1st Annual Fall Roadster Battle! FINAL RESULTS POSTED!!!

[XDesperado67]

Just finding this thread now. Looks like it started just as my Spec Miata SCCA season was wrapping up. Wish I could have participated. Love these roadsters. I'll look for the next one - maybe Rally cars in the snow?

I was looking at the results page for the Fall Roadster Battle and noticed something that I thought was interesting. With two tuners also driving, I thought for sure that their own tune would be their fastest time, well, because they built the tune for themselves. Praiano's own tune ranks 13th with him driving. And, XDesperado's ranks 7th when he's driving. Just though it was an interesting look at the numbers.

More time driving my SSR and the fact that it was tuned so I could get the most out of it contributed to it doing as well as I have it. Some of the cars behind it in time will definitely be faster for a lot of drivers but they don't suit my driving style so its hard for me to get the best out of them. Tris_73's car in particular was an especially tough drive for me as it requires ultra smooth throttle, brake and steering inputs to reach its true potential, sadly I'm lacking in those qualities so it underperformed in my hands.

One of the challenges in these shootouts is tuning a car that is fairly easy for drivers to push to the limits of their driving abilities. Since there is a fairly broad range of skill for the drivers a car that may be ultra fast for the more skilled, may be very hard or nearly impossible for less skilled drivers to get good times with.

Also if you watch the Federation of International Tuners and Test-Drivers thread you'll see information on upcoming events and notifications that they have started.👍👍

 

[DigitalBaka]

Times are due by Sunday drivers! If you haven't started I would suggest getting going on it soon. If you haven't finished *coughonboycough* make sure you get your last few done before the deadline. I've already handed out a few rewards to those that have finished and have a couple pending. Get those times in so you can get your reward cars!

 

[Onboy123]

Times are due by Sunday drivers! If you haven't started I would suggest getting going on it soon. If you haven't finished *coughonboycough* make sure you get your last few done before the deadline. I've already handed out a few rewards to those that have finished and have a couple pending. Get those times in so you can get your reward cars!

Alright, alright! I'm on it!

Update. RJ in the lead again, Shmogt in 2nd, and I'm knackered from keeping those two pointing straight for lap after lap.

 

[Rallywagon]

Psshh, damn psn being down hampered progress yesterday, but I souls have it all wrapped up saturday.

 

[krenkme]

Psshh, damn psn being down hampered progress yesterday, but I souls have it all wrapped up saturday.

Sounds great 👍 hope you enjoy the rides

 

[MrGrado]

VTiRoj needs to add me as friend or I need to have access to his tune.

 

[Rallywagon]

Sounds great 👍 hope you enjoy the rides

I am indeed. Some great cars, and my first time getting to drive other peoples tunes has helped give me insight on my tuning. There are some great cars and drivers here. I kinda feel like I'm doing an episode of hot version.

 

[MrGrado]

I have updated some of my times.

 

[CyKosis1973]

Cykosis1973
Mazda Roadster RS (NC) 07
Best Lap: 1:29.798
Style: I like the burnt orange paint, it goes well with the darker colors of the top, rims and accents.

ride: small amount of under steer, perhaps the diff could be a little stronger. car felt light and easy to control. over a longer duration of laps or runs, this car would be my choice. Engine is nice for the car, and the trans shifts are all at the right spot.

Overall impression: so far, i like this car best. It felt very smooth and poised. i never felt the worry of the tail end jumping out on me, to the point that perhaps there was a touch to much understeer, though it was hardly an issue. this car grips well.

Excellent review, thank you kindly. I have a habit of building in some inherent understeer, probably due to being an early braker. This requires neutralising the car somewhat, but should mean that if you've got your entry right, you can get on the power early and keep the rear in check. Go in too hot and you'll drift wide

Glad you enjoyed the ride, thanks for your time and efforts... 👍

{Cy}

 

[krenkme]

Krenkme
Chrysler Prowler 02
HP: 295 Torque: 287 Weight: 1351
Best Lap: 1:30.708

Style: This thing looks like the poor child of an F1 car and a garbage truck! Its bloated and almost cartoonish in its appearance and color, with the wing hardly helping in the whole charade.

Ride: Surprisingly neutral! This car is a beast. The engine is responsive and ready to throw down the 295 hp it has on tap. The top end was a little weak, but the torque really help propel it out of the corners. I feel the suspension was top notch on this car though, for its wide, long stance, and I could feel it! the car really had a good neutral feel to it, and never really felt like it was going to lose control. If you missed your apex, came in to hot, whatever you threw into it, you just let up a touch, scrub some speed and be on your way again.

I like the looks of the Prowler (without the wing).

I knew it wouldn't be the fastest, but it was a car that needed to be in the shootout. I'm glad you liked the neutral feel of the car, that's what I was trying to get 👍. I just wish it would have turned out to be faster . Thanks for your time and a great review. Again thanks a lot.

 

[Indy Racerfan]

I'd like to thank the TD's. this was my first tune for a shootout, been in your shoes before. wish you all could have done mid .26's like was running after I got the hang of the track, but none the less thank you and DB for doing this I look forward to 2nd annual FRSO...

Indy

 

[shmogt]

Some of the drivers are also tuners, but have not put a time for their car. This will alter the results as they will have less numbers to dived by in the end.

 

[Onboy123]

Oh, just so that you know, I did a 1:26.575 in my Eclipse. It's also written down in my test sheet, but I'm just puttin' this out just incase you missed it, DB.

 

[XDesperado67]

@Rallywagon thanks for the time and well written reviews they are much appreciated.

Looking at your times and comments I'm guessing your using a DS3 controller and manual transmission. If so you might find raising the controller sensitivity to the 5-7 range will provide a significant improvement on lap times and the way you feel the cars handle. The higher sensitivity will make cars far more responsive to input from the controller much like installing quick ratio steering on a car in real life. With the default sensitivity most cars seemed a bit slow to respond and didn't seem to actually turn the wheels as far hence making more cars feel like they were understeering most of the time unless you got the rear end to break free with excessive throttle.
As for my transmission you may be right there, though your the first to mention it, I'm not great at tuning transmissions and generally use a variation of praiano's method which works well with an automatic transmission.
ACSR421 is the transmission tuning specialist I turn to when collaborating on a tune in the Outlaw Motorsports Garage, something I obviously couldn't do for this shootout.

Anyways thanks again for testing the cars and writing your reviews. I hope you'll become a regular test driver and reviewer for all our F.I.T.T. events.👍👍

@DigitalBaka please add a link for Rallywagon's results/review post. It's post #716, page 36 for regular members and premium members using standard post count per page.

Last and a bit off topic I should be posting my "Tons of Fun" event later today. If I don't have it posted today I'll do it first thing tomorrow after work.

 

[XDesperado67]

Oh, just so that you know, I did a 1:26.575 in my Eclipse. It's also written down in my test sheet, but I'm just puttin' this out just incase you missed it, DB.

Just one question...
Did you remember to check the tires and make sure they were Sports Mediums and not Sports Softs? That Onboy guy kept trying to slip one past all the test drivers when testing started, learned bad habits from a bunch of monkeys he used to hang with in the tunnels!

 

[krenkme]

Just one question...
Did you remember to check the tires and make sure they were Sports Mediums and not Sports Softs? That Onboy guy kept trying to slip one past all the test drivers when testing started, learned bad habits from a bunch of monkeys he used to hang with in the tunnels!

👍

 

[DigitalBaka]

Got Rallywagon's post linked up on the front page. I will update the times when I an home unless I get a few minutes at work later.

 

[Johnnypenso]

I have updated some of my times.

1:23.999!!! Holy crap!!!...lol...

 

[shmogt]

ok Onboy, it's all up to you. Drive my car at the speed of light. Do some yoga, take a hot shower, than drink some black coffee so your fully relaxed and focused on your task at hand. I believe in you Onboy, you can do it.

 

[Onboy123]

OI! DIGITALBAKA!! Y U NO UPDATE MY TIME?!!??!?!?!?!?!??!?! IT'S A 1:26.575 FOR THE 1416745912462160461284th TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!11!!!1!1!!!!!!!!111

 

[DigitalBaka]

OI! DIGITALBAKA!! Y U NO UPDATE MY TIME?!!??!?!?!?!?!??!?! IT'S A 1:26.575 FOR THE 1416745912462160461284th TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!11!!!1!1!!!!!!!!111

Y U NO READ WORDS?! I will update times in less than an hour. Trying to do it from a mobile device is a painful experience.

EDIT: All times updated! That includes yours there Onboy. Timber, how are things going? I'll assume smrtb0mb hasn't had time to run as we haven't heard from him but I'll wait until Sunday. Roj, please make sure you get MrGrado added up. I know you are Mister Popular with that full friend list.

Got quite an assortment of cars sent out for the driver rewards, though I tend to think krenkme has the best so far. Think I am squared up with all but one. Remember to PM with your car and color of choice once you're finished up driving. Eligible cars are here, except DLC cars of course.

 

[krenkme]

Got quite an assortment of cars sent out for the driver rewards, though I tend to think krenkme has the best so far. Think I am squared up with all but one. Remember to PM with your car and color of choice once you're finished up driving. Eligible cars are here, except DLC cars of course.

What? This little thing?

Thank you DB! Should be done tuning this fun car in about a week or so (if I can stop driving it 👍 )

Thanks again!!!!

 

[Onboy123]

Right. 2 things.

1. 2 more done, leaving Madmyke's MG to test as well as setting a lap in krenkme's Prowler.

2. madmyke's MG is off share, and I've checked the tyres on my Eclipse, which are now SMs.

Now for the calm before the storm……

Shmogt vs Rotary Junkie S2000 DUEL!

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Shmogt vs Rotary Junkie S2000 DUEL!

Hm? Is his time not updated while mine is or what?

Regardless, Blue Lighter FTW. I still find you comparing it to the Amuse S2000 R1 amusing (heh) seeing as the original Blue Lighter (and Lime Lighter for that matter) was an Amuse S2000 R1.

 

[Onboy123]

Hm? Is his time not updated while mine is or what?

Regardless, Blue Lighter FTW. I still find you comparing it to the Amuse S2000 R1 amusing (heh) seeing as the original Blue Lighter (and Lime Lighter for that matter) was an Amuse S2000 R1.

No, I first tested his car on a day that I felt confident, and as it blitzed the field, I jumped into the Blue Lighter which in turn blitzed Shmogt's car. But I want to see how fast the top 2 cars of my list are so I'll give them a bit of a thrash tonight, see which one comes out on top.

Well, both share the same weird overkill rear camber which still boggles me as to how it can possibly work, and it does sort of feel like the R1. And I thought you couldn't repaint the R1? How could you have a Blue Lighter if the car's gray or red?

 

[Rotary Junkie]

No, I first tested his car on a day that I felt confident, and as it blitzed the field, I jumped into the Blue Lighter which in turn blitzed Shmogt's car. But I want to see how fast the top 2 cars of my list are so I'll give them a bit of a thrash tonight, see which one comes out on top.

Well, both share the same weird overkill rear camber which still boggles me as to how it can possibly work, and it does sort of feel like the R1. And I thought you couldn't repaint the R1? How could you have a Blue Lighter if the car's gray or red?

It was GT4 and the R1 came in every color the normal S2000 did and then a few. The actual Blue Lighter was, I think, Nurburgring Blue, but I felt it wasn't blue enough.

 

[XDesperado67]

No, I first tested his car on a day that I felt confident, and as it blitzed the field, I jumped into the Blue Lighter which in turn blitzed Shmogt's car. But I want to see how fast the top 2 cars of my list are so I'll give them a bit of a thrash tonight, see which one comes out on top.

Well, both share the same weird overkill rear camber which still boggles me as to how it can possibly work, and it does sort of feel like the R1. And I thought you couldn't repaint the R1? How could you have a Blue Lighter if the car's gray or red?

think you might be shortchanging Johnnypenso and his car since if memory serves and your drivers notes are correct it was the first to knock off RJ.

 

[Onboy123]

think you might be shortchanging Johnnypenso and his car since if memory serves and your drivers notes are correct it was the first to knock off RJ.

Yea, but I don't think his car can be pushed any further in my hands…I'll try, but the battle for the fastest '01 S2000 is down to RJ and Shmogt.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

think you might be shortchanging Johnnypenso and his car since if memory serves and your drivers notes are correct it was the first to knock off RJ.

Maybe. Then again I know the Blue isn't as scary as some make it out to be. No, it doesn't like you screwing up, but it's just telling you what you should be doing.

 

[Onboy123]

Maybe. Then again I know the Blue isn't as scary as some make it out to be. No, it doesn't like you screwing up, but it's just telling you what you should be doing.

Hmm…but could you tell me what the benefit of all that rear camber is? Aside from making me laugh a bit when I first took it out for a drive.