SCCA Spring Training Time Trials

boscotheduck

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Hello all, just got back from the SCCA Spring Training Time Trials at Gingerman Raceway. First off I’d like to say the event was awesome. I met a couple forum memebers there and it was a ton of fun. If you don’t know anything about the SCCAs new time trial program, please look into it, it’s phenomenal.

I’ll try and keep this short. I ended up winning first place in my class! I also bested my previous Gingerman track record of 1:50:61 with a pretty solid 1:48:56. The car performed admirably despite cording my LF tire and wrecking my front pads, which leads me to a couple thoughts.

Tracking is very hard on this car or at least I’m very hard on it. I ruined at least one RE71R and literally warped the backing plate of my Porterfield pads. My front caliper piston boots are now completely melted and destroyed, luckily I have replacements ready. Handling wise I’m managing to get the rear inside tire off the ground despite having a stock rear sway bar. I really don’t know what to do next to the car to get the next bit of performance out of it so I’m open to suggestions.

My AIM Solo2 lap timer performed flawlessly and was dead exact with my transponder numbers so no complaints there.

I only have a couple pictures of my trophy backpack and the carnage but I’m happy to answer any questions. Thanks for reading.
Sorry for the picture of a picture but notice the daylight under the rear outer tire!
Honda Civic 10th gen SCCA Spring Training Time Trials 43865CEB-8155-4FBC-B4D0-3DF0AAE6CB09
Honda Civic 10th gen SCCA Spring Training Time Trials 5F55423C-69A2-4B49-991C-38CABC210F66
Honda Civic 10th gen SCCA Spring Training Time Trials 032EB425-AAF7-411D-956E-57DC3581A496
Honda Civic 10th gen SCCA Spring Training Time Trials 50A73842-456A-468D-88B8-2E7F480FD0DE
Honda Civic 10th gen SCCA Spring Training Time Trials C6FD6921-E8C7-41E1-9156-A2934553D4EB
Honda Civic 10th gen SCCA Spring Training Time Trials 938BA5C9-8044-475A-B388-7F21A1370EC8
 
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TheAsianNguyen

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Are you running on any other modifications apart from wheels/tires?
As well as how is that heal and toe shifting doing for you?

Also, congrats on winning first in your division!
 
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boscotheduck

boscotheduck

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Are you running on any other modifications apart from wheels/tires?
As well as how is that heal and toe shifting doing for you?

Also, congrats on winning first in your division!
Nope. Car is all stock except wheels, tires, pads and the front camber pins pulled. I haven’t had any notable issues “heel toeing” yet. I’ve heard people complain the accelerator pedal is too low for heal toe but on the track I’m usually standing on the brake when I need to and haven’t found the pedal height to be an issue.
I feel like I’d kill for some way to keep the electronic dampers happy and get some Koni Yellows though.
 
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Looks like a fun time. Have you considered aftermarket calipers up front, something that would handle the heat better?
 
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boscotheduck

boscotheduck

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Looks like a fun time. Have you considered aftermarket calipers up front, something that would handle the heat better?
I have but unfortunately classing issues come into play. That said I did stick with 18” wheels with the idea of being able to possibly run a BBK in the future.

Edit: for clarification since the new TT rules still are under constant change and due to time and budget constraints I’m trying to keep the car SCCA GS legal for now. Which I know limits my options greatly. I’m planning on doing the time trial nationals in September so a lot may change by then.
 
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5inn

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If you want to stay GS legal, I'd start with a real alignment and have someone do everything they can to maximize front camber.

Edit- Looking closer at the picture, you need more front tire pressure. You're getting too much rollover (and probably asking too much of that LF). What pressure were you running? The rest of the tire doesn't look *that* bad. The RE71 definitely doesn't have the endurance on track as something like an RS4.

Clearly you'd benefit from real camber (with GC coilover conversion) and some sort of BBK. How long are the sessions for the TT? I'm assuming you didn't rotate tires between sessions.
 

Jrose29

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You were wheelin that Si! In the ball park of my ND miata from last year. The civic x chassis is just really awesome.

I attended as well and same conclusion... Awesome format and awesome event.

I was in my Type R that is prepped for D-street autox (rear bar and Thermal R&D exhaust) plus 18x9.5 wheels with 265 Conti extremecontactsports and hawk dtc-60/dtc-30 pads for the track. This thing is a BEAST on track. Power everywhere (132mph on back straight), the brakes are phenomenal with the hawk pads, and the handling is just perfect. No push, very neutral with pronounced but manageable off throttle rotation. I was on setting 1 with the Karcepts rear bar and its perfect for the track... tried hole 3 and it was a little much. The result was a best of 1:42:9xx which was good for 1st in S4 and 4th overall for the weekend. Ill post a video soon.

The contis were really awesome. Ran 36F/32R for pressures. They now have ~10 20 min sessions and the wear looks great. Performance is there as well.. I am really curious how much time 71rs would net over these. hopefully find out later this year. But for someone looking for a do everything tire this is it!

1 issue with the R was fuel.. Anything below an indicated half tank and it would fuel starve resulting in limp mode until cleared. I am a little skeptical of the fuel gauge. I filled up with it showing 3/4 full and it took 5.9 gallons. which should be below half.

Some shots from the weekend:

Honda Civic 10th gen SCCA Spring Training Time Trials dyougl


Honda Civic 10th gen SCCA Spring Training Time Trials zk1ra0


Honda Civic 10th gen SCCA Spring Training Time Trials 2utktvd


Honda Civic 10th gen SCCA Spring Training Time Trials 2q81yjd



Short video of the track cross take off......love the exhaust

 
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boscotheduck

boscotheduck

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Honda Civic 10th gen SCCA Spring Training Time Trials 7961C4ED-D7EA-4E7F-9E96-B75D1C0F7F2B
If you want to stay GS legal, I'd start with a real alignment and have someone do everything they can to maximize front camber.

Edit- Looking closer at the picture, you need more front tire pressure. You're getting too much rollover (and probably asking too much of that LF). What pressure were you running? The rest of the tire doesn't look *that* bad. The RE71 definitely doesn't have the endurance on track as something like an RS4.

Clearly you'd benefit from real camber (with GC coilover conversion) and some sort of BBK. How long are the sessions for the TT? I'm assuming you didn't rotate tires between sessions.
I’m going to attach an image of how my alignment is currently set. I did this alignment at a shop I used to work at on a proper rack with limited time and the pins already pulled. Hopefully if the stars and schedules align (pun) I’ll be able to get in there with more time to really try and get the most out.

Basically the way the event shook down was 3 groups doing 4 20min untimed lapping sessions, a TrackCross, 3 timed lapping sessions and another track cross. I did not rotate between sessions, probably should’ve. That GC setup is looking pretty temping. Might be worth the bump to STH (?). I usually end up doing more autocross than track stuff due to money and time, even though I’m useless at an autocross. Tire pressure was 36F and 34R, I found this gave me the most consistent lap times.
 
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boscotheduck

boscotheduck

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Thanks @Jrose29, you were so fast out there I was blown away. I’d say you definitely put a lot of people on notice.

Yeah gettting that alpha bumped was huge. That must of been their decision cause I didn’t know until the awards ceremony.
 


5inn

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I’m going to attach an image of how my alignment is currently set. I did this alignment at a shop I used to work at on a proper rack with limited time and the pins already pulled. Hopefully if the stars and schedules align (pun) I’ll be able to get in there with more time to really try and get the most out.

Basically the way the event shook down was 3 groups doing 4 20min untimed lapping sessions, a TrackCross, 3 timed lapping sessions and another track cross. I did not rotate between sessions, probably should’ve. That GC setup is looking pretty temping. Might be worth the bump to STH (?). I usually end up doing more autocross than track stuff due to money and time, even though I’m useless at an autocross. Tire pressure was 36F and 34R, I found this gave me the most consistent lap times.
It does go to STH. I wrote the letter :)

I think 36F/34R is what I ran at autocross. I'm not sure if that rollover is from before, but I'd consider bumping it a little more. Or rotating the tires between sessions. The rest of the tire wear doesn't look that bad from the picture.

Did it feel like you were really beating up on that front left?
 
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boscotheduck

boscotheduck

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It does go to STH. I wrote the letter :)

I think 36F/34R is what I ran at autocross. I'm not sure if that rollover is from before, but I'd consider bumping it a little more. Or rotating the tires between sessions. The rest of the tire wear doesn't look that bad from the picture.

Did it feel like you were really beating up on that front left?
Absolutely. In fact gingerman is known for beating up LF tires. I walked the paddock a couple times and I wasn’t the only one by a long shot. Clearly more negative camber would help greatly. I might also be tempted to go back to the stock 235/40 18 size, less sidewall to roll right? LOL
 

Jrose29

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In my RE71R experience (I have had about 7 sets now) they are a very quiet tire and easy to overdrive. When you overdrive them (to much slipangle) the grip doesnt change all that much (especially when really warm) and you end up just eating rubber away. So the thing to focus on with your next step is really balancing the tire at the peak grip level with minimum steering input. Some older tires (like the toyo R1R) never really cared but the bstone does.

Also you could try a 235 or 225 tire. 245 on an 8" is supported pretty good but its a lot better on a 9" wheel. Going to a smaller tire may actually result in better wear and faster time. Or a 3rd option is another set of wheels. Volks for auto-x and find a 9" wheel for track duty. Lots of good options in the Si bolt pattern that wont break the bank.
 

5inn

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Absolutely. In fact gingerman is known for beating up LF tires. I walked the paddock a couple times and I wasn’t the only one by a long shot. Clearly more negative camber would help greatly. I might also be tempted to go back to the stock 235/40 18 size, less sidewall to roll right? LOL
Maybe you're par for the course then. It looks like you got your moneys worth out of the rest of the tire at least. I think as JRose suggested it's about balancing that tire and not overdriving it as it's pretty easy to do at autox, and I imagine just as easy on track.
 
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boscotheduck

boscotheduck

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So I’m new and pretty bad at this video sharing crap but here’s an in-car video of a 1:48:72 Lap

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