SCCA Street Car Lapping

Sunday, February 11. 2001
SCCA Street Car Lapping
 

Our local chapter of the SCCA has initiated "Street Car Lapping" as a part of the Wheel to Wheel program held at Hawaii Raceway Park. This gives drivers a chance to sample speeds quite a bit higher than we usually achieve at an Autocross event. I have had a desire to take the Honda S2000 to the track for as long as I have owned it. For some reason, the opportunity has never properly presented itself. My desire for higher speeds is tempered by the fact that HRP has very little runoff areas. The turns are lined with tire barriers, guard rails, street lamps, and concrete barriers.

The other cars participating in the lapping session were two Miatas that are regular autocrossers, our RE in his Neon, and a VW Rabbit. We were released onto the course at intervals to keep us from bunching up, and the only allowable place to pass was on the main straight. Figuring the S2000 would be the fastest (the car not the driver), I was sent out first. As I worked my way around the track, I slowly built speed as I learned the line from my ride along instructor.

After a few laps we started to catch up with the other cars. The S2000 had a large horsepower advantage over the other cars, but it was still difficult to get around them on the front straight. In hindsight, I understand why. The two Miata's were running their "sticky" race rubber, whereas I was using my regular Kumho street tires. This traction advantage allowed them to carry more speed through the sweeping turn that leads up to the only passing area. Getting close enough to pass sometimes took two laps of following then through the slower parts leading up the the sweeper and then tucking in right behind them so the starter would give the car in front the blue flag.
I got by the Rabbit, Neon and one of the Miatas when the disaster illustrated on the left occurred. Quite simply, I got on the brakes too hard, too late and the tail just came around. There was no wiggle and very little warning when the back let go. It all happened fast, but I clearly remember actively steering to avoid the light pole and all the stacked up tires. It looks closer in the pictures than it actually was...but it as close enough that's for sure!
The start of a spin......

The point where realize that countersteering didn't help.....

The point where you realize you're just a passenger.....

This is when you learn to keep your mouth shut.....or it gets filled with dirt!

The ride is over.... Please keep your seatbelts fastened till the vehicle comes to a complete stop......
Before the event I changed the brake fluid to a higher temp DOT 4 and I think this helped me avoid brake fade. Unfortunately this did not prevent the rear brakes from getting very hot. In fact they were smokin' hot!
Hopefully a set of Porterfield R4-Ss will solve that problem for the next track event on the 11th. I can't wait!