I'm losing my track virginity...

[crAppAchic0]

I actually finally swapped out my trusty old Hawk HP Plus's in the fronts, for a set of Hawk HT-10's; still running the Plus's in the rear-

World of difference. I definitely put much more of a beating on my tires than usual. Driving around town is a bit sadening, you can hear the rotors grinding away when you come to any sort of 'soft' stop. But once those warm up, they stop _very_ quickly. Love em!

[mohaughn]

I actually like the DTC60 even better than the HT10. Unfortunately, it can be hard to keep a good amount of heat in the DTC60's. Even then, the 60's don't wail as bad as the HT10's. I never liked any of the stree track type pads like HP+, HPS or ferrodo ds2500.

I've never run the DTC60 on a street tire, so it might be a little to grippy for that kind of tire, but it is a lot better than the HT10 with a sticky track tire.

[wolferj-RIP]

Ok, so I'm going to Infineon Raceway tomorrow. Unfortunately, it is most likely going to be raining, so there won't be much Go Fast time, closer to parade lap speed for me, I suspect...

I would skip the day due to rain and that it won't be nearly as fun, but I don't want to pass up the chance to drive at this track, as I have always wanted to do this since I moved to Northern California many years ago...

Suggestions from more seasoned drivers?

[1996 328ti]

Rain isn't so bad. That's about the only time I get to pass higher hp cars.
You can't get away with mistakes like you can on dry.

Just got to be smooth and controlled inputs.

[wolferj-RIP]

Wow. The track was slick as snot. Not just a little, either. The day was very fun, very challenging, and just a little dangerous...

The first run of the day was so slick that I would lose traction just trying to accelerate up a hill. Spun out in turn 2 on my 2nd lap on the first run (off camber, crest of a hill, blind apex...). All the veterans promptly said that's my initiation to Infineon, everyone spins out there... It did give me a chance to learn the track at a mellower pace.

Had a Porsche blow an oil fitting in the second run and he spewed oil over 3/4 of the track before he heeded the flags to pit. 2 hours of waiting for them to clean the mess...

Ended up being a mixed blessing because the rain had stopped by then, the track was drier, and we all got to experience a couple of dry sessions...

Met up with Mike (Kiponator) again (Good to see you again!), talk with other drivers and have a good time.

[Kiponator]

James, your trip report forgot to mention the afternoon 'highlight' for the Intermediate run group, the aftermath of which is captured in the attached image.

I was riding along in a different car during that session where the Evo wrecked, and at some point I realized people were overdriving so much that I just wanted the session to end ASAP.

Anyhow, Laguna Seca on December 23rd is next on my calendar, for my part I will be praying for dry weather....

[1996 328ti]

I'll be at Laguna Seca next August.
I found when driving on wet, the more expense the car you are behind, the easier the point by.

[wolferj-RIP]

Originally Posted by Kiponator

James, your trip report forgot to mention the afternoon 'highlight' for the Intermediate run group, the aftermath of which is captured in the attached image.

I was riding along in a different car during that session where the Evo wrecked, and at some point I realized people were overdriving so much that I just wanted the session to end ASAP.

Anyhow, Laguna Seca on December 23rd is next on my calendar, for my part I will be praying for dry weather....

lol, I was just uploading my pic of that EVO..

Originally Posted by 1996 328ti

I'll be at Laguna Seca next August.
I found when driving on wet, the more expense the car you are behind, the easier the point by.

[wolferj-RIP]

Ok, HPDE #1 for 2013 coming up tomorrow...

Thunderhill raceway, 4 runs. weather should be mild (70ish), track dry (!!!).

Did some adjustments on my new coilovers, running slightly taller than with spring/shock combo I had on previously, and set my rear sway bar to the softest position.

I have slid the tail out a couple of times and I hope these settings will keep the rear a little more neutral and add a little more understeer to the fronts to help compensate for my still pretty novice driving skills...