some pics of me at the track.

I went to the track this weekend and figure i'd share some pictures. This is a non-race event. It is un-timed and open classed. Basically, it's about seat time on the track with your car. They have instructors on-hand if you want tips or instructions.

My car is nothing to special, just a '92 ST185. I bought it last year from a kid who blew the headgasket and broke the radiator. It was also setup with a bunch of random parts. It took quite a bit of time and money to get it road-worthy and I figured I'd enjoy it a bit.

Unfortunately, I didn't get my hands on a Go-Pro so no track videos.
== edit: i did end up getting videos from the second event. scroll to bottom of this first post ==





Raising the suspension a 1/4" because it was rubbing in the corners and dips.



two videos of the track (from different cars) - i didn't have a go-pro so nothing with my car.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTUHRwP02QM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3bmP1JLORE

========= EDIT =============

videos from Aug 23rd event. I took both my MR2 and Alltrac, because I've never driven the MR2 hard. It had bald rear tires and was pretty difficult to keep the rear planted around the tight corners, especially after people start kicking up dirt and debris. I managed to only lose control and spin out twice. :smokes:

MR2 on track: http://player.vimeo.com/video/73349466

Took the Alltrac back out. I still need to raise the front a bit higher. It's rubbing the plastic underliner on hard bumps. Probably another 1/4" to 1/2" would do. Before the event, I installed an HKS BOV and colder plugs but for some reason it felt like it was leaking massive boost. I ended up taking the BOV off but it's still leaking boost somewhere...

Celica on track: https://player.vimeo.com/video/73349465

images from the event.

Looks good.

It's always fun to go lapping! Nice to see. 8)

i have that same jack....lol

Sounds like a good time!! How was it after you raised it up?

Awesome! I want to do that with my trac one day. I really like the first pic. Looks great!

sweeeeet

soarinhigh":36lz7bp4 said:

Sounds like a good time!! How was it after you raised it up?

Click to expand...

i had 2000 Celica GTS wheels on it before. replaced with these 17x8 XXR's and Hankook RS3's 225-45/17s. They're too tall and fairly wide so they rubbed when I turned and/or hit bumps. I raised it up maybe 1/2"-3/4" and it's much better. Quite honestly, I'm not too impressed with these Megan's. I'm not ready to ditch them quite yet but I need to do some more tuning to see if I can get them better. I definitely need more suspension work.

Next track day is Aug 23rd so I'm going to try to get a Go-Pro for the event.

very good looking car! glad to see another track day enthusiast, there's not that many of us in the USA at least-- some overseas, yes... i see you have other cars that might make better track cars (the SW20?), why the alltrac? LOL. i'm down to only one car now, so i just bring what i got, and the alltrac is not my first choice of a track day car, you know...

what were your thoughts on the track? braking, cooking, power?

do you also autocross? my car is more set up for autocross than track days, plus i enjoy autocross more than lapping... hope to see more on here.

(i just got a GoPro a few weeks ago, and it didn't work on the track a few weeks back but i did manage to get it working for the autocross: http://www.youtube.com/user/herjazz/videos )

thanks for all the positive comments guys.

mike325ci: The first time around, I basically took the Alltrac because it had upgraded suspension and I wanted to see how it do. I put A LOT of work to get it to it's current state so I had to confirm that it was worth all the time and effort. (And it was.) The MR2 is 100% completely stock, except the TRD shift knob.

At the second event, I took both the MR2 and the Alltrac since entry fees were "per person" not "per car". I haven't driven the MR2 for awhile now since my wife got pregnant and we had our first child. It's been sitting on old tires because I didn't see a point in buying new tires and letting them sit. I took it out with BALD tires, literally 1/16th's or less. I couldn't take any corners tight and fast without breaking the rear. I managed to only spin out twice :wink:

As for an overall comparison, the MR2 being N/A and lightweight is much easier to drive and more fun. The track is small and you're mainly in 2nd gear except for a couple spots if you hit the turns right. Soon I'll get better tires and better suspension for the MR2 and it should be more fun.

On the Alltrac, I run EBC Yellow pads on the factory brakes. I use ATE brake and clutch fluids. The brakes are fine, I didn't have any issues with fading. It was plenty of stopping power at those speeds (top speed, before braking hard is maybe 50mph)

For cooling, I have a Mishimoto radiator with the factory fan and retail green coolant. Being in 2nd gear and high RPMs is fine for about 4-5 laps. Then the temp goes up. I would probably see a lot of benefit from a CS bumper or a pair of nicer fans. I think the problem is just overall airflow to the radiator. (The MR2 on the other hand, I can be at redline for 7-8 laps and be just fine on factory rad + newer factory toyota red fluid.)

I do not autocross - I don't want to be stuck with strict rules and classes. I'm still trying to learn the fundamentals and not necessarily be competing. I think eventually I'll want to compete, but I don't see myself getting into Autocross, but you never know. A bunch of us at the open sessions are hoping to get better and compete in other things. A lot of the people did autocross and enjoy it but want move towards road racing.

vids from the event, in case you missed it from the first post.
MR2 on track: http://player.vimeo.com/video/73349466
Celica on track: https://player.vimeo.com/video/73349465

btw, nice vids Mike.

Awesome seeing another ST18x out ripping! Enjoy, dude!