The Perpetual "What Gearing Do I Run at This Track?" Thread

[Brian C in Az]

The answer to our question is here:
http://www.apexspeed.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12877

Then look in the classifieds for the appropriate ratios for your transmission.

[Dave SanF 50]

It really helps to know your R&P ratio. Either a 10:31 or a 9:31

[rickb99]

....I have Citation with a kent 1600 with hoosier r45's Thanks guys

I'm gonna guess if it's a 'classic' it's 9:31

[larryw]

Hey Guys,

Ex Spec Miata racer here getting ready for the mitty. Have a '78 FF with the treaded dunlops anf if I get the car ready, this will be my first race with it. Assuming I have the 9:31 R&P in the gearbox.

Can someone please give me a good ratio starting point for the track??

Thanks,
Larry

[Tom Valet]

Hi Mike,

What are your lap times compared to the pole? I wont try to dissuade you from trying to find the optimal gears for every track, but the honest truth is that unless you are running close to the front, you can pretty much use the same gears for each of the tracks you listed. They are all within a tooth for each gear which wont make much of a difference if you are still working on your driving until you are looking for that last couple of tenths.

For example, you could run 24/26 4th gear at each of those tracks (exception might be WG where you might use 24/28.

Whenever we went to a new track, we would run our "Watkins Glen" gears to start and in the end might change up or down one tooth on a couple of gears.

Obviously if you are bumping up against redline in any gear you would want to change but the difference that a tooth makes is not much.

HTH

Tom

PS, where are you in New York? We are on Long Island.

[Pop Chevy]

What trans do you have ? if it's a Mk5, I have a box full of good gears, If it's a mk8-9, I have an almost brand new set of 23-27m gears I would like to sell. Pops

[Cass Racing]

Probably already been answered, but I couldnt find it. Does anyone know the gearing for a 9:31 R&P club ford at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal?

Thank you!

[mkp250r]

Hi Mike,

What are your lap times compared to the pole? I wont try to dissuade you from trying to find the optimal gears for every track, but the honest truth is that unless you are running close to the front, you can pretty much use the same gears for each of the tracks you listed. They are all within a tooth for each gear which wont make much of a difference if you are still working on your driving until you are looking for that last couple of tenths.

For example, you could run 24/26 4th gear at each of those tracks (exception might be WG where you might use 24/28.

Whenever we went to a new track, we would run our "Watkins Glen" gears to start and in the end might change up or down one tooth on a couple of gears.

Obviously if you are bumping up against redline in any gear you would want to change but the difference that a tooth makes is not much.

HTH

Tom

PS, where are you in New York? We are on Long Island.

This will be my first time out in this car. We are going to test at lime rock on the 21st of April. I think we are only really off on our 4th gear.

I don't want to buy anything until we really have me up to speed and the car some what failed in.

I'm located in dutchess county ny about 30 min north of white plains

[Brian C in Az]

Probably already been answered, but I couldnt find it. Does anyone know the gearing for a 9:31 R&P club ford at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal?

Thank you!

The Arizona group that goes to Montreal each year runs these:

Montreal
1st 18:33 1.833
2nd 21:30 1.429
3rd 23:27 1.174
4th 25:26 1.04

[TimH]

I got a better pull out of the hairpin with a shorter first, so with my 9:31 ran

17:35
20:31
23:28
25:26

Any kind of a draft and you'll need every bit of that 25:26. A case could be made for slightly taller or shorter third gear because 23:28 often exceeded our 6500 redline on the short straights. I'll probably not change the selection this year, though.

[PRS56]

Hi
I'm looking the recommended gearing for the INDY roadcourse as well as the oval for CF.
Anyone who went to last years Inaugural event have the info.
I am running a 9:31 ring and pinion.
Thanks

[cgscgs]

Having no idea what to run last year, I used M-O gears because they were in the box. Turned out fine, I don't plan to change them this year. 9:31 box, CFF on Dunlops:

20:32
22:29
24:27
26:26

Seeya there,
Chuck Smith

[mkp250r]

hi,

Since I'm not able to run any majors just yet bc this is my first year. Looks like my first race weekend is going to be FRCCA weekend at Pocono south east course.

Does anyone have the gearing for pocono south east course?

Im running a FF 84 Citation, Hoosier r45, Mk9 Trans

Am i Correct that bc i haven't run a certain amount of regionals i cannot not run any majors?

[sandraalan]

I will be traveling to Indy for the Vintage Event on the new road course. Does anyone know what gear ratios to use in a Club Ford using American Racer slicks with a 9:31 R & P? Thanks for any help.

[Ralph Z.]

Are slicks allowed in SVRA FF? I know that our vintage FF car must run treaded tires and I believe that all FFs are the same. No?

We ran at Indy last year and all FFs had treads.

[scott fairchild]

Is a 1:1 fourth too tall with Dunlops and a 9:31?

[sandraalan]

My car is a 82 Lola 640. SVRA put it in the Post Club Ford class and they allow slicks. I recently received an e-mail from them telling me that class is already full at Indy and I am on the list if there is a cancelation, so we will see. Thanks again.

[Ralph Z.]

Thanks for the clarification.

[Roland V. Johnson]

I think the slicks they want you to run are Hoosier 60's. Try 17/34 first, 25/27 top.

[sandraalan]

Thanks Roland for the gear ratios. This will be very helpful going to this new track.

[mkp250r]

Anyone have the gearing for Thompson with a 10:31?

[PK]

I'm planning on running my CFF there in a few weeks, and I'm looking for ideas on where to start for gearing. Specific suggestions or comparisons with other tracks are welcome.

Thanks,
Phil

[PK]

I'm thinking of starting out with Mid-Ohio gears. Anyone have any other suggestions?

[kea]

As you haven't heard from anyone else yet, it looks like we now know who to ask about gearing after you return !

[PK]

Yeah, that's kinda what I'm concluding, too. Oh well, somebody has to do it...

[kea]

At least with you, I feel we'll get some good numbers !

[Earley Motorsports]

What is the date of the race at NCM? I have run my 7 there, great track but I can't help on the gearing.

[PK]

June 13-14, Cincy region.

[Earley Motorsports]

Cool, I will try and be there..... as a spectator

[Garey Guzman]

Maybe Barber-ish gears might work ok although NCM may have a higher top speed:
17/35 19/32 21/30 22/28 10/31

(Haven't been there, just thinking out loud)

[mikey]

In PFM at NCMMP, I hit 135mph in 3 places. three slow corners around 45mph. Avg speed for the lap was 86mph.

At Barber, same gearing (PFM short stack), I hit 125mph and slowest corner was 49mph. Avg speed for the lap was 86mph.

YMMV!

[Albatross]

To far to drive, but what does NCM initials stand for and where is it located? How come we don't hear or know much about it? What are you driving? Hope that you do well and good luck!

[mikey]

To far to drive, but what does NCM initials stand for and where is it located? How come we don't hear or know much about it? What are you driving? Hope that you do well and good luck!

National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park. New 3.2 mile track, 23 turns, built across from the museum in Bowling Green, KY. Just opened fall 2014.

[Garey Guzman]

Just entered, thanks to help from fellow TN racer Earley Motorsports! Thanks Graham!

Phil, hopefully we can pit close. I haven't been there before but my coworkers were there this weekend for a ChumpCar event. Hopefully I'll get a good report from them!

[PK]

Garey,
Any word on how complete the facilities are? My wife just told me I'm in trouble if we're looking at Nelson Ledges level facilities. I just can't imagine Corvette guys accepting that, though.

[Garey Guzman]

They just opened last fall so building isn't complete. the NCM website has some info and I've never been to Nelson Ledges. I know the black stuff is complete and that's enough for me! (Plus, I bought a used motorhome so my boys will be comfortable )

[PK]

Mid-Ohio gears worked pretty well. With a 9:31 axle ratio, I ran

20:32
22:29
24:27
24:24

The slowest corner would benefit from a lower first gear, but it's a short run from there to the next braking point, so I think I prefer the taller first where it helps launch onto the second long straight. I think I got over 6500 rpm at the end of the third 'straight', but that's not a good place to be looking away from the track as it's a blind 4th gear sweeper.

edit: This is for the 3.15 mile Grand Full Course

[andyllc]

Looking for Sebring gears for the long course. I have a 10:31 but I can do conversions if anyone has the gears for that track and with a different diff. Thanks!!

[LFFR]

Anyone have anything for Arroyo Seco?

John Mihalich, Jr.

[Joules5]

Mid May I will be taking on my first race with the FA, any gearing suggestions for the 5 speed at Thunderhill?

Thanks,
Julian