Click on my website to see pictures of my first Driver's Ed at Road Atlanta. What a blast! I can't wait for my second trip to RA, which will be with the local chapter of the Porsche Club of America in mid-June (I hope I can keep up with at least a few of the nimble Porsches in the turns).

My brakes held up well--Powerslots and HP Plus in front, stock in rear, with Motul 600 fluid (thanks to Bob Bishop for the suggestions), and my Goodyear Eagle F1s survived, but they did get slippery. A better track tire is in order. I am looking at a power steering cooler, as it seems to be a standard upgrade. My water temp never got above 210, which was great. The car ran really well.

It seems the light, nimble cars have a real advantage. Big power is nice, but size and weight are more important. I rode with two folks above the beginner group I was in--one with a LT1 Trans Am, and one with a heavily breathed-on Porsche Boxster. The T/A was quick and had suspension mods and sticky Victoracers, and its driver was talented, but in the corners, the Boxster was a G-machine--and on street Michelin Pilot Sports, too. Awesome. I had no lap times to compare, but from a seat-of-the-pants assessment, I'll bet the T/A may have been a bit quicker on the straights, but would have been wiped out in the corners.

Anyway, these track events are really fun, and I highly recommend them. Everyone was very friendly--even the two guys who drove the 550 and 600 HP modified 2003 Cobras.



http://bobwhite1146.cz28.com/

 

I did my first track event back in January at Roebling Road outside Savannah. This was with the Porsche Club out of Jacksonville so I know exactly what you mean about those lighter nimble cars. It took me three laps to get around a naturally aspirated 944. He would just walk away from me in the corners and by the time I caught him on the front stretch it was too late to pass. When we came in from that session my instructor gave me the "this is not a race lecture". Although I do recall him saying "you got him" when the 944 finally signaled me to pass.

I probably will go again in September with the Porsche Club. They are definetly a blast and once you've done one you will be hooked.

 

Welcome to my addiction.

 

a cheap easy fix to your power steering heat problems, is a underdrive pully! it worked for two of my cars. the camaro autocrosses and had big problems till underdrive and my impala ss, which see mostly track time also goes better with underdrive. you can get a nice tranny cooler with small fan on it for 75 bucks and it does a great job too!!

 

I added my power steering cooler over the weekend. I took a tranny cooler, mounted it between the condenser and the radiator, and ran the hoses threw a hole I made in the top of the lower airbox shroud on the driver's side. It looks pretty tidy, and added additional fluid volume to the system along with the cooling function. I'll let you know how it does.

 

I think you'll be happy with your new cooler. If you still have some minor problems I'd try the Valvoline power steering fluid as a slight step up. I've had no problems after doing this.

 

I'll second that motion.