June 13, 2009

Changes since June 6th race: 

Using same base setup. 

1.  Sent my datalogs and fuel map to Mike Gigot at Scorptec. He reviewed and updated the map. We also fear we put in too much timing advance, so we back it off 5%.
2.  Turn on Lambda Control where the MoTeC will work with the exhaust oxygen (O2) sensor to make adjustments to the fuel delivery.

Hot Laps: 

The car ran pretty well -- We passed cars and held our own against the 'fast' guys. This is a MAJOR improvement from last week. Still not up to my expectations off the corner, but much improved.

Changes before the Heat:

Reviewed the datalog from Hotlaps and it shows a little lean from 12,000 rpm up at part throttle. I try adjusting the compensations for the Lamda control to let it add more fuel if necessary.

Track is narrow with a slick bottom and low cushion.

Tightened the car by dropping RR air pressure (6psi) and increased wing angle.
Started with the RR shock set to #3 position.   

Heat Race: (started 1st and did not finish) 

Started on the pole - got the jump and pulled a few car lengths off the corners for the first couple of laps - then strange things started to happen. The car was handling perfect, right up until the engine started to misfire. As the engine got worse the handling got worse. I fell back to third and the engine finally went dead rich and fouled the spark plugs. I pulled out of the race.

Changes before Feature: 

Starting 23rd:

I determined that the lamda control saw lean spikes whenever I come off the throttle. It adjusted and added fuel until it fouled the engine out. For the feature I moved the lamda control to not engage until 12,000 rpm and set the maximum fuel adjustment to 5%.

Track is sealed over (slick) and wide with a cushion pushed way wide.

Tightened the car:
Changed to a 12" wide right rear wheel (more sidebite) with 5psi and moved the wheel in 3/4".
Set RR shock to #2 position to start the race.
Increased top wing angle by another notch.

  

Feature: (started 23rd, Did not finish) 

The first goes well and I pass about four cars - the second lap sees me sitting in turn four with a broken rear radius rod. Don't really know what happened, but we are out of the race and without any good data to review for next weekend.

Wrap-up: 

Well, that stunk -- sometimes it just isn't worth the $60 to get the family into the pits -- this was one of those nights!

All I can say is -- there is always next week.