[dimer0]

Today we had a test & tune.. Small track set up.. Got 7 runs.

Let me preface this all with the fact that I've just autocrossed in the Audi S4 before - and this is my first experience autocrossing a RWD car, let alone one with this much power..

THAT BEING SAID /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

OH MY GOD!!!

First run, TRAC+ActiveHandling on - felt pretty good.. I noticed that about halfway it started getting a bit hard to control, and when I finished the run, I saw "Active Handling Warming Up" on the DIC.. !!? I let it idle for 5 minutes, it didn't go away.. Turned the car off and back on, and it disappeared.. Odd! (Looked in owner's manual, it said this is normal during the winter.. Well, it was 90 out! ..)

Second run, trying to push it a bit more.. Noticed the active handling really working.. Almost to the point of being annoying. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif I guess I need some work in being much smoother with the car, cuz I'm sure if I drove smooth the system wouldn't engage much..

Seems with active handling it's hard to kick the ass out and force some oversteer.. Argh.

One of the top guys in my area - who runs a S2000, was nice enough to ride with me and give me some pointers.. He did comment that I could be much smoother (totally agree!!), and also that the active handling seemed like it was forcing understeer.. He asked what it was like with it off.

SO, I told him this would be scary, and I turned it off. Next run I started out ok, and then there's this big turnaround that leads into a tight slalom.. I came out a bit too early - and a bit too aggressive - and the rear end whips left, THEN RIGHT, THEN LEFT AGAIN, then -- SPIN.

Points event tomorrow, and believe me - active handling will definitely be on. I am going to concentrate solely on being SMOOOTH, to the point where the active handling doesn't get in the way - and hopefully never comes on.

This is one bad ass car. So much power.

BTW, I have videos of the spin taken from inside the car.. Will hopefully post them tonight.

(Oh, stock tires too at 32psi cold.. Tires hardly rolled at all, almost to the point I'm considering dropping them to 30psi..)

 

[fcalmes]

Nice impressions Dimer!! I'd love to see the videos!! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif

 

[dimer0]

Ok, don't laugh everyone..

http://www.boutcher.com/jim/movies/z06spin.rm

 

[fcalmes]

Dimer,

That was fun to watch!! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif Nice video!!

Actually it brought back memories, as I did the same thing with my AH turned OFF. Scared the crap out of me!! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif That's also how my Bro RAT wrapped his Z around a tree. Preety scarey!!

Frank

 

[DJWorm]

DIMER O....Very typical.

In my 1st AutoX I put it in Competition mode and on cold tires after first turn I punched the throttle. The rear started right, I let off and as the rear started coming back in line I punched it again and it snap spun 180 deg. to the left. Very embarassing.

I put it back into Active handling and Traction Control "ON" for the next 2 events until the car had ME sorted out!. Then went to Competition Mode for all the next events after I was conpletely familiar with the car.

It is good though, to find the LIMITS of the car early...then you know what your dealing with. Also it's always good to realize and remember what the drivers limitations are!!

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNED ON THAT FIRST RUN IS THAT I WILL NEVER EVER RUN WITHOUT THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ACTIVE HANDLING "ON" IN THE WET. I CAN'T STRESS THAT ENOUGH. Also, in one of my subsequent events I was running in the Competition Mode at a Pro Solo. Ran the first to runs then back to grid, shut it down to let it cool on this 90 degree day. Then staged for the second 2 runs of the heat. Just as I left the line, the Traction Control shut it down and I red lighted. IDIOT ME!! When I shut it down to cool it off it defaulted out of the Competition MODE. Always recheck the message center before the run!

I run my front tires at 30 and the rears at 29. At least -1.0 on the front. They usually heat up to around 32-35 psi depending on the track. If tech asks you what your starting pressures are, say "35". If they check your pressure and give you shit about the pressures being to low; point to the inside of your drivers door and say "Oh I thought you meant HOT" and say "The Factory specs recommend 30 cold." HINT: I also run nitrogen only in them, no air. Nitrogen gives a more consistent pressure over a wide temperature range and is also drier. You can pick up a small tank at your local Welding Supply Shop.

I usually like to do 2 runs back to back, being more agressive after the tires warm up. Then take tire temps and check pressure after each run and adjust pressures accordingly. Good luck.

 

[dimer0]

Thanks for the advice, etc.. (!!)..

Today I ran in a points event, and won super stock.. I felt MUCH more in control of the car, and used the active handling more as a training tool.. The first run I had it engaged twice.. So I concentrated on making the lines smoother on those corners the next time, and by the time the day was over -- it wasn't getting in the way at ALL!

I'm still gunna run with it all the time.. Competitive mode.. I saw a couple other C5's do some 360's.. Sorta hurts your times. /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

 

[ICEMAN]

YES WHAT A CAR. MY FIRST RUN WAS TOTALY SIDEWAYS TWICE.I FOUND THAT THE BEST FOR ME IS THE COMP MODE. I LIKE THE CONTROL IT GIVES ME.
I DO RUN HOOSIERS AND LIKE THE TIRE VERY WELL. I THOUGH THAT THE GOOD YEARS WERE VERY GOOD BUT THE COST TO REPLACE IS VERY HIGH.
I SELECT A TIRES PRESSURE FOR EVERY EVENT DEPENDING ON HOW IT IS SET UP. SOME PEOPLE FEEL HOOSIERS SHOULD BE SET IN THE 40 LB AREA. I FEEL VERY GOOD WITH THEM IN THE LOWERS 30,S. I USE A TEMP PROBE TO SET PSI.
LOVER THE CAR IT IS VERY FAST AND CAN BE KEPT VERY MUCH IN CONTROL.

 

[IMA Z06]

dimer0
That was great keep it up.............

 

[fcalmes]

Congrats on your win win Dimer!! /phpBB/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif

 

[dimer0]

Okay, so slightly off topic - who do I have to pay to get one of those coooooool sig pics??? I see all of a sudden many people have them - very professional!!!

 

[fcalmes]

Dimer,

The sigs are being made by Jason (mrdatalife). Drop him a line and I'm sure he will make one for you. He's been really cool about helping forum members.

 

[Jose Gonzalez]

I thought I would add my thoughts on the Competition Mode (CM) and Active Handling (AH). Being that I live in New Orleans, I get plenty of practice racing in the rain. I have tried it all three ways when wet( off,CM and AH). I found that the best way was to go is with the AH on. In certain situations, when the CM was on and I had tire spin in basically a straight line, the computer would try to control the tire spin with the brakes. The AH would have stopped the spin with controlling the power, which I feel is the way it works best. From what I understand, the difference between AH and CM is that CM allows the car to have tire spin in a straight line. In certain AutoX situations, straight line acceleration after a tight turn is perceived by the computer as the car getting out of control so it brakes both back wheels to aggressively.

When it comes to racing in the dry, you need to learn to drive the car with AH and CM turned off. In an AutoX situation, hanging the rear end out a little and a little tire spin is helpful in going fast. Either mode will not allow this to happen.

I have been Auto Crossing Corvettes for about 6 years and had my Z06 for only 5 months. So, I have limited experience. It would be great to hear from other drivers to get their thoughts. I will be going to National in a few weeks and I hope I am not alone with my thinking.

Jose Gonzalez
Will be at National in a Black Z06 #107.

 

[Gordy M]

I agree with Jose. We have gone through two sets of Good Years and 1 set of Hoosiers (well over 250 runs). Once you get used to brake points, late/early apex's etc. the AH/CM modes will slow you down. In the rain, it is a different story, with standing water, the AH is a welcomed tool.

When you start autocrossing, using AH then CM is the norm and I suggest you continue until you feel it is slowing you down. If you get to do an autocross drivers school you might try 3-5 runs in each mode and compare your times. This would be a good indication what mode is most comfortable to you.

Good luck and keep up the winning ways.

 

[Jose Gonzalez]

One add safety point. On the public streets and HWY, I almost always drive with the AH or CM on. The Corvette system will save you if YOU are not at 100%.

Jose Gonzalez