June 26, 2010
Buttonwillow Friday Test Day Update

The day started seasonably warm for Buttonwillow in June – quite warm at 6am. The team hit the track to test and tune the car in preparation for the sprint and endurance races over the weekend. The test day would act as one been open track session allow the team to do as many laps as desired to make sure the car was working as it should, get the driver’s comfortable with the track configuration, and modify the #23 Weekend-Racer.com Mazda MX-5.

The first session showed the car was running well with what felt like improved horsepower – always a good sign. John was scheduled to take the morning track time. After getting the tires warm John started modifying the team’s new brake proportioning valve which will allow the driver to adjust the amount of braking force from front to rear. The valve worked perfectly and quickly provided superior braking from corner to corner.

Before the second session the team did a thorough check of the car in addition to its usually post session checks. Everything was working well – no surprises or unanticipated problems are always a good thing especially with a newly rebuilt engine as well as a new lightweight flywheel and unsprung clutch. The second session proved faster than the first as the car and driver started settling in. John noticed some spots on the track that would require some setup changes and the team made the appropriate changes before the third session.

The improvement was substantial. The car felt good in the first two sessions but in the third session it was hooked up. Better turn into corners, better balance, more stability, much faster times. It’s always incredible how the smallest changes to the car can make the biggest difference on track.

Rob took the afternoon session and was immediately quick posting his best times on the track configuration being used for the race weekend. And, as usual, his laps were ridiculously consistent providing the team an added boost for the 3 hour endurance race on Saturday night.

Stay tuned for more updates throughout the weekend on this site, facebook (RJ Racing) and twitter (twitter.com/rjracing).

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