My 911 takes on 9 challengers

[Jack Olsen]

In less than three weeks, fellow Pelicanite Tyson Schmidt and I will be participating in the Open Track Challenge, a seven-track time-trialing event that takes place over seven days in Nevada and California. In our class (Touring Three), we have to drive the same car, with the same tires on it, from track to track (a total of about 1400 miles of highway driving, in addition to the on-track miles).

There are currently nine other entrants in touring three, and I'm interested in anyone's thoughts on where Tyson and I will fall in the pack when the dust settles and the event is over. Obviously, driving skill and experience is going to make a bigger difference than any other factor -- and Tyson and I are still pretty new to track driving (two events for him, about nine for me). But we've managed to get my old car categorized in the under-2-liter class, which gives us some advantage, and -- although my car is not a dedicated track car by a long shot -- we're going to make a few new tweaks to improve its performance, including better suspension settings, a front splitter and rear IROC tail, and a new set of 8x10x17 wheels with (hopefully) 275's in the back and 235's up front. We're limited by the rules to Yoko A032R's. I'd predict we'll go through two sets of the tires in the seven days.

The other cars are:

01 Honda S2000 Charles Fletcher, Marlene Fletcher, Mike Middleton
00 Audi S4 Norman Babcock, Michael Babcock
90 BMW M3 Lance Boicelli, Jerry Sharman
90 Nissan 300ZX Carl Merritt, Sarah Fairfield
95 Mitsubishi Eclipse Justin Dubois, Arnie Thishler
02 Subaru WRX Don Alexander, Rick Herrick
88 BMW M3 Tamara Hull, Bill Arnold
73 Porsche 911 Jack Olsen, Tyson Schmidt
01 BMW 330ia Young-Kyu Yoo
83 Porsche 944 Dan Lofgren, Rick Lofgren, Tom Lofgren

The car we're driving is a 2430-pound 1973 911 with a 282-hp 3.6-liter engine, Turbo brakes, 21/30 torsions, 22/22 antisways, and a very capable close-ratio gearbox with a max speed in 5th of 141 mph at its 6850 redline.

I know on paper this compares pretty well with the rest of the pack, but -- as I said -- some of these other entries are track cars, and their drivers have a great deal more experience than Tyson and I. Mechanical attrition will certainly be a factor for the more hopped-up models in the pack (but hopefully not us).

But does anyone on the west coast know about any of these other drivers or these cars?

I plan on keeping a running log of the event posted to Pelican as we do it. And in fact, if Wayne's willing to send over a sticker, we can 'represent' for the board as well.

[emcon5]

Originally posted by JackOlsen

But we've managed to get my old car categorized in the under-2-liter class, which gives us some advantage,

List of cars snipped
[/B]

Um, aside from the S2000, are ANY of those cars sub-2 litre? I need to get on Yahoo Autos tonite and have a look.

Tom

[cstreit]

I'd worry only about the M3's depending on trim. With full running gear they are heavy, but lightweight and they are your biggest competitors... The S2000 would be next in line I think...

So, to set the standard, I expect to see a picture of you three somewhere on the Podium! GO TEAM!

[Brian993]

Jack,

Definetly keep us posted. I'll be routing for ya. I wish I had the talent, time and cash to mess with my car as you do. Not envious just wish I could. I find your stuff interesting. I think you'll be in the top three at least. Too bad its not televised.

Good Luck.

[pwd72s]

Gee, I'm hearing here that everybody cheats? "Round up the usual suspects"....Go gettem, Jack!....and Tyson! Tyson...how's it going with the surfer girls?

[billwagnon]

Jack, how do you get a 3.6 in the sub 2.0 class?

[930fan]

I looked up the classifications on the OTC website and touring 3 is for 2.0 to 2.7 though their classifications are fairly liberal with certain cars up or down classed depending on its competitiveness.

For sure you are the power/weight champ in your class so you just need to make sure the braking and cornering part of your car is up to scratch. I'd worry about the M3s, the S2000s and the Audi. The rest should be easy meat, I think. Slightly of topic but I tracked an E36 325 last weekend that had 18" S02s with coilovers and I could not believe how much grip and how forgiving those cars are compared to my bro's 993 targa which you had to constantly saw at the wheel in the sweepers. An E30 being much lighter is going to be tough to beat I think. Consider a GT2 tail instead of the IROC tail because I think downforce and tyres will be your key to victory.

For info on S2000 laptimes, go to http://www.nsxfiles.com/stories.htm and read chapters 77 onwards. Good luck in upholding the Porsche name!

[Jack Olsen]

You're right -- sub 2.7 class. I don't proofread as well as I should. And they don't enforce their classifications as well as they should.

[makaio]

Jack, I could sneak into Thunderhill the night before you guys run it, and set some boobytraps!

Just Kidding!

I think you guys will do great! The S2000 will probably be your biggest competition.

I'll be there at ThunderHill to cheer you guys on!

[Paul Franssen]

Go gittem Jack & Tyson: we'll be watching this site!

[dickster]

if the cars are basically standard i'd be watching the subaru - they not rated in the states?

but i hope you both do well.

good luck

[Deeks]

It looks like some stiff competition !
I agree that the M3's will be the main competition, then the Subaru WRX. I wouldn't worry about the S2000 too much. My friend has one. It has a great engine and may be a quick car, though if your 911 is set up well, then you should loose him on the corners and the bends. They're quite heavy, and don't corner as well as they should.....

oh.. and Jack... that is ONE beautiful 911.

Porsche - There is no substitute

[89911]

Unless these other cars are as heavily modified as yours to the point of engine transplants, you have no excuses not to win, given your power weight ratio. Hope that doesn't put too much pressure on you.

[ChrisBennet]

What a beautiful car Jack. It seems a little unfair (to the other contestants) classing you in the under 2.0 liter class. What's the story there?
-Chris

[layzee]

Originally posted by JackOlsen

In our class (Touring Three), we have to drive the same car, with the same tires on it, from track to track (a total of about 1400 miles of highway driving, in addition to the on-track miles).

If only the time between the tracks contributed to the overall time it would be a modern day Cannonball Run!

[critter]

As usual I envy the hell out of you,good luck to you and Tyson and have fun!

[beepbeep]

Watch out for those M3's. They are probably tricked out and lightened as far as it goes. E30 is wonderful , responsive and light chassie. WRX is also very competitive car, as long as it survives mechanicaly (they are a bit fragile).

Audi S4's are heavy and unresponsive, you'll have no problem with this one.

S2000...nice car but no torque. It might have 240HP at peak revs, but it's accellerating pretty slowly due to peaky/thin torque curve. Sounds good tough.

If all mechanicals are OK, and you don't make any mistakes, chanses are you 2 guys will be in top 3...

Yoko A032's are best street tires around. Period.

[Nader]

At my first DE, a non-stock Audi S4 blew past me going very very fast. I'd watch those.

[nostatic]

If they are modded, the S4 and WRX could be trouble. Rexs are easily up over 300hp, and with 18" wheels and bigger brakes they will motor. The S4 is much heavier, but you can get more hp out of it (350-400).

I would also agree that if the M3s are stripped, they could be damn quick. What is the person with the 330i thinking though?

[beepbeep]

Excuse me, but how would 18-inch wheels help WRX motor better?