The Radical is back in action, July 7th & 8th @ Sebring

[pdisme]

Anyone interested in doing some track driving, PBOC still has spots for July 7th and 8th at Sebring in the drivers ed sections, including for novices.

Chuck, burgy240, etc., looks like the Radical will be just fine; turns out my fuel pump's high speed side died on me, so it would just barely idle but opening the throttle killed it. The guys at Radical had to hook a pressure indicator on the fuel rails and then they found where it should have been 45+ psi at WOT, it was only about 10 or less. Fortunately they have pumps in the country so they're swapping those out; they said it was the first time they've seen one die but that was probably from my stupidly leaving the kill switch on overnight and killing the battery since I think the pump would have been enabled in that scenario.

[NXSpoon]

How much for the weekend; driver's ed novice group? Are modified Civics welcome?
-Ken

[pdisme]

$350 for whole weekend, $200 for each day I believe. That includes instructor if you're in a run group that requires it. The car itself is ok, you'd just want to make sure it's in shape for track driving; ensure there's a decent amount of tread left, flush your brake fluid completely if it's standard DOT3 because Sebring will heat your brakes up quite a bit and you don't want them to fade surprisingly quickly (Superblue or Motul fluids are good replacement), bleed them if you're already running high end fluid and haven't done it in a while, ensure you have 1/2 pad or more left on them and then just possibly have a mechanic check over the car if it hasn't had a once over in a while. You'll need a SNELL 2000 or better helmet but the rating can be M (motorcycle) or SA, in fact I have two spares if you need to borrow one at the track.

The problems people most often encounter is underestimating how hard you'll be braking if it's your first time there; you go to the track thinking gas and turns but you will be braking more and harder than you ever do on the street and you can wear out pads and cord tires if you don't have enough left on them. It's a blast though, it took me about 1/2 a day in the Lambo just getting comfortable with how hard I could mash on the brakes the first time I went to the track, after my instructor told me to stomp on it as hard as I could until ABS came on when we were clear, I realized just how much brakes I had and then we were able to move on to learning about the turning, etc. :)

[djben]

I want to go but I've had to hold off on any July racing events.

Need to hit my sales quota for the month, then I can go. I'll know in 7 days :D

[chi town brat]

I have a trip to Boston that Sunday and need to decide if I can really handle Sebring and Boston all in one weekend. Very tempting because the car is ready to go.

[pdisme]

Do it! :)

[NXSpoon]

Well, I'm not going to have the funds for this one. Any chance of just observing? It looks like I'll have to wait for the auto-x in St. Pete to break my car in at a track/auto-x event.

[pdisme]

Well, I'm not going to have the funds for this one. Any chance of just observing? It looks like I'll have to wait for the auto-x in St. Pete to break my car in at a track/auto-x event.


PBOC definitely doesn't charge admission so you can hang out and watch the races and just the regular HPDE stuff; usually the Sebring media rooms are open and air conditioned too since it's going to be hot as hell.

I sent an email to their registrar to see what the PBOC policy is on passengers; if they're like Chin then they may have some low fee to let you ride with solo qualified drivers or instructors. At Chin events you just pay $20 and then anyone who wants to give you a ride can if they're in the solo or instructor group, and most people are happy to give rides if asked. :)

[NXSpoon]

Thanks Dave, that sounds great !!

-Ken

[pdisme]

I'll reply once i have the passenger info but before I forget, PBOC does require anyone going on track to have closed toe shoes and long pants and shirt of a natural fiber like cotton, so no sandals or LL Cool J sweat suits if you go on track. :)

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

I've never done PBOC. Doubt I'll be ready in two weeks for this one. Might go for a cruise to hang out though.

Good luck with the rad.

[bam2002]

3 of us are bringing out out 3 series BMWs. we will be there on Sat.

Barry

[pdisme]

BAD news! PBOC doesn't allow solo drivers to take passengers, only instructors can. :(

[pdisme]

I've never done PBOC. Doubt I'll be ready in two weeks for this one. Might go for a cruise to hang out though.

Good luck with the rad.

You mean Joe won't have it ready? :)

[tkrskyline]

I am picking up the new ride that weekend (911), but may go back to another PBOC at sebring a little later. Only problem is I was not happy with the way they ran the winterfest. Felt it was pretty unsafe the way they let racers go in basically any group (even full ones) to get more track time. They were being dangerous with their passing and lack of allowing people to pass them. I had several racers nearly crash trying to stay in front of me. On the other hand, one of the most polite drivers that passed me was a GT3 cup racer. Lots of offs and accidents in all and too many cars on track to top it off. Hopefully their normal events are a little safer and with less cars on track.

[pdisme]

I'm not a huge fan of PBOC, the only event I've done with them was at Barber and it was safe but in general you don't get shit for driving time with them; they don't charge a huge amount but you actually get less time than you would like to use with them. Chin is on the expensive side and gives you more time than you can use safely. I'm going to try a SAFE event at Sebring, it sounds like the best option, you pay and can go out all day long whenever you want and the number of drivers is limited. Just wish they had a two day event, I hate trailering the car anywhere just for one day.

[tkrskyline]

I actually had a good time with NASA. Pretty safe, good number of cars on track, well segmented groups. And the two day intermediate/advanced rate was pretty good. Plus, you can do NASA-TT and get the same track time as HPDE but with a little competition added to the mix

[dsm02c]

I hate trailering the car anywhere just for one day.


Is trailering the Radical really that bad?:D

[pdisme]

I actually had a good time with NASA. Pretty safe, good number of cars on track, well segmented groups. And the two day intermediate/advanced rate was pretty good. Plus, you can do NASA-TT and get the same track time as HPDE but with a little competition added to the mix

What kind of on track time do you get typically?

Is trailering the Radical really that bad?:D

Yeah I guess it's all relative, getting to drive it is worth just about anything to me, I can still bitch about it.
:lol:

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

You mean Joe won't have it ready? :)

You know how those young studs are. When it's between working on a Viper or a sweet Asian hottie his decision depends on the time of day.

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Is trailering the Radical really that bad?:D

LOL No shit. Spoiled Lambo owners. :)

[pdisme]

You know how those young studs are. When it's between working on a Viper or a sweet Asian hottie his decision depends on the time of day.

I know what my decision would be... your car would not be running. :lol:

[RX007CYM]

You know how those young studs are. When it's between working on a Viper or a sweet Asian hottie his decision depends on the time of day.

I know what my decision would be... your car would not be running. :lol:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

------------

So are you going out to PBOC next weekend?

I will be with SAFE at the end of July. Have you run with SAFE before? All I can say is that after all my research (Amount of track time, cost, ect.), it was absolutely incredible to go out to Sebring back in May and have a great time (Link to Thread. (http://www.tamparacing.com/forums/auto-x-road-racing/397225-safe-sebring.html)). I am getting my buddy to bring out his Z06 this time. I hope to see the Radical out there. Wait, what am I saying, the Radical or the Lambo would be great. Also, I am bold enough to say that with SAFE, you get so much track time that you don't need another day ;)

~James
#711 Rx-7

[pdisme]

Definitely not July but August is still up in the air; I'm doing PBOC next weekend @ Sebring, Homestead with Chin on July 21/22, Sebring with Chin on August 25, Barber with Chin on Sept 15 & 16 and possibly Road Atlanta with NASA SE on August 11 & 12, but if I can't get to Road Atlanta due to work I'll do Sebring with SAFE in August instead.

If anyone needs a list of every event for the car clubs I know of in the South East (Chin, PBOC, SAFE, NASA SE, NASA FL) through the end of the year, I have it compiled here:

Fall track schedule for the South East - Lamborghini Forum & Photo Gallery - Talk Lambo! (http://www.talklambo.com/showthread.php?t=886)

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Dave, am I too old to be adopted by you?

[pdisme]

Dave, am I too old to be adopted by you?


I can't have a son who can't work on a Radical! :)

[burgy240]

You mean Joe won't have it ready? :)

:lol: he just needs to ask.... As stated I've been......busy:lol:

I'm doing a little upgrading myself soon so that I may be able to get out there one day....300z brakes for more stopping and less fade baby!!

PD glad to hear the car will be running strong once again. Congrats

[chi town brat]

Do it! :)

done. Vivek and I are in for Saturday. Man I know my hatch does not have the horsepower compared to his, but I cannot wait to open that single cam up on the back straight :)

We played Forza 2 for some practice time Friday night ;)

[tkrskyline]

With NASA, I believe it was 4 25 minute sessions, and the traffic was not bad. Not as much time as chin, but still pretty decent giving you 8 sessions over a weekend.

Have you ever considered tracking out west? Spring mountain in NV is hbome to a huge group or Radicals and even has a Radical Loop configuration. My company is holding a race out there later in the year, and looks to be a great track.

[pdisme]

:lol: he just needs to ask.... As stated I've been......busy:lol:

PD glad to hear the car will be running strong once again. Congrats

Yeah... busy.. :)

Yep, hopefully the car will be stronger than ever if the fuel filter and injectors were clogging up with gunk from the hose falling apart.


done. Vivek and I are in for Saturday. Man I know my hatch does not have the horsepower compared to his, but I cannot wait to open that single cam up on the back straight :)

We played Forza 2 for some practice time Friday night ;)


Awesome, congrats, come say hey when you're down there, my car looks like this:

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/519/medium/DSCF0081.JPG

Forza 2 is actually very realistic, but there's some curbing that isn't quite right where there are rumble strips that aren't in the game.

[pdisme]

With NASA, I believe it was 4 25 minute sessions, and the traffic was not bad. Not as much time as chin, but still pretty decent giving you 8 sessions over a weekend.

Have you ever considered tracking out west? Spring mountain in NV is hbome to a huge group or Radicals and even has a Radical Loop configuration. My company is holding a race out there later in the year, and looks to be a great track.

It's gotten worse, now they only give a 30 and two 25's, just way too many run groups to have along with the races.

As far as Radicals, maybe one day when I have the time to transport it out there and fly and drive, but gotta stick to the southeast for the time being. There are a lot of radicals starting to pop up in Florida though, here's some of the ones that were at Sebring in May, there were at least five others not in the picture; I'm about mid way in there.

http://www.talklambo.com/pics/data/540/medium/2007-05-06_071.jpg

[bam2002]

Some photos of us at Sebring this weekend.. Plus I got a shot of the black radical..
Also some shots of LD and his Dad..
There also was a nice old Mini there..

Sebring July (http://www.keeperofcars.com/track1/index.html)

And a few shots of my latest BMW project.. All thrown into one album..

Enjoy..
B

[pdisme]

Some photos of us at Sebring this weekend.. Plus I got a shot of the black radical..
Also some shots of LD and his Dad..
There also was a nice old Mini there..

Sebring July (http://www.keeperofcars.com/track1/index.html)

And a few shots of my latest BMW project.. All thrown into one album..

Enjoy..
B


Awesome pics. Unfortunately you caught me before the last session on Saturday because that's when i blew my transmission. :mad: So my Sunday was sleeping in, about to head home.

[bam2002]

It is a motorcycle transmission? right?

based off the Busa engine?

Barry

[pdisme]

It is a motorcycle transmission? right?

based off the Busa engine?

Barry


Yeah, starts out as a busa motor, modified to dry sump, top end has the pistons, heads, etc. replaced going from 1300 to 1500 and a few other internals are different but the tranny is similar to stock; gearing and the gears themselves are different. It's going off to California Monday for rebuild, if the builder says it can be turned around quickly I'm going to air freight it out there so I can have the car running again for Moroso in two weeks.

[Vz28]

Fun event. I was impressed with how well the camAro did out there, especially in the turns with new street tires (very little side wear) and in the braking zones, almost all of which were from >100. I got stuck in a lot of traffic part way through every session though, no doubt due to the large power reserves - I limited my downshifts to slow things down a bit. My apologies :oops: to those I was tailing and passing so closely, my instructor's course knowledge was outstanding but I feel he was much too "aggressive" with his passing advice given the diverse novice skill level.

V

[chi town brat]

I agree with you Vivek that your instructor was aggresive and annoying but you drove well and that is a good thing.

I really enjoyed being out there. It was a lot to learn and I really need to learn down shifting. I was frustrated at the end of the day but on the ride home realized that learning something new is frustrating and fun.

I watched the Indy Race at Watkins Glenn on Sunday and everything Sandy (my instructor) was teaching me kicked in as I watched the camera from inside the car take the lap.

Sorry to hear about the transmission Radical.

I may have been passed a lot but I was able to walk away from some people out of turn 4 I believe.

[pdisme]

I'm really glad to hear you guys had fun, it's a blast, I can't tell you how frustrating it is to have your car fail two events in a row... should know tomorrow if I'm going to be able to rapid fix the engine and have it back before my event in two weeks. If not, I'm buying a kart to pass the time, getting too rusty between events.

[Gallego]

They are running a Radical Cup Race at Moroso on July 21st & 22nd. Each day will have a 30 min Practice a 30 min qualifying and a 30 min race.

[pdisme]

I've been made aware that Moroso is running some type of DE offering that weekend as well so those that want to just go and drive can; I don't know the full details on it though, I was told by the Radical guys.