Phil Chow

The Cayman guys that run hard on the track also have discolored rotors too from what I've seen. I don't think it's a huge issue? But hard to say.

Maybe shoot RB a message and see what they say in regards to it? I would assume it has something to do with it heating up and cooling down, maybe the metal just discolors slightly?

BLKROKT

Here's a pretty clean lap

ENV²

Fantastic lap man. Look great!

Wobble64

Nice! Any chance to get one with data overlay to see speed, time and g-forces?

BLKROKT

I have most laps on my Harry's Laptimer, but the GPS was in-and-out so the data is a bit flaky. I'm still trying to figure out how to overlay on the GoPro video - it's cumbersome at best. Top speeds were 155mph on the back straight, and that lap was a 2:20 flat.

Next time out I'll just get a mount for my iPhone and forget about using the GoPro.

Wobble64

Yes, that is the way to go. Keep it simple. You can even do OBDII data overlay.....

BLKROKT

Yup. I just ordered a mount and a VBOX Sport for the external GPS antenna. Also picked up a new OBD dongle with a faster refresh rate, because mine seemed like it was updating every other second (cheap Chinese ELM knockoff). Keep it simple stupid....

Wobble64

Once the phone is mounted on the windscreen with clear view of the sky, you probably will not need a separate GPS sensor.

I tried an external (Bluetooth), 10 per second update rate GPS before, expecting better distance, time and speed resolution. However, on my Samsung S5 it did not work. The speed readings became jerky, as if the phone was not able to keep up with the info provided and stuttered. I took it off again. I ended up with the phone only. It has a full HD camera built in.

Unfortunately my OBD data overlay does not work in the videos. It works great live while driving (including giving me a flashing shift-up display), but when creating the overlay video, the OBD data and video get out of sync showing rpms and gear shifts in the wrong location.

Nothing is perfect, I guess.

Diabolis

Re brakes - that's just pad material build-up. More aggressive (track) pads will scrape that off in a few weeks of street driving as at low temperatures they are quite abrasive - essentially like sand paper. Nothing to worry about, at least as far as the rotors are concerned. It does indicate however that the existing pads are likely running too hot and that you may need a different pad for mixed use.

I am running Endless MX-72s right now and am quite happy with them - they are similar to the Hawk HP+ but seem to hold up even better during track use. Great bite on the street too, with only a minimum of brake squeal (just enough so that those "in the know" can hear you've got a decent brake setup and are not all about looks. )

Diabolis

Have you guys ever tried running TrackAddict? There is a freebie version that you can try out. I thought it was quite accurate even with the built-in GPS on my phone. Get a decent windshield suction-cup mount for the phone AND use some duct tape over it just in case (you don't want it flying off in a 1g turn - don't ask me how I know ) and it's quite decent for us amateurs.

Wobble64

finding good track brake pads is a bit of an annoyance, frankly (if you are looking for something well under 1000$ for 4 corners, and something that is easily obtainable, e.g. through mail order). A full set of Endless is 1000$. I have looked into getting them from Japan directly and could get them there for about 600 (front and rear). The Hawk DTC60 and 70 are more like 300$ for the fronts, but Hawk does not make rears. My latest lead is Carbotech XP10. Those were recommended by a Corvette driver at VIR for the RB rotors. Carbotech makes fronts and rears for under 600 for a full set.

Anybody here have any experience with Carbotech XP10s?

507OverBiturbo

A couple of beginner's questions - When you guys first started tracking your car did you do a 'driver's school' to get a competition license or otherwise get professional instruction other than the track's novice class/program? And do any of you track in Texas and if so what tracks do you prefer?

Wobble64

Good questions! I wish, someone had told me before, how to do that. I learned it the hard way - in order to get started I rented Mid-Ohio all by myself and organized a track day for a group of friends (with instructors from their driving school). That was a lot of work. The easier way is to go to Motorsportreg.com and look for events in your area. There will be clubs who rent tracks and organize track days you can sign up for. Examples would be the Porsche Club of America or BMW Owners Clubs - their events are always open for other makes also, whenever we show up we add some diversity. There will also likely be independent car enthusiast clubs who organize such events too - in my neck of the woods that could be 10/10ths Motorsports, Hooked On Driving, or you can also sign up with NASA.

The event format is always similar: Multiple run groups separated by experience, and the least experienced 1-2 run groups get instructors.

Just sign up and show up.

Before you go just make sure your car is ready. Nothing fancy, just make sure you have no fluid leaks, everything works generally. Focus on brakes: Make sure you have good brake pads (>50%) and get the brake fluid flushed if you have not done that, say, in a year.

Have fun!

BLKROKT

Agree with what Wobble said. I started when I lived in the UK. Trackdays really is in the culture there, so it was pretty easy to find a group to hook up with and go to my local track (Brands Hatch) for a day. The Porsche community there is pretty tight, and I would get in at least 6 or 8 a year, not to mention trips to the Ring and the tracks on the continent.

For the most part, with whoever you hook up with, there will be a novice/beginner class where it is required to have an instructor with you. Usually there is a good bit of classroom training before you even go on the track to learn terminology and rules, and sometimes the instructors take you out in their car (or yours) first so you can get a feel for the lines and the methods.

Some good groups to check out:
NASA - https://www.nasaproracing.com/hpde/
HOD - https://www.hookedondriving.com/
SCDA - http://www.scda1.com/
TrackTime4Cars - http://tracktime4cars.com/


And in Texas you have one of the best tracks there is in the US - CotA. Find a day there and let us know how it goes! (here you go, ChinMotorsports is doing one in Nov there - http://www.chinmotorsports.com/COTA.aspx?ufs=1)

507OverBiturbo

^^Wobble and BLKROKT -- That's really helpful stuff, much appreciated.

I'm going to follow up and get tracking once I've got my LSD installed and the car tuned. Good to know about CotA - November may be too soon for me but I'll be checking it out.

zcct04

COTA is awesome, but I wouldn't start there. Everything else will seem like second-class stuff!

What part of Texas are you in?

507OverBiturbo

Houston area -- just starting to get my feet wet

Clark Kent

I track in Texas, but it is typically N. Texas. There's Eagles Canyon Raceway about 10 miles north of Decatur and Motorsports Ranch in Cresson which is south of Ft. Worth. This Sunday I am running with Edge Addicts out at CoTA. In February I'll be doing a three day event with MVP Track Time at CoTA. So far, only Edge Addicts has a Novice group at CoTA.

I hear there's a Motorsports Ranch closer to Houston but I've never been there. Eagles Canyon is where I started. They always have Novice w/Instructor groups (same price) at every event I have been to. Check out their website for 'Open Track Day' or other events. If you want, PM me with some contact info and I'll pass along event notifications that I receive.

Next ECR event that I have is on 11/21. Also, take a look at dfwautoclub.com. They list a lot of events also. Hope to see you out there soon!

507OverBiturbo

Thanks Clark, also helpful info. May pm you when I get closer to looking to hit a track or two.

zcct04

Four tracks in easy reach of Houston:


GrandSport Speedway, off I-45 about 20 miles south of town. Least structured events of the four, probably the best track surface, events have never been crowded.
https://grandsportspeedway.com/

Motorsports Ranch Houston, on 288 about 20 miles south of town. http://msrhouston.com/

Texas World Speedway - open at least through March - north of Houston near College Station:
http://www.texasworldspeedway.com/

San Marcos area about 30 minutes south of Austin. Interesting elevation changes, reported to be bumpy.
http://www.harrishillroad.com/

507OverBiturbo

^^ Excellent, sounds like GrandSport is a good place to get my feet wet.

Supposed to get my car back from EC today, hope to work out some time to track before too long.

zcct04

If you're looking for instructors and in-car coaching, one of the groups that runs events at the bigger tracks would be the place to start.

If you're just looking to drive, Grandsport is hard to beat. First-timers there have to spend their first day there in training to learn basics of handling and follow-the-leader around the course, with one (or two?) open lapping sessions at the end of the day. Subsequent trips are less expensive and more fun.

Diabolis

If you're just starting out, HPDEs are IMHO essential. 25 years ago you had a reasonable chance of survival and "seat-of-the-pants-trial-and-error" learning in a Honda Civic, 3-series BMW or another sub-200 hp car, but a heavier and/or 500 hp vehicle like a C63 can easily get you in very serious trouble if you're unsure how to react when you carry a little too much speed into a corner or turn in too early or too late. Plus, you'll learn proper car driving techniques and your car, brakes and tires will last you four times as long while you'll be actually going faster.

Jasonoff

I just slap this posted note on my steering wheel.

507OverBiturbo

^^ Thanks guys -- all good advice, especially the note lol