on the track at Sebring. It's the perfect opportunity for a beginning driver to learn how to drive on the track, in an event consisting entirely of students driving NSXs, with instructors who are familiar with the car.
 
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As a novice, I second Ken's advice... I am a decent but still novice driver, but was being stalked by a "prepped" Miata at Mid Ohio with a very good driver. 95% driver, 5% car.
 
I second that as well.
I have driven on the track myself and I know for myself that I have improved my skills a little bit (with some advice and instructions from fellow NSX-drivers) but I will not consider myself a competent track driver for a long time. So I drive better lines now, drive smoother and brake much later and harder before turns. But still I know I only use a small part of what the NSX is capable off.
For example, I was on the track on the 16th, for a www.racentegenkanker.nl day where you take sick children and there family around the track. Of course, you are not fully racing but you do drive at a reasonable pace if your passenger likes it. At one point I was behind a brand new 2006 model Honda Civic with diesel-engine (Yes, diesel... :smile: ) and was simply unable to overtake him. I could keep up, with 300 HP versus 140 HP I better should.
I learned later that the guy at the wheel was Honda's premier motor cycle racer in the Netherlands (and Europe ?). With thousands of laps around that track, he drove perfect lines and hardly use his brakes at all.

It makes you feel very humble to see what a driver like that can do in a day-to-day diesel hatchback. Let me just say, I've got lots and lots to learn.
 
When, I say just started at the track, I has never run tracks but I have done a fair bit of road rallying etc... in the uk. Now I'm looking for an edge with the NSX.
 
I agree with what people are saying, it is important to get instruction, especially with a potentially tricky car such as the NSX.
 
NSX Brian said:
When, I say just started at the track, I has never run tracks but I have done a fair bit of road rallying etc... in the uk. Now I'm looking for an edge with the NSX.

Since you are new to the nsx forum, it always helped that if you let people know your skill level and race experiences.

Road rallying? are you talking about drift/sliding in mud (or tarmac) Rally races?

I know there's another type of rallying that won't even need to drive fast to win, imo, is pretty lame......
 
It looks more like Autocross to me, based on the track maps from the site.

How is the NSX for an autocross car? It might not have enough low end torque in 2nd gear to make it very effective.
 
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