Results from Willow?

[Draxas]

Any report back from Willow last weekend?

[Ted7rns]

There was no Spec Focus car racing at Willow last week. It was a non-points event. I'm hoping to get my car fixed by Cal-Speedway....and I think there might be someone coming up from Arizona as well.


Of course I didn't have much luck with my car on Sunday, but it was running great before then.

[BUR_ZX3]

I only have my best time, which was a pathetic 1:57. My confidence was nil, and the fact that my car was maxed out on intake temp after the first lap, and overheated by the 7th didn't help

[slidemaster]

Nik,

May test there with Walter in March. Will let you know times but my guess is somewhere in the high 1:30s . You should join us with your car!!

[Ted7rns]

The best time I had was one session on Sunday. It wasn't AMB timing, but a stopwatch, and I did 1:40.

[slidemaster]

There ya go!

[f2focus]

Ted Correct me if I am wrong but my car (theduratec) did a 1:35 or 1:36 in our first tests correct? That is what I remember.

So Basically the new head on your car helped a lot because your car is much faster for sure.

[slidemaster]

1:35 on the big track would be very strong. Porsche Gt3 cup cars are running 1:28s in testing this month. I have to think they are a little better on the 1/2 mile straight and turns 6,7,8

[Ted7rns]

Ricardo, I think it was a 1:38. but, I'm not sure....the only times we have on the AMB was a 1:40 with Andrew...but you were having problems with the car then.

But, yeah the head helped A LOT!!! I was even getting into 5th gear in turn 8 and before turn 1.

[BUR_ZX3]

Originally Posted by Ted7rns

I was even getting into 5th gear in turn 8 and before turn 1.

Now I KNOW I wasn't pushing hard enough...... I never came outta 4th

Damn the heatsoak holding me back.

Nice work there Ted.... wish I was able to see yah out there.

[slidemaster]

for my money anything 1:40 or below isnt to0 shabby for a focus. Ted you are listed as a record holder on the NASA site at 1:44

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by slidemaster

for my money anything 1:40 or below isnt to0 shabby for a focus. Ted you are listed as a record holder on the NASA site at 1:44

Yeah, with my 2.3L street car....but it was broken last weekend by a Nissan NX2000 with a 1:44.6

[slidemaster]

Time for another run!!

[Draxas]

I know that when I was leaving the Streets on Friday around 6pm.. I saw two Focuses parked in the paddock of The Big Track.

I think the best I ever did at Big Willow as around a 1:41 or so on 205/50 15" Kumho MX Tires with Intake, Header, Exhaust.

I have no doubt that on R Compound tires and with another 30hp I could run a 1:37-1:38 on that track. It helps no having fear going into turn 8 at over 120mph... :-)

[BUR_ZX3]

Originally Posted by Draxas

It helps no having fear going into turn 8 at over 120mph... :-)

HEH... Thats funny... I was de-briefing my few laps with Greg last night and realizing that I need more speed in 8... for some reason people hesitate @ 9 and I was always balls out on 9 no question.

Oscar Jackson once told us that theres a small little groove on the inside of 9 that you hit just right and it'll setcha up perfect for the exit... on my first lap I saw it... every other one I used it!

But 8 was intimdating as all hell to me. Dunno why. I was way down on speed through there.

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by Draxas

I know that when I was leaving the Streets on Friday around 6pm.. I saw two Focuses parked in the paddock of The Big Track.

Those were both my cars

[slidemaster]

Originally Posted by Ted7rns

Those were both my cars

I was wondering if you were already there.

Todd, thats funny about 8 and 9. To me 9 is one of the most complex corners around, requiring balls, balance and hitting your marks (which are not in the most comfortable locations).

8 has not bothered me. Even in the lx mustang with the worst aero ever made its hp restricted 6600rpm 4th wide open. Cliff's 04 SVT Cobra car too at god knows what speed!! Nine scares me, its so important and the most dangerous place on the course

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by BUR_ZX3

HEH... Thats funny... I was de-briefing my few laps with Greg last night and realizing that I need more speed in 8... for some reason people hesitate @ 9 and I was always balls out on 9 no question.

Oscar Jackson once told us that theres a small little groove on the inside of 9 that you hit just right and it'll setcha up perfect for the exit... on my first lap I saw it... every other one I used it!

But 8 was intimdating as all hell to me. Dunno why. I was way down on speed through there.

The way to get more speed out of turn 8 is in turn 5. You must hit the correct points in turn 5. The most common mistake in turn 5 is braking too late, which is easy to do because you're coming down a steep hill. Make sure you brake earlier and apex later in 5, and you should be faster through 6, 7 and 8. Many racers can sucker people in going too deep in 5...but pass them later in 8. It's Fools Gold.

Yeah, turn 9 is another important turn at Willow, and the key is to carry as much speed as you can out of nine. Make sure you don’t pinch it too tight….let the car unwind and hit that little bump at the Apex. normally the exit point at turn 9 is the patch of dirt near pit road. You can be surprise how much speed you can carry through turn 9 if you just let the car unwind.

[BUR_ZX3]

Well that'd be my problem right thur....


I was all over the place with 5.... (tis where I spun).

[Ted7rns]

Originally Posted by BUR_ZX3

Well that'd be my problem right thur....


I was all over the place with 5.... (tis where I spun).

Right when your right tires hits the curbing coming down the hill is where you should start braking. You're see that curb with a lot of tire markes from braking of other cars.

If you wait longer, you're car will start to wash out (understeer) until it starts gaining camber on the outside of turn 5 at the bottom of the hill. By that time you have missed the apex, have scrubbed a lot of speed, and you're not in the best position to go through turn 6. You could be as slow as 10-15MPH exiting turn 6 if you brake too late into turn 5.