American Oddities: PT Cruiser (Round 1 - B700 Chrysler PT Cruiser)

[Spiny Anteater]

I pulled this out for a race against fndr, bimmer and some other non MI people at the weekend at Maple Valley. Unfortunately, I just couldn't seem to get on with it. It took me about 3 laps to get used to the fact that the back end breaks away with less warning than my tunes, and I think that's my problem. It's suprisingly different to how I run my cars - once I got used to it I was setting times similar to most of my other B-Classers, but for those first 3 laps I was all over the place and lost way too much time to be able to make it up. I think I may have to soften the responses a bit before I return to online with it, or maybe just return to FWD

I suppose this build pretty much gives the lie to the idea that someone can build a tune which will suit all drivers. Fit has set some great times in this car, but it just doesn't suit me and unfortunately I can't get the best out of it. No doubt Fit would struggle with one of my tunes as well

[fndrbndr]

Good point, Spiny.  I've had similar problems running others' tunes.  I can't do a thing with Snyder's A-class Stingray.  This one is a fun car, but running Fit's tune, I'm a good half-second slower on Suzuka than he is with it.

[Fit4aking]

I think a big part is the familiarity I have with the car.  I know what its gonna do, almost before the car does.  I have a lot of seat time and it is reflected in my results.  There are a couple of cars I have like that, and many others that I still have a learning curve when I drive them.  Hell, half the time if I run a variety of classes and then hop in this I spend a lap getting re-aquianted.  Luckily so is everyone else so it evens out. 

I'll have to look back over the toon and be sure I haven't tweeked anything since I posted this.  I don't think I have but I may have installed a different gearset.

And Spiny, I'm sure that your setups would be too soft for me as I shy away from the rumble strips to take advantage of the stiffer setup.

[Spiny Anteater]

I'm pretty sure they would be too.

And the familiarity thing is a good point, I think that's how I surprise people in the Cobra and the Barracuda

[Fit4aking]

Spiny, I ran my TVR Tuscan S in the Pro-Series, A-class on Maple Valley and was 0.006 behind you for the leaderboard spot directly behind you.  I think it was in the high 700's.  I'll have to go and try to get a slightly better start and beat your time.  Actually when I get finished with the cars toon, I'll have to run it again and see how much better it is. 

I'm still chasing down some of your times. 

[Spiny Anteater]

Oh no! My times are going to be massacred. Good work though Fit. Wish I could remember what I ran that class in  - guess I'll have to take a look next time I'm on. It wouldn't surprise me though if it was the FocusSport Focus though - I just seemed to be able to go fast in that car even if the tail did wag all over the place

On a similar topic, I just looked at the TruSkill ranking, and I am a massive 2 places behind you after tonights runs, Don't think I've ever ranked so close to someone on my friends list in TruSkill as that...