Project 7dere RX-7 - SMSP - World Time Attack Challenge 2024 Clubsprint -

Time: 1:37.380 [PB]
Place: P10 out of 39
Class: WTAC Clubsprint

A leisurely lap - you can see the car is well off the limit.

In this session alone, I was 1 second off the "optimal" lap (when assessed by putting the best sectors together).

In the final session of the day (with worst track temps), we made some adjustments to suspension settings and more wing AOA, I was able to deal with some of the high speed corner exit looseness on the rear and I was up a further ~0.5 seconds from that optimal on certain corners and sectors (though couldn't manage to link it all together into a lap). Turn 1 for instance, is about 10km/h too slow. The car really should be doing 1.35.XXs.

Given that we had a fire on practice day and didn't get a single hot lap then, only 3x hot laps on Day 1 (due to red flags and first session having FPR issues) and I hadn't driven the car for 12 months before WTAC, I guess a P10 finish and a PB is still a good outcome. Still frustrating to watch this video knowing I could have gone a lot faster.

I will say, that I am a lot faster through Sector 2 and 3 due to the feedback from Harry at RCD Motorsport, who was my driver coach for this event. First time I've tried professional coaching, and it definitely helps. If you compare it to previous year, it's way quicker and smoother. I always found many of the corners "awkward" (especially T4, T5, T6 and T9/T10) and couldn't work out why despite trying different lines, but Harry really gave some pointers that seemed counterintuitive initially, but ended up working really well.

You'll also notice I spend almost the entire lap in 3rd gear, and this was another piece of good advice Harry provided. If you're stuck with a H-pattern competing with a field of DCTs/sequentials, just don't shift and you don't have a problem! Works because the Raceonly 13B bridgeport and 9180 combo has such a broad power band that can be used - from 4500rpm to 9500rpm.

Hopefully can get more seat time before WTAC 2025 and do a better job then!