PDA

View Full Version : First test for my baby3; successful!



mleblond
05-04-2008, 09:09 PM
Hey all fellow members :)

I just wanted to share my experience as today was a big day for me. I recently joined an auto club here in Kingston. They do auto-slalom and host 12 events this year. Today was the test & tune day where people can basically try out new things for their cars before the season starts. The course was roughly 60 seconds long and was hosted at Picton airfield.

It was my first time doing auto-slalom but also the first time pushing my baby speed 3. I did the first couple runs as a ride along in a mazda protege 2.0 stock. It was interesting enough but that driver was really good and did the course in 59 sec with me and his kid in the back seat.

After the 2 ride alongs with the protege, I get into my car and get in line. First run ever and all alone. Lots of surprises were awaiting me but again first time testing the car's limit. First run went well in the 59 seconds. I noticed in short corners I had to over steer a lot and kinda took one of the turns way out.

My next run I have the club president as a ride along :) He gives me a few pointers to try and keep the car flowing. I noticed it helps a lot to keep the car in one flowing movement and anticipate the positioning of the car. That run was not as quick in speed but yet better handling and scored in the 56 seconds.

As for cones I did hit a couple but not that much. I did eat one up that I had to stop the car as the more I drove, the more it dragged.

At the end of the day my best score was in the 52 seconds...which was very good. The car is very good to respond to quick turns and slalom. Not much body roll but I will get knee pads for next time as my body rolls :chuckle I was pretty much in second gear the whole time. The best score was 49 seconds done by a competition turbocharged MR2. The civic's and intergra's were in the 59's at best and there was a s2000, miata's, porshe 911, camaro, 240zx and some slow ass convertible lexus :chuckle

I ran with the stock wheels and tires and my front tires went down like crazy. The guys there suggest dropping to a lower size. The mr2 ran on 13in. I was thinking in buying new rims for the car but cones can leave marks and scratches. Not sure if someone here has experience, should I get used smaller rims and just put those on when I go to the track? And how small can you go for after market rims on the speed?

P.s. after a hard day at work it's good to reward your baby with a good wash :)
http://photos-450.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v237/9/60/692410450/n692410450_2924060_9162.jpg

Seliina
05-04-2008, 09:17 PM
Sounds like fun! :bana2

Sorry I can't answer any of your questions, though.

FLIPDADY
05-04-2008, 09:19 PM
Depending on the style of the wheel you can go as small as 16".

garboui
05-04-2008, 09:22 PM
for wheels if you go down to 17's or even 16's if they fit they will be a bit more compliant but also be much cheaper to replace since youll be beating them on the track. Keep an eye out for light wheels with the proper offset if your going this route. also don't get overly obsessed with going wide. it is proven fact that too wide is bad as it doesn't allow the tires to heat up enough to reach their fill potential. for example the lotus 2/11 runs 195 IIRC but a much heavier car like a 3 series bimmer runs 235's.

mleblond
05-04-2008, 09:23 PM
Sounds like fun! :bana2

Sorry I can't answer any of your questions, though.

It's really fun and you don't need a race car to do it. Regular everyday car works... it just nice to test your car's handling limits and makes you a better driver as well :)


Depending on the style of the wheel you can go as small as 16".
For a 16" wheel to fit, is it the offset that depends if the front caliper will clear?

Thanks :)

garboui
05-04-2008, 09:31 PM
i think it should clear as its diameter dependent. if the rim is reverse mount or just has a fairly deep concave around its circumference it probably wont clear the calipers.

also i should have completed my thought above about proper offset. the simple answer is because thats how the suspension has been designed to run with. all the component angles and pivot axis angles in the suspension have been designed around a certain point of wheel contact to the road which is dictated by offset and diameter. theoretically if a line were extended through the central axis of the kingpin it will land centered laterally to the contact patch of the tire on the ground. probably slightly forward too due to the castor angle.

alhope34
05-04-2008, 09:59 PM
for example the lotus 2/11 runs 195 IIRC but a much heavier car like a 3 series bimmer runs 235's.


If I remember right, the BMW that mcguyver had at the last La Paloma meet had 255 rears and 225 front tires. It was a 330 with M package.

The 215's feel really nice on the MS3. The widest I'd go would be 335's if I got the RX8 rims. Only reason is that 335/40 is the closest to 215/45 that is available in a wider size. My old 94 Probe GT ran 225/55R16's. They gripped really well.

RX9
05-05-2008, 06:52 PM
autocrossing needs lighter wheels and wider tires, no mater 17" or 18". ppl used 17" just because they are cheaper than 18"s if they both weight 14LB.

3GFX
05-05-2008, 07:41 PM
Oh how I'd love to join a club like that :D

That's awesome bro, glad you had a good time, and improved along the way!

stealthman12
05-05-2008, 09:21 PM
If I remember right, the BMW that mcguyver had at the last La Paloma meet had 255 rears and 225 front tires. It was a 330 with M package.

The 215's feel really nice on the MS3. The widest I'd go would be 335's if I got the RX8 rims. Only reason is that 335/40 is the closest to 215/45 that is available in a wider size. My old 94 Probe GT ran 225/55R16's. They gripped really well.

lol...i think u made a typo

alhope34
05-05-2008, 09:23 PM
lol...i think u made a typo

Yea, sorry, 235's.

mleblond
05-05-2008, 09:53 PM
Yeah i am really searching for the best solution for me. It seems that 17x7 maybe the best option but it's all about tire prices right now....the stock tires ware out like crazy. The compound sucks. I noticed I get 30% off Toyo tires and +25% on Toyo PROXES RA-1... so I need to find the proper wheel and see what size tire that will fit.

It was a lot of fun and very addictive no matter what the car you drive :)