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View Full Version : NASA @ Thunderhill 5/14-15th


SpeedMonkeyInc
04-19-2005, 10:47 PM
Anyone else going?

Ritz S14
04-19-2005, 10:57 PM
14th and 15th? holy crap.. maybe I can get my gf to fly down here..instead of me going over there.. lol friggin anniversaries.

TRUENOCOUPE
04-20-2005, 12:15 AM
Wow... I haven't seen you post for awhile.

I might go. See you there?

TurDz
04-20-2005, 03:40 AM
I will be there. So will dball33 and optionzero. hope to see a lot of you guys there!

SpeedMonkeyInc
04-20-2005, 04:28 PM
Hey Al, its been awhile. I had to drop out of driving for a while, but I should be pretty much back into the swing of things. Sorry I am going to miss May 1st with you guys, I could not get it together in time.
Everyone else, see you at the track! I have a black S14 with gold wheels and a messed up Greddy front lip.

thx247
04-20-2005, 06:05 PM
Maybe...depends on some other things though. Sucks.

OptionZero
04-21-2005, 12:48 AM
it'll be my first event!

with luck, i'll have the HLSD, new pads, fluid, and rotors ready to go too....damn i can't wait...


hope the 240's put on a good show =P

I wanna get my friend to bring his STi so I can ride in it

SpeedMonkeyInc
04-21-2005, 10:04 AM
Sweet. I remeber my first event. It was at Streets of Willow with SpeedTrialUSA. Take my advice and get an instructor! They will help you to learn very fast. Once you start driving open track days autox gets boring fast. I still autox to try and get better at driving any way I can, but I am always on the look out for a track day that I can make it too.

OptionZero
05-07-2005, 02:39 PM
Heads up for everyone going:

NASA sent out an email that says you have to tech your car BEFORE the event, or else pay $40 to do it the same day.

givmesumadat
05-08-2005, 01:39 AM
im there. first hpde. my car is janky. im only going on saturday though....

Zachary
05-09-2005, 11:28 AM
Hey Al what are you going to be driving out there?

TRUENOCOUPE
05-09-2005, 11:38 AM
Hey Al what are you going to be driving out there?

My AE86 or if Erik lets me drive his Miata. :rofl:

-Al

ZK
05-09-2005, 03:10 PM
Damn ... wanted to go but won't be able to due to financial reasons. :(

Zachary
05-10-2005, 11:52 AM
My AE86 or if Erik lets me drive his Miata. :rofl:

-Al


I'll see you out there. I'm going to be there all weekend getting my comp. license. I'll driving ITA and ITS RX7's.

OptionZero
05-13-2005, 12:56 AM
Just returned from bedding the new pads, Porterfield R4-S. Muchos awesomundo! first 10 60-10 runs were lame, as expected, ..10minute cooldown, another set of 0-60 runs, first4-5 were just as pathetic, I thought I funked up the install/bedding, runs 6-10 were progressively better, till they felt a little bit stronger than my Axxis Metal Masters...this time, 15-20minute cooldown, and I figured, what the hell, do some more...2 more weaksauce 0-60's, then the 3rd try, BLAM, massive braking power, nearly on par with Turdz's Porterfield R4 full race pads. It probably helps that I have Azenis Sports while he at the time had his shit tires on, but I did a few more braking runs, and they felt terrific. I guess the R4-S need to heat up a bit, but two hard braking stops were sufficient. On the way home on a breezy night, they feel similar to my Metal Masters in normal braking conditions, very, very streetable, and NO NOISE, hahahaha.

Between my superior tires and larger pad surface area/rotor size of Q45's, it probably makes up the difference between Turdz's stock S14 brakes with the race pads fully heated up...of course in his car, I was in the passenger seat (again, he had the crappy tires).

Man I can't wait to abuse these on Saturday.

Anyone else wrench on their car in preparation for track day?

SpeedMonkeyInc
05-13-2005, 01:38 AM
I have the R4-s and I don't like them at all. I do still have stock rotors and calipers though. I over heat them too fast and I dont think they have enough grab. After this weekend I am swapping in 300z brakes. Still trying to decide on a set of pads for the new brakes.

OptionZero
05-13-2005, 01:52 AM
are you on R-Compounds, and how much power are you making? Just curious, because from searching, it seems most people love the R4S

SpeedMonkeyInc
05-13-2005, 01:59 AM
Stock motor, and I have been through a few different tires. Everything from Azenis Sport to used Dunlops.
I think the stock brakes are just too small.

TurDz
05-13-2005, 03:11 AM
I'm not sure but is Falken a divison of Dunlop? I remember going to the japanese website and saw a part of the URL falken-dunlop.jp.

anyway...Optionzero, glad those things worked out for you. Since we have weak engines, should we race our stopping power from 80 to 10? haha

just wanna get my last midterm at 12 tomorrow overwith (but with a good grade lol) and then maybe I'll give my car a wash. she's sooo dirty. can't wait for this event...see u all there!

thx247
05-13-2005, 09:07 AM
You guys going the 14th or the 15th?

dball33
05-13-2005, 09:13 AM
You guys going the 14th or the 15th?

Hey Erik, we're going Saturday, the 14th. Are you going?

OptionZero
05-13-2005, 12:52 PM
haha we should do that, Turdz...10 runs each and take the average. Anyone got a g-tech or simple stop watch?

Should we buy any more stu ff for tomorrow? we need a cooler, water, ice bags, gatorade maybe...one of us should bring a container of brake fluid just in case, etc

TurDz
05-13-2005, 04:42 PM
yeah, I'm gonna bring the remaining ATE fluid with me, plus some oil.

I don't have a cooler...it would be nice to have a good insulated one. also, bring some wood blocks or something for your car at the paddock.

OptionZero
05-13-2005, 07:03 PM
did you buy the wooden triangles to stop the car?

thx247
05-13-2005, 07:05 PM
yeh ill be there saturday. Tried to finish my brake line bias crap today but I won't have time. Thats ok though cause you dont need much brake at thill ;)

thx247
05-14-2005, 02:04 PM
At the track bitches....

Thats me and um...david. I don't remember his screen name. Right now our track time is getting taken for a "race".

What you call this "race" thing?

OptionZero
05-14-2005, 10:34 PM
hahahah...that was total ASS KICKERY!
Sure, I got passed all day in the newbie group, but LEARNING THE LINE IS AWESOME.

If you've never hit the track, you've never lived. Can't wait for the next one.

Oh, and having those frickin Shelby Cobras and Corvettes in the same group is really fuggin annoying

TurDz
05-15-2005, 12:07 AM
Oh, and having those frickin Shelby Cobras and Corvettes in the same group is really fuggin annoying

not if you're a "momentum car" LOL
;)

OptionZero
05-15-2005, 12:21 AM
tell your friend to upload the pix or send them to me via email or AIM, i wanna see the action shots!

givmesumadat
05-15-2005, 02:15 AM
yo fellas. i was there. the red s13 with opak racing. i had a radiator problem, but all in all, the day was cool...

007jpang
05-15-2005, 09:43 PM
any pics??

SpeedMonkeyInc
05-15-2005, 11:36 PM
I don't know if I saw a red S13? What group where you in?

Seriously, American cars suck. I kept getting stuck behind these V8 cars that where super slow in the corners but hella fast in the straights. Too fast to pass in the straights. The instructors where talking about that too, dumb-asses didn't know the instructors where talking about THEM! Oh well. I would just cruise slow through the pit lane to put some space.

What an awesome weekend! I really got a lot better and was going pretty fast at the end of it. This was my brothers first time out on a track, and I know he had a great time. Glad to meet all of the people I met.
-Matt

OptionZero
05-16-2005, 12:12 AM
Some pix, thanks to Turdz's friend Jason. Much cheaper than paying for the professional photos for $40-80 a pop.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/OptionAero/Thunderhill%205-14/track4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/OptionAero/Thunderhill%205-14/track2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/OptionAero/Thunderhill%205-14/track3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v482/OptionAero/Thunderhill%205-14/track.jpg

ZK
05-16-2005, 09:38 AM
Definitely looks like fun! I need to get out there sometime. What's the next event you guys all going to? I know Thunderhill has open track events nearly every week.

OptionZero
05-16-2005, 12:54 PM
There's on on May 26th but that is way too close for me, i need to save some cash . There's also one June 25-26

givmesumadat
05-16-2005, 01:18 PM
I don't know if I saw a red S13? What group where you in?

i was the red s13 number 5. on the enkei meshies 0 offsets. my car was in both 1a/2a AND 1b/2b. i will post pics later tonight.

nismoenthu
05-16-2005, 01:31 PM
i was their sunday with a black 944 turbo, nice turnout

OptionZero
05-16-2005, 01:57 PM
shit, there's gonna be lots going on June for graduation so i dont know if i can make that one, and there isn't one in July. Next one after June is August.

ZK
05-16-2005, 03:29 PM
I will most likely be out with unlimitedlaps on August 19th helping instruct so if any of you guys want to come out for that one. It is a Friday event though. http://www.unlimitedlaps.com/schedule.html

August is a ways off, I want to get more seat time before then...

thx247
05-16-2005, 04:47 PM
Whats the cost for Ulaps?

How do you start instructing?

TurDz
05-16-2005, 05:31 PM
Whats the cost for Ulaps?

How do you start instructing?

hey,

too bad I didn't catch you at the event. I saw you talkin to David but I had a download to go to....pretty good format of learning for newbies :)

SpeedMonkeyInc
05-17-2005, 12:05 AM
Fun!

http://www.classic-celica.com/albums/Speed-Monkeys-Photos/KG4R1154.jpg

OptionZero
05-17-2005, 12:26 AM
haha people kept askin if that car was turbo'd since it was passing everyone...

SpeedMonkeyInc
05-17-2005, 01:57 PM
Me? hahahah I wish turbo. After I had an instructor ride with me I really learned a lot and started driving pretty fast. Stupid stock KA though could only do 100mph on the front straight. Fast enough for me, but I was getting passed by cars that where slower in the corners and getting stuck behind them later.
I can't wait to go back. Gotta recover from the cash-stripping weekend though!

ZK
05-17-2005, 06:08 PM
Whats the cost for Ulaps?

How do you start instructing?

Last I checked I think it was about $200 an event and usually on weekdays. Check it out at http://www.unlimitedlaps.com

As for instructing, when you go to enough autocrosses and track events you get to know other instructors, the regulars and get good references so when they are short someone they give you a call. For me it was 3 years of Thunderhill and Laguna Seca events every 2-3 months.

This is for small private events, for stuff like SCCA and NASA, the qualifications are more strict.

ZK
05-17-2005, 06:19 PM
haha people kept askin if that car was turbo'd since it was passing everyone...

That just means you got to run in the next higher group. ;) Beginner "traffic" kinda sucks once you get used to going faster.

I know a lot of people like the beginner group though because there's less pressure to go fast and you feel faster because you can pass everyone...

Just got to keep in mind that you're there to drive and improve yourself if you get too into the "race" mentality and start trying to chase guys or out run the guy behind you, that's what will mess u up. Because you let the emotions take control and push harder and harder until you eventually go beyond you and your car's limit.

nismoenthu
05-18-2005, 12:20 AM
i drove the black 944 turbo, seen speed monkey, i too had an instructor with me, learned a lot!

Twinturbozs
05-18-2005, 10:24 AM
what sort of laptimes are you guys turning?

OMGWTFBBQ
05-22-2005, 08:41 PM
I was there with my brother (SpeedMonkey), I was the slow ass S14 w/ black wheels, I had a great time no pics tho, I'm gonna try to go out to an event over the summer

TurDz
05-23-2005, 01:48 AM
I was there with my brother (SpeedMonkey), I was the slow ass S14 w/ black wheels, I had a great time no pics tho, I'm gonna try to go out to an event over the summer


faster than the two white S14s! hahah

thx247
05-23-2005, 05:54 PM
what sort of laptimes are you guys turning?

2:18 in a 94 miata on street tires. This was with bypass. The 240 is like 2 seconds slower iirc.

OMGWTFBBQ
05-23-2005, 09:13 PM
that guy in the black accord was insane, passed hella people in the braking zones, almost rear ended me too haha. anyone else got pics?

thx247
05-25-2005, 11:31 AM
black accord? was that the guy with no legs? :serious:

ZK
05-25-2005, 11:57 AM
What? no legs? Did he have one of those cars with the special hand controls? I saw someone with a MKIV Supra Turbo automatic at Thunderhill one time with those hand throttle and brake controls.

TurDz
05-25-2005, 12:13 PM
Yeah, he had that lever on the left side of the steering wheel. Pushing it was the gas pedal, pulling it down was the brake. He had a knob on the steering wheel. He was amazing and very fast.

OptionZero
05-25-2005, 08:45 PM
YEAH!!! that guy was nuts! i thought he was just a cerw memember!

SpeedMonkeyInc
05-26-2005, 01:29 AM
Yeah that guy was fast but way too agressive. He pulled some stupid stunts getting by people, I can't belive that he didn't get more violations from the corner workers. Oh well. Maybe next time he will go in the next group up and not be bothered by all us slow 240s.

ZK
05-26-2005, 10:20 AM
Beginner group rules do not allow "dive bomb" passing in the braking zones. He should have been black flagged for that and 3 strikes he's out. When I help instruct and drive around in the beginner group ("X" instructor car) and see people do stupid crap like that, I'll call it in.

It ruins other people's fun because it scares people who aren't used to that, puts himself and others at risk of injury and sets a bad example to others who think it may be ok to do if he can get away with it.

thx247
05-26-2005, 02:00 PM
most advanced groups dont allow braking zone passes period. no point

TurDz
05-26-2005, 06:43 PM
I got passed many times by an S2000 at or very near the braking zone of turn 10. And it was exactly as you described above, bomb diving, where he would get in right in front of my as I was about to press the brake pedal.

A lot of guys in our run group during the download sessions complained that the newbs weren't in the right spot during straights, or didn't allow the faster cars to pass. As a beginner, there are just so many more things to worry about than accommodating the better drivers.

OMGWTFBBQ
05-26-2005, 07:16 PM
yea, some of the older guys would complain, they could just as easily do a quick run through the pit at the start of a lap to seperate yourself from the crowd, or get out of the beginner group filled with the newbs

phanzy108
06-10-2005, 07:42 PM
this sounds real fun... I'll try to make it to the august event... I hope I can get my LSD in before then...