Auto-x'ng the IS350
#1
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Auto-x'ng the IS350
I have not auto-x in sometime, I was a bit rusty in all honesty, still took first place in my class, but I was pretty sloppy. Not happy at all with my performance.
This was my first time out with the new tires, the RE-050 Pole position. I struggled a bit with tire pressure, first I had to much, then too little, the fronts were buckling over a bit in the hairpin at the back of the track.
As compared to the Dunlop Sport Maxx, I was a bit dissapointed with the feel and communication for one, and second withe the overall grip. The car tended to oversteer quite a bit more than before, and it did not feel as planted as it did with the Sport Maxx.
The Sport Maxx is definitely a superior tire in my opinion. It inspired quite a bit more confidence.
Also, when the RE's got some heat in them, they lost all grip, in my last run, which happened to be at the hottest time of the day, I did a 360 coming out of the hairpin. Tons of fun to be honest, I stayed on the gas the entire time thru, and as soon as I was pointing in the right direction, I gunned it and kept on going to finish my lap. Impressive amounts of smoke, and huge tire marks!!
Anyhow, here are some pics the local photographer took.
This is coming out of the hairpin, notice that I am full power, sliding and countersteering.
I struggled thru this hairpin with tons of understeer, I had to powersteer the car thru it
Going for a ride!!! full 360!
On the gas coming out of the spin
Full speed thru a slalom
Understeering like mad thru the hairpin
High Speed switch back, shifted to third shortly before hitting the brakes hard.
Pushing hard!!! Full lean!
I got a bunch of comments after my runs, how I hussle the car around the course. Everyone gets a big surprise to see, first a lexus out there, and second going that fast!!!!!!
Who says that racing is not a sport!!! I am wrestling with the wheel here to keep the car going straight! Serious, what a workout!
This was my first time out with the new tires, the RE-050 Pole position. I struggled a bit with tire pressure, first I had to much, then too little, the fronts were buckling over a bit in the hairpin at the back of the track.
As compared to the Dunlop Sport Maxx, I was a bit dissapointed with the feel and communication for one, and second withe the overall grip. The car tended to oversteer quite a bit more than before, and it did not feel as planted as it did with the Sport Maxx.
The Sport Maxx is definitely a superior tire in my opinion. It inspired quite a bit more confidence.
Also, when the RE's got some heat in them, they lost all grip, in my last run, which happened to be at the hottest time of the day, I did a 360 coming out of the hairpin. Tons of fun to be honest, I stayed on the gas the entire time thru, and as soon as I was pointing in the right direction, I gunned it and kept on going to finish my lap. Impressive amounts of smoke, and huge tire marks!!
Anyhow, here are some pics the local photographer took.
This is coming out of the hairpin, notice that I am full power, sliding and countersteering.
I struggled thru this hairpin with tons of understeer, I had to powersteer the car thru it
Going for a ride!!! full 360!
On the gas coming out of the spin
Full speed thru a slalom
Understeering like mad thru the hairpin
High Speed switch back, shifted to third shortly before hitting the brakes hard.
Pushing hard!!! Full lean!
I got a bunch of comments after my runs, how I hussle the car around the course. Everyone gets a big surprise to see, first a lexus out there, and second going that fast!!!!!!
Who says that racing is not a sport!!! I am wrestling with the wheel here to keep the car going straight! Serious, what a workout!
#5
Liquid Bra Champion
I totally disagree. The pictures are awesome, and capture much more detail than you'll ever get in video (at least in any format accessible via the web). Even though those are "only" stills, they certainly capture the moment that would be lost on video.
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#8
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
"ohhhh Reginald.... I disagree"
With newer video cameras, you can capture video in HD. a 3 minute video wouldnt be tooo big.
Anyway, Great pics... what type of camera was used?
Last edited by tqlla3k; 09-20-06 at 09:28 PM.
#11
Did you turn VDIM and all of your traction controll off?
I turn VDIM off and my car keeps beeping at me every time i lose traction.
I turn VDIM off and my car keeps beeping at me every time i lose traction.
Last edited by ExKoukiS14; 09-21-06 at 12:56 AM.
#12
Meteoro, how did you like the cars balance and weight distribution? I have not had a chance to Auto-X or take it to the track for a few runs, but I have noticed that, (or maybe it's just me), for me, I find that the steering, braking is a bit numb to my liking. Did you find that maybe hindering the control in anyway. But since you took home the gold, you must've found it to be nothing for your skills.
#13
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Meteoro, how did you like the cars balance and weight distribution? I have not had a chance to Auto-X or take it to the track for a few runs, but I have noticed that, (or maybe it's just me), for me, I find that the steering, braking is a bit numb to my liking. Did you find that maybe hindering the control in anyway. But since you took home the gold, you must've found it to be nothing for your skills.
Now with the RE's, totally different, i suffered from understeer, oversteer, and the car felt a bit nervous. I still need to dial the tire pressures better. This was my first time out with these tires. Lexus changed my tires due to the weak sidewall issues with a batch of tires.
As far as the controls, I find them to communicate fine. Yes, comparing them to the becnhmark, the 3-series, they may be a bit numb.
#14
Pole Position
Thread Starter