Thunderhill Raceway Park 4-23-06 - The event was put on by the Nor Cal Shelby club, so there was a ton of Mustangs there. Never been on any kind of track before, it was awesome! It's something I've wanted to try out and this came along so I figured now would be a good time to start. I did all my handling mods last week to run this event, and the car handled great! The handling compared to stock is so much bettter it's makes the stock suspension seem almost rediculous. The car felt nice and tight and under control under all conditions, never loose or unstable like the stock suspension.

I did the Mopar S1 springs, 26mm(F) 19mm(R) sway bars, Tension strut kit, and DC strut bars. I don't think my stock tires were too happy with me by the end of the day I was really happy with the car and can't wait to get on the track again with some better tires and better driving skills.

This was non-competitive open track btw, 4 run groups based on skill/experience and restricted passing zones based on your group.

Anyone interested in getting their own car out on a track I say go for it! You'll have a blast.

In car videos

Session 2
Session 3
Session 5

(click for larger pics)
















(Parade laps)

 

I SOO want to watch the vids but for some reason its telling me "this page cannot be displayed." and such

 

I'd love to do the same, but I'm strapped for cash with "other matters".....good looking pic, though!!!!

Dusty

 

That's AWESOME!! Your car looks great as well!! Great pics!! I like the looks of the Mopar CAI much better. I have an AEM short ram but I think I want the Mopar as well. I am going up to Thunderhill possibly this summer with my car club.

 

Man,,,,great video! It looks like you were running quick through the turns, and it LOOKED like you were holding back some on the straights. Cannot get over how good the video is.

I would love to do something like that, but I've never even been near a track like that. How did you compare with the others on the track? Did you feel like you could run with them?

 

Sweet. I sat and watched all three vids. Lol 30mins Later...lol

 

Thanks guys... It was a great experience and I look forward to more of it. Most people with this cars focus on drag racing I'm really finding the turns much more fun though. I still haven't even taken my car to the drag strip.

Racevette77, try again sometime if you're interested, they should work.


And Word, you're right I was holding back in some areas - especially a couple of the straights. A couple reasons... One being it's a bit intimidating entering a turn 90-100mph at first, and also I'm someone who when driving on the street uses my brakes as little as I can - I coast and engine brake a lot and I kept finding myself doing that on the track. So instead of comming up to a turn hitting the brakes in the braking zone I would be off the gas way too early and coasting into the braking zone, obviously not the best for keeping up speed. Also, the straights are the passing zones and majority of the cars I let pass wouldn't have been able to pass the little Neon safely otherwise, if I went all out on the straights. They were faster in the curves so I had to let them by.

The cool thing about an event like this is, it's open to anyone. So there are a lot of experience levels out there, and it's set up so you're comfortable out there going at your own pace. With that said though, the car definitely can hang out there with most cars. Theres a lot more potential in my car exactly like it is right now that will be untapped with more experience. Some new tires will probably be my next purchase. I spent a lot getting ready for this even though so it's money saving time! lol

Also, you may be surprised to find a track within a few hours drive of you. Maybe. Before two months ago I had no idea this track was even there! An hour drive, and that was it!