This is my first run of the day, and there is no question I got lost. You’ll notice I nearly come to a stand still after one of the chicago boxes. I was looking ahead and I was unsure of which way to go. Luckily I chose the right direction. Final time for the run was 55.958 my slowest by time by over 9 seconds. I also was playing with wind noise reduction today, gain is set below 10 and I taped some microphone foam over the microphone. Its an improvement over nothing, but it isn’t perfect yet. As you’ll see there were a few cones in my way I decided to run over, i took one of them all the way back to grid.

Click, more to see the other videos. Be sure to click through to the Contour site to see them full screen!

The first run was not confidence inspiring by any means, it was actually pretty painful. I took a few minutes between runs to watch other cars go thru the section I had issues with. This helped alot, I was able to correct many of my mistakes. This run was a 49.022 clean, in my head after this run I kept hearing my friend Aaron telling me to use the gas pedal more and get a little closer to the cones. I knew there was more time left on the course. I was excited for run #3 to say the least.

Run #3, lets call this Run #Iwenttoofasttryingtobefasterandhitsomecones. I tried a more aggressive line in the start and the car got a little sideways, it was fun but SLOW. I ended up hitting a few cones again (3 at least) yet my raw time was the fastest yet of a 49.007. This means one thing, I’m leaving A LOT on the table. After the run I talked to a few fellow competitors to get suggestions about the section where I kept hitting cones. Most said “I’m having issues too”, best one was “slow down”. I listened to him, time for run #4.

Run #4, time to go fast. This run was very fun, unfortunately it appears I bumped the camera prior to the run and it’s not aligned as well. Run #4 was my fastest run of the day for me with a 46.447 clean.

Not only did we have awesome weather and a well run event, we got more than 4 runs! Here is run #5. After my fast run #4 I over drove the car and clipped a cone early, rest of the run I was trying to see if there were spots I could improve. Before my 5th run we were told we would get 5 runs, so after I coned it was time to have some fun. Little did I know there was enough time for a 6th!

Run #6, knowing this was the last run I tried to take everything I learned from the previous runs and push it a little harder. There were a few spots that I could still improve, but clipping off another 46.xxx made me very happy. I’ve had a few events where I can’t ever seem to match my fastest run and it always feels like a fluke. Being able to do the 6th run and get into the 46′s was awesome. Perfect way to end a day of racing.

Overall I finished 1st in my class (if you follow the blog on facebook you know that I was the only competitor in BSP today. ).

I did see a local EVO that I run with in SM though, so after the event I tracked down his times and he beat my best 46.447 by .045 seconds!!! Talk about close competition. I think I’m gonna switch to SM tomorrow and run with a bigger group.

All and all, a great event. Huge thanks to the crew @ CFR SCCA Solo (http://www.cfrsolo2.com) and the OCCC for letting us have the event there.

(Note: some videos are still be processed so they may not work right away)

Karlton placed 6th overall in SM after both days!! I can’t wait to see how Karlton does next year with some more tire and some more fine tuning. Maybe it’ll be time for t3hclap.com to take a road trip.

On to the pics.

We’re working hard on getting things back up to speed and updated over the next couple weeks/months. With the STi back and running we’ll be back autoxing in less then 11 days! We’ve got a few articles we’re working on, so stay tuned.

If you’d like to see your car featured here on the blog don’t hesitate to shoot us an email.

-T3h_clap

The car performed flawlessly (except some higher EGT’s which I’ll talk of later), I was happy with the performance of the Dunlop Z1 Star Specs as they were the only thing on the car I was worried weren’t going to be up for the heavy track sessions in the Sebring heat.

Quick review on my setup for the track day.

Suspension
TiC AST SST’s Coilovers with 9k/8k Swift Springs
Vorshlag Camber Plates Front and Rear
Whiteline Plus Bushings (Lateral Link, Rear Trailing Arm, Front Control Arm)
Whiteline Offset Caster Bushing
STi Pink Trailing Arms
Custom Wales Garage/Penguin Garage Alignment
-3.8 front camber, -2.2 rear camber, ZERO toe

Wheels/Brakes
17×10 +38mm Enkei RPF1
245/40/17 Dunlop Z1 Star Spec
ARP Wheel Studs
Project Mu Lug Nuts
Hawk DTC-70′s
DBA 4000′s

Engine
APS 3″ TBE
Cobb AP v1
Pro Tune by Jarrad
Koyo Radiator
Samco Radiator hoses
Greddy Oil Cooler

The Suspension setup was amazing, even with the very bumpy nature of Sebring International Raceway the TiC AST SST’s did amazing. The car absorbed all of the bumps and the car always felt stable. There was only a few “clean laps” where I wasn’t held up by traffic. Being in the Novice group I did run into alot of traffic, it wasn’t a terrible thing as this allowed me to focus on my driving line and less about going full throttle or late braking.

With the addition of the Koyo Radiator my water temp never budged, my Greddy Oil Cooler kept my oil temps in check even with the searing Sebring heat. My EGT gauge was showing some rather high EGT temps so I wasn’t pushing it 100% on the straights, only about 50% throttle on both straightaways. They peaked at 980c or about 1800f if I remember correctly. I’m tempted to get a new tune, as it’s been a few years, just to make sure the car isn’t running too hot. Any thoughts on the high EGT temps don’t hesitate to comment.

I can’t wait to go out to the next Sebring event, I hope to be down for the Redline event in August to see Turn In Concepts tear it up in the Florida heat.

Enough with the chat, on to more photos! Huge thanks to a fellow WRX driver and owner of Colour Tech South Motorsports Photography, LLC. Henry.

Earlier this year I got a PM from a guy looking to compete in One Lap of America, he had some standard fitment questions that we helped figure out. Although he did have one criteria that I don’t normally consider when helping with a Race Car’s wheel/tire fitment.

The guys at Moroccan Gold Imports needed a tire that could be Streetable, Track Ready, perform on the Wet Skid Pad, AND still have tread 2/32nd’s of tread after it’s all said and done!! Talk about a feat, I let the guys worry about the rest of the car. R.J. set the requirements of what was needed and we bounced back and forth for a few weeks. He decided to run a sick tire setup. Kumho Ecsta XS in a 275/40 slapped on some 17×9 +42mm on some 17×9 +42mm wheels.

Yes this is the infamous car to get pulled over by the Florida Highway Patrol and get featured in Motortrend!!

http://wot.motortrend.com/6535014/one-lap-of-america/busted-florida-highway-patrol-1-team-moroccan-gold-imports-0/index.html

Photo Courtesy of Motortrend

For updates on the MGI One Lap of America team check out their Blog http://www.moroccangoldimports.com/

They’ve been updating it daily with plenty of videos and pics! Go MGI!!

The car looks great all stickered up. Keep taking down the competition!

Good luck guys!

-T3h_Clap

You read correctly, Pastelito Racing took home the Subaru Challenge bragging rights trophy for the 2nd year in a row! 

With our “Fab 4″ doing exceptionally well in their respective classes it would’ve taken a dream team to beat us. 

Kolin (aka: Rankink) got FTD and top Pax for the day and won the opportunity to drive in the National Subaru Run Off sometime in 2008 in a factory prepped MY08 STi!

I was only slightly off pace, but it was enough to bring in 2nd place in BSP and 6th overall Pax.  The 17×10 CCWs and 275/40 V710s did amazing.

JMS put up some strong competition this challenge along with Koby Subaru and Mastro Subaru putting together teams with their top drivers.  Next year is going to be intense and we’re all hoping it isn’t as hot!

Abby’s photography for the event was amazing even through the terrible heat and inclimate weather.  All photos from the event can be seen here.

 The evening ceremony hosted by Subaru and the Buccaneer Region SCCA went on without a hitch and some killer door prizes.

 Some specific setups that should be mentioned are

SOJax/JMS MY05 Impreza WRX STi running 17×9 +43mm 5zigen FN01R-Cs with 275/40 V710s.  Suspension: Megan Track coilovers.  Driven by Bill (Scooby South).  (1st Place BSP, 4th Pax)

Mastro/Wombat Impreza 2.5RS (DSP) running 17×8 +35mm 5zigen FN01R-Cs with 275/40 V710s.  Driven by Josh (Whiteghost). (1st Place DSP, 11th PAX)

Koby Subaru MY04 Impreza WRX (SM) running 17×10 CCW Classics with 295 Hoosier A6s.  Suspension: custom JIC Coilovers.  Driven by Jose (Pacobeagle).  (1st Place SM, 3rd PAX)

[Still looking for photo]  

Mastro/Wombat Impreza H6!! this thing was mean.

Crazy Cracker Racing/Pastelito Racing MY05 Impreza WRX STi (AS) running 17×8 +48mm “unknown” wheels and 275/40/17 V710s driven by Kolin (Rankink).  This is the car that got FTD and he’s STOCK!!  Pastelito Racing FTW!

Pastelito Racing MY05 Impreza WRX STi (BSP) running 17×8 +48mm “unknown” wheels R-comps Suspension: Penguin Garage Breakfast Blend Combo, Whiteline Sway Bars. 

Pastelito Racing MY05 Impreza WRX STi (BSP) running 17×8.5 +48mm “unknown” wheels 245/45/17 V710s. Suspension: STi Pink springs with Cobb Sway Bars (3rd place BSP, 10th Pax)

Wales Garage/Pastelito Racing MY05 Subaru Legacy GT (ESP) running 17×7.5 +53mm STi BBS wheels 245/40/17 Advan A032R.  Suspension: Swift Springs, Tockico Struts, Cusco Bracing and Bars.

Pith Brothers MY06 Impreza WRX STi (SM) running 17×10 +25mm 5zigen FN01R-Cs.

Dynasty Auto/Pastelito Racing MY04 Impreza WRX STi (SM) running 17×10 CCWs and Hoosiers.

There were many other Amazing Setups at this event, which I will explain in more detail later.

It’s an autox organized by Subaru for the Subaru owner.

Using the common SCCA Solo2 classing structure Subaru Owners compete with similarly prepped Imprezas, Legacys, Outbacks and Foresters.

There is some intense competition at this years event. Teams Pastelito Racing, Jacksonville Mod Squad, and Dead Whorelando all have assembled a team of 5 racers and the each team members fast time will be added to the teams total and the team with the lowest total PAX time wins the “Bragging Rights Trophy”.

I’ve got my bets with Pastelito Racing!