Well, it wasnt good, but im hooked anyways, track day started at 10 am, but couldnt get there till 1, i entered into what they call a initiation race (its supposed to be for experienced in the track drivers, that have never competed) so after a quick drivers reunion i was lucky enough to get last place on the starting grid (11th place), well after a very conservative start i spun out on the first lap (video below) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/gr_jest.gif) , after that it was basically me driving solo for the remaining 5 laps of the mini event, which was good since i could give it some laps and know the car, on the last lap i was lapped by the 1st and 2nd places, so nothing eventful.

during the session brakes didn't show signs of fading, maybe y wasn't pushing them really hard, and engine temperature creeped up to the mid point between 1/2 mark and 3/4 mark, so it got a bit hot but i was already expecting that since we where racing on 40*c temperatures, towards the end of the session tires started feeling greasy, i did a cool down lap and went to the pits.

there they told me i had finished 6th place and i awarded myself with some cold water, so 30min later i decided to go in to the open track, this time with my girlfriend on the passenger seat, when i entered the main straight on the second lap i glanced at my dashboard to see the water sign on, immediately i looked at the temperature gauge and it was past all the markings, not good, i slowed down, went to the pits popped the hood and my reservoir cap had opened and there was a lot of vapor coming out from it, so i looked for some water and started pouring it in the reservoir first since i didn't dare to open the radiator with the car that hot, it started sounding weird so i turned it off for a while, when it was cold enough i opened the radiator cap (which ended up being the culprit) and it needed almost a gallon of water to refill, when i started the car again it looked like the water was boiling so a damaged head gasket and maybe the heads ended my day early.

now on to the car and my impressions:
car is a 97 trans am, bolt ons lt1 putting 297whp, suspensions consist on eibach lowering springs, lca relocation brackets, rod ended PHB, 4.11 rear end with the stock diff, stock lt1 brakes with what i suppose are stock replacement brake pads, i did change the brake fluid in favor of a dot 4, wheels are c6 18" fronts on stock sized 245 kenda kaiser tires, and 19" rear 285 wide tires, same brand as the fronts.

while on the streets the car always felt very flat when cornering, not so much on the track, mid corner under steer was present, im guessing wider tires on the front will help with that, brakes felt really disappointing and not confidence inspiring, they felt weak, and the rear would hop if i pushed them hard but they never faded, i found myself being out braked by almost every car i encountered while running in the open track, by the 5th lap the tires started feeling greasy but i guess thats just normal when runing on street tires, there was some very controllable over steer exiting the slow corners, transmission performed flawlessly, and before overheating the engine was feeling pretty strong and being as fast or faster than most the cars i encountered on the main straight.

im certain some of the symptoms i felt while driving the car where part my bad driving, next thing i will address after i fix the engine will be the brakes, and maybe ill have enough time to get new tires since the next track day is on july, cant wait for the next time i can get on the track again and drive.

here is the video as promised, after i spun the camera was just looking at the seat so i just left the part up until i spun

youtube

This post has been edited by mJolnir: Apr 29 2014, 06:16 AM

well, pictures and a short video of the day is out.

Track Day
heres a picture of the car
Picture

(for dome reason i cant ambed or post the image directly into the forum)