Presented to you by me in a 2003 G35. I posted this in my G35 build thread but I though I would dump it here as well.
I think I need to work on my line. I've never actually been around the track with an instructor so there are some areas I'm certain I'm losing time. Any suggestions are welcome.
Go faster. 
Actual (maybe) helpful comment: CMP is a track that really seems to reward somewhat later apexing, particularly on that last right-hander before the straight before the Start/Finish line (but also elsewhere). I see what looks like a few really close brushes with the outside dirt/gators a few times, I think if you came in more towards the outside and cut in a bit later it would be smoother and faster.
Everyone thinks that straight before The Kink is the fast part, and it is plenty fast, but you can make a really good run up on that straight right after the keyhole/ carousel (whatever it's called) and if you cut that slight uphil right-hander just right you can _really- be hauling the mail by the time The Kink comes up. I've seen 109 mph (calculated based on RPM) in this...
The left-hander after The Kink straight is a PITA. Best way through I've found is just slow and careful. Then again, I'm usually headed into it 2 or 3 wide (LeMons race).
Been racing here for 10 years, I bet I've made over 500 laps on this glorified airstrip. It's still fun 
Cool, I've made a couple hundred laps of CMP and have never seen it so empty. I'd have trouble setting fast laps that way, I'm more of a carrot follower - find a car a little faster than me and try to stay stuck to them.
I'd say you need to follow the same advice I have trouble taking: brake less, and later, and use more of the track with a focus on late apexing. I'm no expert for sure, solidly a mid-pack driver in my opinion, but that means I've had enough times of people pointing out where I'm too conservative to be able to spot it in other people too.
Like VCH, I find the kink to be the fast spot on the track. I hit a GPS-indicated 110mph in this thing:
And trust me, the pretty graphics and big wheels were writing checks it couldn't cash. Under the skin it was an NA 2nd gen MR2. Plenty of fun to drive but not a ton of power and my helmet was touching the ceiling. Plenty of squirrely moments in that thing! Then Speedycop went out and showed me up, setting a 7 second faster lap time in it. Yikes.
In reply to dculberson :
In "Heist" (one of the more under-rated Gene Hackman films), Hackman's character, when asked how he comes up with a plan, quips, "I think of a man smarter than me, and I think, 'what would he do?'."
That pretty much describes my race driving.
so, the only time I've done a school there, was back in 2009 for a PCA day... and it was by 3rd and 4th days of HPDE... ever. In my Honda Fit, and it rained off/on.
caveats stated...
I'll echo what VCH said... and apply it directly to the turn 1-2-3 combo. If you push that apex a little later you won't have to fight as much to get back to the edge of the track to make the left-hander at 3.
also, re: the slow left hander after the kink. iirc, the instructors said to put the right side tires on that patch that's in the middle of the track on the exit. So, if you push a little later, you'll carry the right speed to nail that patch and put the power down onto it and have a straight line to setup for the next right. Apparently the patch is there because... {ahem} the 4000# gorrilla in the racing world regularly tore up that part of the track while testing.
third thought:
the 3-apex right hander "at the top of the hill", you're coming in too tight for. You're having to back out of the gas early and longer because of that line. The school line was to stay out on the darker patch, let the line flow... maybe do a quick throttle cut to tighten the line and get to the rumble strip on the third apex. Taking it that way will get the car pointed down the track more... and you can carry more speed and get on the throttle sooner... vs. taking the tighter line. It's kind of like the line you took when the cayman went by you there... only faster.
ymmv, I am not an instructor, nor am I a pro, take your own risks, etc.
volvoclearinghouse said:I see what looks like a few really close brushes with the outside dirt/gators a few times, I think if you came in more towards the outside and cut in a bit later it would be smoother and faster.
Was gonna say the same thing, you often turn in too early and don't use enough track on corner entry, especially going onto the start/finish straight. It's really important to late apex onto any long straight. Don't be afraid to slow down and/or make a big sweep from one edge of the track to the other to set up a corner leading onto a long straight properly.
I'm always interested in how other people take the 12-13 series. Often I find myself throttling to the ragged edge of understeer and holding it there(and people wonder why that track kills LF tires). Looking back at my CMP videos though I see myself never taking the same line through there no matter traffic. It's a tough turn in the three different cars I've driven at CMP.
I've also got several hundred laps on CMP from 5 or 6 LeMons races there. First, what a crappy track. Covered in sand...
I'm a very conservative driver, so take that for what it is. From the video, I'd agree with the others. Early apexing in several spots. It's a problem I constantly fight.
My laps were either in an EF Civic hatch, EF Civic wagovan (I think I ran it there....), or "The Boat"...
In reply to buzzboy :
Funny, in the Plymford (and in the LTD) I find myself throttling to the ragged edge of _over_steer, and driving it with a combination of countersteer and right foot. Having a limited slip helps- we used to roast the inside rear tire through here.
#RWDlyfe
That's how I knew I was getting faster over the years. At the fall race I was finally starting to spin the inside in 12/13. At least I think that means I'm doing something right.
The surface isn't great but I like the layout. They are possibly repaving this year I think. I mean it's no VIR which is way closer for me but its also WAAAY cheaper
In reply to Jaynen :
The word is they are paving it sometime in June.
Awesome video! I've watched it 2x!
where were you classed and what was your best lap time? I've been going to that track a lot over the past 3 yrs or so. I don't know your car, but I stay out longer through the carousel which my data shows gives me a better exit speed and an overall faster time, also a little later into 1 would set you up better for 3 (more track right, less or even no brake required just a brief lift). Again, my data shows .2-.4 sec faster with the later turn in, even if I just plow the bumper in 2... lastly you could probably get on throttle a little earlier in 8(it's got a good amount of banking), and turn in a bit later in 14, that's a sharper corner than it looks...
I was there running the yellow RX-8 (S5 1:56.9 - unfortunately no video) I had fun, just wish we were able to squeeze in another session each day...
Curt
In reply to cbaclawski :
I classed as S3. I think that is where the car will end up, maybe. I don't have an official class yet.
Best lap time was 1:57.9 so you were about a second a lap faster than I was.
Agreed about the 3rd session. My wife was Race Chair for the event. She was NOT HAPPY about how things worked out. There have been a lot of discussions among SCR people and the Stewards about how to make the schedule work better for future events.
Are you going to make the May national event at CMP?
In reply to Toyman01 :
Yeah, I'm already registered for May. I'm planning to bring a different car that classes T4. Based on the s2000 in T4 running low 1:50's I'm going to have my work cut out for me!!
I rarely drive the rx, so I really didn't feel like i was "used to" the car until the last session. I think I could have shaved another second or so If we had a third day morning session! (That little mazda can get through the kink over 100 with just a lift and no brake. I didn't have the nuts to try it till the end) the T4 car I mentioned is my usual car, and definitely needs some brake there!
I was grabbing a bunch of brake before the kink. There was no way the G35 was going to make it through at 110.
See you in May.
In reply to Toyman01 :
I feel like you already know the answers to your questions.
Brake later.
Apex later.
Get on the throttle sooner.
Use more of the track.
In reply to poopshovel again :
Yeah, it's just been a lot of years since I drove a track. I'm a little rusty and for some reason, the G35 is a little bit faster than the '86 Civic.
Toyman01 said:I was grabbing a bunch of brake before the kink. There was no way the G35 was going to make it through at 110.
See you in May.
I bet it would surprise you! Just a brush of brake, a little later turn in to just miss the "bump" and I'd bet you could carry 100 through there easy! just make sure you let it track all the way out(aim for the dirt patch at the end of the gators - don't forget to pucker) and brake a marker earlier into 11 since you'll be going so much faster... best part of the track imo.
In reply to cbaclawski :
Maybe with new rear shocks. What was on it last weekend wouldn't stop bouncing before running out of real estate. We will find out in May.
Toyman01 said:In reply to cbaclawski :
Maybe with new rear shocks. What was on it last weekend wouldn't stop bouncing before running out of real estate. We will find out in May.
I think you should let me test it for you in May, lol. I've always wanted to drive a g35 on track.(but that has nothing to do with it, Just trying to help)
Ok, that's a lie, I just really want to drive it.
cbaclawski said:Toyman01 said:I was grabbing a bunch of brake before the kink. There was no way the G35 was going to make it through at 110.
See you in May.
I bet it would surprise you! Just a brush of brake, a little later turn in to just miss the "bump" and I'd bet you could carry 100 through there easy! just make sure you let it track all the way out(aim for the dirt patch at the end of the gators - don't forget to pucker) and brake a marker earlier into 11 since you'll be going so much faster... best part of the track imo.
Exactly. it's all about the line. I have carried well over 100 through The Kink in the Plymford/ LTD (when I'm not going in 3 wide, anyway). I have reason to suspect (though can not confirm) that the suspension in your G35 is slightly better than that of a 1975 Ford LTD, even one that's been set up for a LeMons race.
In reply to volvoclearinghouse :
I'm not convinced about that. If both ends were dampened the same, you are probably right. With the rear being loose and the front tight, it's a bit of a handful at the limit. The car may be capable but the driver is not confident in the machine yet. There is a set of Koni Sports going in the rear before the May event. I'll report back then.
In reply to Toyman01 :
Just remember that 157.90 is an awesome time in that car. I've done appx 40 track days just in the last 2 years @CMP and I have seen A LOT of 350/370z's in the solo group that can't break 2 minutes! We are really splitting hairs when it comes to discussing your line - probably a total of <10 feet combined all the way around the track.
Also, I'm far from a great(or even maybe good) driver, but I have had quite a bit of time with an instructor, and solo with data logging at that particular track.
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