Track Day report from HPDE at Gingerman Raceway
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Joined: August 2, 2013
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From: Little north of Stuttgart, Germany
Gingerman is a great facility. I'm not sure where you are coming from, but another great MI track is about 50 miles away from G-man, called Grattan Raceway just east of Grand Rapids. It is about the same length as Gingerman, with a real long straight, and tons of elevation change and blind entry corners.
I am an instructor with 3Ballsracing.com and we visit both Gingerman and Grattan throughout the season. We also make it to Mid-Ohio at least once in the season as well.
As far as your comments about the car's performance, I found the same things to be true, especially with the gearing. I am actually considering changing out to 3.55 gears as well for a little more mph in each gear. Plus the track tires I use are shorter than the OEM tire, so I lose a few MPH there too.
I am an instructor with 3Ballsracing.com and we visit both Gingerman and Grattan throughout the season. We also make it to Mid-Ohio at least once in the season as well.
As far as your comments about the car's performance, I found the same things to be true, especially with the gearing. I am actually considering changing out to 3.55 gears as well for a little more mph in each gear. Plus the track tires I use are shorter than the OEM tire, so I lose a few MPH there too.
I know you guys did a season opener in April or May 2013 at Gingerman. Few guys I work with went last year, and had nothing but good things to say about 3Ballsracing. Is your schedule for 2014 posted somewhere? I'd be interested in going this year. Grattan is near the top of my list for 2014, along with Mid-Ohio. I've been there once for the Acura High Performance Driver Training, and I think a Mustang would be a blast on that track.
Bullitt Member
Joined: March 17, 2010
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From: Farmington Hills, MI
Our season opener is usually in April. It even snowed on us a bit leaving the drivers meeting last year. Our season opener is once again at Gingerman this year the weekend of April 12/13. We have a website and forum at www.3ballsracing.com you can join the forum and see our schedule so far set up for 2014. We are about to announce a day at Mid-Ohio for June 30. That usually sells out fast so be on the lookout for when that gets posted. Hope to see you out there.
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From: Little north of Stuttgart, Germany
I checked out 3ballsracing.com
I will almost certainly join one of your events this year.
Not sure which one yet, but at least one for sure. 
You mentioned your track tires are shorter than stock. What tire size do your run for your track setup? I've been debating the track size question for the last few months. I think I'm 90% decided on running 275/40-19 on 19x9.5 wheels.
Your post also made me think about max speed in each gear. If I run with the setup I mentioned I'll gain 2.3% max speed in each gear. So now I think I'm 95% decided
I will almost certainly join one of your events this year.
Not sure which one yet, but at least one for sure. You mentioned your track tires are shorter than stock. What tire size do your run for your track setup? I've been debating the track size question for the last few months. I think I'm 90% decided on running 275/40-19 on 19x9.5 wheels.
Your post also made me think about max speed in each gear. If I run with the setup I mentioned I'll gain 2.3% max speed in each gear. So now I think I'm 95% decided
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From: Farmington Hills, MI
My track tires are 275/40/18 on their own set of wheels. I get them as scrub take offs from a local grand am team. They are about 1" smaller OD than the OEM tire, so I lose a couple MPH in each gear. Going to a 3.55:1 rear gear effectively brings me back to the standard ratios I get with the larger street tire and 3.73:1 gears.
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Joined: April 14, 2013
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From: CT
My track tires are 275/40/18 on their own set of wheels. I get them as scrub take offs from a local grand am team. They are about 1" smaller OD than the OEM tire, so I lose a couple MPH in each gear. Going to a 3.55:1 rear gear effectively brings me back to the standard ratios I get with the larger street tire and 3.73:1 gears.
how do you like the conti tires? I was considering picking up a set...
Also considering going to 3.55 down the road. Would be perfect gearing. I prefer not to rev up my engine to 7500 rpm since I don't race, I just track it for fun.
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Joined: August 2, 2013
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From: Little north of Stuttgart, Germany
Should be about 1.4% slower per the tire comparison on miata.net. I got 285/40/18 for my track setup, which is only 0.2% slower then my OEM 255/40/19.
how do you like the conti tires? I was considering picking up a set...
Also considering going to 3.55 down the road. Would be perfect gearing. I prefer not to rev up my engine to 7500 rpm since I don't race, I just track it for fun.
how do you like the conti tires? I was considering picking up a set...
Also considering going to 3.55 down the road. Would be perfect gearing. I prefer not to rev up my engine to 7500 rpm since I don't race, I just track it for fun.
Bullitt Member
Joined: March 17, 2010
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From: Farmington Hills, MI
The continental tires are great for HPDE use because they offer way more grip than a street tire while offering decent longevity for track use. They are however an endurance tire for Grand Am and perform similar to the Hoosier R6. I also have a local hook up for Pirelli World Challenge tires. From what I've seen, those give the grip like a Hoosier A6 while not overheating as quickly, and lasting a decent amount of time. I may try those out this coming season once my current set of Contis are done.
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: April 14, 2013
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From: CT
Nice. That size is very close to original 255/40-19, yet much wider. Have you noticed more cornering/accel/decel grip with that setup? I'd like to pick up 1-2 mph in each gear, along with more cornering grip, plus be able to rotate my tires. So 275/40-19 seems to be the optimal choice for me (as of today).
I liked the 18's because of tire cost and size availability mainly. I completely agree about trying to pick up a couple MPH in each gear though. 3/4/5 are all a bit too short with the 3.73's in my opinion
Shelby GT350 Member
Joined: April 14, 2013
Posts: 2,460
Likes: 111
From: CT
The continental tires are great for HPDE use because they offer way more grip than a street tire while offering decent longevity for track use. They are however an endurance tire for Grand Am and perform similar to the Hoosier R6. I also have a local hook up for Pirelli World Challenge tires. From what I've seen, those give the grip like a Hoosier A6 while not overheating as quickly, and lasting a decent amount of time. I may try those out this coming season once my current set of Contis are done.
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