GT400: Ben & Jerry's 100 at Maple Valley Short

[fndrbndr]

Has anyone had the chance to do any testing yet?  I ran a 37.9xx on my race tires (harder rubber than I usually run).  This track absolutely devours the left front tire.  I blame the sweeper, but the course is mostly right turns, so that's only part of it.  Looks like a definite one-stopper.

[BarbecuePete]

Not had a chance to run any testing here as yet, I ran quite a few laps of the long course during winter testing and got under 1:30 for the first time but I think the short course may leave me struggling again as it was the short course section where I had most difficulties, especially trying to carry speed through that first long sweeper.

I may try again and see if I can fit some stickier rubber, I found at Laguna I can fit Michelins if I go with 'pimp daddy' size heavy rims but they didn't seem to work to well there, maybe here it will be different 

[fndrbndr]

Yeah, my line in the sweeper is probably part of the reason my left front goes away so quickly.  If I get a practice session going, I'll show you my line.

[BarbecuePete]

That would be cool Fndr, i'm going to need to run a bunch of laps here to get up to speed I think... 

[fndrbndr]

Sticky tires may cost you if you're planning on following my approach.  Remember last time, when I kept closing the gap slightly on spiny, only to see it grow by leaps and bounds when my tires started to go.  I'd recommend at least mid-life slicks.  Avoid the Avon, Goodyear, and whatever the third soft compound tire is.  I think I'm running Toyo slicks, but I'll have to check when I get home.  And yes, I did change for this week, after soft compounds have cost me at the end for two weeks in a row.  lol

[Open2nd]

I'm thinking the Pirelli tire will be my season long tire.  They've been good to me thus far, I just need to worry about keeping that nose clean.

[Spiny Anteater]

...  Remember last time, when I kept closing the gap slightly on spiny, only to see it grow by leaps and bounds when my tires started to go.  ...

That's a very good point - if my memory is right all but about 10 seconds of the lead came when your tyres were starting to go. I'm hoping I make this one, but if I do I'll be sticking with the Firestones again - and they last so i might be able to get creative with the pit strategy.

[fndrbndr]

Fuel should allow you to go a good bit past 40 laps.  I'm planning on evaluating my fuel/tire status at 37, and making my decision then for laps on up to 40.  If I keep my nose clean, to borrow Open's phrase, I should be in pretty good shape with the car.  Thing is, evena  little aero damage hurts a LOT here.

[Open2nd]

Front moreso than rear, I'd rather fight a hint of oversteer than understeer.

[fndrbndr]

Interesting you say that.  My 2000GT in B class is actually quite understeery elsewhere, but very strong at MV.

[Open2nd]

If the car's setup for it, that's one thing.  To have a car that's managed to attain front aero damage and lose grip is another.  That was the gist of my point anyways.

[Open2nd]

I think the game rewards a more understeer prone tune over an oversteer setup to an extent.  That's the impression I get.

[Spiny Anteater]

I think a lot depends on your driving style, but if you have controllable oversteer then that does make you faster in game. The Miura is a great example of that - the tendancy of the car is to oversteer, but it breaks traction gradually with plenty of warning allowing me to translate that into enhanced turn-in.

The trouble is that at Maple valley, that bump exiting Turn 1/entering Turn 2 makes the back-end break loose. If I make the 75 lapper, expect at least one excursion there from me

[Open2nd]

The same could be said for the grip monsters in the lower classes.  A bit of understeer that is easily corrected by a quick burst of off-throttle input or tap of the brakes while on throttle tends to be the fast way 'round in the lower classes, at least on the twisty tracks.

I'm also talking fwd so its really a moot point.. I'm shutting up now. XD

[BarbecuePete]

I ran about 45 laps testing last night with a pitstop on lap 40, front left was around 70% wear which is the highest i've seen so far with still had plenty of fuel left for maybe another 7-10 laps.. I ran round a couple of laps after my pitstop with the telemetery up and found the front left was wearing at a rate of 1.6% per lap 

I managed to get lap times down to 37.9xx and that came just a few laps after i'd pitted when my tyres were still getting back up to temperature so hopefully if I can find some consistancy here I should be ok and maybe even get close to my GT400 pre season testing NSX ghost which was shod with Avons...