This is topic Why so quiet? in forum Road Racing, Auto X & Drifting at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Does anyone from here still attend trackdays? I know this site didn't really have many road race enthusiasts to begin with, but it seemed a lot more active a couple years back. Anyone still race and/or attend DE events?
 
Posted by need-a-cage (Member # 5415) on :
 
Wish I could. Upgraded brakes last year and only got one track day out of the car before I blew a head gasket at the drag strip. While working on that, I found my balancer cracked and wallowed the keyway on my crank. I need to pull the motor and replace the crank. It will be sitting for a year or so before I can work on it.
 
Posted by Black 02 SS (Member # 5939) on :
 
I'll be at Thunderhill Monday with NCRC!
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
How is the new section of Thill? I'm hoping to drive the new track sometime this season as well! From the videos I've seen, seems more technical and "slower." Any truth to my assumptions?

By the way, do you track a Camaro or something else?
 
Posted by 331SVO (Member # 7376) on :
 
I did Sonoma two weeks ago with trackmasters it was fun ... I'm trying to get back out there and do some improvements ... One day I'll go sub 2:00 lol
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 331SVO:
I did Sonoma two weeks ago with trackmasters it was fun ... I'm trying to get back out there and do some improvements ... One day I'll go sub 2:00 lol

Long time no see brother! How you been? I think the last time I saw you was when we hit up the Trackmasters event at Sonoma a few years back. What are you tracking now?

Whatever it is, glad to hear you're getting some seat time [dance]
 
Posted by 331SVO (Member # 7376) on :
 
I have been good.....i had a rough patch for a while i got really sick and lost a bunch of weight..but i have been good. I am tracking a 2014 5.0
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Glad to hear you're doing better and back on the track! Are you still doing Autox events with SCCA / AAS?
 
Posted by 331SVO (Member # 7376) on :
 
No not this year...I am going to try to focus a bit more on road course.....and i want to get he car "set up" Im thinking going with a torque arm. Im hoping I can get some advise from the greats
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Road course is definitely more exciting, at least to me! Visit Cortex Raging in Sonoma - they should be able to take care of all your s197 suspension needs!
 
Posted by 331SVO (Member # 7376) on :
 
Man that sounds expensive! I talked to Jack Hidley from MM and was given some good pointers on spring rates. I am running a huge front adjustable 36mm bar adjusted to the firmest setting. 350 front springs , Eibach double adjustable shocks all around , 2.5 degrees of camber and 6 degrees of caster my rear set up is 450 rear springs panhard bar, relocation brackets , no rear sway bar. My tires are 285/35 R19 bfgoodrich rivals . I will be changing this set up since the car is loose which i like but it has a very nasty oversteer characteristic lol I am just gonna swap around the springs and install the rear bar
 
Posted by SLOWSN95 (Member # 8269) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 331SVO:
Man that sounds expensive! I talked to Jack Hidley from MM and was given some good pointers on spring rates. I am running a huge front adjustable 36mm bar adjusted to the firmest setting. 350 front springs , Eibach double adjustable shocks all around , 2.5 degrees of camber and 6 degrees of caster my rear set up is 450 rear springs panhard bar, relocation brackets , no rear sway bar. My tires are 285/35 R19 bfgoodrich rivals . I will be changing this set up since the car is loose which i like but it has a very nasty oversteer characteristic lol I am just gonna swap around the springs and install the rear bar

Damn right your car has an oversteer characteristic.. I learned the hard way
[Razz]

[ 2016-05-24, 01:08 PM: Message edited by: SLOWSN95 ]
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Damn Fiddel, 450 in the rear w/ 350 up front? I thought the traditional setup was heavier up front with lighter rear springs? I guess there have been advancements in design since I last got on track lol!


Nick, are you still autox'ing? What class is Cam-C? Is that a new run group?
 
Posted by 331SVO (Member # 7376) on :
 
yeah I know .....I did a lot more auto x last year than anything ..so it works for that but I just need to dial it to accommodate for track
 
Posted by Black88GT (Member # 394) on :
 
I plan on attend Sonoma in Aug. I have never been on a real track before. Just redwood road haha.
 
Posted by Black88GT (Member # 394) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by 331SVO:
yeah I know .....I did a lot more auto x last year than anything ..so it works for that but I just need to dial it to accommodate for track

Where do you you AutoX?
 
Posted by 331SVO (Member # 7376) on :
 
AAS american autocross you can check out bay area autocross
 
Posted by macuser27 (Member # 14389) on :
 
Had a blast in April last year when I went on a ride along at Thunderhill in my friend's Cayman R. I was immediately hooked and decided to "fix up" my '99 GT for light track duties - it's my only car and don't want a harsh ride on the street.

Over the next couple months, I installed camber/caster plates and full length sub frame connectors from Maximum Motorsports.

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Replaced the 16 year old struts and shocks with Koni STR.Ts.

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Replaced eBay springs that the previous owner installed with Eibach Pro-Kits.

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While I was in there, I replaced the outer tie rods, sway bar bushings, and ball joints with Steeda X2s.

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Replaced front brakes with new Cobra/Mach 13" rotors, reman calipers, along with Hawk HP+ pads, stainless hoses and ATE brake fluid.

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Replaced the almost bald, mismatched tires with Michelin Pilot Super Sports all around and dialed in -1.3 camber, 6 caster and 0 toe.

Signed up with NASA and joined them for my first HPDE at Sears Point in June last year. What a blast! I had a great instructor which helped immensely. I was just beaming all day. At the end, the instructor recommended that seats be my next thing to look at, as we were both sliding around in them the whole time. His right arm was totally bruised from bracing himself in the corners.

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So I invested in Procar Rave seats by Scat.

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Then in November, my friend (Cayman R) and I ran Laguna Seca with GGLC. He was in the advanced group, and my instructor in the beginner group. This is my favorite track in the video games I used to play and was thrilled to finally drive it in real life.

I was planning to hit up Sears Point again this month, but sadly don't have the funds this time. Been working on fixing the A/C in my car.

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Hope to at least do Laguna Seca again or Thunderhill sometime this year, if my wallet allows.

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Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Nice to see a new caford member getting into the track scene! Welcome to the addiction as many would put it!

Nice set of mods so far. Glad to see you didn't go balls-out on the first round of track upgrades. Get to learn your car and pick up speed with your current mods. If money allows, I'd recommend a 4-Pt rollbar and a 5-pt harness for better safety and to reduce movement in the seat even further. After I added a rollbar and harness in my old cobra I felt like I could drive faster becaus I was no longer worried about moving around in the seat and was able to concentrate strictly on driving the track. Once you do this you'll know what I'm talking about.

Check out NCRC for trackdays. They run at Thunderhill a lot and I've found them to be the cheapest club to run with. Good luck and hope to see you out there soon!
 
Posted by macuser27 (Member # 14389) on :
 
Sounds good. I'll check out NCRC. I've been wanting to do Thunderhill too!

I currently have a CG lock but was looking to do roll bar and harness later on. What's the ball park of getting the roll bar installed and who did the install? Do you have rear seat access after the install? Any pics?

Thanks!
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by macuser27:
Sounds good. I'll check out NCRC. I've been wanting to do Thunderhill too!

I currently have a CG lock but was looking to do roll bar and harness later on. What's the ball park of getting the roll bar installed and who did the install? Do you have rear seat access after the install? Any pics?

Thanks!

CG lock will work fine for now, but a roll bar and harness would make your track experience A LOT more enjoyable as well as safer. You can get the Maximum Motorsports 4-pt roll bar with detachable harness bar so that you can still access your rear seats when not at the track.

I actually have a well-built harness bar (not a full roll bar) out of a foxbody that I will sell you for cheap if it fits. You are more than welcome to check it out and see if the holes line-up.
 
Posted by straightliner1 (Member # 2679) on :
 
Ian is right, NCRC is the ticket for Thunderhill and Laguna days. They even run at Buttonwillow, but that's a hell of a hike. Last time I ran with them, they were about $120/day. That's hard to beat!

Ian, when are you getting out there again?
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Hey Justin how've you been, man? You're absolutely right - from what I recall, NCRC events range from $100-150 depending on what day and track it's hosted at. I don't think they provide instructors for beginners but I could be wrong. Regardless, it's the cheapest club I've ran with and you get ample track time!

I "hope" to be out there soon! I have a new toy that needs some TLC but not sure I really want to invest in it at this time. I have so much going on with the family so I don't really have time to work on it nor spend a weekend at the track. We'll see though [Wink] Did you get yourself a new car that's track worthy?
 
Posted by Black88GT (Member # 394) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by macuser27:
Sounds good. I'll check out NCRC. I've been wanting to do Thunderhill too!

I currently have a CG lock but was looking to do roll bar and harness later on. What's the ball park of getting the roll bar installed and who did the install? Do you have rear seat access after the install? Any pics?

Thanks!

I got the Maximum Motorsport 4 PT. I think shipped was like 700, and Nextgen in Hayward did the install. Reliable powder coating in SL shot it. coating was like 200, and install was like 600. where did you get your seats? I have upper subframes, so Im going to have to fab them in Im assuming.

[ 2016-06-17, 11:49 PM: Message edited by: Black88GT ]
 
Posted by macuser27 (Member # 14389) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SydeWaySix:
I actually have a well-built harness bar (not a full roll bar) out of a foxbody that I will sell you for cheap if it fits. You are more than welcome to check it out and see if the holes line-up.

Thanks, but I think I'm going to stick with the stock belts till I go roll bar. The horror stories out there about harness bars makes me paranoid about using one.

quote:
Originally posted by Black88GT:
I got the Maximum Motorsport 4 PT. I think shipped was like 700, and Nextgen in Hayward did the install. Reliable powder coating in SL shot it. coating was like 200, and install was like 600. where did you get your seats? I have upper subframes, so Im going to have to fab them in Im assuming.

Good stuff. Costs a lot more than I was hoping. Might have to relearn how to weld and do it myself to save some cost. I did some welding classes more than 15 years ago but haven't touched it since.

Powder coating? I thought the roll bar came painted.

What are upper subframes? Are they like battle boxes?

I got the seats from Jeg's. $950 shipped for the pair, including seats brackets, taxes, etc. Very straight forward install. The seats and brackets are way lighter than the stock, powered driver side seat.

I bought a used MM quadrant and adjuster yesterday from a member on here. Can't wait to install them and get a better clutch feel. The stock plastic quadrant is so flimsy and keeps losing my adjustments. Then, no mods till after I do a track day!
 
Posted by Black88GT (Member # 394) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by macuser27:
quote:
Originally posted by SydeWaySix:
I actually have a well-built harness bar (not a full roll bar) out of a foxbody that I will sell you for cheap if it fits. You are more than welcome to check it out and see if the holes line-up.

Thanks, but I think I'm going to stick with the stock belts till I go roll bar. The horror stories out there about harness bars makes me paranoid about using one.

quote:
Originally posted by Black88GT:
I got the Maximum Motorsport 4 PT. I think shipped was like 700, and Nextgen in Hayward did the install. Reliable powder coating in SL shot it. coating was like 200, and install was like 600. where did you get your seats? I have upper subframes, so Im going to have to fab them in Im assuming.

Good stuff. Costs a lot more than I was hoping. Might have to relearn how to weld and do it myself to save some cost. I did some welding classes more than 15 years ago but haven't touched it since.

Powder coating? I thought the roll bar came painted.

What are upper subframes? Are they like battle boxes?

I got the seats from Jeg's. $950 shipped for the pair, including seats brackets, taxes, etc. Very straight forward install. The seats and brackets are way lighter than the stock, powered driver side seat.

I bought a used MM quadrant and adjuster yesterday from a member on here. Can't wait to install them and get a better clutch feel. The stock plastic quadrant is so flimsy and keeps losing my adjustments. Then, no mods till after I do a track day!

Awesome stuff! Im going to look into those seats. My 2000 was set up by Griggs Racing. So if you google Griggs subframes, they pop up. My car gas the GR40 kit minus the Watts link. My roll bar is a bolt in, but it has to be welded at the top. MM charged me 100 shipping. if you have a business, its cheaper. Let me know if you want pics. :-)
 
Posted by macuser27 (Member # 14389) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Black88GT:
Awesome stuff! Im going to look into those seats. My 2000 was set up by Griggs Racing. So if you google Griggs subframes, they pop up. My car gas the GR40 kit minus the Watts link. My roll bar is a bolt in, but it has to be welded at the top. MM charged me 100 shipping. if you have a business, its cheaper. Let me know if you want pics. :-)

I've heard of Griggs, but never really looked into them and stuck with MM parts (I want their rear lower control arms and sold steering shaft next). Just finished installing their quadrant and adjuster and OMG, the clutch pedal is AMAZING. The intermittent squeaking from the TOB is gone! The plastic quadrant just wasn't up to the task anymore.

I Google'd the Griggs subframe and wow, I've never seen one like that before. I bet the car is a whole lot more rigid, which is a good thing on these creaky Mustangs. Yeah, I would love to see some pics!
 
Posted by Black88GT (Member # 394) on :
 
If you PM me your email, ill email them to you. Im not sure how to post pics on this site LOL
 
Posted by macuser27 (Member # 14389) on :
 
Ok, planning to do these two track days tentatively:

Laguna Seca, July 18th with GGLC.
Thunderhill, August 6th with NCRC.

Anyone else have anything lined up?
 
Posted by macuser27 (Member # 14389) on :
 
Looking forward to track day coming Monday with Golden Gate Lotus Club. Oil and filter change, brake fluid flush and HP+ pads being swapped in on Sunday.

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Laguna Seca, here I come!
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Good luck and have fun! I have never ran with Lotus Club, or any car/model-specific club for that matter (other than Shelby Club), but I'm sure you'll have a blast!

Show them that your ~$6k car can keep up with their $40k+ cars [Big Grin]

[ 2016-07-15, 10:50 PM: Message edited by: SydeWaySix ]
 
Posted by macuser27 (Member # 14389) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SydeWaySix:
Good luck and have fun! I have never ran with Lotus Club, or any car/model-specific club for that matter (other than Shelby Club), but I'm sure you'll have a blast!

Show them that your ~$6k car can keep up with their $40k+ cars [Big Grin]

Haha! I was trying my best for sure. Unfortunately, I was one of the slowest car there. I pointed by so many cars, I stopped counting. I was the weak link, not the car.

Regardless, I had the time of my life! Nothing like going all out in the car, revving up the V8, shifting a stick, braking hard with no fade, blipping the throttle for a downshift, clipping the apex, roll on the power. Rinse and repeat. Intense visceral stimulation!
 
Posted by macuser27 (Member # 14389) on :
 
Here are some pictures I took:

My buddy's Cayman R
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The car I liked the best. Lotus Elan:
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The only New Edge there and my ride:
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Video I took by the hot pits:
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Hope you all enjoy!
 
Posted by macuser27 (Member # 14389) on :
 
Action shots! - http://www.gotbluemilk.com/web160718/77/index.html
 
Posted by SydeWaySix (Member # 3596) on :
 
Looks like it was a success! It's always nice when the paddock isn't packed bumper to bumper. How'd you do against all those "go carts" on the track?
 
Posted by macuser27 (Member # 14389) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by SydeWaySix:
Looks like it was a success! It's always nice when the paddock isn't packed bumper to bumper. How'd you do against all those "go carts" on the track?

Well, I felt like I was the only "novice" driver in the Novice group. Everyone seemed to brake way later, cut the apexes closer and have better lines in general. Obviously those drivers should have been running in the Intermediate or Advance group.

There was a '69/70 Boss Mustang that I got to "kill" in the braking zones and corners but totally destroyed me in the straights. It was crazy fun being in a Mustang that can turn.

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Posted by Black88GT (Member # 394) on :
 
anyone going to griggs day?
 
Posted by v-town coupe (Member # 2771) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Black88GT:
anyone going to griggs day?

was trying to get the day off work for the workshop but it didn't work out.
 




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