We both had a great time.
SCCA TNiA offered everything she needed for a first time track event. We arrived early, the paddock was getting fresh pavement so parking was on the sunny south end only. At check in we learned that her first session would be parade laps, no helmet required, passergers with wrist bands allowed. This means I get to ride along and show her the cones.
Her first impression was, Wow this is a lot of turning and so much going on all the time. I told her that a lot of her corrections were due to the low speed, once you get faster the car will push out VS you putting it there for a lot of the line.
Alexis was proud to be one of the three women drivers that day, the other two were old enough to be her grandma, and treated her accordingly. Of course I'm very proud of her, she had a lot of fun, tried something new and came away with an understanding of what I do for fun. Once comment was, "How do you do this for an hour and a half at a time in a race, I'm done after 20 minutes". It gets easier with practice and experience.
Before we went out separate ways she reminded me that there is another of these events in September, she's hooked. Time to get her husbands G37S track ready.
The car, 2008 Mustang GT, Hawk pads, Koni sports, Steeda sways and springs, 340 Tread wear tires. My first impression was, what have I done. My 92 that I sold to buy this was dialed in and confidence inspiring. After letting a little air out of the tires and one more session I was getting used to the new car. At the end of the day I matched the lap times of the old car, just slow in different segments in this car.
Suspension felt good, I never even stiffened up the shocks although it would have helped. Brakes need an upgrade and cooling ducts for me to feel confident in them. Tires were good for a couple of laps before they got greasy. So with a little more suspension work some bigger brakes and once I wear this out, some better tires, it will be capable enough for my needs.
This car has more horsepower, it just comes on a little late, and it's geared a little tall. Fourth gear was only used in one place on the track, the back straight. The intake gave it more top end from 4500 on up but made it lazy below that, this was holding me back a little coming out of a few corners. Is supposedly has 3:73 gears but I have not verified that yet, they feel like the 3:55 ratio that the tag reads.
Bottom line is we had a fun and safe day. My new car has potential and I'm happy with it, and I miss my 92 but only on the track.
