Took the car to the race track. - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

VinceLA · 01-18-2010, 08:26 PM

Not that I was 'really' racing. It was a track day at Auto Club Raceway here in California. The track map is as here:

I started out the day with AutoX but got bored after a few rounds. I was hoping to see more smart owners take their car out for an AutoX. But that didn't happen last year and this time around. Then decided to take it out on the big track. Ain't my first time on the track though. Been doing this for about 7 years with my other track car. So yes, traction was completely off for this session.

Front straight (OVAL) wasn't all that interesting. Just floor it from Turn 17 all the way before Turn 3 and see the speed needle hit 90mph repeatedly. The car is surprisingly stable on the OVAL. I was expecting a floaty feeling but there weren't much. I am sure the covered under-tray design has contributed to this especially on high speed.

The highlights were the corners. I am on Eibach springs and yes there was bodyroll though not as bad as I thought. I avoided bumping on any berns for obvious reasons. Changing gears was quick enough. No complains there. I was surprised that the stock brakes held out for the 25min or so. What caught me by surprised was the handling. I never quite think that this rear-engined bugger will snap its rear end so quickly. A bad move I didn't was trail-brake into Turn 8 and bam, the rear end came out. I must have done a 180deg on the tarmac. No harm done. I just went back on my way.

Photos below courtesy of Caliphotography.com.

fastturb · 01-18-2010, 08:46 PM

thanks for sharing. do you have any engine mods?

GHammerly · 01-18-2010, 08:48 PM

Glad your OK and had a blast. I don't mind the stability control but the traction control is too intrusive. Had mine pretty crossed up too once with fuse 11 pulled off, not quite 180 deg. but maybe 30 deg. slip angle, it didn't take much for it to want to do that

Got any video?

CruisingAZ · 01-19-2010, 01:43 AM

I thought about taking mine to the local drag strip for some 1/4 mile times.

CROCK 42 · 01-19-2010, 03:08 AM

I took a ride to the local dirt track. But the place is not ready.
I could not pass up the photo op ;-)
Ventura Raceway
Ventura, CA
In the pits:

Jerry

markitect · 01-19-2010, 06:24 AM

Looks like a nice track.

I wonder what would have happened on your turn 8 slip-up if traction control had been on? And no I don't really trust the traction control.

VinceLA · 01-19-2010, 01:18 PM

Thanks for the reply all!

Mods are DIY intake, DTH exhaust and Eibach springs.

No video from me unfortunately.

Though I am sure someone else on the track must have a clip of me.
GHammerly: I feel that Fuse11 may not have completely turned off everything. That moment when the rear started to sway, felt like an electronic interruption. Meaning it didn't feel like how a regular car will lose traction. I wonder if there's a smart car tech doc for this system that we can read and understand more. I did however changed my braking pt and turn in zones for subsequent laps and the car handled much better.

CROCK 42: We need to get more Smart out to the track! Or least the autoX. I spoke to Aaron @ Speedventures and he's willing to set up a class for smart cars only. Should be fun!