Shannonville Track Day victories!!

**B4TM4N** · 07-15-2007

Hey guys I just came back from a track day yesterday with a bunch of buddies!! As a group we went with:

Evolution 9 (M

Z4 M Roadster
SLK 280 (Me!)
323Ci
Civic Hatch (EK)
240sx (Kouki S14)

It rained like crazy driving to the track and it was still raining when we got there. As everyone knows, my car is stock. All it's got are Eibach springs and Toyo Proxes RA1.

Here's the list of cars (believe it or not...I still haven't figured out how it's possible yet) that I beat:
S2000
RSX Type S
WRX (a bunch of them)
STI (2 of them)
Z4 M Roadster (something wasn't right...I think tire pressure or something was off. He was in my rear view when we started, and after a little while he was gone...there's NO WAY I could have beat him in normal conditions. He told me that he didn't have the traction that I had.)
Mazdaspeed Protege
Mazda Protege 5 (2 of them)
RX-7 (FC)
M3 (e36)
328i (e92)
Acura TL
240sx (S14)

I am now officially a FIRM believer of stability and handling!! Tires make a HUGE difference!!!! Everyone said they were slipping, but to be honest at some points I really felt like I was driving on dry roads!!!

I just don't understand about the M Roadster and STIs...they should have had traction like no tomorrow...

Over here in Toronto I am the only MB (it seems) that tracks. I don't know how, but I passed everyone that I saw on the road! The whole time on the track I was searching for the EVO 9 and unfortunately I couldn't find him. I'm 98% it was because he was too fast and it was only a matter of time before he'd pass me from behind!! I was also searching for the M Roadster to see if I had a chance again...!! Damn I can't imagine what things would have been like if I were driving the 350 instead of the 280!!! My next mission is to learn to drift and be the only MB in drifting events!!

Anyways, that's that for now!

-Kelvin

**dsb** · 07-15-2007

Congrats! I love hearing about track events, especially when the person is clearly excited. Yeah, some of those other cars should have been faster but the driver makes more of the difference than the car. I've seen Z06's get taken by clearly lesser cars. Learning your/your car's limits is the part I enjoy the most.

**etyu** · 07-15-2007

Good work B4TM4N

, must be the driver and then the tires

RacerCub68 · 07-16-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by B4TM4N

Hey guys I just came back from a track day yesterday with a bunch of buddies!! As a group we went with:

Evolution 9 (M

Z4 M Roadster
SLK 280 (Me!)
323Ci
Civic Hatch (EK)
240sx (Kouki S14)

It rained like crazy driving to the track and it was still raining when we got there. As everyone knows, my car is stock. All it's got are Eibach springs and Toyo Proxes RA1.

Here's the list of cars (believe it or not...I still haven't figured out how it's possible yet) that I beat:
S2000
RSX Type S
WRX (a bunch of them)
STI (2 of them)
Z4 M Roadster (something wasn't right...I think tire pressure or something was off. He was in my rear view when we started, and after a little while he was gone...there's NO WAY I could have beat him in normal conditions. He told me that he didn't have the traction that I had.)
Mazdaspeed Protege
Mazda Protege 5 (2 of them)
RX-7 (FC)
M3 (e36)
328i (e92)
Acura TL
240sx (S14)

I am now officially a FIRM believer of stability and handling!! Tires make a HUGE difference!!!! Everyone said they were slipping, but to be honest at some points I really felt like I was driving on dry roads!!!

I just don't understand about the M Roadster and STIs...they should have had traction like no tomorrow...

Over here in Toronto I am the only Mercedes Benz (it seems) that tracks. I don't know how, but I passed everyone that I saw on the road! The whole time on the track I was searching for the EVO 9 and unfortunately I couldn't find him. I'm 98% it was because he was too fast and it was only a matter of time before he'd pass me from behind!! I was also searching for the M Roadster to see if I had a chance again...!! Damn I can't imagine what things would have been like if I were driving the 350 instead of the 280!!! My next mission is to learn to drift and be the only MB in drifting events!!

Anyways, that's that for now!

-Kelvin

Congrats on whooping ass! And doing it so in such a nice blue, with such cool, stylish, blue seats!

**Ynot** · 07-16-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsb

Congrats! I love hearing about track events, especially when the person is clearly excited. Yeah, some of those other cars should have been faster but the driver makes more of the difference than the car. I've seen Z06's get taken by clearly lesser cars. Learning your/your car's limits is the part I enjoy the most.

I've noticed on the track, nicer cars are slower, except on the straights, there's a reason for that, you don't want to mess it up, the beatup track cars are usually the fastest. I've seen Z06's, letting guys pass all the time, the driver is very skilled, he's an instructor but taking it easy. When he's out with his spec porsche 944, that's when he goes all out. Sunday is my next track day, can't wait.

B4TM4N, you are brave, I would take it easy on the rain and wet conditions, don't want to scratch and run off the track in the wet. ESP works great, can't say the same as some of your competitors, put it in dyno mode and it'll be tail happy like the rest of the cars on the track, it's great to hear you are having fun. SLK is not a good drift car, too much gadgets, no LSD, drifting is punishment to the car, I would get an old beatup car to hear how the drift.

**B4TM4N** · 07-16-2007

Thanks guys!!

No really it's the tires!! This is only my 3rd time at the track!! I was soo shocked!!! Yeah one day when I get real good I'll slowly take off ESP, THEN dynomode!!!

Yeah you're right...but I need to learn to drift it and represent!!! If you ever see my name anywhere, you guys will be proud of me because I will be thinking of you all!!

**alroumi** · 07-17-2007

Congradulations, I guess you got used to your car on the track and the new tyres did a great job with the stability.

Ikarus · 07-25-2007

Congratulations!

How come the Civic and the 323ci are not in the list of cars you smoked?

I agree that tires can make a huge difference, especially in the rain. When you say stock, are you saying it's your first set of OEM tires? Up to now I didn't have the impression the stock tires are that great, but perhaps it's because they shine in the rain and that's something we don't see here too often.

**F111F** · 07-31-2007

Yeah, good drivers will always do good, bad drivers.... there is no cure. But nothing beats passing the Ferrari F430 with your SLK350.

Of course, beginners don't have a chance against experience, and just because the dude can afford a muscle car, doesn't mean he knows how to driver it. More impressive is the that the SLK280 did so well.

Congrats!!!!!!

**B4TM4N** · 08-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ikarus

Congratulations!

How come the Civic and the 323ci are not in the list of cars you smoked?

I agree that tires can make a huge difference, especially in the rain. When you say stock, are you saying it's your first set of OEM tires? Up to now I didn't have the impression the stock tires are that great, but perhaps it's because they shine in the rain and that's something we don't see here too often.

Thanks guys!!

This support is my motivation to keep going and getting better!

Sorry Ikarus, when I said stock I meant the car has no performance work (I should specify, engine work) done to it. All I've done are springs and tires upgrades!! The stock tires were Continental Sport Contact II. They weren't super great on the track. Only for cruising tires.

Yeah I didn't throw on the Civic and 323Ci to the list cuz they were my buddies...

Also, the Civic buddy is a pretty good driver too! My first time there he smoked me...like I had difficulties keeping up to him and he's go barely any power upgrades. He's running Koni Coils, DC2 (Type

brakes, Toyo Proxes RA1, and I think Intake + Exhaust. That alone was enough to rip me as soon as corners come up!!

I was over 120hp more than him!!

Ever since that day, I've completely changed my mindset on cars...!

I came back from another track day (the weekend that passed) and I got ripped by:

S2000
328i (e92)
Acura CSX Type S

Wow...sometimes you just can't predict what will beat you and what you might pass!

However I think I did alright near the end because I shook an STI off me and I sorta gained on the corners of an M roadster, but obviously got ripped in the straights...

The only difference was, this time roads were dry and cars were able to perform more normally!! It makes more sense to me about the S2000 beating me now!

The 328i (e92) was pretty damn quick! It's set up was similar to mine but I believe more aggressive (seemed like coils instead of springs, and same tires but they looked shaved).

-Kelvin!

**dsb** · 08-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by B4TM4N

Ever since that day, I've completely changed my mindset on cars...!

I came back from another track day (the weekend that passed) and I got ripped by:

S2000
328i (e92)
Acura CSX Type S

Wow...sometimes you just can't predict what will beat you and what you might pass!

Very true. You never know what to expect. I had a new VW rabbit on my *ss last time I tracked. I let him pass even though I blew by him on the straights. On the corners, he had me beat bad. A little weight reduction, suspension and tires can do a whole lot of good... damn that little Rabbit.

**F111F** · 08-02-2007

Yeah, I had a '80 BMW 328 smoke me, because of his suspension set up and tires. Stock engine. I blow by him on the straights, but he could catch me on the corners, so let him pass. Yes, setup will be power any day. Suspension and tires are almost more important than engine. Last time, I watched a stock MR2 smoke Corvettes on corners. Mid-engine and better driver.

07-15-2007	#1 (permalink)
B4TM4N Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Vehicle: 2006 SLK 280 Other Toys: C300 RWD 6MT Posts: 153 Country: Thanks: 36 Thanked 34 Times in 10 Posts	Shannonville Track Day victories!! Hey guys I just came back from a track day yesterday with a bunch of buddies!! As a group we went with: Evolution 9 (M Z4 M Roadster SLK 280 (Me!) 323Ci Civic Hatch (EK) 240sx (Kouki S14) It rained like crazy driving to the track and it was still raining when we got there. As everyone knows, my car is stock. All it's got are Eibach springs and Toyo Proxes RA1. Here's the list of cars (believe it or not...I still haven't figured out how it's possible yet) that I beat: S2000 RSX Type S WRX (a bunch of them) STI (2 of them) Z4 M Roadster (something wasn't right...I think tire pressure or something was off. He was in my rear view when we started, and after a little while he was gone...there's NO WAY I could have beat him in normal conditions. He told me that he didn't have the traction that I had.) Mazdaspeed Protege Mazda Protege 5 (2 of them) RX-7 (FC) M3 (e36) 328i (e92) Acura TL 240sx (S14) I am now officially a FIRM believer of stability and handling!! Tires make a HUGE difference!!!! Everyone said they were slipping, but to be honest at some points I really felt like I was driving on dry roads!!! I just don't understand about the M Roadster and STIs...they should have had traction like no tomorrow... Over here in Toronto I am the only MB (it seems) that tracks. I don't know how, but I passed everyone that I saw on the road! The whole time on the track I was searching for the EVO 9 and unfortunately I couldn't find him. I'm 98% it was because he was too fast and it was only a matter of time before he'd pass me from behind!! I was also searching for the M Roadster to see if I had a chance again...!! Damn I can't imagine what things would have been like if I were driving the 350 instead of the 280!!! My next mission is to learn to drift and be the only MB in drifting events!! Anyways, that's that for now! -Kelvin __________________ 2006 SLK 280 6MT *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

07-15-2007	#2 (permalink)
dsb Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NorCal Vehicle: '06 slk55 Posts: 1,176 Country: Thanks: 67 Thanked 120 Times in 42 Posts	Congrats! I love hearing about track events, especially when the person is clearly excited. Yeah, some of those other cars should have been faster but the driver makes more of the difference than the car. I've seen Z06's get taken by clearly lesser cars. Learning your/your car's limits is the part I enjoy the most. __________________ SOLD! 06 Mercedes Benz SLK55 Caspian Blue / Black & Ash *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

07-15-2007	#3 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Good work B4TM4N , must be the driver and then the tires __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

07-16-2007	#6 (permalink)
B4TM4N Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Toronto, Ontario Vehicle: 2006 SLK 280 Other Toys: C300 RWD 6MT Posts: 153 Country: Thanks: 36 Thanked 34 Times in 10 Posts	Thanks guys!! No really it's the tires!! This is only my 3rd time at the track!! I was soo shocked!!! Yeah one day when I get real good I'll slowly take off ESP, THEN dynomode!!! Yeah you're right...but I need to learn to drift it and represent!!! If you ever see my name anywhere, you guys will be proud of me because I will be thinking of you all!! __________________ 2006 SLK 280 6MT *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

07-17-2007	#7 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,271 Country: Thanks: 288 Thanked 231 Times in 145 Posts	Congradulations, I guess you got used to your car on the track and the new tyres did a great job with the stability. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

07-25-2007	#8 (permalink)
Ikarus Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NorCal Vehicle: 2006 SLK 280 w. 6M Other Toys: 2000 New Beetle GLS w. 5M Posts: 596 Country: Thanks: 18 Thanked 40 Times in 20 Posts	Congratulations! How come the Civic and the 323ci are not in the list of cars you smoked? I agree that tires can make a huge difference, especially in the rain. When you say stock, are you saying it's your first set of OEM tires? Up to now I didn't have the impression the stock tires are that great, but perhaps it's because they shine in the rain and that's something we don't see here too often.

07-31-2007	#9 (permalink)
F111F Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Plano, TX Vehicle: SLK55 Black Mocha Designo Posts: 290 Country: Thanks: 39 Thanked 22 Times in 10 Posts	Yeah, good drivers will always do good, bad drivers.... there is no cure. But nothing beats passing the Ferrari F430 with your SLK350. Of course, beginners don't have a chance against experience, and just because the dude can afford a muscle car, doesn't mean he knows how to driver it. More impressive is the that the SLK280 did so well. Congrats!!!!!!

08-02-2007	#12 (permalink)
F111F Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Plano, TX Vehicle: SLK55 Black Mocha Designo Posts: 290 Country: Thanks: 39 Thanked 22 Times in 10 Posts	Yeah, I had a '80 BMW 328 smoke me, because of his suspension set up and tires. Stock engine. I blow by him on the straights, but he could catch me on the corners, so let him pass. Yes, setup will be power any day. Suspension and tires are almost more important than engine. Last time, I watched a stock MR2 smoke Corvettes on corners. Mid-engine and better driver.

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