Laguna Seca...

[Dave Tabor]

90 dB sound limit day.

No problem staying under that even a WOT right by the sound booth.
Goofy side-pipes but they pass sound- not bad on the power either.

Lazy 1:56 laps.

New KRC power-steering never got above (200F) even with a 6" crank and 4.2" power-steering pulley.

Nitto NT05s at 24 psi cold.

Dave
Gen III Coupe #17

[GoDadGo]

Great Pics Dave!

[eshanabrook]

Hi Dave, Looking good! I've been searching the forums for those with experience driving the coupe on track. I'm an ex-SCCA club racer looking to build a street/track-day coupe. Given the commitment to build and register one of these I'd want to make sure the on-track driving experience is what I'm looking for. What other cars have you driven on track, and how'd you compare etc? Is there or should we start a thread for such on-track conversation?

Eliot

[Dave Tabor]

Here's a couple of laps:

https://youtu.be/Nkw68Z9mYek

I've never raced (unless a Lemon's counts) but I've driven a few cars on tracks in CA: 440 hp 1972 Chevelle (Laguna Seca, Thunderhill, Sonoma), Spec Miata (Sonoma), 240 hp late-90s BMW M3 (interior stripped/track-prepped, Laguna Seca and Willow Springs).

I'd say the FFR Coupe is like a Spec Miata if it had a V8 and bulked up a bit. That was one of my other possible routes (turbo Miata)- or a V8 240/260Z. I had a good time in the Spec Miata but the lack of power was annoying, especially with a mix of cars on a typical track day.

I'd have fun driving anything on a track. It's really fun to drive a car that you assembled. For me it's just part of the journey and I wasn't done 'building' the car until it's done a few track days (Sonoma and Laguna Seca twice so far).

You have to 'embrace the build' as part of that journey though.

My car is still in primer.

Frankly, I never thought I'd get it plated for the street given the hassle/hoops you have to go through. In retrospect it was not that big of a deal.

My car has a mild 302 (FRPP 345 hp Boss block crate motor) which is adequate and I knew whatever motor I put in there would have to pass sound at Laguna Seca so I went easy on it. I tell folks this is my 'training engine' and maybe I'll put in the 500 hp 363 variant at some point. The car has more traction (rear) than I anticipated.

Dave

[nskaats]

It makes me so happy seeing one of these on the track where it belongs!

[John Dol]

Great Pics Dave!

GoDaveGo

[Logan]

Thanks for the “Race Report” Dave! Love seeing Coupes on track too. Can’t wait to put mine on a track sometime next year!

[CraigS]

That is really cool getting shots of your car on that track. Can you get up to Sonoma some day? Those are my two favorite tracks to watch races at. So classic.

[Dave Tabor]

Sonoma (Sears Pt.):

https://youtu.be/UOEO0TvIIeU

Busy session, not pushing.

Dave

[eshanabrook]

Thanks for the updates Dave. What are your plans for the car, track day TT?

[Dave Tabor]

I thought about going through the NASA program and doing TT but getting competitive may be a stress that I'm not up for (not getting any younger).

Still, quarter mile drags are this Wednesday at Sonoma (Sears Pt.) and I have a spot for the half-mile drags in Coalinga in a couple of weeks (Shift Sector).

I think I'll focus on HPDEs and just enjoy driving the car.

The Virginia City hillclimb is a possibility this year.

All that and as many Cars and Coffee events as possible- seems like most weekends here in northern CA.

Dave

[smithtlw]

Awesome - thanks for sharing the pics and video!

Todd