$125 track day at Willow Springs-Big Willow Track-February 5th in SoCal

Sadly, a recurring theme... :frown2:

 

Last day to sign up and get the discount!!!!

 

Surprisingly, this is gonna be my first time at the big track. Either of you guys ever run it?

 

Me neither. First time at the big track!! Looking forward to triple digit speedo!!:arf:

 

Yep. It was actually the first track event I've ever been to was at Big Willow. Be prepared for LOTS of Point-bys for the big HP cars. I actually got passed by the 600 hp+ ABF Mini down the back straight while I was there. I gave him the point by and he was gone. By the time I was getting into turn Eight he was leaving turn nine for the front stretch.

This course has a BUNCH of elevation change as well. Top of "Omega" (the turn 3-4-5 complex) is the high point. Careful coming out of turn 6 and heading to "turn 7" (not really a turn) there is a dip where you will unload the suspension. Keep the car pointed straight and don't change throttle input at the dip and all is well.

In my stock R56 I was hitting 115-120mph down the front straight (depending on how well I took turn nine) before getting on the brakes for turn one.

I was slow my first time out: 1:48.3 was my best lap with me hovering around 1:48-1:49 once I got the basic line. I'm hoping to get better times this time around.

 

Looks like we have about 4-5 Mini's coming to this. Weather should be good, sunny and mid 60's. Should we set up a Mini corral?

 

For sure!!! Dez & ABF are setting up and we should cluster around him. This is from Dez's post at SCMM: ABF Tech Division is very excited to be invited out to the MINI Shootout at Big Willow. We will be showcasing our new 2010 Mini Cooper S, code-named "Black Dynamite". The Tech Division features on this black beauty include suspension, big brakes, exhaust and a tuning package. For all MINI owners that are interested, our technicians will be bringing out our track-side alignment and scale equipment as well! This FREE service will be provided on a first come first served basis, all you need is a valid email. I will also be providing FREE driving instruction throughout the day in your very own MINI! So come on out and lets have an awesome track day. On behalf of ABF Tech Division we'd like to thank SCMM and look forward to meeting everyone.

 

Only one question: Is it Saturday yet? :crazy:

 

Well, It's been washed (makes it go faster right?) and track prepped. I'm ready. :ihih:

 

Just got done prepping mine.

 

So here is my prep routine:

1. Examine the car logs and determine that the tires I should use are on the car that I am not taking.
2. Put the car I am not taking on blocks and remove the wheels/tires for use for track.
3. Pull in the car that is going to the track, unmount the wheels on there now, clean them off and stow them in the back as spares. Mount the wheels removed from the other car.
4. Remember that I forgot to install the hub centric rings. Remove the wheels and mount the rings and re-install the wheels.
5. Check the tire pressure.
6. Pack the car with all the gear. Jack, tools, helmet, gloves, belts.
7. Park the car and go watch TV.
8. Remember that I forgot to check/adjust the coil-overs. Go back down to the garage, unpack the jack, lift the car and adjust the shocks.
9. Repack the car and go watch TV.
10. Remember that I forgot half the tools I normally bring. Go back down to the garage and finish packing. Go back to watch tv.
11. Call the wife if she can think of anything I forgot. First thing out of her mouth: "Did you check the oil?". Slap forehead, and go down to the garage to find that I am a quart low with only half quart in stock. Pour that into the engine and go back to watching TV.

That should be about it. No I just need to get some yogurt.

 

LOL. Mine was a much simpler process.

 

Timers on.

 

MiniNUT on track.

 

Just wanted to say kudos to the ABF/Mynes guys for showing up today and offering help, tips and what not. Uploading some videos to youtube right now. Have to edit them since youtube gets bitchy if the vid is longer then 10 minutes. We'll discuss the vids once they are up.

 

Here are the vids. Nothing to exciting:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jehyZoNfslM]YouTube - Willow Springs. February 5th. 2nd Session Part 1, Jerry Polyak[/ame]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAwJd6bdVQU]YouTube - Willow Springs February 5th 2nd Session Part 2 Jerry Polyak[/ame]

In this one you can see the gages a little better. Pucker factor went up a couple of points at about the 7:15 mark when the yellow RX7 tried to shut the door. Also from about 3 minutes on you can see my oil temp beginning to spike. No idea what that's about and did not see that till I watched the video:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5ZHRtSXxrA]YouTube - Willow Springs February 5th 4th Session Part 1 Jerry Polyak[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfLVpIpI-b8[/ame]

 

Re: Oil temp. I also have the chrono pack and the oil temp also tends to spike on track days, although I've never seen mine go up as far as yours. (hmm, maybe I should rephrase that...)

The thing is that nobody has been able to figure out (at least not that I know of) where the chrono pack oil temp gauge gets its info from. All info suggests that it is a calculation. Of what? I really don't know. Maybe Jay or Mike have that one figured out?
In any case, i don't really trust the chrono pack oil temp gauge. Only a real oil temp gauge setup will provide trustworthy data.

 

from all of the track day data I have garnered from racing and track days you NEED an OIL COOLER............with a head,cam/header you will easily see north of 300deg F on a 80+deg day