Watkins Glen COM records

[subsonic]

So I went there last weekend, was able to get a few clean laps. Looked at videos, inferred what kind of time I can make. Log on to COM website, look up record for my class and now I feel somewhat ...

Seriously, I am pretty sure the bus-stop is key - as in launch over the curbs?

[mug23]

So, what was your time?

[cuda6666]

Not that I'm any expert - I've never had a clean lap at WG with COM - but I doubt the bus stop is the place to make up time. It doesn't exactly open onto a long straight.

[Mick]

Are you looking at the SPB record that Ryan has? If so don't feel bad, that boy is a crazy mo-fo.

[subsonic]

So, what was your time?

'Was' kind of satisfied of my 2:16.0 on new unshaved NT01 - that has to be the reason why I am slow right? I was sure I had a 2:14.8 - 2:15.2 given a clean run but that never happened (the fish that got away tale maybe)...yet I am positive that is what my time should be.

Not that I'm any expert - I've never had a clean lap at WG with COM - but I doubt the bus stop is the place to make up time. It doesn't exactly open onto a long straight.

Well that is true, but there is time to be made -while in it- (80 mph vs 90 is worth 0.5 s). but 90!!!

Are you looking at the SPB record that Ryan has? If so don't feel bad, that boy is a crazy mo-fo.

Yes! and Joe. Besides the people running in NASA ST2 in very prepared cars (ground effects etc..) were barely beating those times.

Well anyways, what else can I say, you guys are fast. I will be at Watkins Glen next year with COM and hopefully can do some following (need to tethered to leading car for sure) and learn.

[nhsilversti]

new nt-01 tires

^^^
THAT speaks volumes

once they get to 1/2 depth they will get quicker, much quicker. are full depth they are squirmy at best in my car.

[zip4zat]

Nailing T1 is one of the few places where you can pick up a lot of time. You're full throttle from well before the apex of 1 all the way to the bus stop. You can carry a LOT more speed into the bus stop than you think. I would say most of us slow down too much for the chicane.

[Mick]

I would say most of us slow down too much for the chicane.

and some of us not enough

[khissong]

Joe is correct. The first left right of the bus stop is much more of a straight and curbs...use them. I was there last weekend as well and I thought the times in NASA and COMSCC were very similar. I take every opportunity to get any of the COM instructors in the car with me. It's been immensely helpful.

[brucesallen]

Ten years ago in my RX7 I was the last COM time trial of the day. COM was timing at the entrance to the Bus Stop. So on the third lap I didn't brake. I became stuck deeply in the gravel pit. And I don't think I won.

[khissong]

Not braking is one thing, but you still have to turn.

[brucesallen]

Not if you go straight into the gravel trap. Car gained 200lb.

[khissong]

Ahh, the quick way to add ballast.

[boltonite]

Laptimes can easily vary 2 seconds for weather and track conditions -- track records are as much about track conditions as skill.

All else being equal, tires are the next biggest factor in lap times -- grip and rolling resistance set an upper limit on cornering and straight line speeds. I'm sure Nitto makes a decent track tire, but a full tread anything is going to be slower than a tire w/o tread (in the dry).

Nonetheless, you probably >are< overbraking in some places, maybe T1 or T11 or the bus stop. IMO, going faster is mainly about not slowing down more than necessary, and your tires have the last word on that. Go to school behind someone in a similar car for a few laps and you'll generally see pretty quickly where you're losing the most time. -FF

[subsonic]

true, that too: I am overbraking into 1 and 11. I am messing up turn 1, I brake too late and end up scrubbing too much speed as I am turning into 1 - I should be going through the turn nice and steady carrying speed with my inside tires over the white inside curb earlier appex than I was taking it. Turn 11 (before the straight) - tracking out of the turn feels too easy, so somewhat similar issue that I have with turn 1- my apex a few feet too late. Then there is mastery of the bus stop... and trying not gain 100 pounds of gravel.
--
There there IS the issue with tires - the nittos last a long time, but seem to be fast for their last 1.5 days, until then they behave a lot like street tires.

Seems like I have a plan for next year. Based on this discussion, I should be 3 seconds quicker - so 2.13.

As for following people with similar cars - if try to follow Joe, Frank - they mess up their lines on purpose (which means they have a student in the car). Only Ted has been nice enough to wait for me at the end of straights.