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      06-28-2015, 01:11 PM   #1
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First Impressions from Laguna Seca, CA - Mazda Raceway

To set the stage, I'm no speed racer. I've raced superbikes for 2-3 yrs, but a car with this much power, never. That is, until today. I bought this car to fill the adrenaline gap I've been feeling since I stopped racing superbikes.

First impressions: Really fast and uncmorfotable.

No question about the speed and straight line performance of the F80, but I feel uncomfortable thru corners as the car feels like it's about to oversteer any moment (nannies left on). I'd almost prefer to back it in, but there's no such shenanigans allowed at this track day.

I have a few more sessions today so as long as I'm in one piece I'll continue to update. In the meantime, feel free to share advice etc.

VIDEO:

Last edited by smh_amg_m4gts; 07-06-2015 at 04:36 PM..
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      06-28-2015, 03:35 PM   #2
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2nd session out was exponentially better. Tips from a pro: "brake harder!" My problem was I was carrying too much speed into corners. Duh! On a bike you can usually back it in to shave off some speed...

Still kept nannies on and I didn't feel too restricted. It came in handy towards lap 4 when tires started to lose traction in almost every corner and straight.

As an added bonus, my buddy took me out during his advanced session in a McLaren 650S. Talk about hard braking...tires coming off the ground, and backing it out of corners. Car handles like a beast!!!

Two more sessions left.
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      06-29-2015, 04:44 PM   #3
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laptimes?
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      06-29-2015, 04:46 PM   #4
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joon?
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      06-29-2015, 06:38 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sonystyle02 View Post
joon?
Yea! What's up Sony! You in OC now?

Last edited by smh_amg_m4gts; 06-29-2015 at 06:43 PM..
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      06-29-2015, 06:43 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Number 86 View Post
laptimes?
Probably high 1:50s. I didn't bother recording my lap times since it was my first time at Laguna on four wheels.
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      06-29-2015, 06:52 PM   #7
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Final summary of my day at Laguna:

After 4 x 20 min sessions, I burned through the factory pads (non-ceramic), melted all the thread on the tires (should've been monitoring my tire pressure better) and had way too much fun. I'll be getting race pads and investing in some PSS Cup2s or R888s for my 19's. Not sure if I really need camber at this point.

Most difficult corner was turn 9 coming out of the corkscrew. You want to shoot into the turn right away, but the trick is to move all the way to the right rumble strips and then dive down into the apex and take advantage of the camber. Definitely the most deceptive corner.

In retrospect, the MDM probably saved me from a hand-full of spinouts, but really slowed me down coming out of corners. I'll turn the off next time, but I'll probably get booted from the track for drifting.

Settings:
Engine: Sports Plus
Suspension: Sport
Steering: Sport and Comfort - Comfort was easier, but Sport was more fun to muscling the car through the corners.
MDM: On

Video coming soon.
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      06-29-2015, 09:45 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stunnaM3 View Post
Final summary of my day at Laguna:

After 4 x 20 min sessions, I burned through the factory pads (non-ceramic), melted all the thread on the tires (should've been monitoring my tire pressure better) and had way too much fun. I'll be getting race pads and investing in some PSS Cup2s or R888s for my 19's. Not sure if I really need camber at this point.

Most difficult corner was turn 9 coming out of the corkscrew. You want to shoot into the turn right away, but the trick is to move all the way to the right rumble strips and then dive down into the apex and take advantage of the camber. Definitely the most deceptive corner.

In retrospect, the MDM probably saved me from a hand-full of spinouts, but really slowed me down coming out of corners. I'll turn the off next time, but I'll probably get booted from the track for drifting.

Settings:
Engine: Sports Plus
Suspension: Sport
Steering: Sport and Comfort - Comfort was easier, but Sport was more fun to muscling the car through the corners.
MDM: On

Video coming soon.
You must be REALLY over driving the car. Although the PSS aren't great track tires, I get a LOT more than 4 x 20 min sessions out of them and I'm running relatively fast. The only way, IMO, that you killed them in 4 x 20min sessions is to over drive the car. You should easily get 12 x 20 min sessions or more IMO. I bet if you backed off a tad and had proper corner entry speed you would be faster around the track and your tires would last a lot longer.
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      06-30-2015, 10:31 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stunnaM3 View Post
Yea! What's up Sony! You in OC now?
Yea bud - for the last 2+ years now! Saw that you got yourself a F80 (so jealous). Looks like you're enjoying her proper!
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      07-01-2015, 09:21 PM   #10
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always fun hearing experiences from others ... sounds like you had fun!!

tires & brakes are standard for most here.. I went with Nitto nt01 which have been very fun. can we plates are on my list to help me get a better contact patch & use my tires more evenly.

that McLaren tho .. that must've been awesome. i love those things.
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      07-01-2015, 10:55 PM   #11
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Joon? Are you korean? Nice to see others in action! No shenanigans? I think this was the same day lol.

From m3post (e9x) "Save thread" in the track section:
Quote:
Originally Posted by kaiv View Post
A couple "saves"


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      07-02-2015, 06:58 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Number 86 View Post
Joon? Are you korean? Nice to see others in action! No shenanigans? I think this was the same day lol.

From m3post (e9x) "Save thread" in the track section:
This one is much better

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      07-02-2015, 09:06 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CanAutM3 View Post
This one is much better :
I approve Not like I have never done anything like that Ever!
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      07-02-2015, 09:09 AM   #14
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Random question, but as a first timer at Laguna Seca, how did you find it compared to a video game, if you ever played any? I mean how accurate was the course?
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      07-02-2015, 11:19 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CanAutM3
Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Number 86 View Post
Joon? Are you korean? Nice to see others in action! No shenanigans? I think this was the same day lol.

From m3post (e9x) "Save thread" in the track section:
This one is much better

legendary haha
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      07-03-2015, 10:14 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Number 86 View Post
Joon? Are you korean? Nice to see others in action! No shenanigans? I think this was the same day lol.

From m3post (e9x) "Save thread" in the track section:
I am! Looks like it was...is this you?
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      07-03-2015, 10:17 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CanAutM3 View Post
This one is much better

Surprised this guy didn't get booted from the track...was told that drifting was prohibited and would get you kicked out.
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      07-03-2015, 10:19 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gthal View Post
You must be REALLY over driving the car. Although the PSS aren't great track tires, I get a LOT more than 4 x 20 min sessions out of them and I'm running relatively fast. The only way, IMO, that you killed them in 4 x 20min sessions is to over drive the car. You should easily get 12 x 20 min sessions or more IMO. I bet if you backed off a tad and had proper corner entry speed you would be faster around the track and your tires would last a lot longer.
I should also add that I had 12k miles on the same tires before the track day. :-P
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      07-03-2015, 10:24 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stunnaM3 View Post
I should also add that I had 12k miles on the same tires before the track day. :-P
Well that explains a lot
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      07-04-2015, 10:49 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stunnaM3
Quote:
Originally Posted by CanAutM3 View Post
This one is much better

Surprised this guy didn't get booted from the track...was told that drifting was prohibited and would get you kicked out.
this guy is awesome. it was probably last session. if you know how to drift and control it they won't boot you.

they say it because they don't want idiots to crash lol.

was this with speed ventures? because I do the same thing at end of day, just not this well lol.
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      07-04-2015, 10:54 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stunnaM3
Quote:
Originally Posted by M3 Number 86 View Post
Joon? Are you korean? Nice to see others in action! No shenanigans? I think this was the same day lol.

From m3post (e9x) "Save thread" in the track section:
I am! Looks like it was...is this you?
no he's on another level! try to learn some car control and it's way more fun lol.

this is me but ish I was there.

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      07-06-2015, 04:38 PM   #22
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Updated with video from two sessions.
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