First track day with the SC Targa

[Solamar]

What a Blast!!

Chuckwalla Valley Raceway


100mph+ down the front and rear straights, 60-80mph on 17 turns. Constant 5000-6000RPM 3rd gear with very short trips to 4th gear. Poor 43 year old girl took it like she was made for such foolishness

Continental Extreme Contact Sports took a beating, but realistically didnt loose all that much tread depth.



I specifically built my suspension for San Diego's back canyon roads, 20F/27R torsion bars, Tarett sways front and rear set soft and digressively valved bilstiens. Perfect in the canyons, but a bit soft for the track -



By the 4th session I was feeling comfortable enough to start pushing the limits. High speed sweepers, if I stayed hard on the gas the rear would start getting a bit loose, tires were getting greasy I imagine. If I intentionally decreased my turning radius (excessively) I could get the front to understeer. Overall the car felt wonderfully balanced and predictable.

My car is definitely NOT a track car and I have no intentions of trying to make it one, but very happy that I can enjoy a track day with it

[aston@ultrasw.c]

Look out - it's a slippery slope

[Solamar]

Originally Posted by aston@ultrasw.c

Look out - it's a slippery slope

Haha, judging by your list of cars, I imagine so.

Willow Springs and Laguna Seca are on my short list

[Locker537]

IMO, it's the best thing ever.

[Dan J]

What it's made for. I never understand not taking your 911 to the track at least once

[Bill Douglas]

I bet the car thanked you for it too. Nothing like a track day to burn off some carbon.

[stownsen914]

Nice job. And you got to be #1 as a bonus

[glewis80SC]

Very cool.

[chrismorse]

Originally Posted by Locker537

IMO, it's the best thing ever.

It has been said, "Tracking your car is the most fun you can have with your clothes on"

anon

[Dennet]

what lap times did you run...

[pkabush]

Nice!
I’ve tracked my 930 a few times years ago. It is hard to imagine having more fun with your clothes on. My problem is that I could never afford to replace the old girl if something happened.

[ted]

Chuckwalla was my favorite track 10 years ago.
I had just learned to left foot brake when I saw Pat Long's video at Chuckwalla.
Helped me to a new plateau.
I like the medium speed sweepers but the straights are too short for me now.

[Solamar]

Originally Posted by Dennet

what lap times did you run...

I never properly timed a lap, but reviewing a video it looks like we were 2.30 to 2.40, definitely not breaking any records!

[Solamar]

Originally Posted by pkabush

Nice!
I’ve tracked my 930 a few times years ago. It is hard to imagine having more fun with your clothes on. My problem is that I could never afford to replace the old girl if something happened.

That is definitely the concern. If some bozo plows into you, oops, sorry. No liability on the track...

A nice Miata would be the fun/cheap track toy.

[Solamar]

Originally Posted by ted

Chuckwalla was my favorite track 10 years ago.
I had just learned to left foot brake when I saw Pat Long's video at Chuckwalla.
Helped me to a new plateau.
I like the medium speed sweepers but the straights are too short for me now.

Great video! He is flying, quite impressive tank slapper save 😯

[HarryD]

HPDE in our older cars is a blast.

I had a chance to drive both my (now departed) 2003 Z4 and 1973 911 on the same track with a month of each other. While the Z4 was good, the 912 is where the gun lives.

[OldSpool87]

Originally Posted by Solamar

That is definitely the concern. If some bozo plows into you, oops, sorry. No liability on the track...

A nice Miata would be the fun/cheap track toy.

Or get a track day policy specific to that event.

[redridge]

awesome! Is it mandatory to have the roof on for DE? and what about autocross? I know for open top cars for autocross mandates a roll bar. Is the Targa considered a roll bar? TIA

[Solamar]

Originally Posted by redridge

awesome! Is it mandatory to have the roof on for DE? and what about autocross? I know for open top cars for autocross mandates a roll bar. Is the Targa considered a roll bar? TIA

I didn't ask, but I believe I could have driven without the top on. My friend with the MR2 had his T tops off all day.

Suppose it depends on the organization.

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by redridge

awesome! Is it mandatory to have the roof on for DE? and what about autocross? I know for open top cars for autocross mandates a roll bar. Is the Targa considered a roll bar? TIA

The clubs I DE with accept my 1973 Targa as a car with an acceptable roll bar. They require I run with the top on.

For AX, we allow convertibles and you can run top up or down.