:. Racing .:. 2004 Goals
Writeup/Notes:
At the beginning of a racing season, I think it makes sense for me to put some goals down on paper, since it might
help me stay a bit focused on an end goal, and hopefully have a more complete season than my rather, ah, abortive previous 2 seaons. So, just out of thin air, here are some desires/goals for my 2004 season:
Goal #1: Win SCCA SM2, And be in the top 50 season drivers.
Yes, big words from a fellow coming off of 4th and 5th finishes the past 2 seasons. However, I am hoping that with a full year's worth of events, and a consistent car setup that I can improve with, this will be possible. Plus, At least up until now, SM2 seems relatively soft competition-wise (including yours truly!), which may help me out in the early season. I'm sure this will be borne out quickly where folks lie.
Depending on how easy/hard SM2 becomes, I'd also like to shoot for being in the top 50 drivers for 2004. Mike has shown that the top 30 is doable, but I'm hedging a bit against the harder SM2 PAX, to see how well I do. Top 30 would be fantastic, but, I think, too optimistic.
Goal #2: Run one basic car suspension setup for the whole year
(Become a better driver with my car)
Having gone to the SCCA National Tour, and seeing what good drivers can do with their cars, it is clear that I am leaving an enormous amount of speed on the table with my driving. Since my car will be roughly analagous to a Z06 in the trim it is currently set up in, SuperStock should be a good indication of how well I am driving. If I can improve relative to my SM2 competitors and SS, then I am improving as a driver, which is my most important goal.
So, By the basic setup, I'm going to keep the same springs, bars, shocks, and tire sizes. I'm sure I'll play with alignments, gas pressures, and shock settings. If Winning SM2 is looking hard, I may succumb to some Hotchkiss bars, which Thomason said he ran, but that would be only to satisfy goal #1, and not goal #2.
Note that I'll be adding horsepower as I can, and perhaps replacing the clutch/flywheel, and adding a rollbar for the sake of Solo Trials. First, this is to try and get to Z06 power levels for the best possible comparison. Also, for the sake of fun on the street, and lastly, for trying to approach goal #5.
Goal #3: Learn to Left-Foot Brake
This is another goal that comes from watching the greats at Nationals. It is, quite simply, a skill I need to go fast. Perhaps I'll start throwing one run per race in to left-foot braking, to get better at it, and see how it affects my times.
By the end of the season, if this goal is 100% successful, I should be nearly equal with my LFB and RFB times, and in the best of worlds, I might even be quicker LFB'ing.
Goal #4: Really learn about shock, alignment, and other adjustments and the effects on the tuning of the car
This is somewhat associated with Goal #2. If I keep the car relatively static as far as the hard parts, hopefully I can really start to get a feel for real adjustments and their effects by making small adjustments and learning.
By the end of this season, I will hopefully have a good idea about what to change as far as alignment, shocks, and tires, to help obtain/change certain handling characteristics or desires.
Goal #5: Road racing: Beat my 1:19 best, and (better) match the GSX's 1:16.xx time
This is Second Creek's last year, so I've only got one shot to try and better my 1:19 from this winter with Paul. As well, I'll need a lot more power to try and approach my GSX's 1:16 time. Hopefully, with the rollbar, minitubbing, and some stickier, larger (street) tires, I'll be able to get more power down sooner (and more of it) and see if I can get closer to that time. No need to kill the car doing it though.
Depending on how much money is available for more horsepower and larger tires, I'd consider a 1:17 a success, and if I've got lots of power, and big 335 stickies, one or two really fast 1:15's would be super. Evan Brauch was able to do it in Jeff's Supra, so with good driving, bigger ponies, and more tire, it should be possible in the C5 as well.
6.) Small Subgoals
Just a few small things here and there that I want to think about and improve upon:
- Improve Looking Ahead!
- Improve Slow-In/Fast-Out behavior - get on the gas ASAP!
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