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Old 12-14-2006
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Do we need to trash our existing track notes? [New Mazda Motor]

Ok, Sydude, here's a proposal for another thread in view of the recent news on Mazda and Skippy. Do we need to trash our existing track notes for our favorite venues? Or can we build off of those notes? In particular, if the Neon engine goes out of a car and a Mazda engine moves in, but all else (such as tires, suspension, etc.) remain the same, how different will the driving be?

AND, here is the real question, especially for the experienced drivers -- When you get into a new car on a familiar track, how do you go about the process of figuring out what to do?

Last edited by sydude; 12-15-2006 at 09:20 AM.
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Old 12-14-2006
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Do we need to trash our existing track notes? [New Mazda Motor]

Quote:
Originally Posted by WatertownNewbie
Ok, Sydude, here's a proposal for another thread in view of the recent news on Mazda and Skippy. Do we need to trash our existing track notes for our favorite venues? Or can we build off of those notes? In particular, if the Neon engine goes out of a car and a Mazda engine moves in, but all else (such as tires, suspension, etc.) remain the same, how different will the driving be?
Be interesting to see which Mazda motor we end up with. Lust in my heart for the Miata 2.0 DOHC there is, but I bet we get the base 3 series 2.0, which is probably closer in performance to the old Neon unit.

As an engineering geek, I would think we would be most interested in the difference in weight and its distribution between the old and new motors. The lusty twin-cam motor might be top heavy relative to the old Dodge? More weight will change the polar roll rates. Same weight overall but located higher up will raise the center-of-mass and change the pitch axis and the roll rates. I would expect the powers that be will tune the RPM characteristics of the chosen motor to mate most harmoniously with the gear ratios in the existing gearboxes.
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Last edited by sydude; 12-15-2006 at 09:20 AM.
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Old 12-16-2006
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Re: Do we need to trash our existing track notes? [New Mazda Motor]

Quote:
Originally Posted by WatertownNewbie
Ok, Sydude, here's a proposal for another thread in view of the recent news on Mazda and Skippy. Do we need to trash our existing track notes for our favorite venues? Or can we build off of those notes? In particular, if the Neon engine goes out of a car and a Mazda engine moves in, but all else (such as tires, suspension, etc.) remain the same, how different will the driving be?

AND, here is the real question, especially for the experienced drivers -- When you get into a new car on a familiar track, how do you go about the process of figuring out what to do?
Ted,

I don't think you'll find adjusting to the new car all that difficult, assuming that SBRS manages to replicate the R/T2000's handling characteristics with the new motor. Any time one goes out on the track --even in a known car, since conditions change-- it is necessary to figure out how deep one can brake into any given corner, and the standard procedure for doing this --establish threshold levels first, then slowly move braking point deeper and deeper-- always applies, no matter what you are driving. Beyond that, the trick is feeling what the tires are doing, and keeping them at the limits of traction at all times. Once you've developed this skill, it transfers pretty well from car to car. It's true that you may have to ignore some of your existing track notes --for example, shifting points and possibly gearing for certain corners-- but other information, particularly relating to track features (such as the extra speed available at turn 6 at Laguna if you slot the car properly at the apex to take advantage of the slight banking there) will still apply to the new car.
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Old 12-18-2006
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Re: Do we need to trash our existing track notes? [New Mazda Motor]

What Peter said.

I'll also add your point of view from the cockpit may change a bit in the new car, but it is also something you will easily adapt to.

So, don't throw away your track notes! And, as always, write new ones each time you drive.
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Old 12-18-2006
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Re: Do we need to trash our existing track notes? [New Mazda Motor]

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Originally Posted by Gerardo
What Peter said.

I'll also add your point of view from the cockpit may change a bit in the new car, but it is also something you will easily adapt to.

So, don't throw away your track notes! And, as always, write new ones each time you drive.
Is the track width of the proposed cars a lot wider than the current R/T's? They both look very spidery in the photos.
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Old 12-18-2006
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Re: Do we need to trash our existing track notes? [New Mazda Motor]

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Originally Posted by PT Cruiser
Ted,

(such as the extra speed available at turn 6 at Laguna if you slot the car properly at the apex to take advantage of the slight banking there) will still apply to the new car.
Het PT, do you keep the left side tires on or off of the rumble curb to do this?
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Old 12-18-2006
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Re: Do we need to trash our existing track notes? [New Mazda Motor]

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Originally Posted by Rosso
Is the track width of the proposed cars a lot wider than the current R/T's? They both look very spidery in the photos.
We don't yet know what the final configuration will be. The new car team is working on it. Whatever it is, you'll adapt very quickly, and probably very easily.
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Old 12-19-2006
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Re: Do we need to trash our existing track notes? [New Mazda Motor]

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Originally Posted by Gerardo
We don't yet know what the final configuration will be. The new car team is working on it. Whatever it is, you'll adapt very quickly, and probably very easily.
Actually, I was thinking that the increased width might mean that only two cars might fit side-by-side in places where three squeeze by now.
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Old 12-19-2006
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Re: Do we need to trash our existing track notes? [New Mazda Motor]

Ah, fair concern, but again, probably won't have to worry about that. The perceived width may be larger than the actual width, so its only a matter of practice. Besides, there's always grass!
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Old 12-19-2006
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Re: Do we need to trash our existing track notes? [New Mazda Motor]

from a source at Sebring who shall remain nameless the goal for introducing the new car is end of 2007, but he said they haven't yet made a final decision on chassis. It is likely they will have to integrate the new car for a time with the current car until they have enough numbers to replace the entire fleet, but have not yet decided exactly how to do this(fodder for a new thread?).

So don't throw away those track notes, looks like we'll be driving RTs (pardon me, Formula 2000s) for a while longer.
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Old 12-20-2006
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Re: Do we need to trash our existing track notes? [New Mazda Motor]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rosso
As an engineering geek, I would think we would be most interested in the difference in weight and its distribution between the old and new motors. The lusty twin-cam motor might be top heavy relative to the old Dodge? More weight will change the polar roll rates. Same weight overall but located higher up will raise the center-of-mass and change the pitch axis and the roll rates. I would expect the powers that be will tune the RPM characteristics of the chosen motor to mate most harmoniously with the gear ratios in the existing gearboxes.
The Dodge engines did what you're describing - heavier and higher center of gravity - when they replaced the Fords. Changes to springs/shocks, brakes and other things I don't remember made for great handling school cars and somewhat lumbering RTs.

We'll have fun racing the new car whatever its engine and configuration.
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