Took my BE on a road course (NASA time trials)...

[Markus]

Hey gang -

Since my Miata is currently disassembled I pressed my 2003 BE sedan into track duty the other weekend. I compete in NASA's time trials series (run like a qualifying session, full open passing, compete for fastest lap time) and I needed to get points for the weekend to qualify for the year-end Nationals event. The event was at the MidOhio sports car course in Lexington Ohio - about 2 miles and 13 turns.

The NASA time trials system is kind of goofy - each car starts out in a base class then gets points for modifications. So basically you can choose what you want to do with your car. They have some unlimited classes (TTU-TTS) then it goes alphabetically (TTA-TTF). The BE Legacy's start in TTF. Note my car is bone stock - OEM RE92's, OEM pads, everything...

For the weekend, I was up against an Audi A4 1.8T quattro, a Civic EX on Hoosiers, and a semi-prepped Neon. It took alot of hard work but well...I came in 3rd. The Audi and the Civic were in the mid 1:50's, I ran a 2:04 and the Neon ran a 2:05. I don't know if it would have lopped 10 seconds off my time, but having some better tires different pads and brake ducting certainly would have helped.

Overall, I had a very good time with the Leggy. At some point it's always going to be a very heavy car (I'm used to a 2000lb Miata) but I was able to turn some very consistent lap times with it. The weather was very cold and rainy all weekend, which meant the seat heaters were very much appreciated! Nothing like driving 100mph with a warm arse.

SO - on to some pix and video!

Entering T2 with a wee bit of body roll:


Going under the Honda bridge:


Video clip of an average lap - click on link, press play:
http://markus.smugmug.com/gallery/47381 ... d3wt/Large

Video of what it is like driving a slow TTF car when all the faster guys catch up to you:
http://markus.smugmug.com/gallery/47381 ... 6GEg/Large

Enjoy!

- Mark

[Huffer]

Did you drive on the WRX wheels or the JDM B4s?

Nice stuff Mark.

[Markus]

For the time trials classing you get assigned points if you upgrade tire quality or tire width. Unfortunately I had to run the 205 width 16" tires on the bronze WRX rims to stay in TTF. The 215 width 17's would have pushed me into TTE....

Thanks again for the rims though, I still gotta get some good pix of those!

- Mark

[sharky nrk]

simply awesome - I need to get back on the track this year, haven't been for 8 months due to finances

[deadlydave]

that's great man, looks like you had a boatload of fun. I wish we had a track closer to me. I'm stuck pretty much at autocross.

[Markus]

Deadlydave -

It's not "right" by you, but you're only 4 hours from Watkins Glen!
http://www.theglen.com/



NASA Northeast has a date there in May:
http://www.nasanortheast.org/schedule.htm

In addition to NASA I'm sure the local Porsche Club has dates there. I recommend going with a group like NASA or PCA where you get an instructor and it's a pretty strict/safe environment to start. I think under those circumstances driving on track is actually pretty safe. Sure something crazy can always happen (someone drops oil, your car malfunctions, etc) but that could happen on a spirited mountain drive as well. At least at the track you have friendly helpful corner workers and emergency personnel at your disposal!

Also for what it's worth, I should have added that while not super awesome the OEM RE92's are predictable to drive on and do give a boat load of auditory feedback when they get near their limits.

- Mark