06/09/2007: Falken Driftshowoff 2007

It was a very hot weekend. We were baking out there at the track. It felt like 100F by about 9am in the morning. You can see a small blue tent in the picture.That's all the covering the track officials had all day. We did a few touring laps on the track before we began the morning practice. That's me taking the tour but nothing as funny as the first few laps around the track. I kept missing track and drove out or past all the clipping points.

Picture courtesy of Driftwood 2007

The first and the last clipping point are the same one at the bottom of the track. They are also very close to the audiences behind the K-Rail barrier. To me they were very difficult since it needs the back of the car facing it as close as possible.

Picture courtesy of unknown 2007

They gave us a survey to fill out about ourself so they can announce it when we come through the trap. I did fill out the obvious but I really wonder what they did say about the car.

We had a total of about 28 cars and we were split into the odd and even groups. The odd group gets to practice on the first hour. I tried just about every trick in the book I had under my sleeves and managed to make only two decent runs for the whole day.

Picture courtesy of Driftwood 2007

Picture courtesy of Driftwood 2007

This looks scary as I don't know how close my rims were coming into contact with the concrete.

Picture courtesy of Driftwood 2007

I am seriously thinking about upping the tirewall because of this. Right now they are 235/40/17. They grip and spin well just like the 225/45/17. I am thinking 18" wheels in the back and wrap them in 225/45/18. That should give me more traction and increase the rake angle of the car. Although the car appears to be neutral all around, the rear is slightly lower when the car is powering through the sweeper.

Picture courtesy of Driftwood 2007

Picture courtesy of Driftwood 2007

I did not expect the turnout it had but Driftshowoff did live up to its name. As the day moves on, the pressure to do well was starting to get to me. The car was staying cool with the water wetter additive. Unfortunately, the old school HKS blow off valve decided to crack under the mounting pressure of the heat and competition. That happened at semi-final round 2 which ended my day.