2012 S2K Challenge

It's been a long time since I've posted here. For those of you not in the know, let me bring you up to speed to 2012.

Since I left off, I kept improving my driving technique and started to win more events. Emilio, the then-class leader, made the switch to Modified Class midway though the season. I ultimately won the 2009 S2K Challenge Street Class Championship. Click here for the writeup. I repeated the performance in 2010. And again in 2011. In 2010, I used a non-staggered street tire setup and ran the majority of the season under points at 3.25 out the 4 points allowed. In 2011, we allowed NT01 to be used in Street Class, and I ran a very basic non-staggered NT01 setup with a wing and test pipe (with OEM exhaust).

Here are my personal best lap times using the Street Class setup:

Willow Springs International Raceway - 1:34.688 - February 20, 2010
- 17x9 RE030
- 255/40R17 Dunlop Z1 Star Spec
- APR GTC-200 Wing
- T1R 70RT Titanium Exhaust
- Video

Buttonwillow Raceway 13CW - 2:01.057 - October 23, 2010
- 17x8.5 BBS RGR
- 255/40R17 Hankook RS3
- APR GTC-200
- J's 70RR Wing

Chuckwalla Valley Raceway - 2:03.082 - June 5, 2011
- 17x9 949Racing 6ULR
- 255/40R17 Nitto NT01
- APR GTC-200
- Test Pipe (with OEM exhaust)

Mazda Raceway at Laguna Seca - 1:43.530 - June 24, 2011
- 17x9 949Racing 6ULR
- 255/40R17 Nitto NT01
- APR GTC-200
- Test Pipe (with OEM exhaust)
- Video

After winning the Street Class Championship three times in a row, driving on essentially the same exact setup, I got a bit stir crazy. I decided to mix things up a bit and take the plunge into Modified Class. I bought a set of Evasive-Spec TEIN SRC's, Voltex Type-4 Wing, and a big splitter, among other things. It would be an understatement to say that there is a bit of a learning curve. So far, I have been struggling to find my pace around the track. I have barely managed to stay on the podium these last two events, placing 3rd at Buttonwillow Raceway 13CW with a 1:59.511 and 3rd at Auto Club Speedway Roval with a 1:54.856. It doesn't help that my car still isn't quite set up properly. I have yet to get a proper cornerbalance and alignment, and my car is still under points at 5.5 points out of the possible 6.5 (both Mike and Chris are at 6.5 points).

Here is a video from the first 2012 S2K Challenge Event at Buttonwillow Raceway 13CW:



The next event will be at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, my new favorite Southern California track. I plan on going there on Saturday for practice, then on Sunday for the Time Trial. I plan on also putting on a few more go-fast parts to get me up to speed with the top-runners, Mike Tsay and Chris Elders.

Below is a complete modification list that I plan to have completed in time for Chuckwalla:

AERODYNAMICS
Custom 3" Alumalite Splitter with Wheel Spats
APR Front Bumper
Seibon Mugen-Style Carbon Fiber Hood with Aerocatch Pins
Voltex Type-4 Wing

WHEEL AND TIRES
Hankook RS3 Tires 255/40R17
949Racing 6ULR Wheels 17x9 +48

POWER AND ENGINE
AUT Carbon Fiber Cooling Plate
J's 70RR Titanium Headerback Exhaust
Greddy Oil Catch Can

SUSPENSION
Evasive-Spec TEIN SRC Coilovers
J's L2 Front Roll Center Adjuster and Camber Joint
J's Rear Roll Center Adjuster
J's Rear Bumpsteer Kit
MY00-01 Front Stabilizer Bar
Custom McMaster-Carr Adjustable Endlinks

BRAKES
Carbotech XP12 Front / XP10 Rear Brake Pads
Endless Swivel Steel Type Brake Lines
Front Brake Ducts

INTERIOR
Recaro SPG Bucket Seat with Taitec Rails
Racepak G2X Datalogger

WEIGHT REDUCTION
Izze-Engineering Air Pump Delete
Shorai LiFePO4 Battery

FLUIDS
Engine: Eneos 5W30 Synthetic
Transmission: Honda MTF
Differential: Motul Gear 300
Brakes: Motul RBF660

ALIGNMENT AND CORNERBALANCE
Front Camber: -3.2
Front Caster: 6.45
Front Toe: 0
Rear Camber: -3.4
Rear Toe: 1/16 Total

Chris is planning on running on NT01 at Chuckwalla, as he did at ACS. I think it is a smart move, as his performance margin will only increase if the track heats up as we get closer to summer. Plus, he is using the under-penalized Voltex 1S wing, which will provide him with more than enough downforce for the long sweepers. I can only hope that the track temps will stay below 80F to minimize the performance advantage of the NT01.

Mike is fast as always. This will be his fourth year running with essentially the same setup, which has slowly yet steadily evolved and developed into the finely tuned racing machine it is today. To boot, he is now running a 2.2L AP2 motor that gave him a solid 5 mph advantage down the front straight at ACS. I am not sure how I will beat him.

These next couple of weeks should be interesting.

In other news, I matched into a Neurosurgical Residency program today. I'll have to wait until Friday to find out exactly where I matched, but I am definitely hoping to stay in California, where the sun is always shining and the tracks are always open. :)