Roadracing Streets of Willow Springs - Acura Forum

jimster716 · 03-06-04, 05:34 PM

Finally took my car to a roadcourse (been only driving autocross until now) yesterday. SER-CA had a Z day at the Streets of Willowsprings. All in all, lots of fun and a good chance to break-in my new tires. Road courses are just plain full throttle fun. It's about who is the faster driver instead of the streetlight who's car is faster BS. All in all, it was well worth waking up at 3am to get to the track on time. Even better was that I took the day off from work. I'll have more pics later and a video after some editing and prep.

Streets of Willow Springs Map

Here is me in front of a supercharged roadster. Cool thing about road racing, the driver is everything, he couldn't keep up.

*rominl* · 03-07-04, 04:56 AM

damn that's so awesome man! i definitely like to hear more stories from you jim!

**1/2** · 03-07-04, 10:10 AM

sweet track! looks like an absolute blast. curious to see the video.

jimster716 · 03-07-04, 07:15 PM

It was awesome...quite an experience. I can't stop thinking about it.

I was grouped in the intermediate class so there was passing only on the front main straightaway (the course runs clockwise). The best approach for the main front straightaway is to go full throttle...by the time you hit the corner you're well into 4th gear doing around 85mph then you take the right turn at full throttle. You have to take the right line and it's kind of scary but it's quite an adrenaline rush.

I went off the track twice in the morning sessions. Once was for a blind s-curve at the end of the rear straightaway. The other time was at the second corner...took it too hot and went wide. I didn't spin out in either case...just let the car go where it wanted to go then slowed enough to get back on track down the road.

By the last session, no one was going to pass me, I was actually gaining on the last few cars of the group close enough to be on their rears at the slow corners. But then again, by the last session, the faster cars from the previous sessions had moved up to the expert group...like a couple of crazy sentras and a 300ZX TT so i didn't have to worry about those guys.

The highlight of my day was passing an E46 M3. He waved me by on the straightaway...I was on his ass for 2 or 3 laps at the corners (straightaways he had a bit of a comfort zone).

I learned a lot from a couple of faster cars by being behind them and watching their line and throttle points. Although my racing line was pretty good, their throttle points were more aggressive (better evaluation of the apex). I definitely have more to learn but it's so much fun while you're learning.

**1/2** · 03-07-04, 08:55 PM

that's what so fascinating about this: the varied points in where your line lies coupled with braking/throttle...

reminds me of when F1 ruled to go to flashing red lights on the back of the cars for safety rather than brake lights so other drivers couldn't "learn" when the pros where doing their braking/accelerating.

jimster716 · 03-07-04, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hafid
that's what so fascinating about this: the varied points in where your line lies coupled with braking/throttle...

Exactly. It's not something that is easily learned but then again, if it was easy it wouldn't be that interesting. Nothing more satisfying than taking a corner, knowing you hit the apex, and throttling out with constant acceleration, and finding yourself getting just a little bit closer to the car in front of you.

By the way, half of the pics are up. Just go the gallery section of http://www.circuitspec.com. Circuitspec.com is a new website i created (still debugging). It is primarily for me and my driver friends to exchange info...most of the guys have much more experience than I in competitive driving. Of course, all are welcome.

*rominl* · 03-08-04, 01:08 AM

damn that definitely sounds like a lot of fun, that's so awesome! i hope down the road i will be able to attend one too

jimster716 · 03-10-04, 03:43 PM

Videos are up as well as a second photo gallery for this event.

I also have pics from autox, HIN LA, and SEMA2003.

http://www.circuitspec.com/modules.p...download&cid=1

Hope you like!

**1/2** · 03-10-04, 03:49 PM

Good stuff! I like your website!

n2oJunkie · 03-11-04, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by hafid
sweet track! looks like an absolute blast. curious to see the video.

you should bring the mini out, they have track days frequently. I've been trying to get the vette up there, gotta find a group that will allow a convertable w/o a roll cage though.

**1/2** · 03-11-04, 03:42 AM

yeah no joke....this sounds like a great summer trip to escape the AZ heat frankly.

jimster716 · 03-11-04, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by n2oJunkie
you should bring the mini out, they have track days frequently. I've been trying to get the vette up there, gotta find a group that will allow a convertable w/o a roll cage though.

It's not actually a group rule...I believe Streets of Willow requires roll bars for convertibles as a general rule.

I maybe going on April 16th for the Redline Track Events group day. Would be happy to see you guys there.

Quote:

Originally posted by hafid
Good stuff! I like your website!

Thanks! Still debugging. Hopefully I can start on some articles and post future events. First article will be on heel-toe downshifts with pics...something archive worthy for visitors.

**1/2** · 03-11-04, 12:12 PM

the way the MINI's pedals are setup, you don't need to heel-n-toe...you can just roll your foot over to the accelerator while braking b/c they are closer together than most other pedals.

**1/2** · 03-12-04, 03:31 PM

On March 28th, there's a little event going on between a WRX and a MINI Cooper S. Peter Hovarth - who runs m7speed.com MINI tuning - is going to a race a WRX and it'll be video-taped and an interesting run. Peter's a NUT! He seels some expensive equipment and has modded his mini all to hell!

http://www.namotoring.com/modules.ph...69&forum=22&44

jimster716 · 03-12-04, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hafid
On March 28th, there's a little event going on between a WRX and a MINI Cooper S. Peter Hovarth - who runs m7speed.com MINI tuning - is going to a race a WRX and it'll be video-taped and an interesting run. Peter's a NUT! He seels some expensive equipment and has modded his mini all to hell!

http://www.namotoring.com/modules.ph...69&forum=22&44

Damn sounds like the WRX driver is no neophile either...apparently all of his 30 years of track experience come from bikes. This should be interesting.

03-06-04, 05:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
jimster716 Heel-Toe Shift Pwns Joo Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Anaheim Age: 36 Posts: 772 Your Mood: Car 1: 03 Nissan 350Z Car 2: Former 00 TL Owner	Roadracing Streets of Willow Springs Finally took my car to a roadcourse (been only driving autocross until now) yesterday. SER-CA had a Z day at the Streets of Willowsprings. All in all, lots of fun and a good chance to break-in my new tires. Road courses are just plain full throttle fun. It's about who is the faster driver instead of the streetlight who's car is faster BS. All in all, it was well worth waking up at 3am to get to the track on time. Even better was that I took the day off from work. I'll have more pics later and a video after some editing and prep. Streets of Willow Springs Map Here is me in front of a supercharged roadster. Cool thing about road racing, the driver is everything, he couldn't keep up. __________________ Car Domain Profile "Chicago called, they want their deepdish back." - Pablo Tailanian

03-07-04, 04:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
rominl I am no one Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Orange County, CA Age: 30 Posts: 14,789 Car 1: GS400, SC430	damn that's so awesome man! i definitely like to hear more stories from you jim! __________________

03-08-04, 01:08 AM	#7 (permalink)
rominl I am no one Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Orange County, CA Age: 30 Posts: 14,789 Car 1: GS400, SC430	damn that definitely sounds like a lot of fun, that's so awesome! i hope down the road i will be able to attend one too __________________

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03-07-04, 10:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
1/2 haf Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Singapore Age: 32 Posts: 10,628 Your Mood: Car 1: 1990 Miata w/Jin	sweet track! looks like an absolute blast. curious to see the video.

03-07-04, 07:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
jimster716 Heel-Toe Shift Pwns Joo Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Anaheim Age: 36 Posts: 772 Your Mood: Car 1: 03 Nissan 350Z Car 2: Former 00 TL Owner	It was awesome...quite an experience. I can't stop thinking about it. I was grouped in the intermediate class so there was passing only on the front main straightaway (the course runs clockwise). The best approach for the main front straightaway is to go full throttle...by the time you hit the corner you're well into 4th gear doing around 85mph then you take the right turn at full throttle. You have to take the right line and it's kind of scary but it's quite an adrenaline rush. I went off the track twice in the morning sessions. Once was for a blind s-curve at the end of the rear straightaway. The other time was at the second corner...took it too hot and went wide. I didn't spin out in either case...just let the car go where it wanted to go then slowed enough to get back on track down the road. By the last session, no one was going to pass me, I was actually gaining on the last few cars of the group close enough to be on their rears at the slow corners. But then again, by the last session, the faster cars from the previous sessions had moved up to the expert group...like a couple of crazy sentras and a 300ZX TT so i didn't have to worry about those guys. The highlight of my day was passing an E46 M3. He waved me by on the straightaway...I was on his ass for 2 or 3 laps at the corners (straightaways he had a bit of a comfort zone). I learned a lot from a couple of faster cars by being behind them and watching their line and throttle points. Although my racing line was pretty good, their throttle points were more aggressive (better evaluation of the apex). I definitely have more to learn but it's so much fun while you're learning.

03-07-04, 08:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
1/2 haf Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Singapore Age: 32 Posts: 10,628 Your Mood: Car 1: 1990 Miata w/Jin	that's what so fascinating about this: the varied points in where your line lies coupled with braking/throttle... reminds me of when F1 ruled to go to flashing red lights on the back of the cars for safety rather than brake lights so other drivers couldn't "learn" when the pros where doing their braking/accelerating.

03-10-04, 03:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
jimster716 Heel-Toe Shift Pwns Joo Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Anaheim Age: 36 Posts: 772 Your Mood: Car 1: 03 Nissan 350Z Car 2: Former 00 TL Owner	Videos are up as well as a second photo gallery for this event. I also have pics from autox, HIN LA, and SEMA2003. http://www.circuitspec.com/modules.p...download&cid=1 Hope you like!

03-10-04, 03:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
1/2 haf Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Singapore Age: 32 Posts: 10,628 Your Mood: Car 1: 1990 Miata w/Jin	Good stuff! I like your website!

03-11-04, 03:42 AM	#11 (permalink)
1/2 haf Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Singapore Age: 32 Posts: 10,628 Your Mood: Car 1: 1990 Miata w/Jin	yeah no joke....this sounds like a great summer trip to escape the AZ heat frankly.

03-11-04, 12:12 PM	#13 (permalink)
1/2 haf Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Singapore Age: 32 Posts: 10,628 Your Mood: Car 1: 1990 Miata w/Jin	the way the MINI's pedals are setup, you don't need to heel-n-toe...you can just roll your foot over to the accelerator while braking b/c they are closer together than most other pedals.

03-12-04, 03:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
1/2 haf Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Singapore Age: 32 Posts: 10,628 Your Mood: Car 1: 1990 Miata w/Jin	On March 28th, there's a little event going on between a WRX and a MINI Cooper S. Peter Hovarth - who runs m7speed.com MINI tuning - is going to a race a WRX and it'll be video-taped and an interesting run. Peter's a NUT! He seels some expensive equipment and has modded his mini all to hell! http://www.namotoring.com/modules.ph...69&forum=22&44

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