This may sound like a dumb question, but in the interest of "there are no dumb questions," could I please get some opinions on this question:

I just attended my second HPDE road course event on Monday August 18 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (my first was at Lime Rock last November), and I just wish that I had discovered this activity earlier in life. It's the best way to enjoy a street-legal Mustang, and my stock 2005 GT is a pretty formidable car on the track. A lot of the fun for me is sliding through the turns, either by hanging the rear end out in a throttle oversteer situation, or four-wheel drifting to the track-out cone.

Here's the dumb question part:

If I install the FRPP FR3 Handling pack to get a lowered car that sticks better in the turns, is that going to reduce the fun factor of sliding through the turns?

My instinct says NO, the fun will not be reduced, because I should still be able to slide through the turns like before, only with the lowered and stiffer suspension, I'll be sliding through the turns faster than before. But, I thought I'd post this question the more experienced road racers to get some informed opinions.

 

It'll still be a blast. I ran for over a year on the stock tires, but with upgraded suspension (similar to the handling pack you are looking at). Now, with stickier tires you can still slide--you are just going faster when it happens.

 

Slaya, what kind of tires are you running at the road course events? Are they your street tires, or do you have a set dedicated for the track?

I was actually at a tire shop today thinking about getting a set of Toyo RA-1 tires just for the track to mount on an extra set of wheels. But I haven't really researched this, and am not sure even what size tires/wheels would be best. Any opinion on that?

 

I would get the widest tires you can fit on the rims

 

I have a set of Nitto 555RII's (identical to the Toyo RA-1's other than tread pattern) in 275/40/17 on Enkei RP03's (17x9.5) and I keep them on the car from April to October. I don't put much mileage on the car (it's more of a weekend/track toy), so I expect them to last 2 seasons or so.

 

If your sliding you could be going faster, alot faster.

With the stock set up on the fastest corner at my track, a long left hand sweeper, I could get almost 100 mph. This was with useing the whole width of the track. I would be far left in and almost off the surface on the way out. Sliding the car from point A to point B.

With the FRPP kit installed I could manage 110/115 mph at the same corner, and although I still use the whole width of the track I wouldnt call it a slide.

Add in some 275 40 18 Toyo 888 r compound tires and Im at 125 with no slipping at all.

The only time I enjoy sliding the car around is when the fun runs start at the autocross. I REALLY ENJOY it after the event master feels the need to give the "This isnt a drifting event today" speech during the drivers meeting.

I like to call it car control!!!