Today was a day I have looked forward to for many years. After finally getting a car that would be at home on the track I went and booked into mondello for the half day on the national circuit.
What a morning. To say im hooked is an understatement.
DC5
As I was a first timer the marshall took me out with him in the jeep and I followed his lines to get an idea of the track. 3 laps behind him then I was off. The nerves just settled and I relaxed. My first lap I gave about 50% of my talent. The car took it in its stride like it was a normal drive. As the speed increased the DC5 really started to feel at home on the track especially the k20 engine which lets you enter a corner in 3rd gear knowing you have that little bit of torque to accelerate out of the corner. The engine ran 100% today not once did it let me down in the 25-28 laps. The gearbox felt excellent on the track as well as the seating position and steering position.
Tires
At the moment I have Goodyear eagle f1 assymetric 2 xl's on the car. The first few laps they held up very very well but once hot they start to loose a bit of grip causing a small bit of understeer in the fast corners. The tires gave excellent feedback so you knew exactly what was happening at every section of the course. The turn in on these tires were fantastic. You could hit every apex no problem.
Suspension
Everything is oem apart from the spoon springs. I found these very good on the track. In fast corners there was minimal body roll, they soaked up any bumps.
Brakes
These are 100% oem, no aftermarket pads, lines or discs. They held up ok. I wasnt pushing the car hard enough to see how good the brakes were but I could just sense with the pads in them now they wouldnt last too long. That would be the last thing you could want when your driving the car home. No brakes.
Passenger laps
Track prepped vx220. Upon climbing into this little car, strapping in the 4 point harness and putting the helmet on, I knew I was in for a treat but nothing could prepare me for the amount of grip that car had. Some of the race prepped cars there were finding it hard to keep with him in the corners. The corner speed approach was crazy from my eyes but the car just devoured them like it was nothing. The brakes were outstanding. Not one bit of fade same as the R888's he had all round. He was saying it weighed 870kg with 155bhp. He was doing 1:02 laps all day long. What a car. It honestly made my car feel like a big bus
Modified Honda s2000. I eyed up the car within minutes of arriving. Later on in the morning I was in the passenger seat. Sun beaming, roof down. Perfect. We took off out of the pits, first thing I noticed was the sound (wow) full buddyclub system. It just roars. As above had R888's and they just kept gripping. The brakes were equally as good. The experience was similar to the vx220 just not quiet as extreme. Really surprised me how well s2000's can handle. The one thing I really like about them is how sitting in the cockpit makes you feel like your in something special.
The morning flew in. 3 hours out on the track felt like 10 minutes. I will be doing trackdays whenever possible.
Improvements for the DC5
R888's, AD08a's or RE070's
Ferodo pads, uprated brakes and brake lines
Oil cooler for peace of mind
Fast road set up
Unfortunately I didnt take any pics as I was too busy enjoying myself.
Today driving fairly fast through a slip way joining the m50 I found the rear felt a little unstable as if it could let go at any moment so I backed off.
Would this be normal in a light fwd car.
What could I do to get a much more planted feel ? Thicker ARB. I dont really want to go down the coilover route as its my daily.
Currently has spoon springs and goodyear eagle f1 tires
Noticed it a little bit at mondello as well but I thought the tire pressure increase a bit resulting in lack of grip from the tires
Offaly isn't that far when you're getting quality. Ali Burrows also offers alignment setups. Baz got it done a couple years ago. Not sure how much he charges now.