Upcoming track day at Sonoma Raceway Aug7,8,9 Trying out the new wheel tire combo :)

[BADBOSS]

Looking forward to my first track event this year at Sonoma. I have never tracked there, anyone got some tips? BTW
I just bought the new Apex race wheels for Mustang 18 x 10 http://www.apexraceparts.com/apex-p...T43-APEX-EC-7-Mustang-Wheel.html#.VYSnCaZk-wk and the Nitto NT 01 275/35/18. Went with the square set up. Anyone else using this set up?

 

[kcobra]

Be smooth. Smooth is fast.

 

[BADBOSS]

So first impressions on the wheel tire combo today! WOW!! explosive acceleration and grip in first gear. Revs really fast, but I am coming off 315/35/20 rears so gearing is lower. The car sits an inch and a half lower in the rear so handles different, tires are too new to say on cornering yet. Will give a full report after Sonoma.

 

[BADBOSS]

Sonoma weekend was awesome! Nor cal Shelby club put on a first class event! if you ever get a chance to do their annual Mini-Nats event in August, do it! They are hosting another event at Laguna Seca thanksgiving weekend! Gonna try to go to that as well. Anyway, Sonoma is a very technical track, a lot of blind apexes at the crest of hills, off camber, uphill, downhill turns and WALLS everywhere! It was so much fun after 5 or 6 laps I felt like I could start to push it a bit. Lap times decreased all day and my last lap was my fastest 2:10.39 which I know is not very fast. But it was my first time with track tires and my first time at Sonoma. I must say I am extremely happy with the Apex wheel/Nitto NT 01 combo. For $2300 all in they are a great racing value. Tires still look almost new after the 500 mile rounds trip and track day! I ran them at 32lbs pressure cold and when they warmed up they were amazing. The car had more capability than the driver with these tires. Just means I need more track time epper: Will post a video once done editing!

 

[jzmyslo]

Be smooth. Smooth is fast.

Hey noticed your running about the same HP as me and I'm wondering what tires you are running? Do you have them on your stock wheels and can you get traction? I'm having a heckuva time hooking up.

 

[BADBOSS]

Nitto NT 01 275/35/18 I wanted a square set up of for road racing. Not sure what sizes they have available in 19 inch. Go here! http://www.nittotire.com/race-tires/nt01-dot-compliant-competition-road-course-tire/

 

[bulbasr]

I'm looking into a very similar setup. Would you care to comment on why you went with the 275/35/18 over the 275/40/18?

 

[BADBOSS]

Yeah, 3 factors. One being availability as I needed the tires for last weekend. 2nd being lower center of gravity of the car. 3rd was less sidewall flex. One thing I do notice is that my gearing is now really short, car accelerates like mad out of the corners and hits rev. limiter very quickly. Also found myself shifting to 5th in a few spots on the track, but now it corners and accelerates very quickly with tons of grip