The final showdown at Carlisle and how fast things can go very wrong - Auto-X...
05-20-2007, 07:48 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,956
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The final showdown at Carlisle and how fast things can go very wrong - Auto-X...
The CGT was the very last car to take on the track with about one hour delay (3:30 start; 2:30 planned).
Given that it is a short track, you'll have to use the first lap to warm up tires and brakes.
After I crossed the start line and got the green flag I pushed the throttle full down, 2nd gear towards the first corner, a 90 degree turn/right.
When approaching this turn, the car faces the crowd not too far behind the fence.
And here, things got badly wrong; I set her up all the way to the left on the track and ready to brake very very late.
Close to the turn I push in the clutch and simultaniously step on the brakes - Nada, nothing, niente - no response at all. The brake pedal is on the floor and I have to make a very fast decesion because the car is literally shooting toward the fence/spectators.
A "forced" and not so healthy down shift into 1st and a tab on the e-brake saved the day, I got her sideways and forced the rear end to do a 180 to face the track again, released the e-brake briefly, set it in neutral and was finally able to stop her completely....Ughhhh!
All of this happened within a couple of seconds, the SCCA guy came running to the car and I told him that it just lost brakes completely, his comment: ecxellent save of the car, this could have been a close call for disaster; but thanks for the action, we don't see such driving here too often, Please come again ;-)
Front left bleeding screw broke off and popped out, don't ask how this could happen, I have no idea......so there you have it - Carlisle can be fun and action :-)
Given that it is a short track, you'll have to use the first lap to warm up tires and brakes.
After I crossed the start line and got the green flag I pushed the throttle full down, 2nd gear towards the first corner, a 90 degree turn/right.
When approaching this turn, the car faces the crowd not too far behind the fence.
And here, things got badly wrong; I set her up all the way to the left on the track and ready to brake very very late.
Close to the turn I push in the clutch and simultaniously step on the brakes - Nada, nothing, niente - no response at all. The brake pedal is on the floor and I have to make a very fast decesion because the car is literally shooting toward the fence/spectators.
A "forced" and not so healthy down shift into 1st and a tab on the e-brake saved the day, I got her sideways and forced the rear end to do a 180 to face the track again, released the e-brake briefly, set it in neutral and was finally able to stop her completely....Ughhhh!
All of this happened within a couple of seconds, the SCCA guy came running to the car and I told him that it just lost brakes completely, his comment: ecxellent save of the car, this could have been a close call for disaster; but thanks for the action, we don't see such driving here too often, Please come again ;-)
Front left bleeding screw broke off and popped out, don't ask how this could happen, I have no idea......so there you have it - Carlisle can be fun and action :-)
05-21-2007, 05:48 AM
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,956
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is nothing to it really; Bilstein touring shocks, Eibach springs and 4KQ sway bar
I'm not 100% sure on the spring rate, but Eibach is usually a bit soft: Eibach Pro-Kit: F 165lbs; R 140lbs to complement the Bilsteins. For "real" track events the Bilsteins are swapped with Yellow Koni's.
05-21-2007, 05:52 AM
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,956
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh yeah, believe me, I felt the same way that it happened at the right time and everyone walked away
w/o getting hurt or worse. Sometimes a little bit of luck goes a long way ;-)
Trending Topics
05-21-2007, 06:09 AM
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 7,956
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The split milli-second when the brakes engaged had the rear brakes in a brief "locked" position but
just enough to the trigger the down shift and risk engine damage, which luckely didn't happen ;-)
If the rear would not have shown any response then things would have turned out differently, the e-brake would have to do all the work w/o engine support - and that's tricky to do as well ;-)
I believe the new engine and transmission mounts played a big role in keeping it together, otherwise it would have ripped something, either engine or tranny.
If the rear would not have shown any response then things would have turned out differently, the e-brake would have to do all the work w/o engine support - and that's tricky to do as well ;-)
I believe the new engine and transmission mounts played a big role in keeping it together, otherwise it would have ripped something, either engine or tranny.
05-21-2007, 10:58 AM
#10
AudiWorld Super User
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles/Burbank
Posts: 6,728
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yikes!! 165's? I'm thinking of moving up from 380's to 500 pounders in front (no pun intended)!!
Do you have a rear bar??? that car absolutley has to have a rear bar, also try 0.20 deg of toe out per side in the front.
If you want to go to the trouble "E-Z shim" the rear for 0.10deg per side of toe out, stock it's slightly toed in.
The difference in turn in is night and day!
If you want to go to the trouble "E-Z shim" the rear for 0.10deg per side of toe out, stock it's slightly toed in.
The difference in turn in is night and day!