Setup:
+ stock GT3 (suspension, alignment, ride height) with Michelin Pilot Sports; ~70% tread remaining
+ PCCBs with PMNA Greens, Cup Ducts, SRF
This was the July 12-13 event with Carolinas PCA @ VIR Full. I had not planned to do this event but felt the need to get more seat time in the GT3 to boost my confidence and my capabilities. The last event I did in the GT3 was this May @ VIR Full, and while I did OK, I was not focusing on the full lap wound up overdriving my tires. I had a great time at the event, but didn’t make many strides with regard to improving my skills in the car.
For this event the registration was low; the run groups were combined and run times were bumped up accordingly; ~30min each session. Win.
Monday
First 2; good runs, but still tentative in a few spots
3rd run; consistent 225s
4th, rain w/ DT
The 3nd session on Monday was the benchmarking session essentially. Dell told me I was running consistent times down to a tenth of a second. So while not necessarily [i]quick[/i] @ 225, I value the consistency given this was only my 3rd event with the GT3 and I have been struggling to get comfortable.
The rain held off until about my 4th session on Monday. I went out with Dell in the right seat just to get a feel for the GT3 in the rain. I’ve been on track in the light and heavy rain before without much drama but I was getting into ABS even at moderate speeds in the GT3, and I didn’t feel like I was taking much away from the session so I came in early.
I felt good about Monday’s runs; I knew I was now consistent.
Tuesday
1; decent
2; decent
3; run w/ DT; 220
4; a couple of catches, but ran consistent 221s
Tuesday, I tried to nibble off a little more here, a little more there. I started managing my speeds and braking zones better (read: earlier) to avoid getting into ABS. The weather held off and it actually got sunny and hot.
For the 3rd session I asked Dell to go out with me for a couple problem areas. He worked with me on those, and I was stoked because everything was really clicking; a slightly different line, a later turn in, a little earlier into the throttle; that’s all there was to it IIRC. After ~5 laps or so, he said over the communicator ‘…you just shaved 5 seconds off of yesterday’s time…’
We came
into the paddock and my face hurt for a hour from the smiling
I was hopeful I could replicate the times for the 4th and last session. I pushed it in a couple places as I was following a friend (on DOT Rs) and thusly made a couple of ‘catches’ :) . Overall though, I felt like the track was getting a little greasy in some spots so I refocused on being smooth. I came away with consistent 221s for the session, so I was very pleased.
In summary, after 3 events, I feel like I have found my comfort zone with the GT3, and I’m sure it will do nothing but get better with more and more seat time. I’m not just focusing on lap times, but it’s the only objective metric that I can use to gauge my progress I think.
