willow springs

[MistressMotorsports]

Been off the boards for a while and just picked up on this thread. While my 1:32 may be the benchmark for an SPF, it is by no means a benchmark for some of the other cars around, especially a JBL, which is in a completely different class than an SPF or similar when it comes to track duty. A few weeks ago at the HSR-West races, there were a trio of Shelby spec racers running. If I remember, they were running 1:33's on a "good" track, close to my :32. Having run the SPF, several Vettes, and a vintage CP 240Z, I completely agree with Richard that the key to turn 9 is exit speed, which generally translates to how early can you get on and stay on the throttle. Any lifting past the apex kills laptime. Same for turn 1, many people underestimate the banking in that corner and overbrake/underdrive. I had a 5 speed in the SPF, so my shifting pattern was very different from what Richard recommended from turns 1-4, but I'm sure he knows what's up with a 4 speed. The other big corner is 6. A really well prepared car, depending on what class, can run over 6 at WOT, usually with a short shift before the crest. Both my Vettes and the 240Z could do that, the SPF could not. Because of that fact, the Cobra line over 6 is a late apex out of 5, little or no track out of 5, and a VERY late apex to 6 with the car pointed down the straight before it gets light. In the other cars, I can move the apex to 5 back a ways, use a lot of track out from 5, still short shift, but stay on the throttle over 6, making it a non-turn. Getting it wrong is pretty exciting, though, as the left side of the track comes up quickly that way. Now if I could only make my right foot stay down through 8 I'd be really fast.