Here are the logs from all four runs. I've tried to guess when the timing would have started, and what gear I was in at each point.
Run 1 - 29.89 seconds - accidentally shifted from 2nd to 5th
- run1a.gif (29.15 KiB) Viewed 7647 times
Run 2 - 26.38 seconds
- run2a.gif (27.24 KiB) Viewed 7647 times
Run 3 - 26.92 seconds
- run3a.gif (27.16 KiB) Viewed 7647 times
Run 4 - 26.07 seconds (fastest)
- run4a.gif (26.43 KiB) Viewed 7647 times
Things I've worked out from examining the data....
- In all four runs, I hit the steep section ("The Wall") at about 14.5 seconds, and it's a bit faster every time (105, 110, 115, 120 km/h)
- Apart from the awful first run, I crossed the finish line doing 120 in runs 2, 3 and 4. I'm guessing that I had to back off for slightly longer because it was a bit harder to control the car over the top at the higher speed.
- In runs 2, 3 and 4, I appear to lose speed between 1 and 2 seconds after starting. I think I was actually spinning one or more wheels, and when they stop spinning, the speed appears to drop. I certainly wasn't aware that any wheels had lost traction. A video of my launches would be very useful to check.
- In the fastest run (#4) I got into 3rd gear much earlier than the other runs.
- In runs 2 and 4, after I back off at the finish, my speed appears to have multiple spikes downward. This will be the tyres momentarily locking up, then the ABS kicking in, as I was braking very hard.
- I don't know why there is a quick spike upward in my speed about 2 seconds before the finish in all of the last three runs. There is a slight left bend about there on the track, but I'm sure I didn't spin the wheels at that point, certainly not three times.
What can I do to improve my times?
[1] Try to drive around the first corner faster. You can see me back off at the 7 second mark every time. I'm hitting a right hand bend at about 80 km/h, and backing off to avoid sliding off.
Trying to improve my line, or playing with tyre pressures may help here.
[2] Change from 2nd to 3rd earlier, but it must be after I've hit that first corner. I must not back off the power before I have to.
[3] Try not to get back onto power ASAP after hitting The Wall. It's a blind left bend here, so difficult to get your line right, and the car wants to slide sideways as the weight comes off the tyres as you come over the top.