Any GRMers gonna do an Xtreme Xperience drive with me at Hallett next Saturday, 19 March? A year ago March I did the LP560-4, this past November did the 458 Italia (MUCH better track car than the Lambo, at least in showroom stock form), and next week I'm flogging the McLaren 570s. So, who else is coming?
Ask if Mental is instructing that day, and if he is, make sure you get him. He's one of our lemons teammates and works for them full time.
I instructed with them one weekend for 3 days, the GT3 was the best car of all to drive. I was disappointed in the Ferraris, pleasantly surprised by the Lambo Huracan.
I thought they got rid of the McLarens, they were too much trouble. Maybe they got more since I ran with them.
Didn't realize that was next weekend. It's tempting, my buddy Todd also instructs for them quite a bit and he's a good coach as well.
I need to go out there and do it, haven't been on track in 2+ years since I got rid of the track car!
Sonic wrote: Ask if Mental is instructing that day, and if he is, make sure you get him. He's one of our lemons teammates and works for them full time. I instructed with them one weekend for 3 days, the GT3 was the best car of all to drive. I was disappointed in the Ferraris, pleasantly surprised by the Lambo Huracan.
I think Mental is at NOLA full time now. He's head honcho there...what a life... Hoping to make a weekend trip out there in May to hang with him, and maybe turn a few laps in a GT3.
I'll put another recommendation in for Xtreme Xperience. They run one hell of a program.
Sonic wrote: Ask if Mental is instructing that day, and if he is, make sure you get him. He's one of our lemons teammates and works for them full time. I instructed with them one weekend for 3 days, the GT3 was the best car of all to drive. I was disappointed in the Ferraris, pleasantly surprised by the Lambo Huracan. I thought they got rid of the McLarens, they were too much trouble. Maybe they got more since I ran with them.
Interesting opinion about the Ferraris. If that's case, at least as far as 458 vs. Huracan is concerned, then my opinion about the Gallardo not being so good on a track must be somewhat correct even considering I was 21 years out of practice,e.g. the steering and throttle reponse were excellent but the chssis dynamic did not inspire confidence to push it terribly hard, whereas the 458 seemed to want me to push harder and harder to the point that I was comfortable getting the tail to step out a little tracking out of turns 3, 5, and 10 (I'm still struggling with nailing the turn-in to 4 just right, to get perfectly paralell with and right on the edge of the rummble strip between 4 and 5). Corollary: the Huracan must be pretty darned good on the track. But, we'll see how the 570s feels. The fact that it's a turbo car has me a little edgy, because my entire 30 years of experience with potent engines is in the way a NA motor reponds. I have ZERO high output turbo motor experirence. Any suggestions for for the 570's throttle response, and for nailing the turn 4 turn-in?
The gallardos are not very good, you're right, which is why I was pleasantly surprised by the Huracan, which was very good. The ferraris were fine to drive but the build quality sucked.
They didn't have the McLarens when I was there to comment on how to drive those, but in general with a turbo car you get on the gas a little earlier, roll in gently out of a corner.
Of all the cars they have, the instructors usually fight over the GT3 for morning warm ups. It is the most fun of what they have.
Now, about Turn 4... Advice, anyone?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yXFoA5cmrM
This is Emilio from 949 Racing in an NB Miata. I ran the corner nearly the same. I don't like the "instructor" line that leaves you way out wide to then square off the corner.
I drove the GT3 with Xtreme Xperience at NOLA back in December.
The not sure who Mental is, but the classroom instructor was on top of things and did a great presentation, and I ended up riding with him in a GT-R in the first run that day.
z31maniac wrote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yXFoA5cmrM This is Emilio from 949 Racing in an NB Miata. I ran the corner nearly the same. I don't like the "instructor" line that leaves you way out wide to then square off the corner.
OK, it looks like he turns in from about the center of the track directly to the inside edge and keeps it there, then maintains a constant radius on the inside all the way the to the turn-in to 5, then tuns in immediately to 5 and does a traditional center-apex on 5. Not sure about his line for 10; I like to take 10 from the normal turn-in point but aim for track-center initially while using a constant radius that will bring me progressively closer to the inside and hit a very late apex that has me pointing "straighter" at the straight when I roll into the throttle and let it drift under power to the trackout (and keeping me away from that off-camber bit that has sent so many guys off to inspect the grass).
In reply to z31maniac:
Maybe the best Hallett clip I've seen.
All the "lap record" videos from Hallett seem to use this tight, inside line into 4, 6, and 10 whether Viper, Miata, Ariel or bike. The clock says it works. Go where the traction is.
chuckles wrote: In reply to z31maniac: Maybe the best Hallett clip I've seen. All the "lap record" videos from Hallett seem to use this tight, inside line into 4, 6, and 10 whether Viper, Miata, Ariel or bike. The clock says it works. Go where the traction is.
Good analysis! Maybe that's why I never finished better than low mid-pack back in the day against cars I knew I could out-accelerate on the straights out of 6 and 10... Ima have to study more Hallett Track Record videos this weekend.
Wildscotsracing
Hi, I am the Mental Klayfish and Sonic mentioned and Mike didn't meet.
Mike it was probably Jimmie Johnson or Stu who did your classroom. Jimmie is an older retired Fire Chief from New Mexico and Stu is a NASA racer who I try to keep up with when my retired Air Force Officer/amateur racer ego needs to be shrunk to size.
As Klayfish mentioned, I have moved from the traveling tour to the Chief instructor at the new permanent location at NOLA Motorsports park just outside of New Orleans. So I will not be at Hallett, when is a little heartbreaking, as its my spiritual home track.
You have signed up for our brand new McLaren 570S, and damm fine choice. One of the resounding complaints about our previous Maca was it had no soul. The new series of McLarens have addressed that in spades.
Your observations about the Lambo versus the Itialia probably speak more to your skill set as a driver than the cars. The Ferrari rewards smooth drivers with a delicate touch. The Gallardo isn't a bad car, it's just the 458 is so much more a drivers car. So to appreciate the nuances shows your skill.
Now, to turn 4; keep in mind the exit of that plays such importance into the next two turns. It's a bit challenging to master, but not hard. If you can, request Chris Mills, Lowflyin' on here as your instructor. He is the lead HPDE instructor at Hallet, a dear friend and a hell of a driver. Tell him you are looking to master 4, that you are on here (heck, PM him) and that you have been with Xtreme before. Barring that, ask for Cal Dnyse, tell him Mental sent you. He is a superlatively talented driver and will get you there.
When you get there, tell Alyssa (the first girl you meet when you sign in) that Mental says hi. Then before class, go hug Connie, the track owner, and tell her Mental is sorry he isn't there. She will be in the cafe where her desk is.
Gods honest truth, invest the $45 in the discovery lap. It will be in the lead car and probably drive by Cal, Stu, Brad or Jimmie. Whoever, tell them I said hi. All of the are awesome and will help you see turn 4. In fact, ask them beforehand. They will make sure you understand.
You will dig that McLaren. I haven't driven it yet but I have writer buddies who have and they love it.
Then, when you are done and have had a great time. Make plans to come to Nawhlins. We are here 7 days a week and the weekdays are the best. Slow traffic and a lot of specialized attention. Plus, you know, New Orleans and drive the GT3 Mike and Sonic mentioned. It's an awesome car and a weapon on the track.
Glad you are coming back. The cars are fun but what has kept me with the company are the people and clients like you. Have fun!!
Chris or Cal and tell them I want to concentrate on 4-5-6 and 10 (for some reason 1, 2-3, and 8-9 I never had a problem with, running counter-clockwise), got it! And tell Alyssa that Mental says HI and to get a Dicovery ride for $45 to work on 4-5-6. Connie is just fabulous. Last March she remembered me from the early '90s, and my last race there was in 1993!
And, thanks for the affirmation! Maybe my wife will believe me now, when I tell her I know what I'm doing 
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