Guran's NA6 "Little Reddy"

[-alex]

Pretty FREAKING AWESOME

[Guran]

30th July 2011

NSW Supersprint Round 6 - Wakefield Park

The NSW Road Racing Club (NSWRRC) ran this round and there were only 58 entries, which was down on numbers since Round 5 due in part to a lot of MX-5 Club members doing other events at Morgan Park and Phillip Island. So there was the potential for a lot of laps, although even this small turnout would test the organisational skills of NSWRRC with many LOOONG delays throughout the day . On the other hand, the grid marshalls did a great job of queuing up the cars for their runs . They were giving us five timed laps per run (plus a warm-up and cool-down lap). Most had five runs, and only one group snuck in six runs. 25-30 laps was a disappointment considering the small numbers.

The day started VERY cold, clear and still, with a temperature of -6C at the airport . Several puddles on the ground were frozen with about a centimetre of ice on top, and there was a heavy frost. It warmed up to 15C by lunchtime and a mild westerly came with it. The track was like ice skating for the first couple laps but our cars made nice power on the straights. There were six run groups, and I was placed in the Blue group (1:12-1:16) with some familiar faces. So we sorted ourselves out into a sensible running order and got on with the business. I followed behind Peter Browning's modified NA6 all day.

Run 1 was at about 10:15 and it was VERY slippery to start with. I struggled to stop without locking my brakes. We had a very stern warning at the drivers briefing about paying attention to the red "flag" lights - with the threat of a $50,000 fine! When we saw a red and yellow light at turn 10 on the second lap, we took no chances and pitted. Unfortunately it was meant to be only a "slippery surface" warning (yellow/red striped flag - which they had NOT mentioned at the briefing), so we were sent straight out again - wasting the second and third laps in the process. My fourth lap went surprisingly well and I set a new PB of 1:15.651! I locked up (again) into turn 2 on the fifth lap and finished with 1:16.101.

Run 2 started with tyre pressures adjusted to 35psi hot and less than a quarter tank of fuel. I had laps of 1:17.133, 1:15.831, 1:15.588 (new PB #2), 1:15.919 and then a miraculous 1:15.104 (new PB#3) . Wow! this day was proving to be extremely quick ... for me at least.

At noon, they decided to stop for lunch after we'd had only two runs. At any other event, we'd have done three runs by now. Ah well.

Run 3 started with a 1:16.689, but then I had a big lock-up into turn 2 and mucked up a few corners for 1:16.891 on lap 2. But then it all came together for the third lap. When I crossed the line, my PerformanceBox flashed up 1:15.0 - fingers crossed, it might actually be my first ever lap in the 1:14s? I kept on it and my fourth was a 1:15.127 and finished with a wayward 1:18.688 which included some big slides in turns 2 and 5. Upon returning to the pits, Steve Green greeted me with the news that I had indeed scraped into the 14s - my new PB was 1:14.978!

Run 4 felt like a really quick one too, but the times proved otherwise. I had laps of 1:16.198, 1:15.317, 1:15.414, 1:15.633, 1:15.788 and then an untimed six lap (which my PerformanceBox recorded as 1:16.40).

During that fourth run, my brakes were starting to feel "funny", and back in the pits, I jacked the car and pulled off the front wheels. Sure enough I had only about 2mm of front pads left! I didn't want to risk metal-on-metal and decided to call it quits. I hung around to see Ralph Thompson and Peter Browning also squeak in some PBs in their last run.

My time of 1:14.978 was a new PB, and beat my old Class 1A record for NSW Supersprints. There were another six class records broken on the day (1D, 2A, 2B, 3C, SVA, SVB), attesting to the very fast conditions.

Natsoft Results

Video of my 1:14.978 lap


I finished the day 2nd in Type 1 behind Saba Hanania's C63 AMG (1:12.371), and ahead of Glenn Thomas NB8B (1:16.045). I was the only entrant in Class 1A this time. Fastest MX-5 was Steve Green with a 1:11.350.

After Round 6, NSWRRC (690) have retained the lead of the club championship. The MX-5 Club of NSW (644) are second, and ARDC (611) third. With only three rounds to go, it will be tough for our club to claw back the lead.

In the days following this round, I played around with my PBox data. My optimal laptime was 1:15.05 so I can't help but wonder if a high 1:14 might be possible in a standard NA6 on the right day?! Time will tell.

There you have it - a high 1:14 definitely IS possible!

[NitroDann]

Incredible, and you wonder why I want to get out there and follow your lines...

Dann

[bensale]

Wow..! Thats brilliant, congratulations! I really enjoyed the video too, thanks for putting that up!

[Guran]

Thanks for the feedback guys!

viewtopic.php?p=568978#p568978

On Monday night, I finally found the time to fit my new brake pads. I'm going with Hawk HP+ on the front and Bendix General CT on the rear. I've read that many Spec Miata guys use a similar combination (although stock pads on the rear), so it'll be interesting to see how this works out. I was honestly stunned that the Hawks ($150 from MX5 Mania) cost me less than what I've been paying for the Bendix Ultimates ($165 from Autobahn). So I don't think I'll be using Ultimates any more! The rotors were still good apart from a few very fine cracks, so I didn't bother with having them skimmed. It bucketed down rain just as I was cleaning up, so I had to wait for Tuesday evening to bed them in. I think these things are going to be good.

For the record, this set of Hawk HP+ brake pads lasted me 8 months and 11 trackdays: 6 at Wakefield Park, 3 at Eastern Creek, 1 at Phillip Island, and 1 at Marulan. That's roughly 750km of hard track driving (not including the warm-up laps) . I'll be picking up another set of these ASAP.

[greenMachine]

Run 3:
1:14.9777

Way to go Bryan!! Well done!

[PeterB]

Fantastic laps Bryan - looked good in my mirror and on video. (I can't work out why that modified car in front isn't driving away !!!). Another great day chasing each other around - luckily we usually get enough MX5s in the groups to chase around.

Congratulations on the new class record.

Goes to show that a stock car with semi-slicks dríven extremely well (with total commitment) can knock out exceptional times - what it takes is track time and more track time to to get the very best.

My modified NA, dríven with gusto, was only just ahead at 1.14.81. Gives me hope for better times when I get the track time in this car.

Comparing notes with Bryan he was coming out of turn 2 at least 5 to 10 kmh quicker than me, therefore carrying more speed up the hill, etc - so gives me a benchmark for improvement. I think my biggest advantage was having an lsd through the fishhook, giving it more punch out of the corner as it no longer picks up the inside wheel.

It is fascinating to have the video to compare my style to Bryan's.

[Guran]

Thanks Peter . It was great being able to follow you around yesterday. I might have exaggerated the turn 2 speed a bit. After checking my logged data, it's probably more like 105km/hr (tops) on the speedo when I reach the ripple exiting turn 2. So maybe up to 5km/hr quicker than your exit speed. Next time we should swap our order so you can see how I'm approaching corners differently.

You're dead right about the benefits of track time. I've now done about 600 laps of Wakefield in this car with no changes to it other than tyres and pads. The thing I find fascinating and entertaining is that it is different to drive every time I hit the track, because of subtle differences in grip levels and weather factors. It has forced me to learn how to adapt to the conditions and keep it right on the edge (and slightly beyond!).

[PaulF]

Bryan, you continue to amaze. Congratulations.

[Charlie Brown]

Fantastic effort Bryan Got to work and looked at the email results and thought WOW!!!!

Don't think about changing to an NC, you'd embarrass us.

Looked at your lines and you certainly give the ripple strips a work out on T10 & T2, my car would have spat me off the track. And if you’re getting 110k on the exit of T2 that’s way more then me, so I’ll need to do some more practice.

[Guran]

Thanks Phil. As I wrote in response to Peter, I think it was more like 105km/hr on the speedo (tops). To put your mind at ease, I checked my PerformanceBox data for turn 2. On that PB lap my Vmin was 86km/hr right at the apex (it bobbled around as I clipped the ripple!), and by the time I reached the left ripple strip on the exit I was doing 95km/hr. One second later and my speed was 100km/hr (at the end of the ripple strip), and another second after that I was at 105km/hr (mid track). Keep in mind that these are actual speeds and the speedo reads about 5km/hr high. The message from all this is that my quick glance at the speedo is not exactly a "precision measurement" transferrable to other drivers in others cars. It depends on where and when we sight the speedo!

Yeh, I was testing the suspension a far bit on those ripple strips. When your inside wheels are just dangling in the air anyway, I figure it doesn't hurt to give them something to do. It didn't seem to hurt my split times through those corners either. Not recommended for those with stiff suspension!

An NC is not on my horizon, so don't worry about that . However, I have to admit being tempted when I see the going rate starting to drop below $20k for a high km example.

[PaulF]

You might be able to get some decent money for your NA6 if you sell it as a race car capable of doing 14's at Wakefield.

[Guran]

Nice on Paul.

[Charlie Brown]

Thanks Phil. As I wrote in response to Peter, I think it was more like 105km/hr on the speedo (tops). To put your mind at ease, I checked my PerformanceBox data for turn 2. On that PB lap my Vmin was 86km/hr right at the apex (it bobbled around as I clipped the ripple!), and by the time I reached the left ripple strip on the exit I was doing 95km/hr.

Phew!!! I struggle to keep it out off the dirt on the exit if I'm in the 100kph range.

Your video is very interesting. I can see where you are making a lot of time but won't broadcast it here. I had a think about what I do at that particular part of the circuit but realised that speed between the two cars is the main difference.

[Guran]

C'arn Phil, spill the beans! I have no secrets here and I'm perfectly happy to share my track tips with others.

Oh and yes, I struggle to keep it out of the dirt sometimes too. Had quite a few excursions out there and usually manage at least one visit per club trackday (when I'm on the less grippy RE001s).