How competitive is the Camaro in SM

[sting808]

Let me preface it by saying I still consider myself an inexperienced driver.

I run in SM against imports running Hoosier A6 tires. I'm running R888s and the course is fairly technical. I try to use the power strategry and take advantage of the limited straights by sacrificing speed at technical areas to setup for the power sections. I do ok against street tire cars, but not competitive with the top GTR, EVO 10, STI, and M3 running slicks.

I'd like to hear other people's experience in SM, EM, or higher. I conceded being competitive in PAX times. Damn Lotus, S2000, & Miatas...

Still fun fun fun.

[sting808]

Does anyone else run in Super Mod Class? What type of cars do you run against?

Top cars in Super Mod are imports running -2* to -3* camber and 295 to 315 Hoosier A6. I drive to the venues on Toyo R888 285/35R20.

[SPCBA]

Depends on the course. Tight stuff those AWD get a huge advantage.

[Norm Peterson]

Are you modified too far in any respect for ESP? If so, why not run CP?


Norm

[sting808]

Originally Posted by Norm Peterson

Are you modified too far in any respect for ESP? If so, why not run CP?


Norm

Yes. Car was initially modded for looks and >11.5sec bracket with a KB and a lot of bolt-ons. Auto-X was an afterthought and part-time thing. Now that I'm more serious, I figured do as much as possible to keep myself in SM. SSM and SM are VERY competitive classes with purpose built cars.

Since I drive to event, I can't run 18" or 19" A6s, so it limited me to R888 or NT01. A couple years back in Evo school, some SCCA champ instructors had a couple days of seat time in my car. Wow, but still 2-4 secs behind the imports. Course can be fast and windy since they want to keep speeds under 60mph.

I know the car has its' limits, but wonder how the normal weekend camaro Auto-x cars compete in SM. Wish we had a road course with straights. The last race, I was ~6 sec slower than the FTD SSM raw time of a boosted Lotus Elise. It should've been 5 sec, but I overdrove like a maniac on the short burst straights and took the wrong lines. It was fun, though...

[sting808]

Originally Posted by SPCBA

Depends on the course. Tight stuff those AWD get a huge advantage.

A friend's Evo that fitted 315s A6 is fast. Typically, fastest RAW/PAX go to a Lotus Elise, Miata, Integra, 240z with seasoned drivers.

Just trying to see where I should be in my car. 1st gear is too twitchy, so I launch and race in 2nd gear with everything turned off.

[Norm Peterson]

Then about the only suggestion I can make is to invest in a trailer hitch and a little tire trailer. Many people, myself included, have swapped between street and competition tires on site to avoid extra heat cycles, wear, and risk of damage.

Doing that would open up the idea of 18's or 19's - and as wide as you can possibly fit (A6 comes in 18's and 19's out to 345/xx), and possibly an axle gear swap designed to put you near redline in 2nd at the fastest points on the fastest likely course.


Alternatively, is there or will there be a "CAM" class in your area? 200 treadwear minimum but lots of freedom otherwise.


Norm

[Dr. Evil]

Norm, I was going to suggest CAM. That would be a better fit IMO. Dedicated autox cars vs a weekend fun car is never going to be an even match. Even with the 200 TW tires it'll still be fast because you can fit a lot of tire under these cars, a lot of camber in front (just keep the toe at 0* to keep from killing tires) and he'll immediately be competitive it sounds like.
5-6 seconds off a boosted Elise on race tires on a decent sized course is good.

Also, I'd try the slow in fast out method. I struggle with this a lot because I always try to trail brake or brake at the last possible moment. Just remember that if you exit a turn 1.5mph faster you will be 1.5mph faster down the entire straight that follows. This means don't flub the entry so if you need to scrub a bit more speed at entry do it.

[sting808]

Our area does not support all the different sub-categories. I'm the only Gen5 that comes outs regularly. Got a GTO that started getting serious in SM, too. Too bad he's limited with tires, too. The other domestics come and try, then disappear.

I considered a hitch and tire trailer, but have no space to store it. Association rules about unsightly things parked/stored in plain view from the street. I agree with it for others, but I should be allowed the double-standard.

The EVO and GTR in my class swaps wheels every race. I couldn't believe the GTR can carry (4) 18" with jack.

I guess there are limited #s of C5 members running in SM. Wish we had a road course that I could make better use of the FI.

[sting808]

Originally Posted by Dr. Evil

Norm, I was going to suggest CAM. That would be a better fit IMO. Dedicated autox cars vs a weekend fun car is never going to be an even match. Even with the 200 TW tires it'll still be fast because you can fit a lot of tire under these cars, a lot of camber in front (just keep the toe at 0* to keep from killing tires) and he'll immediately be competitive it sounds like.
5-6 seconds off a boosted Elise on race tires on a decent sized course is good.

Also, I'd try the slow in fast out method. I struggle with this a lot because I always try to trail brake or brake at the last possible moment. Just remember that if you exit a turn 1.5mph faster you will be 1.5mph faster down the entire straight that follows. This means don't flub the entry so if you need to scrub a bit more speed at entry do it.

Last race was a favorable track for power cars. Back half had two decent stretch to open up short bursts. Was 4.5 secs behind 1st place SM EVO and 6 sec behind the Elise in SSM. That was my second run. Everything after was overdriving hell. Ran front half good, back half bad, or vice versa. I should be around 1-2 sec faster if I driver smarter. Patience and braking early to setup. Sacrifice speed in the slow sections and power to make up time in the straights. Once I made major entry error on the early section, I said screw it and overdrove the back half to win "style point". The ARH full exhaust echos through the stadium parking lot.