Private Runway=Fun
07-09-08, 10:44 AM
#1
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Private Runway=Fun
This past weekend I went to my lake house at Possum Kingdom lake, west of Fort Worth, TX. My lakehouse is in a private community with its own private airport and a runway that is easily accessible from the road.
The runway is rarely used, so I decided to abuse the IS a little.
First things first, I got the pedal dance out of the way. Then I made a spirited sprint to 100 mph and coasted until the end of the runway.
Feeling that the runway's length was adequate I proceeded to run up and down the 3/4 mile runway as hard and fast as I could. Within a half mile I could accelerate to nearly 130 mph, before I had to get into the brakes and prepare for the turn. The runway was 60-80 feet wide and provided ample space for simulating hard braking into a hairpin, but the IS's tendency to plow into the turn and made me have to work to get it around.
After making the turn then hurtled my IS out of the hairpin. I approached 130 mph again got into the brakes and executed a much cleaner turn. You have to really modulate slip angle, because the IS really loves to plow into turns. Even with larger 235s on the front I had problems with turn in. The lack of feeling in the steering adds to this problem.
On the third run the car became somewhat heat-soaked and started losing horsepower, so I slowed to a stop.
But I wasn't done did a little power breaking and made a huge cloud of adrenaline infused tire smoke, before pulling away.
I typically don't drive my Lexus like this. I used to autocross in my 240sx every weekend, but I hadn't abused my car like that or been on that runway since I sold it.
It was a heck of a lot more fun in a car that actually had some power, I could maybe hit 100 in my 240, but I do miss the go-kart like handling and flickability of my 240.
None the less, it was great to abuse my baby. It's been almost three years and 40,000 miles, she needed it.
The runway is rarely used, so I decided to abuse the IS a little.
First things first, I got the pedal dance out of the way. Then I made a spirited sprint to 100 mph and coasted until the end of the runway.
Feeling that the runway's length was adequate I proceeded to run up and down the 3/4 mile runway as hard and fast as I could. Within a half mile I could accelerate to nearly 130 mph, before I had to get into the brakes and prepare for the turn. The runway was 60-80 feet wide and provided ample space for simulating hard braking into a hairpin, but the IS's tendency to plow into the turn and made me have to work to get it around.
After making the turn then hurtled my IS out of the hairpin. I approached 130 mph again got into the brakes and executed a much cleaner turn. You have to really modulate slip angle, because the IS really loves to plow into turns. Even with larger 235s on the front I had problems with turn in. The lack of feeling in the steering adds to this problem.
On the third run the car became somewhat heat-soaked and started losing horsepower, so I slowed to a stop.
But I wasn't done did a little power breaking and made a huge cloud of adrenaline infused tire smoke, before pulling away.
I typically don't drive my Lexus like this. I used to autocross in my 240sx every weekend, but I hadn't abused my car like that or been on that runway since I sold it.
It was a heck of a lot more fun in a car that actually had some power, I could maybe hit 100 in my 240, but I do miss the go-kart like handling and flickability of my 240.
None the less, it was great to abuse my baby. It's been almost three years and 40,000 miles, she needed it.
07-09-08, 01:08 PM
#5
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I wish I would have brought a camcorder. I never bring one when necessary. All I have from my trip to the Nurburgring are some still shots, but the pictures are still great. I'll never forget my day at the ring, beats the crap out of the runway.
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07-09-08, 04:28 PM
#8
Heat SOAK, HEAT Soak, HEAT SOAK
YOU KNOW WHAT!!!!!!!!!
When I made a few spirited runs, I noticed a considerable amount of HEAT SOAK myself......
WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?????
Is there something wrong?
I would hate for HEAT SOAK to occur, say after 15 HOT LAPS on a track....
YOU KNOW WHAT!!!!!!!!!
When I made a few spirited runs, I noticed a considerable amount of HEAT SOAK myself......
WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?????
Is there something wrong?
I would hate for HEAT SOAK to occur, say after 15 HOT LAPS on a track....
Last edited by t0e; 07-09-08 at 04:53 PM.
07-09-08, 05:23 PM
#10
if you miss the handling and such just get a shifter go kart (only about 6-8k)... no car can even get anywhere near its handling and few cars can compare to their acceleration up to 130ish...plus if you do screw it its much less damage
07-09-08, 05:37 PM
#11
I've heard of two deadly accidents in Florida on runways over the past ten years with this same scenario. No one survived. Typically drivers don't look up and behind when they are focused on the road ahead at 130 mph. With the new GPS devices on planes, flying an instrument approach to minimums (typically 200 feet altitude) is not uncommon and by that time the pilot can't see immediatly below him/her and the plane lands on the car. No one sees it comming. Sounds far fetched, but I almost hit a lawn mowing tractor once; luckilly he was on the grass and I was on the runway. Never saw him and he didn't see me. I never did buy a new set of underware after that. Lets be careful.
So kids, don't try this at home!
