Cool Parents: Took my "Mom's" '10 Mustang to roadcourse yesterday (240 broke)

[Ace]

Well I guess any track day that ends in bringing back on all 4 is a good one!

Backstory: Thought I had an ECU issue, got the ECU back from JWT and it was 100% ok. Changed pretty much everything, but the car runs stupidly rich (will drop from 14 to 9 afr ideling) and has a TOTALLY wierd soft type rev limit under any load...I think it's in limp mode so it's time to trace wires to see if I have a shielded wire grounding a signal out) Anywho...the 240 wasn't ready, and I had a couple bucks out that was no refundable at this point. Called my parents up, asked to borrow their Mustang (Dad says ask Mom lol) and I went to pick it up Friday night, for the track day Sunday.

Car: 2010 Mustang GT. 5 speed. 13,000 miles, stock everything.



Track: Pocono Long Course/Single Infield


While I was apprehensive at first, I wasn't overly worried...I knew the car would be reliable, but wasn't sure how it would handle. 4 laps in, I knew that the Mustang was going to be fun, but it was going to be slow as the tires were completely junk/undersized for the 3500 lb car. WHile light years ahead of their '05, the car still rode on P zero Nero 235/50/18's...which are decent on street, but absolutely terrible on track. Not that I expected good things, but damn.


Either way, the car handled pretty decent...very predictable, and very little oversteer -- which was mainly due to NO (and I mean ZERO) front bite. I played with the tire pressure a little, but it was fruitless at best.

Because of of the lack of front grip the car really was a push pig, and in my grouping (I think only 3 of us out of the 25 or so were on street tires) I was often throwing point byes as I'd be in the way through the infield. On the super Speedway. Car was seeing speeds of 135/140 down the front and back straight, probably could have gotten more out down the front if I wasn't so 'unsure' through turn 1 (granted it's like 15* banked, it just didn't feel so nice in the car, no feel in that area)

Only 'woopsy' of the day, is when I got a little target fixated and tried following a Fox mustang in...and kinda forgot for 1/2 a second that he had slicks, and I didn't...well too much speed, and when I turned in...it didn't haha. Instead of trying to be a hero and looping it (effectively entering the infield grass backwards, I just put both feet in and kinda dukes of hazarded it through the grass. Got it turned around, and was let right back on.


Conclusion: I just think it's a great example for those who think their car 'isn't ready' for the track, or those who feel as if they need tons of suspension things to have fun, or need big brakes to be competitive! While my experience had me over driving the tires, I'd say it would have been perfectly fine for a new driver, on their first or second day. I had a great time, and that's all that matters

[rickeo]

Awesome post! Sounds like you had a blast!

[Ace]

It was def fun, I can't wait to bring the 240 out again soon...I'm sure I'll really appreciate it more!

[Chris B.]

I guess Pocono isn't that hard on the brakes. Its amazing how fun those cars are with better tires and brake pads.

[Ace]

Single infield really isn't, tons of cool off time
Edit: By cool off time I mean 1.5 miles of straight away hehe. THe infield I didn't use the brakes very hard as the tires didn't permit me to go very fast


Got my 240 running yesterday, and it's amazing the difference. Kinda bummed I missed the event with the S14.

[Honest_Bob]

Awesome story!

[Ace]

Some pics

[AJ Hartman]

Hey man. I was there racing in AI. I had the blue 99 Mustang.

Originally Posted by Ace

Conclusion: I just think it's a great example for those who think their car 'isn't ready' for the track, or those who feel as if they need tons of suspension things to have fun, or need big brakes to be competitive! While my experience had me over driving the tires, I'd say it would have been perfectly fine for a new driver, on their first or second day. I had a great time, and that's all that matters

Could not agree with you more. Seat time is seat time, especially when you are learning. I did my first couple of track days in my 98 mustang with completely stock suspension, minus lowering springs, stock brakes (didn't even use good pads), and BFG all weather tires that were about 4 years old and all dry rotted and cracked. Obviously not the pinnacle of performance, but the point is that you don't need a seriously worked car to have fun.

My biggest peice of advice to anyone about to do their first track day would be to flush your brake fluid, and try and get a nice set of brake pads. Being kind of new, nothing is more scary than the first time you boil your brake fluid, or experience brake fade.

[01NightHawk]

I've always wanted to do one of these but never looked into it - is this through the SCCA?