New Hoosiers and my suspension, What is going on? Options

[ww914]

Today at the track, with my new Hoosier A6's, I was lifting the inside front tire. I had installed 180 lb springs, took off the rear sway bar and tightened up the front 19mm Tarrett just a little. Everyone at the track told me that I needed beefier springs in the back. Well, I have 220 lbs springs, shall I try them? Shall I leave the sway bar off? Should I soften or tighten the front sway bar? Oh, I am running 205/15 on 5.5 rims. I am looking at 7" rims to get the patch better. Any other recommendations?

[J P Stein]

I luv 180s. Most guys give up on em'. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

There is a way to deal with em' and make up time on the 95 % "give it up" crowd.


Watch the guys that know and you'll get the idea. I learnt a few things over the years......just not enuff .....but 180s are one. The driving part is simple even tho they are all different.....with practice......one pass was enough. The corner itself is not that much quicker, but faster.....and the exit is also (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif). While most are grinding off their front tires, I'm gone..

The car set up part fit with my AX standard method, so it was easy also.

[Randal]

I luv 180s. Most guys give up on em'. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

There is a way to deal with em' and make up time on the 95 % "give it up" crowd.


Watch the guys that know and you'll get the idea. I learnt a few things over the years......just not enuff .....but 180s are one. The driving part is simple even tho they are all different.....with practice......one pass was enough. The corner itself is not that much quicker, but faster.....and the exit is also (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif). While most are grinding off their front tires, I'm gone..

The car set up part fit with my AX standard method, so it was easy also.

OK Coach, tell us 95%ers how.

[J P Stein]

OK Coach, tell us 95%ers how.

OK, First you need a car that oversteers. By that I mean that if you come into any corner too hot (not on the brakes), does the back end step out?. That is oversteer and that's what I want. Not the hot ticket at track, but we ain't there.

Then late apex ( not at 12 o'clock but at about 10-10:30) the cone. Come in hot & deep on a wide line.....maybe 1-1/2 or 2 car lenghts, get your braking done in a straight line and turn in hard, aiming for the backside of the come......you don't want any plow here ......all is not lost if you're too hot (to a point) cause the back end coming around is gonna help keep things semi-tidy. If you do that right you're already OTG but when you pass the cone's backside hard OTG....the back end comes loose but hang with it & unwind the wheel....learning to live with opposite lock is part of the drill. Do this right and it's fun & fast. You are already at a much higher speed than one that is toodling around the cone and the motor should on song......maybe as much as 10mph faster. .....thus the not quicker but faster bit. What you do with all that extra speed is up to you..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Sure, it takes some practice to develop the required judgement but what else youz' guys getting 8-12 runs at LPR got to do?.....besides use up your good tires. In hot, thrash around & exit hot.....the trashing around bit is what you want to eliminate. Practice, practice........

Once you got the drill down (and you'll know it when you feel it) one pass ought to do it for that corner.

[SirAndy]

get your braking done in a straight line and turn in hard

Or, for those with less power that can't get their rear end to step out using the gas pedal, you can also get your braking done *while* you're turning in (trail-braking).

If done correctly, it will have the same effect as described above ...
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