Monday, April 29, 2019

World Racing League at BIR 7/13~14

BRAINERD
Registration for Brainerd is now open! Come join us in the Land of Lakes on July 13-14 for 2 days of racing at the low, low price of $750 per team. Bring the family, race over the weekend and stay a while in this beautiful resort area in the middle of MN.

New to WRL? Want to check us (or BIR) out? New teams get a $250 discount using code BIR2019NEW when registering. That's $500 for 18 hours of racing!

https://wrl.raceday.pro/
http://www.racewrl.com/



SCCA-LoL Spring Track event 4/28/19

A bit cold out at Dakota County Technical Collage in Roseville, high 30's

Had the pleasure of coaching the Regan's father and son's well sorted NA Miata.
M. Yang and his Acura TSX on Tien coilovers.  Very predictable and balanced FWD.

Thanks to Mike Horwath for letting me take out his Tesla Model 3 Performance edition. I am super impressed with it's track prowess.  It weighs just over 4000lbs, but doesn't handle like it.  It corners super flat, brakes really well, just a bit of under-steer and power over-steer.  In track mode it will let slide, I am told it will let you spin it, we didn't push it that hard.  The regeneration braking takes a bit of getting used to; if you are not on the accelerator it is slowing down.   Much like if you had your parking break is partially engaged.  Several comers that would normally require a brush of the break just required a small lift to scrub enough speed and get the nose to take a set.  It does go without saying the renown acceleration of these things is a drug.  "Setting up for a pass" wasn't necessary, just "punch it" and one flies by the slower car.  On the street going 60mph then flooring it will set you back in your seat. 
Interesting, the Tesla has built in cameras (plural), hit a button and it "saves" the last 10 minutes video.   Also it dos a bit of data analysis!  It looks like the GPS doesn't cycle fast enough for true "race car level" results, but considering it is a factory option, I am impressed.  This is just the aggregate data, more detail is available. 





IRacing Sim Gets an upgrade

After fighting the temptation for a while, I got a sim racing rig.  Previously I was just using my normal desk with a non-rolling office chair.  I scored this rig with chair and the made for Xbox Logitech G920 steering wheel (but still works with a Windows PC) off of CraigsList for the price of the onsale price of the steering wheel on Amazon!  I couldn't pass the bargain up.  The previous owner sold it because his fiance "hated it."  I get that my g/f rolled her eyes!  :) 

Currently it is going through my 42" 4k TV.  The same PC is driving it, I just had to acquire a longer display port to HDMI  (4k compatible) cable, the USB cable barely reaches, and the wireless keyboard & mouse are still in range.  I set the rig on top of a "movers dolly" so I can unplug it and wheel it out of the way for movie nights.

I am surprised to say how much better of an experience iRacing is with a rig like this.  Eventually I may swap out the used Honda Civic seat with FAPS (Favorite Auto Parts Store) racing seat cover with a "retired" real racing seat.