Thunderhill with Tyson and Subydude yesterday.

[Moses]

Subydude sponsored a day at Thunderhill yesterday with Unlimited Laps. Inc. The track was filled with Subarus, BMW's and a handful of Porsches.

This was only my 3rd day at the track, but it was a memorable one. Before yesterday I was driving in stock seats with a stock lap belt. Turns were tough. I was gripping the wheel so tightly just to stay in my seat that there was no opportunity to feel the car or get any input from steering. The new seats (Cobra Misano's) and the new Schroth harnesses have changed all that. I'm not saying I'm fast. I'm not. But I'm a hell of a lot faster. I haven't had that much fun in a car since prom night in high school.

It was fun watching Tyson stalk a GT3 around the track then pass him effortlessly. That man can drive. Jack Olsen arrived around 5PM. Tyson and Jack will be doing some wheel-to-wheel racing today. I'm sorry I'm missing it.

Yesterday was also my first day on the track with my Wevo shifter. What a fantastic piece. I'm not an aggressive shifter. I like to change gears gently. Despite new bushings and complete adjustment, my stock shifter was a little like stirring a bucket with a mop handle. The Wevo changes all that. Shifts are notchy and precise. No problem making the quick 3rd to 2nd shift at turn 11. I love the Wevo shifter.

The suspension setup Tyson built at TRE is great. The car stays flat and steady through turns. The car is tight and responsive, but not punishing.

Also of note, my car will only reach 210º on a 90º day no matter how hard I run the car. The B&B and Elephant Racing coolers are doing their jobs.

One of the main reasons for going to the track was to put the new Rota 17" wheels through a workout. On Thursday the Rota engineers informed us that our first set of wheels were "fitment only". This was not the final "production piece" and testing had not been completed. They advised me to wait for a fully tested production quality wheel before putting the new wheels on the road. I've never been too good at taking advice, so I ran my first session with the new Rota's and Kumho Victoracers. Wow. The Kumho's felt great. When I switched back to my Fikse's with street rubber it was a huge difference.

Anyway, huge thanks Joseph (Subydude) for the track day and his continuing committment to an exciting new line of wheels for our cars. It was great to meet Matt, a friend of Tysons from his Seattle days. Mark (Dr. Dogface) has a beautiful yellow 911 that may be getting a 3.6 soon. I finally got to meet Jack Olsen who demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to teaching by driving from Los Angeles to Sacramento to pick up a student driver at the airport. What a guy!

Anyway, a few pics from yesterday.

[nostatic]

yo, pass the crack pipe. you're hogging it...

[Moses]

Originally posted by nostatic
yo, pass the crack pipe. you're hogging it...

Yup. I can see this is going to be a problem.

[nostatic]

dude...read my sig. That about covers it.

Come down south and run some POC events. STS in June at Streets. It won't hurt a bit. Just a little pin prick...

[mjshira]

your car is really coming along nice, I like the wheels. glad you are getting out there and 'getting your foot wet'. you couldn't learn from a better guy that Tyson. keep the pics coming!

[Don Plumley]

Hey Mike - just back from the weekend at Thunderhill. Tyson said you had a phenomenal day and made a huge leap - congrats!

[Moses]

Originally posted by Don Plumley
Hey Mike - just back from the weekend at Thunderhill. Tyson said you had a phenomenal day and made a huge leap - congrats!

Sorry I missed you. Don. How did the spinning hippo run?

[85eurocarrera]

Is it the perspective from the pics or is your roll bar really that short?

[Moses]

Originally posted by 85eurocarrera
Is it the perspective from the pics or is your roll bar really that short?

Looks worse than it is. It could go up about an inch. I'm hoping Tyson's gonna fix it for me.

[Don Plumley]

Originally posted by Moses
Sorry I missed you. Don. How did the spinning hippo run?

Like the angry beyotch she is... So calm and docile looking on the exterior, but full of aggression underneath.

I had a great couple of days. Not hitting my times like I did when we were there together in November, but having as much, if not more fun. Probably more on this later in another thread...

[island911]

Originally posted by Moses
...
One of the main reasons for going to the track was to put the new Rota 17" wheels through a workout. On Thursday the Rota engineers informed us that our first set of wheels were "fitment only". This was not the final "production piece" and testing had not been completed. They advised me to wait for a fully tested production quality wheel before putting the new wheels on the road. ...

That is relieving to hear. Hopefully Rota will now build a wheel that will shut the hell up that pesky island911 and all his skeptical ilk. --though, I expect the weight of their production casting to at least keep pace with the size increase over the forged master. ..and then some.

[nostatic]

so island, what are your times at Thunderhill?

[island911]

never been. What are yours?

[nostatic]

never been. I can give you times from Infineon, Laguna, WS, Streets, and Fontana though.

Just trying to figure out if you actually track your car, or just pontificate from on high.

[island911]

here we have a highly followed topic; the Rota sponsered track event and testing out the new Rota-faux's wheels...

So what were Moses' #'s with the new Rota's and Kumho Victoracers. vs the Fikse's with street rubber?

[cbeers]

Honestly, as big of a fan I am of these wheels and their intent, I don't think Island is out of line asking about them in great detail. These are one of the most important pieces on our cars and safety IS important to a lot of us. Island has asked many GREAT questions. Seeing that Rota labeled these as fittment wheels is right in line with Island's questioning.

Whether or not he tracks is beside the point.

Just my opinion.


Now, let's let Rota/Suby/Moses continue on with this fantastic project and see where it takes us. I think these wheels are a great idea!

-Chris

[Ferd]

Dean did you take the motor out of the Miata that weekend at T.Hill. Ferd

[dtfastbear]

Hey Ferd,

We were just pulling the intake and some other bits off the engine to give to the engine builder. The rest of the engine came out of the car in my garage at home. It's been replaced now with a brand new Rebello race engine. We'll see how she does this weekend at Laguna...

Cheers,

Dean

[Ferd]

what is a Rebello Race engine, must have more of everthing I suspect, How much time do you think you will pick up with it, Wrench ON !! Ferd