Track Day at Mosport Park
09-20-12, 09:41 PM
#1
Track Day at Mosport Park
Just sharing my experience........
I spent the day at Mosport raceway this week on the big track near Toronto Canada. Mosport (they changed the name -but everyone still calls it this) is one of the fastest tracks in North America, and has fantastic elevation changes. I'm lucky to live nearby.
It was my first time ever, so I posted up a good lap I had. I think it gives a great idea of tracking this wonderful car.
This is a very fast and dangerous track, so you can tell that I was not full out, but trying to learn the intricate entry and exit points....so no haters please. On the long straightaway I was clocking about 205km per hour. I will be faster the next time out, but was learning to trust the car and braking characteristics.
Cooling down - between laps
My buddy's G8 and the IS F
My other buddy's out of the box Scion FRS
I learned a ton of things to change for the next time out, but most important things were:
- proper dedicated tires and rims
- raise the car back up to stock height (I forgot) and started smashing my front fender liners all day
- study the track layout with a little more detail before hand
- learn to downshift and upshift better at speed
Video Here: Just one lap
Thanks for looking......can't wait for next year!
Digger08
I spent the day at Mosport raceway this week on the big track near Toronto Canada. Mosport (they changed the name -but everyone still calls it this) is one of the fastest tracks in North America, and has fantastic elevation changes. I'm lucky to live nearby.
It was my first time ever, so I posted up a good lap I had. I think it gives a great idea of tracking this wonderful car.
This is a very fast and dangerous track, so you can tell that I was not full out, but trying to learn the intricate entry and exit points....so no haters please. On the long straightaway I was clocking about 205km per hour. I will be faster the next time out, but was learning to trust the car and braking characteristics.
Cooling down - between laps
My buddy's G8 and the IS F
My other buddy's out of the box Scion FRS
I learned a ton of things to change for the next time out, but most important things were:
- proper dedicated tires and rims
- raise the car back up to stock height (I forgot) and started smashing my front fender liners all day
- study the track layout with a little more detail before hand
- learn to downshift and upshift better at speed
Video Here: Just one lap
Thanks for looking......can't wait for next year!
Digger08
09-21-12, 07:07 AM
#4
Digger, i bet you were nervous for the first 4-5 laps and then you feel you confidence grow a little more each lap. It was like that for me...
09-21-12, 08:11 AM
#7
Congrats on your first track experience. Just like starting anything for the first time, you'll get better over time. Be careful, it does get addicting. Below are just my experience added to yours, nothing meant to be rebuke or question your experience. Hopefully, our aggregate will help someone who is on the fence about tracking the F.
As for the following:
Tires & Rims - Sure, a lighter rim is good, but really not necessary. Sure, for the 1/4 mile, but not as important for track. BUT then for tires, absolutely good tires will make things a lot easier and more fun!
Raising the car: If your coilovers have the ability to adjust dampening like KW V3s, then it is not necessary to raise the car. It’s just something to think about down the road.
Study the track: Sure it’s always good to, but isn’t necessary. They normally call it, “Know your/the line.” If everyone follows the imaginary line (into/out of corner, straightaway, etc.) of the track then it makes it easier for everyone else to predict each other. “Knowing the line” can only be gained through driving the course, once you get a feel for your car’s responsiveness to each corner. This is the same white line, if you play Gran Turismo….lol. Typically, track events are catered to all types of experience (beginners-intermediate-advance) and each group gets about 15-20 minutes each session. It is this beginner’s group that allows you to gain experience, get to “know the line,” as they will want you to practice knowing the line as opposed to going fast. The whole idea is to keep the event fun and accident free.
Down shifting: It just depends on the track length, but it wasn’t until my 2nd time around that I really was liberal about going near redline. With that, I found myself in 3rd and 4th gear all day. At the track straightaway, I was able to get up 115mph on 4th gear before having to downshift due to the next corner. So with only having to do a single shift up or down throughout the whole track left me focus on maximizing the car’s handling and other things.
It wasn’t until the 3rd time around that I realized how dirty my brake rotors were. What I mean is that throughout ownership of my 09, I never cleaned the drilled holes on the rotors. 75% of the wholes were clogged with break dust throughout the years. My friend had brought an air compressor to blow away the notorious brake dust off our nice wheels and to also clear the drilled rotor holes for better cooling of the rotors. But in my case, my holes were so clogged with break dust that I could not clear them at the track. It wasn’t until I got home and took the rotors out to perform a thorough cleaning that I realize how much they were clogged. With each hole that I blew using the air compressor, I created such a dust storm in my 2 car garage that I had eventually had to relocate outside in the driveway for better air quality. Especially if you leave traction control on (more assisted braking), you can kill your nice caliber paint job, if the rotor gets too hot. Cleaning these holes before your track event should help to cool down your brakes.
As for the following:
Tires & Rims - Sure, a lighter rim is good, but really not necessary. Sure, for the 1/4 mile, but not as important for track. BUT then for tires, absolutely good tires will make things a lot easier and more fun!
Raising the car: If your coilovers have the ability to adjust dampening like KW V3s, then it is not necessary to raise the car. It’s just something to think about down the road.
Study the track: Sure it’s always good to, but isn’t necessary. They normally call it, “Know your/the line.” If everyone follows the imaginary line (into/out of corner, straightaway, etc.) of the track then it makes it easier for everyone else to predict each other. “Knowing the line” can only be gained through driving the course, once you get a feel for your car’s responsiveness to each corner. This is the same white line, if you play Gran Turismo….lol. Typically, track events are catered to all types of experience (beginners-intermediate-advance) and each group gets about 15-20 minutes each session. It is this beginner’s group that allows you to gain experience, get to “know the line,” as they will want you to practice knowing the line as opposed to going fast. The whole idea is to keep the event fun and accident free.
Down shifting: It just depends on the track length, but it wasn’t until my 2nd time around that I really was liberal about going near redline. With that, I found myself in 3rd and 4th gear all day. At the track straightaway, I was able to get up 115mph on 4th gear before having to downshift due to the next corner. So with only having to do a single shift up or down throughout the whole track left me focus on maximizing the car’s handling and other things.
It wasn’t until the 3rd time around that I realized how dirty my brake rotors were. What I mean is that throughout ownership of my 09, I never cleaned the drilled holes on the rotors. 75% of the wholes were clogged with break dust throughout the years. My friend had brought an air compressor to blow away the notorious brake dust off our nice wheels and to also clear the drilled rotor holes for better cooling of the rotors. But in my case, my holes were so clogged with break dust that I could not clear them at the track. It wasn’t until I got home and took the rotors out to perform a thorough cleaning that I realize how much they were clogged. With each hole that I blew using the air compressor, I created such a dust storm in my 2 car garage that I had eventually had to relocate outside in the driveway for better air quality. Especially if you leave traction control on (more assisted braking), you can kill your nice caliber paint job, if the rotor gets too hot. Cleaning these holes before your track event should help to cool down your brakes.
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09-21-12, 08:40 AM
#8
Its not free like urs though..
09-21-12, 09:14 AM
#10
Yes...I was a little nervous. One of my mistakes was not engaging the Sport mode -I ran without it all day!....ooops............. I could have used the improved shift point and more lively pedal.
Thanks for the advise Pete, all good points.
Staman - Yes I was sort of trying different braking points, as it varies with speeds. The IS F never let me down, or even faded - braking was solid for each 30 minute session. I had a pretty good line and was a quick learner.
The hardest corner was the 5A and 5b (Sterling Moss corner) - after a full day, I still could not get it right.
When using the GoPro, I duck taped up a remote microphone covered with extra density foam to the rear bumper, to avoid wind noise and hear the shifts, throttle and exhaust. It works well, but I had to drill a small hole into the side of the casing to fit the mic plug into the camera.
I can only imagine how your new car will be!
Appreciate all of the opinions...so far.
Digger08
Thanks for the advise Pete, all good points.
Staman - Yes I was sort of trying different braking points, as it varies with speeds. The IS F never let me down, or even faded - braking was solid for each 30 minute session. I had a pretty good line and was a quick learner.
The hardest corner was the 5A and 5b (Sterling Moss corner) - after a full day, I still could not get it right.
When using the GoPro, I duck taped up a remote microphone covered with extra density foam to the rear bumper, to avoid wind noise and hear the shifts, throttle and exhaust. It works well, but I had to drill a small hole into the side of the casing to fit the mic plug into the camera.
I can only imagine how your new car will be!
Appreciate all of the opinions...so far.
Digger08
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