I headed out to ICAR yesterday for Tuesday evening lapping. The weather forecast looked good, but there were a few dark clouds not too far away from the track. I arrived just as a green group session was about to begin. There was no way I would make the session (I had to get my bracelet, buy lap tickets and empty the car). I didn't feel like waiting an hour before the next green session, so I asked to run in the yellow group. The attendant said it was no problem as long as I followed the yellow group rules. I only pass with point-by's and in one of the three straights even in the green group, so this was not a problem for me. I lined up behind an E92 BMW non-M (license plate STIG) and a WRX STi with a big wing (there are a lot of big wings at ICAR...). There were a bunch of cars behind me, but, apart from an M2, nothing that looked super quick. The quick cars and drivers that usually pass me had all gone out in the green group.
Based on the way the car had felt last week, I had dropped 4psi of pressure from the front tires to see if the front end would bite better. I could tell after the warmup laps that this had not been the right call. The front end wasn't gripping well even after my 2 warmup laps. The front end started to feel more planted after a few laps, but that was when I caught up to the STi, who never gave me a point-by, despite the fact that the car was clearly holding me up. I guess egos are bigger in the yellow group, as I never get stuck behind a slower car in the green group. As a result, I only managed a mid-1:48. I would have dipped into the 1:47's with some clear track, but I don't think I would have beaten my personal best time. I measured the tire temperatures after the session and, sure enough, the fronts were only at 34 psi when these tires like to operate at 36 psi. I will bump up the pressures 2 or 3 psi next time. While I was on track, Pat had come by with his dad and son. We had planned to meet and I assumed that he would want to drive, but his ribs were sore from his recent karting exploits and he didn't feel like driving the car. As a result, after a 20-minute break, I strapped in again. I was ready to head out in the green session when it started to rain, which was strange, since it was still quite sunny out. I hesitated, but decided not to go out when it seemed the track was getting pretty wet. At some point I will have to see how ICAR is in the rain, but I did not feel like experimenting on a semi-wet track. I decided to pack up the car and head home early.
Despite only getting in one session, I was satisfied with my evening. Knock on wood, but the car really finally seems reliable now. If I can string together a few sessions, I think I can lay down a new personal best lap time. I look forward to trying!
Civic after a shower
Rain + sunlight
Huge swan neck wing on the silver Miata
Civic Si on track in the wet... he had more courage than I did.
Regular readers will know that my buddy Mazen has some pretty cool cars: a BMW M3 CS and a manual Porsche 991 GT3. Even with this great line-up, Mazen had been looking for a fun car that would also be a (relatively) solid investment. He sent me a few listings, but the one that I really liked was this black 2004 Ferrari 360 Modena. It was a great-looking car: it had optional rare Ferrari wheels that look so much better than the regular ones, and a Capristo exhaust system. Most importantly: it had a gated 6-speed manual transmission.
When he went to see the car, the seller mentioned that it needed a few repairs, even though it was generally in very good condition. We were a bit surprised someone would try to sell the car without repairing it, since the issues (bushings, shocks, belts) were relatively minor. Mazen assured me that he had worked out a fair deal including the repairs, but I was a bit skeptical until he told me he had the car, last Friday. I told him he had to bring it by my office to show it to me and he came over. He took me for a short drive (I will drive it at some point in the future) and I was really surprised at how comfortable the ride was on our terrible Montreal roads. It really seemed like a car one could drive every day. I am really impressed with the car. It feels special, it looks and sounds great, it should hold value as there are no more manual Ferraris, and it's not so rare that it will be impossible to get parts. It has the two modifications I would have chosen myself: wheels and an exhaust. It reminds me of my M3 in that it's one of the last cars of the mainly analog era. It's an exciting car and I look forwards to seeing it more in the future.
I headed to ICAR again yesterday for Tuesday evening lapping. I have already been three times this season so far, but on each occasion, something broke on the car (clutch slave cylinder, exhaust, fuel rail, etc.). All I really wanted was for the car to be reliable so I could focus on driving and having fun.
I left home before 6 p.m. and was at the track before 7 p.m. Even on the road, the transmission was grinding when shifting to 3rd gear. I guess it will eventually have to get that fixed. When I arrived, as there appeared to be only 9 minutes before the green/yellow session, I hurried so I could empty the car and get my bracelet in time. I made it to the start line only to find out that they had decided to separate the green and yellow groups, so I had another 20 minutes to wait.
When it was time for the green group, I was first in line. After I moved forward to the track entrance to wait for the green flag, the two cars behind decided they were not going to wait and just went around me. I followed them out and had a good session. I got passed by the usual people and managed to follow a Cayman S for most of the session. My lap times were not great, and I think it's due to the heat. It was hot and humid and I was soaked when I got out of the car. After the first few laps, the tires seemed to go off a bit and it became harder to achieve a good lap time. I managed a 1:47.7. Here is a video of that session.
My second and last session was a bit shorter because at the last minute, they decided to merge the green and yellow groups. I managed the same lap time, but early on, as the front end seemed to be gripping less and less as the session went on. The car had no issues. The check engine light stayed off and everything is working as it should. Finally, a normal evening where nothing broke! I hope there are many more like this.
I analyzed the data and indeed, the cornering speeds were slightly off my best, and the top speed was very slightly off as well. I'm pretty sure that if I get a cooler evening, I will be back in the 1:46's. I think that I will be better able to focus on going faster now that I don't have to worry as much about reliability issues. I will try to optimize the tire pressures and determine if the tires are past their prime and need replacing.
I am at a point where I am just a couple of seconds slower than the faster cars out there (not the fastest few, but the sort of quick group). I have to figure out if there is a way to go and get those 2 seconds without having to modify the car more. The car is easy to drive and not too loud... I would just like to be a little bit faster! Should I install some aero? Get better tires when these wear out? Try to remove more weight? Over all I can't complain... the car is working well, and the running costs are really low... and the track season is still only just beginning!
These are the quick cars I can't quite follow
Almost sunset
View from the balcony
Had to move out of the line
Nice GT3 RS
Tasteful Miata
Sentra Cup car looks good in person and is not slow (with only 146 hp!)
The weather has been all over the place in the past month, from snow to humid heat. Pretty much everyone that has a summer car has put it on the road by this point. Here are a bunch of photos from the past month. Enjoy!
The M3 in the country
BMW's ugliest car: the 2-series Gran Coupe.
The opposite of ugly, Alfa Spider
Super clean 850i... so cool
Not that rare, but still cool
First time I have seen a new F-Type up close...
... it's nice, the changes work are subtle and they work.
The ugliest Mercedes? Why even make a sedan version when the hatch looks so cool.
Cool Mustang, is it a Roush?
Pat installs a resonator to make the Civic less loud, my brother's Insight in the background
This design is aging well
This is a nice angle for the Supra
I have seen this 635csi many times over the years... glad it is still driven
Oscar checks out a modded Civic at the beach
Not a common sight in our small town
We have hired a professional painter for the country house and he has made good progress
A lovely black Civic Type R
The proportions aren't great on the S3, but over all it's a decent-looking car
"Old" F-Type R still looks good
Matte silver S63
This seems to be a Euro-spec E28
Note the much smaller bumpers... nice
Most Audis are good-looking cars, much better looking than their BMW and Mercedes counterparts
I had forgotten how massive these 90's S-classes were
AMG C63 in Old Montreal
AMG GTR in Old Montreal
... not sure if it's a "Pro", but it looked cool
On the OEM wheels and suspension, the MX-5 is not a great-looking car
Nice clean Triumph Spitfire
I like the "quattro" in the grille
Another older Alfa Spider
I don't know if this blue works for this car
The later FWD Alfa Spider
A nice spec for the 992
M3 and TT
A nice 80's 911 near the office
The Civic on the street
I never thought I'd see a London Taxi in Montreal, and it was LHD!
