Cal Club Autocross Forums

I really think that if Mako was given a Brand New Formula 1 car, fully prepared, he would still take out his tools to improve it...

I sent an email to the HRT F1 Team telling them they might want to try SuperTrapp mufflers on their failed-to-qualify F1's. They just sent me a tourist class airline ticket to Malaysia to help them for the next Grand Prix!!! Apparently THEY appreciate my GoFor It Tinkering ability. SuperTrapp is coming out with a special 6" Muffler with 28 Plates to handle their less then spectacular HP ratings.

Looking forward to downloading and sending the Data to Philip this evening. I didn't think I was using the Data Acq system, but apparently it auto records. I was busy enough with the Kill Switch, 6 point belts, window net, gloves, video camera, helmet strap and quick-release steering wheel.

At the end of one session I discovered my helmet wasn't strapped on ... I won't tell you what happened at the 2nd corner with the QUICK-Release steering wheel.

Really looking forward to having Philip drive "his" car with all of the changes that are going into it. Already added the rear cross bracing :gpower:

As long as the center display was on, the data was recording every time you went over 25mph. The data card will have plenty of files on it, as I believe I left data on there from Willow Springs, Fontana, and PIR for you. Since the data records over 25mph, it may have activated around the paddock, too, so send me a bunch of the files.

Philip Royle wrote:As long as the center display was on, the data was recording every time you went over 25mph. The data card will have plenty of files on it, as I believe I left data on there from Willow Springs, Fontana, and PIR for you. Since the data records over 25mph, it may have activated around the paddock, too, so send me a bunch of the files.

See there's a difference, Our DL1 starts recording when we go above 7 miles an hour.

Aaron Goldsmith wrote:

Philip Royle wrote:As long as the center display was on, the data was recording every time you went over 25mph. The data card will have plenty of files on it, as I believe I left data on there from Willow Springs, Fontana, and PIR for you. Since the data records over 25mph, it may have activated around the paddock, too, so send me a bunch of the files.

See there's a difference, Our DL1 starts recording when we go above 7 miles an hour.

It's just a setting in the software. 7mph on a road race cars means lots of useless files to delete.

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote:

Aaron Goldsmith wrote:

Philip Royle wrote:As long as the center display was on, the data was recording every time you went over 25mph. The data card will have plenty of files on it, as I believe I left data on there from Willow Springs, Fontana, and PIR for you. Since the data records over 25mph, it may have activated around the paddock, too, so send me a bunch of the files.

See there's a difference, Our DL1 starts recording when we go above 7 miles an hour.

It's just a setting in the software. 7mph on a road race cars means lots of useless files to delete.

It does on an AutoX car too.

Mako to wrote:At the end of one session I discovered my helmet wasn't strapped on ... I won't tell you what happened at the 2nd corner with the QUICK-Release steering wheel.

You don't have to tell us what happened, post video!

The one run where I didn't turn on the camera. ... whew.

I only bring this up as a warning to others. Make sure you completely understand the operation of your Quick Release steering wheel. MARK the Center of the engagement if your wheel can be mounted in more then one position.. NEVER try to re-center your steering wheel if you are moving. And if you DO re-center your wheel make sure you are safely stopped and the wheel is REALLY locked in place, ie. before you get to the next point requiring steering input. Luckily NONE of this HAPPENED to ME!

Mako to wrote:The one run where I didn't turn on the camera. ... whew.

I only bring this up as a warning to others. Make sure you completely understand the operation of your Quick Release steering wheel. MARK the Center of the engagement if your wheel can be mounted in more then one position.. NEVER try to re-center your steering wheel if you are moving. And if you DO re-center your wheel make sure you are safely stopped and the wheel is REALLY locked in place, ie. before you get to the next point requiring steering input. Luckily NONE of this HAPPENED to ME!

Part of my routine is to always tug on the wheel before leaving pre grid.

Oli

It was engaged and locked, but I didn't realize my wheel was quite crooked until leaving the pits. Karen's wheel can ONLY go on in the correct orientation

Philip is looking at the Racepak G2X Black Data now.

2nd Sunday session was without the muffler. 3rd Sunday session the muffler was back on, but I felt I was getting more comfortable with the car and driving smoother and faster, ie. getting to my shift points sooner. I only got in one session on Saturday, ie. first time driving Philip's Miata:

Practiced other things on Saturday ... made sure the tow hooks functioned properly:

... last laps

No muffler exhaust:

http://gallery.me.com/makofoto/100427

Muffled sound ... extra

http://gallery.me.com/makofoto/100413

Mako to wrote:... last laps

No muffler exhaust:

http://gallery.me.com/makofoto/100427

Muffled sound ... extra

http://gallery.me.com/makofoto/100413

just 30 sec into both videos and i can already tell you that your aggression is lesser when the car is quiet.

I was trying to be faster by being smoother. Of course, not fast in the corners. Having trouble feeling the car. Stills seems vague to me?

Mako,

Take this as a kind hearted suggestion - Shut up and drive! Your lap time issues have nothing to do with your muffler or a cross brace. You should be thinking 100% about your driving and not spending any brain cycles on tuning the car. Don't even take tire temps - the car is dialed in well enough that you shouldn't mess with it until you have enough experience as a driver to know the difference between driver induced and car induced behavior. Just put laps under your belt for your first couple events.

I was given the above advice when I first started racing SRFs. It was the best advice I ever received.

I think I get as much enjoyment out of tinkering with the car as driving it. I guess what I need is a Driver to go out and set times while I play around with it.

I enjoy hearing everyones comments even though you would think I would be embarrassed by them ....

Race results are finally up... Our guest driver went 2sec slower from Qual to the Race.

What do you think we should change on the car Mako?

Hmmm... My tinker with the trailer suggestion didn't work....

How about having out with Palero and becoming a Master Detailing Wizard??? And keep perfecting those camera mounts and locations.

And you can check and measure and record EVERYTHING.... Just don't have a wrench in your hand. Please.

Steve Ekstrand wrote:Hmmm... My tinker with the trailer suggestion didn't work....

How about having out with Palero and becoming a Master Detailing Wizard??? And keep perfecting those camera mounts and locations.

And you can check and measure and record EVERYTHING.... Just don't have a wrench in your hand. Please.

I think he should stop doing PDX/Time Trials, and start racing (he does have a log-booked racecar)... Sooner or later he will have to tinker with something. :unimpressed:

Guest driver 2 sec. slower in race taking defensive lines, although isn't the best Defense an offense, ie. taking fastest line to put distance between u and opponent? Yah, yah, I know

Mako to wrote:Guest driver 2 sec. slower in race taking defensive lines, although isn't the best Defense an offense, ie. taking fastest line to put distance between u and opponent? Yah, yah, I know

Not every lap in a race involves traffic. That track was a big mess by the end of the day, lots of people going off and getting towed back on spreading mud as they did it. It is no surprise the track was slower.

Jason Isley BS RX8 wrote:Race results are finally up... Our guest driver went 2sec slower from Qual to the Race.

What do you think we should change on the car Mako?

That is a pretty common outcome... 2 seconds might be a bit high, but I almost always go slower in the race.


Oli

Pretty cool ... Philip went through all of the Data from my runs with and without muffler, and in a nice way basically concluded that I might was well just tinker with the car since my cornering is so slow.

No, but he was able to show me where I can certainly go faster. I need to study his conclusions in more detail, but am busy assisting Henry B. today.

WHAT A GREAT DEAL Buying Philip's Miata was ... it came with so many extras!!!

KJ Christopher wrote: Best bet is to take it to a dyno and get real data so you don't go chasing rabbits!

... but isn't that what Border Collies do?
Life with Mako is always interesting