Gearing Test & Tracy's Practice

May 13, 2000

Half of Team Conlin SpeedSports were able to get out for a much needed Saturday afternoon practice/test session. We were trying a different gear ratio to get a higher top rpm out of the engine so we were eager to see the result. We were also eager to get Tracy out on a real track for the first time to do some lapping. The new gearing got us closer but not enough - pulling about 6100 rpm just before the braking zone for turn 3 - about 6500-6700 is the target.

The day was salvaged though by Tracy's outstanding performance. As her session times below reveal, she took a careful, no-nonsense approach to getting up to speed - the perfect attitude for a new driver on a new track. It was great fun to watch her methodically lap quicker and quicker. For her last session she set a goal for herself to break into the 59s and she was able to find the speed by her second lap. (Click here for a track map.)

Session 1 - Jim
Lap 01   1:06.87
Lap 02    :57.65
Lap 03    :55.70
Lap 04    :55.96
Lap 05    :53.75

Session 2 - Tracy
Lap 01   1:04.83
Lap 02   1:07.82
Lap 03   1:04.47
Lap 04   1:04.47
Lap 05   1:02.35
Lap 06   1:05.02 (in lap)

Session 3 - Jim
Lap 01    :53.75
Lap 02    :53.82
Lap 03    :53.66
Lap 04    :53.89
Lap 05    :53.52
Lap 06    :53.59
Lap 07    :53.45
Lap 08    :53.35
Lap 09    :55.00 (traffic)
Lap 10    :54.12

Session 4 - Tracy
Lap 01   1:05.42
Lap 02   1:03.10
Lap 03   1:01.32
Lap 04   1:00.52
Lap 05   1:00.29
Lap 06   1:00.68
Lap 07   1:03.70 (traffic)

Session 5 - Jim
Lap 01    :54.04
Lap 02    :53.59
Lap 03    :53.29
Lap 04    :52.88
Lap 05    :52.97
Lap 06   1:06.10 (spin)

Session 6 - Tracy
Lap 01   1:00.39
Lap 02    :59.38
Lap 03   1:01.91 (traffic)
Lap 04   1:03.58 (traffic)
Lap 05   1:00.77 (in lap)


It should be noted Tracy's last lap would definitely have been a 59 had she not gotten off the throttle before the finish line to come into the pits. It very well could have been her best lap of the day had she kept her foot in it. Well, we all have to learn.


Race back to 2000