2021 recap: Discovering grip
After three rounds of 86Cup in January and February, I shifted gears and set my sights on the newly revived TRD Series Toyota-specific time attack series.
As mentioned previously, I would be participating in the Enthusiast Class. Keeping the car stock made this change easy. For preparation, a simple swap of wheels and tires and I was ready. I would be going from the GT Radials SX2s used in 86Cup, to Falken’s new RT660 tires.
Attacking the Streets - Image by: Kevin Natividad @ Feend Media
Round 1 took place at Streets of Willow, running CCW configuration. This is a track I’m comfortable with, but wasn’t sure how I would fair considering my benchmarks have only been with other FRS/86/BRZs and my best time thus far was a 1:31.94 back in December 2019.
We had great March weather that day, with cool air and a slight breeze. First session out and first time on the Falkens, I was thinking to take it easy, and not push so hard. My first impressions were, OMGGG GRIP EVERYWHERE!! After driving on GT Radials for 3 months, I felt like the training wheels were off and there was just so much grip. The stopwatch matched that feeling and I got a new personal best (PB) with my first sub1:30 run. I started trying harder, but pushing too hard and was over driving the car. It’s clear to me that “driving harder” doesn’t always mean faster lap times. Just usually means more mistakes, and generally just messy driving for me.
My best counted-lap time was a 1:29.485, and a surprising P1, with second place just a few tenths behind (1:29.791 - FRS). I was quite happy with this result especially with a class of 10 other cars.
I believed my progress came from driving on a “slow” tire, and I think everyone should do the same. I think people too quickly go out and get the grippiest tire they can, but never learned how to even get near the limits of a tire. Driving on a less grippy tire allows you to learn what it feels like to be at a tire’s limit, but at much lower - and therefore safer - speeds. It teaches you how to live there at the upper end of the lateral force-slip angle curve…… the place where we all want to be.
The variety of Toyotas that showed was awesome - Image by: Kevin Natividad @ Feend Media
Round 2 of the series then moved to Chuckwalla Valley Raceway (CVR), which is located deep in the desert of SoCal, just pass Joshua Tree National Park. This would be my first time at this track. Even though it was only early May, it would be a scorching 100degF day - this would come into play later in the day.
This track has long, flowing, sweeping corners, and is mostly in 3rd and 4th gear - so a medium to high speed track. I was quite messy while learning the track, and never really got comfortable. I had put down a best of 2:09.385 in the morning sessions.
By the afternoon it was hovering over 100degF. An ambulance had already came to treat another driver for what I can only presume was heat exhaustion. I too was really feeling the heat, but I figured I would give it one more shot to beat my time of the morning session. So I strapped on my helmet and went out to grid. Well, this was one of those long grids, due to some track clean up. I remember all I could think of was how hot it was, and I remember feeling a bit of numbness in my hands. So I cranked up the A/C to try and cool down. I think I was having a borderline panic attack or something.
I pushed on, and went out anyway. And sure enough, after just one lap, I went four wheels off at turn 1. My brain was no longer reacting in time. That was enough, and I called it a day.
Remember to hydrate BEFORE the track day. The day of is usually too late, and you’ll just be peeing a lot.
My time from the morning was good enough for P2 in Enthusiast class, and helped me keep my class lead for the series.
Crossing the finish line at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway - Image by: Kevin Natividad @ Feend Media
Round 3 shifted to Auto Club Speedway - ROVAL. This track is the closest track to me at about a 45min drive, however it’s my least favorite. With a low horsepower car, it’s not very exciting to go on a banked oval made for NASCAR, when you can only muster 0.1G of acceleration. It also eats brakes like no other track I’ve been on. Apparently others must also not like it either, because no one showed up, and there were only two drivers in my class.
But there is always something to work on while on a track. And at this track, I was wondering if I can stay flat around the oval. I might have lied to myself, and thought I did, but the data never lies. The braking points was also challenging for me because as the brakes faded or overheated, I had to constantly adjust my brake zones, and many times I completely overshot the brake zones.
I got a new personal best of 2:02.854 on the day - good for a participatory P1.
A whopping 124mph on Auto Club Speedway oval - Image by: Kevin Natividad @ Feend Media
After three rounds and halfway through the season, we went on summer break. Thus far, I’ve really enjoyed driving with everyone and putting names and faces to cars and Instagram handles.
I’m getting more confident and comfortable in my driving and have been able to get new PBs each time I’ve been on track, but I know there is so much more to work on. This year I’ve been concentrating on improving my entry speed, and so far it’s getting a bit better. As pro-driver Spencer Pumpelly liked to say - “No Fluffing”!
Stay tuned for the recap of the remainder of the 2021 season.
Fast In, Fast Out. Have fun out there.
PB