stripethree

Back to the slip and slide lot for the second to last event of the year in Sierra Vista. I made the most of it, managing to escape with fastest time of the day (FTD) among the 23 or so cars competing. There were a few CSP Miatas hot on my tail, one of which even beat my best time of 50.056, but not without picking up a cone. My times were 50.550 +1, 50.545 +1, 50.798, 50.056, 50.086, 50.807 with the last two runs counting as time only trials. Results are not up yet so I am not sure what the gap was between me and the next best car and driver, but I know I went home with FTD and certainly will also PAX 1000 (1st place). The tires again performed exceptionally and after two events I have a good feel for pressures to start with and how much pressures will change with this setup. These are heating up just as quick as the old Falken 615s, but are not picking up as much pressure when out and are not overheating and turning into slicks. Good things on all three counts.

There is one more event in Sierra Vista this year and it looks at though we will get to end the year on the concrete at the airport. I hope that holds true since the last event I was able to preform quite well on less than stellar tires. I really want to see what I can do with these Dunlops tucked under the R’s fenders on the concrete.

Update: Results are up and in raw times I beat out two CSP Miatas which ran 50.734 and 51.369, respectively. PAX I beat out a DS BMW 135i by .923 with everyone else 1.4 seconds or more behind him.

Finally: new tires.

I made the trek to Phoenix yesterday to break in the new tires – 245/40-17 Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec. Long name and great grip.

Competition: 44.729, 43.487, 43.397 +1, 43.543
Time Only: 43.485, 43.044 +1, 43.429, 43.464 +1

The best comp time put me 35th out of 97, and 27th of 97 in PAX. 942 points for the series. The tires were great, absolutely great. Looking at the schedule, I hope to be back in Phoenix again soon.

Photo credits to Jason Jaffe