Speeds On Willow Springs Big Track

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05.19.22, 9:36 AM
Extreme1

Speeds On Willow Springs Big Track

I had another track day yesterday in my PFM. The car ran great and I’m feeling a lot more comfortable in it.

I had a question on the top speed everyone is reaching right before turn 1. I was able to sustain 103mph through turn 8, then slowed a bit for turn 9 because of the decreasing radius turn. I accelerated hard out of turn 9, but at the end of the front straight I was only at 130mph. Is that close to the speed where everyone is? Should I be going faster than that? The motor was turning about 7500rpm right before I braked for turn 1.
05.19.22, 10:03 AM
David Ferguson

You will never achieve top speed at Willow Springs until you are completely flat from T6 until you reach T1. That is what a pro driver in a PFM would do. Top speed would probably be 140+. Min speed in T9 would be in 110+.

I suggest you hire Mike Anderson as a coach -- he can make sure the car is setup and working correctly, then set down a reference lap to show you what's possible. He holds the FM track record at Willow Springs 1:23.7, the SCCA PFM record is 1:19.2, but that might be a little soft.
05.19.22, 10:57 AM
Extreme1

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Ferguson

You will never achieve top speed at Willow Springs until you are completely flat from T6 until you reach T1. That is what a pro driver in a PFM would do. Top speed would probably be 140+. Min speed in T9 would be in 110+.

I suggest you hire Mike Anderson as a coach -- he can make sure the car is setup and working correctly, then set down a reference lap to show you what's possible. He holds the FM track record at Willow Springs 1:23.7, the SCCA PFM record is 1:19.2, but that might be a little soft.

Thanks Dave, where is Mike Anderson located? Is he at one of the businesses at Willow Springs?
05.19.22, 11:38 AM
David Ferguson

Mike Anderson contact email

I sent you an email with his email address.
05.19.22, 6:27 PM
Extreme1

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Ferguson

I sent you an email with his email address.

Got it, thx!
05.23.22, 1:35 AM
Kazis31

My entry in turn 8 was 147mph.( your gear stack might be low one)
However at the time i wasn't too comfortable with PFM speed
so my best in PFM is Andersen's best in FM.
1.23.5 was my best.

Dave is right T6 to T1 flat.
I would lift slightly before T9 and back on throttle into it for first
and go as wide as your balls would allow.

lol
05.23.22, 1:37 AM
Kazis31

Pro driver in PFM is probably capable
to go 1. 16 , 1. 17 .
05.23.22, 8:57 AM
Extreme1

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kazis31

My entry in turn 8 was 147mph.( your gear stack might be low one)
However at the time i wasn't too comfortable with PFM speed
so my best in PFM is Andersen's best in FM.
1.23.5 was my best.

Dave is right T6 to T1 flat.
I would lift slightly before T9 and back on throttle into it for first
and go as wide as your balls would allow.

lol

Ok, my gears may be too low. Im assuming I should be at 8600 rpm right before I brake for turn 1? With my existing gears I don’t think my car would get to 147 mph before the rev limiter hits.

As far as flat out from turn 6 to turn 1, I’ve got a lot of work to do lol.