TWS 20 Jan 08 R4 L 0-4

rb136 · 02-02-2008

Following CM's Z4M for a couple of laps Although I didn't know it at the time, I was losing the RR tire. If you listen closely, you can hear it chirping in turn 8. By the end of the heat, I could barely control the car in left handers. Pic is after heat was over.

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/54d219cf-3790-4fd7-bb1d-9a36003a9d1b.htm

**dsb** · 02-02-2008

Great video! I love watching track videos. It also looks like you got a nice little setup including an additional rear view mirror for the camcorder. I'd love to see a pic of the setup if you have one. Thanks for sharing.

rb136 · 02-03-2008

The hardest part of this was the camera mount. The HD Sony has a hard drive that trips if vibration or shock loads are too high. This mount is my 4th attempt. Notice the floating platform sitting on 4 Endine shock isolators. I added the green foam "shim" between the platform and base to dampen the natural frequency of the isolators. On the rear of the camera mount vertical plate is a 1.5" x 2" long dowel that fits under the roll hoop. The seat holds the mount in place. It takes about 10 seconds to install or remove. I built the rear view mirror from a convex truck mirror cut to this size and 1/8" laminated mahogony. The mirror edges are protected with 1/8' neoprene. Both the mirror and the camera mount are covered in 3 millimeter dense foam sheet just in case I ever has to "kiss" them at speed. The mirror straps to the sun visor with two elastic bands, one of which is over the bar used to clip the sun visor to the windshield frame. This locks everything in place. The device on the camera's hot shoe is a bluetooth mic receiver. The transmitter is clipped to the rear license plate. It becomes the center channel on the original recording which is in 1080i and Dolby 5.1. That's where the good music comes from in these vids. The original recordings on a 65" Mitsubishi and Bose surround are a religious experience. Naturally, my wife thinks I nuts.

*easty* · 02-03-2008

delightful setup. Can you go more into the tlematics, what are you using to overlay the stars over the video?

rb136 · 02-03-2008

I use a TraqMate data acquisition system. Another company sells the Track Vision software that allows you to merge the video and the data to produce what you see. Since I record in 1080i, I have to degrade the clip to an mpeg file before merging it.
With the TraqMate HW comes Traq View software that lets you analyze your actual performance at any point on the track. You can play with this for hours. I've learned some very unintuitive things by studying these plots. You can look at a certain segment of the track and compare every lap you've ever run through it. Pick the fastest one and then look at the video to see what you did different. By doing this I've been able to steadily drop my lap times each time I go to the track.
One great thing about tracking the SLK55 is that it's power and tranny let you make up for a lot of mistakes. I would suggest that any of you guys that own one and aren't tracking it are missing out on the time of your life.

**dsb** · 02-03-2008

rb136,

What a great track setup you have there! I am very impressed. I recall one of your earlier mounts. Now, you've outdone yourself. I might try to create setup that would still allow a passenger. For a single rider, your setup is probably as good as it gets. In fact, I wouldn't mind a burnt dvd copy of the hi quality video if you have the time. I would love to see/hear the experience.

Thanks for sharing. Oh, and I absolutely agree with this statement:

Quote:

I would suggest that any of you guys that own one and aren't tracking it are missing out on the time of your life.

rb136 · 02-04-2008

The files merged with the data are not in hi def. They have been converted to mpeg2 files and then converted to DVD. Pretty good but regular DVD quality. The original AVCHD files can't yet be merged directly with the data. TrackVision is working on that. Until then it's either std. def merged or AVCHD hi def with no dash. If you don't have a Blue Ray player, you're still out of luck on the HD.

**F111F** · 02-05-2008

Would an LSD solve the problem of chewing up the right rear tire?

**alroumi** · 02-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by F111F

Would an LSD solve the problem of chewing up the right rear tire?

Yes as it will spin less the first LSD Kit comes to mind is the Kleemann which are headquartered in Colorado if memory serves me right.

rb136 · 02-05-2008

I think I'd have the posi in a flash but not sure that would have helped here. This tire failed and then started accelerated wear. Cord separation I think. This is the first time I've ever worn one rear faster than the other. No belt was showing at the beginning of this heat. Thanks to John, coilovers are ahead of the posi on my wish list.

**F111F** · 02-06-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by rb136

Following CM's Z4M for a couple of laps Although I didn't know it at the time, I was losing the RR tire. If you listen closely, you can hear it chirping in turn 8. By the end of the heat, I could barely control the car in left handers. Pic is after heat was over.

Blew chunks of rubber from right front at MSR going CCW (mostly lefts, hard on the right side tires).

rb136 · 02-06-2008

When I use to run street tires at TWS, I'd usually damage the right front tire. That's the main reason I gave slicks a try. Also, believe the claims that shaving and heat cycling will make the tires wear longer. I tried not shaving my first set and they damaged as easily as street tires. The Kumho Ecsta V 700s I was running in January are the most durable I've found yet for the track. They stick pretty well also. My rear tires always wore evenly................and very fast.

**F111F** · 02-14-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by rb136

When I use to run street tires at TWS, I'd usually damage the right front tire. That's the main reason I gave slicks a try. Also, believe the claims that shaving and heat cycling will make the tires wear longer. I tried not shaving my first set and they damaged as easily as street tires. The Kumho Ecsta V 700s I was running in January are the most durable I've found yet for the track. They stick pretty well also. My rear tires always wore evenly................and very fast.

Hmmm, I guess I want you to find out what are good racing slicks tires to run. MSR is a much slicker track so it is very gentle on slicks. But I was able to blister my street tires.

A Porsche guy here in my office is "telling" me what I am doing wrong and says that I absolutely have to have racing slicks. My feeling is that I am still learning a lot about my SLK55 and the Potenza RE-1R's are doing good enough to outrun most of the other cars on the track. I can't wait until I meet him on the track and can smoke him (argh! Porsche drivers!) I can keep up with the red (most advanced) group and smoke most of the folks (except for Robert) in the yellow (advanced) group.

Anybody (with tracking/racing experience) have any opinion of when is a good time to switch over to racing slicks? Thanks!

**dsb** · 02-14-2008

From my limited experience and knowledge, I would stay with street tires a little longer. They tend to have a gradual break-loose limit whereas slicks give little sign (audible or otherwise) that they're about to lose traction.

I usually run in groups 2 or 3 (HPDE has 4 levels). When I feel absolutely confident in 3 and perhaps move into the 4th level, I will then switch to slicks. BTW, right now I run Falken Azenis on my stock wheels. It's designed more for autocross and such but it still works well on the road course.

rb136 · 02-14-2008

John, in my opinion, you could already be on them. The Ecsta V700s I was running in Jan are very predictable at the limit. At their limit they transition into a 4 wheel drift which is fun but not the fastest way around a curve. Jan was the 3rd event I've run with slicks. It would be extremely hard for me to run the lap times I'm running on street tires. I went to slicks while running in the blue group because I was trashing my street tires every event. Not wearing them out but chunking rubber on the fronts. I guess that would be an indication of when you need to change to slicks.
With 21K miles on the odo, I'm currently buying my 6th and 7th set of tires. Another set of Kumho's and some Goodyear streeties. That's right at $8000 worth of tires in 21,000 miles. Tell me my wife's not cool!!!!!

**F111F** · 02-15-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by rb136

John, in my opinion, you could already be on them. The Ecsta V700s I was running in Jan are very predictable at the limit. At their limit they transition into a 4 wheel drift which is fun but not the fastest way around a curve. I'm currently buying my 6th and 7th set of tires. Another set of Kumho's and some Goodyear streeties. That's right at $8000 worth of tires in 21,000 miles. Tell me my wife's not cool!!!!!

Yeah, my wife freaked out, because I have GS-D3's for my daily driving and then bought the RE-01Rs for the track. They are starting to chunk. I may run them some more, tearing them up in the process and then convert over.

02-02-2008	#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	Great video! I love watching track videos. It also looks like you got a nice little setup including an additional rear view mirror for the camcorder. I'd love to see a pic of the setup if you have one. Thanks for sharing. __________________ 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.*

02-03-2008	#4 (permalink)
easty Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Montreal Vehicle: ///AMG Posts: 2,075 Country: Thanks: 17 Thanked 19 Times in 9 Posts	delightful setup. Can you go more into the tlematics, what are you using to overlay the stars over the video? __________________ "I'm not a roman mum, I'm a kike, a yid, a heebie, a hook-nose, I'm kosher mum, I'm a Red Sea pedestrian, and proud of it!" Life of Brian To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-14-2008	#14 (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	From my limited experience and knowledge, I would stay with street tires a little longer. They tend to have a gradual break-loose limit whereas slicks give little sign (audible or otherwise) that they're about to lose traction. I usually run in groups 2 or 3 (HPDE has 4 levels). When I feel absolutely confident in 3 and perhaps move into the 4th level, I will then switch to slicks. BTW, right now I run Falken Azenis on my stock wheels. It's designed more for autocross and such but it still works well on the road course. __________________ 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.*

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02-03-2008	#5 (permalink)
rb136 SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Baytown, Texas Vehicle: SLK55 Other Toys: 05 G55 AMG Posts: 77 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 30 Times in 6 Posts	I use a TraqMate data acquisition system. Another company sells the Track Vision software that allows you to merge the video and the data to produce what you see. Since I record in 1080i, I have to degrade the clip to an mpeg file before merging it. With the TraqMate HW comes Traq View software that lets you analyze your actual performance at any point on the track. You can play with this for hours. I've learned some very unintuitive things by studying these plots. You can look at a certain segment of the track and compare every lap you've ever run through it. Pick the fastest one and then look at the video to see what you did different. By doing this I've been able to steadily drop my lap times each time I go to the track. One great thing about tracking the SLK55 is that it's power and tranny let you make up for a lot of mistakes. I would suggest that any of you guys that own one and aren't tracking it are missing out on the time of your life.

02-04-2008	#7 (permalink)
rb136 SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Baytown, Texas Vehicle: SLK55 Other Toys: 05 G55 AMG Posts: 77 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 30 Times in 6 Posts	The files merged with the data are not in hi def. They have been converted to mpeg2 files and then converted to DVD. Pretty good but regular DVD quality. The original AVCHD files can't yet be merged directly with the data. TrackVision is working on that. Until then it's either std. def merged or AVCHD hi def with no dash. If you don't have a Blue Ray player, you're still out of luck on the HD.

02-05-2008	#8 (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	Would an LSD solve the problem of chewing up the right rear tire?

02-06-2008	#12 (permalink)
rb136 SLK World Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Baytown, Texas Vehicle: SLK55 Other Toys: 05 G55 AMG Posts: 77 Country: Thanks: 3 Thanked 30 Times in 6 Posts	When I use to run street tires at TWS, I'd usually damage the right front tire. That's the main reason I gave slicks a try. Also, believe the claims that shaving and heat cycling will make the tires wear longer. I tried not shaving my first set and they damaged as easily as street tires. The Kumho Ecsta V 700s I was running in January are the most durable I've found yet for the track. They stick pretty well also. My rear tires always wore evenly................and very fast.

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