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After a few launches, Nick figured out a good launch rpm around 3300-3400 with just the right amount of throttle application and clutch slip to get the most forward traction out of the narrow 255mm width tires. Some of the launches though were a bit too aggressive, turning into quite the wheelspin show.
K.R.O.P.S. allowed us to perform our 0-60mph runs during the track day's lunch hour on the Streets of Willow front straight which made back to back runs easy and efficient. We were extremely thankful for this wonderful freedom to collect the straight line data we needed and it seemed like some of the other participants were mildly entertained in the process, or confused, I'm not entirely sure.
Here I am helping Nick with a quick tutorial on how the Qstarz LT-Q6000's functions so he can get accurate and repeatable 0-60mph telemetry. The unit is very easy to use and it took less then 5 minutes to get Nick up to speed. Next track day in his Project 323is he'll be able to try out his new LT-Q6000 unit and start to collect his own lap time data.
After each run we checked to make sure everything was recorded correctly and gave Nick some quick info on whether he improved or not from the previous runs. Being able to review a good amount of the data immediately following each run helped Nick figure out the best launch method in a short amount of time and attempts. Today's technology used correctly can truly ramp up the learning curve for any driver in both road course and drag race situations.
Weather and track conditions were less then ideal. Consistent 100 degree ambient temps slowed down everyone and everything. Despite this we were able to run consistent 1.30 lap times around the clockwise course. 0-60 times were a bit tough since the front straight which K.R.O.P.S. allowed us to use during the lunch break did not have close to the traction a drag strip would have making for more than a handful of wheel spinning attempts by our own Nick Betz. The shortest factory option 3.73 final drive ratio also required an up shift to 3rd gear to reach 60mph, adding more time and variables. Even while fighting these factors plus the hot weather we still got the pony to a respectable 5.695 second 0-60 time.
Here we have the lap telemetry comparison of the Mustang's two quickest laps of the day. Both the bottom speed chart, and the “play” feature which shows a dot travelling around the track representing your lap time show in detail where the improvements were from the 2nd fastest lap of the day and the fastest. Even though the lap time difference was barely over 2 tenths of a second, the data makes it clear where the time savings were achieved.
