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Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Printable Version

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Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Alter Ego - 10-17-2005

Hi everyone! I just purchased a 93 coupe 5 months ago. I just went to my first PCA DE event at the Shenandoah Circuit 2.2mile at Summit Point Raceway, WV. I just wanted to share my experience as a novice at the relatively new track as I couldn't find any previous posts on this topic. Warning, this is kinda long....



WOW! What a blast! It was quite a first-time experience. Everyone there who I talked to told me that it was going to be a very tough track to do my first event on. THEY WEREN'T KIDDING! I was sliding all over the place with tons of body roll. I had an instructor the whole event, so the added ballast probably didn't help things much. (200lbs+) Also, given that the suspension is completely stock with 80K on it probably didn't help matters. Although, i do have new brakes, Promax 7100 chip and the 9Mag airbox mod.



It is a very technical track and a completely different beast than the Main track at Summit Point. I think there are 16 turns with 1 carrousel(like the Nurburgring) and a number of off-camber turns. I actually spun coming out of the corkscrew while setting up for the back straight.....kinda scary.... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/blink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> A couple of 911 carreras also spun. You really have to concentrate and focus to setup the car correctly for each section.



I talked to Pete from RS Barn and he agreed that it is a difficult track for 968s with stock suspension and regular street tires. I did meet Mike who campaigns a track-only white 968 who was doing really well. I definitely will need to do some suspension work like MO30 sway bars, new bushings, new shocks, tires and maybe lowering springs for the front as this will be a street/track car. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!



It was very interesting how different the car behaves on a track compared to the street. The vehicle dynamics and understeer/oversteer characteristics are enlightening as well as the limits of adhesion. I think if I had the aforementioned suspension mods, it would have been even more fun! I admit I was not confident at all anywhere on the track, everything felt kinda mushy and uncertain. With a better setup, it would be a great track for 968s where horsepower does not rule!Until next time!

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Clem - 10-17-2005

Sounds excellent. I am planning on heading down to Shenandoah at the end of the month and am really looking forward to it.



For a street/track car - I'd suggest something like this (also happens to be what I did):

1. M030 sways w/delrin bushings

2. Leda Double Adjustables (drop the car 1-1.5")

3. Sticky rubber



You should also look at using a track pad and a good brake fluid (eg ATE) if you aren't already (not sure what your new brakes are). And, I would also suggest harnesses and seats if you're going to make a habit of this.



Of course, if you want to skip ahead - you could just put yourself in my car and save some time & money!



Best,

Jim

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Alter Ego - 10-17-2005

Hi Jim,



Thanks for the suggestions! Yes, I did have Metal Matrix pads, x-drilled zimmermans, brake lines and ATE super blue fluid. They did start to fade during the second to last session on Sunday. Your right, I think I do need some better pads. I'm working on the harnesses too. Damn, everyone warned me that these DE events were addictive.



Your setup sounds great! You will have a lot of fun! Just be careful of the tirebarrier in the last turn coming onto the PIT straight, take it slow. Apparently, they just added Turn 16 recently. I had a great instructor, he really did teach me how to drive smoothly. But, he drives a 911SC, so I think that his lines were not ideally suited to my car. Some of the 944 guys were taking completely different lines than me.



Please share when you get back from Shenandoah!



Fred

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Clem - 10-17-2005

Hi Fred -

Thanks for the heads up. I will have to watch some video before going.

I use the KFP magnum gold pads for the track. I find they wear pretty well and are very kind to my rotors. They do throw a ton of dust, however.



Yeah, addictive is right! There is no end to the modifications...



I will let you know how my weekend goes.



Jim

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Dave - 10-17-2005

Fred - Welcome to the highly addictive world of tracking your 968! Glad you had a good time.



Now, turn around and say hello to your new friend, the DE monkey that has climbed up and clamped firmly to your back. He is friendly and will provide you with much joy. He does, however, require regular care and feeding of $$$ (entry fees, brake pads, tires, upgrade$).



You can survive for a while with decent brake pads and the M030 sway bars (quick/easy upgrade). The rest of the suspension stuff is a big slippery slope. My vote would be to put the M030 sways on and drive the car for an entire season on street tires. It's a GREAT way to really learn to drive.



You will benefit also from getting different instructors. I typically instruct 944/951/968 folks because of chassis/line familiarity. It can make a difference. That said, I have students with 914's, Boxsters, and 911's up through 993's. Once a 911 student is really humpin', I usually say "now you gotta go find a 911 driver to learn more".



By way of reference, I ran my '88 944 NA bone stock on street tires for about 4 years (10-20 DE days per year) and had a blast. I did put Koni Yellows on it during the last season (original struts were SHOT). You'd be amazed how good it feels to get your skills honed and start passing a lot of cars that show up on trailers.



Anyway, good show! Take your time, watch your pads between runs, and monitor tire pressures diligently. You will have a blast and really get every ounce of performance out of the car that Porsche intended.



Oh, and I second the KFP Magnum Gold pad recommendation. I loved them. Half the price of Pagids and very capable track pads. They will squeal like stuck pigs on the street but it beats having to change front pads once a day at the track (you'll be there sooner than you think on the MetalMasters). I've just finally moved from the KFP's after running them on my 944 and 968 for years. I've only done this because I am finally destroying those pads during 90-minute Club Races.

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Eric_K - 10-18-2005

I would suggest doing very little to the car for the first year. Spend that money on track time. The stock 968 is way too soft for the track but the biggest improvement will come from the driver. Work on the driver first, car second. There is a lot to learn.



I used to have one of those DE Monkeys on my back but the Racing Gorilla chased him off. Now my wallet really hurts.



The most important part is to just have fun.



Eric

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Dave - 10-18-2005

Ah yes, monkey to gorilla for me this last year too. The gorilla is REALLY hungry AND the $$$$ are much harder to camouflage as "maintenance" when requesting funds from the team owner (spouse) <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/wink.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Jason Judd - 10-18-2005

Sounds excellent. I am planning on heading down to Shenandoah at the end of the month and am really looking forward to it.

____________________________



Jim,



If you were planning on going with Metro NY for that event, it has unfortunately been cancelled. Why not come with Anchor and I to Watkins Glen on Sat/Sun October 29-30 with Traquest?



Jason

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Clem - 10-18-2005

[quote name='Jason Judd' date='Oct 18 2005, 02:46 PM']Sounds excellent. I am planning on heading down to Shenandoah at the end of the month and am really looking forward to it.

____________________________



Jim,



If you were planning on going with Metro NY for that event, it has unfortunately been cancelled.  Why not come with Anchor and I to Watkins Glen on Sat/Sun October 29-30 with Traquest?



Jason

[right][post="11420"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



I considered it, but I haven't been down to Shenandoah and am eager to try it out. I was just back up at the Glen in 2 weeks ago too.

I would like to do a Tracquest (Chin?) event, though. Maybe next year. Anchor and I chatted about them and they sound well run.

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Charles Geer - 10-19-2005

Was that a Gorilla I felt when I spent all that money racing this past year. He ain't so friendly.



Good luck with your new hobby. You'll have a better chance trying to break a drug habit...Atleast they've got rehab centers for that.



Every now and then we have to take time off to regroup (I'm in that stage...stage 4 KILL THE GORILLA... look forward to the next stage ...Stage 5 THE MONKEY RETURNS).



Charles Geer

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - mike - 10-19-2005

[quote name='Charles Geer' date='Oct 19 2005, 07:16 AM']Good luck with your new hobby. You'll have a better chance trying to break a drug habit...Atleast they've got rehab centers for that.



Charles Geer

[right][post="11449"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Youv'e just taken your first hit from the GoFast crack pipe. And as crack is to the crack addict, this "hobby" will consume your time, thoughts, and money. At first you think you can get by with a little experimentation and casual use. A mod here, a DE there. Then you start checking the 968 forums more and more frequently until..... <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/ohmy.gif" class="smilie" alt="" /> Well, you get the picture. Try not to let it consume you. Remember that there a lots of other things that should be more important in your life. I have to keep reminding myself.



Good luck with your new hobby,

mike



'95 968 Coupe (Garage queen and track beast)

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Dave - 10-19-2005

My wife is astounded to see how much mental energy this habit can consume. Example...



I've been keeping Pano, Excellence, and 911&PorscheWorld magazines on a shelf in the garage for about 5 years (length of my addiction). So, I finally decide the shelf will fall off the bloody wall if I don't get rid of them.



I sit down to cut out relevant articles that I have used/may use as reference material. Do you know that I cut out over 50 articles on 944's, 968's, engine rebuilds, brake rebuilds, track set-ups, etc.?



She was pretty stunned. The scary part is that I had read almost all of them before and knew what was in them! "Oh, I remember seeing an article on that in 2002."



Well, back out to the garage now where I am washing and storing Fikse's, putting up rain wheels for the winter, storing a set of 968 16-inch wheels/tires for later sale, and mounting the Dunlop WinterSport M2's to the race car.



Maybe I'll wash it too! No, she's not home right now, but she knows what I'm up to today <img src="/forum/images/smilies/968/smile.gif" class="smilie" alt="" />

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Alter Ego - 10-19-2005

Thanks guys for all the words of encouragement!...I think! Damn! That is one big monkey that just crawled up my back! And there's a gorilla next?!



I will heed all your suggestions and tips! Thanks so much guys! This is really a great forum. I will try to keep things simple next season to hone my driving skills first. Great advice!

Fred

Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point, WV - Mike in NJ - 10-21-2005

NNJR has an event at Shenandoah on Oct 29-30, and I'm pretty sure there is still plenty of room. Word is that there will be three run groups and five runs per day per group.