My track day in the 3.0CS at Thunderhill Raceway

sreams

sreams

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So I was able to take my '72 CS to Thunderhill Raceway in Northern California with the Golden Gate Lotus Club. I've always taken my '66 Volvo 1800S in the past, so this was an opportunity to start dialing in the CS. I used Harry's Lap Timer on my iPhone 5 to record video and collect lap data. What a great application:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03fL0Bf1UpA

I used the app to compare my laps with those of my Volvo from previous track days. The BMW had a clear power advantage, but the Volvo (which has been dialed in quite a bit more) was faster around the corners, so lap times were about even (for now).

Lot's of very fast cars there. Many Lotus Elises/Exiges, Porsche Caymans/Boxsters, Ferraris, and vintage formula cars. Had a great time, and hopefully with some lowering/stiffening of the suspension, as well as negative camber, I can get those corner speeds up for next time.

-Scott
 
What kind of lap times were you running? I ran that track one weekend about 10 years ago with SCCA. I was driving my full prep Austin Healey Sprite race car with sticky slicks and was running near 2:10 lap times as I recall. That track takes some time to learn and I was definitely not going as fast as I should have been going. I finished 2nd to a local that I can usually beat.

It is a very fun track. I learned that passing while going up the crows nest is not a good idea. I made the pass but when I went to turn left the car didn't turn and I went straight over the hill and down through the weeds. That is a short cut but the slow way. I ended up having to pass that car again a couple laps later. He gave me plenty room this time not knowing what my next stupid move might be.
 
Cool, looks almost like a video game. I was expecting the same cow to show up every so often in the background. Must be great to drive the coupe hard without the highway patrol to worry about.
 
Congrats Scott!
Thill is a fun and challenging track.
Poly bushings everywhere , drastic weight loss rplans and coil overs turns our 'das boots' into something completely different.

A message from the dark side......;-)
 
Very cool! I've autocrossed and crashed a few GGLC events. My work has a Lotus franchise, so as the marketing guy, it's only appropriate that I show up. Last time I showed up to a meet was in my Coupe too...haha.

Btw, thanks again for the tips with the webers. Just got them all finished up, and the car runs great. Finally pulls to redline with authority.
 
MyFemurHurts said:
Very cool! I've autocrossed and crashed a few GGLC events. My work has a Lotus franchise, so as the marketing guy, it's only appropriate that I show up. Last time I showed up to a meet was in my Coupe too...haha.

Btw, thanks again for the tips with the webers. Just got them all finished up, and the car runs great. Finally pulls to redline with authority.
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Great to hear! What jets did you end up with?

-Scott
 
All these tracks, too bad the F1 in Austin costs 50K per day- And they will only book 25 cars for private events- a little rich for my blood- but the water is free!

Great shots. I am trying to book some time at Harris Hill Road, a pretty nice track in Kyle TX about 40 minutes from Austin 2.86 miles and 11 turns. Shelby gets to 109 before the double apex- and it's all down hill from there :-)

Thanks for sharing!
 
sreams said:
Great to hear! What jets did you end up with?

-Scott
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Same as yours, but with a 115 main secondary. I'm going to adjust the valves and install Pertronix and be done with it for awhile. Now onto the fun stuff like rear window regulators. :)

I might autocross the Coupe later this month with the GGLC if they open it up to non members. I'll PM you if I ended up going. It would be fun to see two old cars carving cones.
 
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