First Impressions, Sebring Turn 17, and Florida chatter, Sebring Drivers Event Options

[Seabird]

After five months of toiling over my 914 in preparation for this past weekend it finally came. With the exception of taking it once around the block in my assessing the purchase and once around as a final check before going out on track Saturdays first session, on a wet track, was the first time I have driven this bad boy.

My first impressions on the final check drive was just how sharp and fast the steering is. Much sharper than the Alfa Spiders I have had and my GTV. I know the comparison is often made but the best comparison is that of the go-kart. A comparison I never really understood till now. Much like the go-kart, the 914 rotates with the slightest input from the steering wheel. Very little steering input is needed to achieve the desired directional change.

The first session was a wash. Literally. The track was wet from rain the night before. I went into a 4 wheel drift going around turn 15 on the pace lap. That was rather embarrassing. Its the one off camber turn in Sebring. In the e30 I can get pretty aggressive there. It must be a physics thing. After a few laps I heard a strange noise from the engine bay so I decided to pit. One of my air filter lids had worked loose and was flopping around in the fan shroud!! Miraculously it did not brake anything though the bolt was missing (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

By the time the second session came around the track had dried off significantly. I was able to get a good session in and knock off the rust that had developed in the last 6 months since my last track event. I missed a few shifts both in the up and down directions but I managed not to blow anything up in the process. I felt the car was not as planted as it should be so I made a note to try lower tire pressure. Again half way through I had to pit with a mechanical issue. Driver side throttle linkage had vibrated loose and I was only opening up the right carb. A little dab of loctite solved this but the remainder of the day way rained out (for me). Mental note: at the very least buy and keep wiper blades handy.

The ugliness of Saturday disappeared with the setting sun and we were grace with an amazing Sunday. I had dropped my tire pressure a few psi (30>28 cold) on Saturday and the difference was immediately notice. I had planned to drop the tire pressure down a few more psi; under braking the car still felt a bit squirmy. The car and I were more in sync and I felt I put in a much improve run. No lap timer on board yet but the video would later show in at least one lap were I was only cruising on the back straight I dropped my best lap time, from the e30, by 2 seconds. My confidence was certainly up.

Second session was much the same. I really felt comfortable in the car and was having a blast driving it around. Turn 15 caught me off guard again but I managed to keep it pointing straight. My over revving (it certainly wants to pull beyond 6.5k), miss shifts, and other bad things started to disappear as I became more comfortable in the car. Unfortunately this turned out to be my last run. About half way through I started to get a fuel starvation issue. Felt the same as when the bolt came loose on the linkage. So once again I limped in, idling around the track.

I tried to figure out what was wrong but got no where fast. In the end I suspect some of the laquored gas the was left in the tank worked loose and found its way to the internal screen and reduced the available flow.

So my driving was done for the weekend and I was left wanting more. In the end I was happy I was able to get out there despite all my set backs in getting the car ready. I am thrilled with the driving experience offered by the 914-4 and am super energized to continue to develop it.

I should have pictures to post tomorrow, just waiting on digital delivery from the photographer.

Here is a video from the first session on the second day. Notice how I am able to real in the high power cars in the turns (IMG:style_emoticons/default/shades.gif)

Sebring Session 3

It was great to meet two other forum members, Shane and Joe. And it was great to see them in their teeners out there looping!!

Miguel

[ChrisFoley]

It looks like you're off to a good start!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

[ablesnead]

NICE JOB ! ....17 must be one of the most vague turns in road racing....my best times were when I used it as part of the front straight...you and Shane ..work for a turn in off the back straight that lets you get on the gas sooner..turn one is passing heaven for the bold .. I envy you guys!

[tooms351]

Wow Migel, didnt know you were haing trouble, theres always something to fix. My battery broke loose and was throwing acid on the header for a run, I wont forget that smell, and wont think its the cars ahead of me either!

[Seabird]

Wow Migel, didnt know you were haing trouble, theres always something to fix. My battery broke loose and was throwing acid on the header for a run, I wont forget that smell, and wont think its the cars ahead of me either!

Yeah it was growing pains. Natural byproduct of pulling a car out of someones shed from an 8 year slumber.

Shane was telling me about that. Glad it did not stop your day. It was sure nice to see you lapping out there.

Miguel

[Seabird]

NICE JOB ! ....17 must be one of the most vague turns in road racing....my best times were when I used it as part of the front straight...you and Shane ..work for a turn in off the back straight that lets you get on the gas sooner..turn one is passing heaven for the bold .. I envy you guys!

I did not get stones up to take turn 17 hot before I started having fueling problems. Turn 1 I was up to my regular speed pretty quickly and I am certain there is a whole lot more there with the 914.

Can't wait till June!!

Miguel

[Jetsetsurfshop]

Nice video Miguel. You weren't exaggerating about that red BMW. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/WTF.gif)
Your car looked good to me. Fuel problems must have been later in the day.
See you in June.
Shane

[Seabird]

As promised some pics of the 914 circling!!

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/dl.dropboxusercontent.com-16683-1397138463.1.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/dl.dropboxusercontent.com-16683-1397138466.2.jpg)

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/dl.dropboxusercontent.com-16683-1397138467.3.jpg)

There are a few more here in a web album:

Sebring 3_14 No.31

[Jetsetsurfshop]

Are those from AWOL? They look nice.
Shane

[carr914]

NICE JOB ! ....17 must be one of the most vague turns in road racing....my best times were when I used it as part of the front straight...you and Shane ..work for a turn in off the back straight that lets you get on the gas sooner..turn one is passing heaven for the bold .. I envy you guys!

I probably have more than 10,000 Laps at Sebring. Turn 17 has a 1,000 different Lines and it will be debated for Decades which is the Best One. It is a Multi Apex Turn that is very Bumpy. It really depends on the type of car you are driving. An Open Wheel Car can hug the Inside, but it is extremely Bumpy there and any other can't do it unless you were set-up just for that one corner (which would be foolish).
Some cars can go wide, middle etc. The Other thing to think about because you will experience so many lines, it is easy to Pass people with less experience later.

I take 911s different than I do 914s. I think I have an ideal line for a 914 (ask ThePaintedMan) but I would need to show you.

[carr914]

Are those from AWOL? They look nice.
Shane

Eric from AWOL is a good friend of mine. I've known him since he was a little kid.

[ablesnead]

T. C. give it up !...while probably not 10,000 laps I've got more than a few..with some significant finishes....both Porsche and otherwise and I don't know a good line yet for the 914 track car I'm putting together....help a brother out.....sketch it...I'll darn sure try out .

[ablesnead]

Oops ! sorry for the hijack Miguel .

[Seabird]

Oops ! sorry for the hijack Miguel .

No worries.

[Seabird]

Are those from AWOL? They look nice.
Shane

Yeah there Eric's. He makes a hell of an effort for us. I think NASA did well switching to AWOL.

Miguel

[Seabird]

NICE JOB ! ....17 must be one of the most vague turns in road racing....my best times were when I used it as part of the front straight...you and Shane ..work for a turn in off the back straight that lets you get on the gas sooner..turn one is passing heaven for the bold .. I envy you guys!

I probably have more than 10,000 Laps at Sebring. Turn 17 has a 1,000 different Lines and it will be debated for Decades which is the Best One. It is a Multi Apex Turn that is very Bumpy. It really depends on the type of car you are driving. An Open Wheel Car can hug the Inside, but it is extremely Bumpy there and any other can't do it unless you were set-up just for that one corner (which would be foolish).
Some cars can go wide, middle etc. The Other thing to think about because you will experience so many lines, it is easy to Pass people with less experience later.

I take 911s different than I do 914s. I think I have an ideal line for a 914 (ask ThePaintedMan) but I would need to show you.

I am actually interested in hearing your take on turn 17 too. Maybe we should start another thread, T.C. Turn 17 wisdom!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[Jetsetsurfshop]

Are those from AWOL? They look nice.
Shane

Yeah there Eric's. He makes a hell of an effort for us. I think NASA did well switching to AWOL.

Miguel

Those photos look great. I'm ordering mine tonight. There's some good ones of me and Joe on 16. I signed up for Chin April 26-27th. I can't get enough (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) time!
Shane

[Seabird]

Those photos look great. I'm ordering mine tonight. There's some good ones of me and Joe on 16. I signed up for Chin April 26-27th. I can't get enough (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif) time!
Shane

Funny I was just going to write to you about that. Registering now. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif)

Seems like Chin has a good deal with track time for dollar and a lot of events.

Finishing up the fuel cell install this weekend.

Miguel

[carr914]

T. C. give it up !...while probably not 10,000 laps I've got more than a few..with some significant finishes....both Porsche and otherwise and I don't know a good line yet for the 914 track car I'm putting together....help a brother out.....sketch it...I'll darn sure try out .

NICE JOB ! ....17 must be one of the most vague turns in road racing....my best times were when I used it as part of the front straight...you and Shane ..work for a turn in off the back straight that lets you get on the gas sooner..turn one is passing heaven for the bold .. I envy you guys!

I probably have more than 10,000 Laps at Sebring. Turn 17 has a 1,000 different Lines and it will be debated for Decades which is the Best One. It is a Multi Apex Turn that is very Bumpy. It really depends on the type of car you are driving. An Open Wheel Car can hug the Inside, but it is extremely Bumpy there and any other can't do it unless you were set-up just for that one corner (which would be foolish).
Some cars can go wide, middle etc. The Other thing to think about because you will experience so many lines, it is easy to Pass people with less experience later.

I take 911s different than I do 914s. I think I have an ideal line for a 914 (ask ThePaintedMan) but I would need to show you.

I am actually interested in hearing your take on turn 17 too. Maybe we should start another thread, T.C. Turn 17 wisdom!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

OK, OK!

Here is a Go-Pro Video from last year with George (ThePaintedMan) Driving and me instrucing. I think this was the 2nd or 3rd Session of the Day, so George had listened to my Line Instructions. Now George's Old Engine was running like SuperCrap that day so we had no speed (which is actually good for learning lines). I searched for this Video but didn't review the Whole thing again).

I will tell you that George's 1st lap thru 17 is pretty much on!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBh7ZDJuJyI


As you are coming down the long BackStretch, I don't really Brake at the Brake Cones at all. I lift off the Gas at about the 1st Brake Cone, lightly Brush the Brakes and do a Downshift between the 2nd & 3rd Brake Cones, then dive to the Inside Concrete Wall to make a Straight Line for about a 100 Yards. Here is where I Brake Harder (but threshold), shift into 3rd and Turn. You then can arc out getting the Apex without playing the wheel except for the Bumps.

[ablesnead]

Thanks for that...I get it..pretty much my old GTU line...except the 911 had the beans to oversteer rotate for the 100 yard dash to the wall and the stick to get on the gas and stay there till one . Good job George, your car sure made the turns seem far apart that day ..Thanks for sharing T C