1LE Maiden Track Voyage

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by Fraxum

Nice write up! This may inspire me to take a class to learn track basics.

I did a NJ Motorsports track day with my old suspension modded SS and my instructor, when she was driving, was running down all the beginners cars (Vettes, Mustangs, BMWs, Porsches, etc) except for one instructor driven yellow C6 'Vette with my Camaro. She was floored by the stability of the car, the way she could use the curbs, and the good brakes. But she said it was very much a tank. She raced Miata's.

It took me all day, but by the end she said I was about ready for the Intermediate group. I think more individual instruction will help. Even with the "slow" LS3 it is easy to get into trouble.

As my friend says, "To go faster, it's best to upgrade the nut behind the wheel first," LOL. I completely agree. Take the Ron Fellows Level 1 class or the ZR1 class at Spring Mountain Raceway. It's right outside of Vegas. Easy to fly to from most places. Plus, you can enjoy Vegas the weekend before or after the class. The place is a Car Country Club, with on-track condos that you can stay in, a swimming pool, club house, even a day spa for your lady if you can believe it. The instruction is a combination of classroom and on-track, highly recommended. Less expensive than some schools, but top notch instruction, equipment and facility. You will take years off of your learning curve as compared to learning it on your own, quite literally.

And guess what? Students drive Grand Sports, Z06s and ZR1s. Instructors drive Camaro 1LEs, on the track at the same time, which tells you how good these Camaros are for both handling and durability.

[cornerspeed92]

Thanks for the pics orange crush there great!!!!! If you guy's want to keep your ass in your seat i highly recommend my set up.This is a bolt in set up and only takes less then a half hour to uninstall,and 30-45 min,to install.

[toehead93]

Schroth also makes a Rallye 3 harness for that is only $170 per seat, it bolts into existing locations so no harness bar is required. It also has an anti-submarining feature so it is DOT legal as well. I may go this route depending n the recaros are with the stock 3 point.

[Abdi]

Great to hear a similar story!

This past Thursday and Friday I spent both days at NJMP with my 1LE. I completely flushed and bleed the brake fluid with RBF 600 and had a similar alignment done. I had a great time even though the temperature was in the high 90's and hit 101F after lunch and the track would get fairly slimy after multiple run sessions. Regardless the car was impressively neutral and well balanced around the entire track. It took a little while for me to build confidence with the brakes as I have never driven such a heavy car and I am not used doing track days on stock brake pads and tires. I previously owned and STi and a BMW that were both well prepared and on Toyo RA1 or BFG R1.

Like you I found the Goodyears to be very predictable and capable of being pushed just a bit harder than I would have guessed.

My best lap was a 1:20.624 during the morning session of Friday. Though I have been to many other tracks I had never been to NJMP.

I participated in the time trial in the afternoon. My three laps were as follows:
1:22.073, 1:21.858, 1:21.519 which is fairly consistent once the tires warm up, so I was happy with that.

I don't have any pictures yet but I will share as soon as I can.

Cheers!
Abdi

[cornerspeed92]

Why would you buy a 3pt,to replace a 3pt?

[gajagfan]

Originally Posted by cornerspeed92

Why would you buy a 3pt,to replace a 3pt?

You may have said it, but who makes your harness system, and do you need to drill any extra holes, or does it use existing points for attachmant?

[cornerspeed92]

Originally Posted by gajagfan

You may have said it, but who makes your harness system, and do you need to drill any extra holes, or does it use existing points for attachmant?

Absolutely no holes whatsoever to drill, completely bolt in(plug-n-play so to speak)you will need the harness bar http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/...ce-harness-bar
and tank plate http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/...ck-tank-plates if you need anymore info just let me know.

[gajagfan]

Originally Posted by cornerspeed92

Absolutely no holes whatsoever to drill, completely bolt in(plug-n-play so to speak)you will need the harness bar http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/...ce-harness-bar
and tank plate http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/...ck-tank-plates if you need anymore info just let me know.

Thank you. The top link did not work. The tank plate one did. I am sure I can call them. I like that setup!

[Abdi]

Originally Posted by cornerspeed92

Absolutely no holes whatsoever to drill, completely bolt in(plug-n-play so to speak)you will need the harness bar http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/...ce-harness-bar
and tank plate http://www.speedwaremotorsports.com/...ck-tank-plates if you need anymore info just let me know.

Great info! I'll be doing the harness bar, fixed back seat and the 6 point of course.

Where did you get the tow hook? How is it mounted?

[cornerspeed92]

I got the tow hook from http://www.jdpmotorsports.com/ the front end has to come off,and it mounts to the bumper/brace thingie,not sure what it's actually called,but it bolts to it.

[Phorecyte]

I really, really like that harness cornerspeed92! I gotta get me one if I am ever to hit the track. Would be scary to hit the curves hard without it

[markgws6]

Orange Crush, we need to go together one of these times. My car is in the shop right now but once it's out I'm itching to get out on the track and test the car out. Great story you shared and the pictures speak volumes! I have some track time but not nearly enough in a street car and mostly drag strip racing. But I have driven other high performance machines and I did the SRT Track Experience even in the rain in rear-wheel drive cars around Sonoma. Talk about exciting...

[Orange Crush 1LE]

cornerspeed, I'm liking that harness set up. I'm a little concerned about the risk of a rollover accident and the harness keeping my head in harm's way, as I don't plan on adding a roll bar. I'd like to see how good the upcoming Recaros are at keeping me in place with the stock belts. Plus I'm hoping they won't be ridiculously expensive, as they will be made in volume for lots of Camaro customers. Do you think a seat upgrade would be sufficient? I'm also planning on getting one of those seat belt locks.

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by markgws6

Orange Crush, we need to go together one of these times. My car is in the shop right now but once it's out I'm itching to get out on the track and test the car out. Great story you shared and the pictures speak volumes! I have some track time but not nearly enough in a street car and mostly drag strip racing. But I have driven other high performance machines and I did the SRT Track Experience even in the rain in rear-wheel drive cars around Sonoma. Talk about exciting...

That'd be fun. I'm hoping I can swing a day off to go to Tunderhill again on 8/9. Great track, hardly anything to hit. If you make a mistake, you just go off into the dirt. Not nearly as crazy as Sonoma in the rain, LOL.