Miata Mailing List: October 1999, Message #65

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Well I'm back from my 1 day stay with SB.  What a fantastic experience.  We
drove Formula Dodge cars, which are single seat cars using a Neon (132 BHP)
engine and weigh in at 1040 lbs or so.  Tranny was a 4 speed and tires were
205/50 15" Michelin Pilots.  After a day with these cars my stock 1999 Miata
PEP felt tall, slow, and sloppy.  We were at Pocono Speedway,  and the
course was a portion of the oval, and 6 turns in the infield.  Turn 4 was a
decreasing radius hairpin turn,  and there were 3 spinouts that day (not
me!).  They talked a bit on how to set the car up for a turn,  You want to
slow down and get in gear before starting the turn (showed us how to heel 'n
toe),  then gently switch from brake to gas as you approach the apex.  The
trick is to not upset the balance of the car.  Transitions from throttle to
brakes should be smooth and not abrupt.  Downshifting in a turn can put you
in a spin, so you need to be in gear before you actually start the turn.  I
was prone to turning in early (early apexer!) but my lines improved as the
day progressed.  It was great to get some advice from the pros.  I took a
spin with a driver early in the morning in a Neon on a wet track.  The
driver was so smooth and fluid with his driving.  It really was impressive.
Got to experience a 4 wheel drift first hand!.  If you ever get a chance to
attend such an event, I highly recommend going.  Now all I need to do is
place a few cones around my neighborhood and practice my cornering.


/Lou