About this episode
Scott and Seth reflect on their racing season with tiny bikes, sharing insights on bike modifications, team dynamics, and the challenges of endurance racing. They discuss upgrades made to improve performance, particularly a new close ratio transmission that enhanced lap times. The conversation highlights the fun of racing, overcoming mechanical issues, and the importance of teamwork. They also touch on the mental aspects of racing, including managing expectations and learning from experiences. The episode wraps up with a discussion on tire management and how to maximize performance on used tires.
Seth gets a t-shirt for all his efforts... Scott thinks he couldn't have had fun unless he tried hard... and we talk about tires...
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Discord! Where we hang out
Track Walking - Instagram
Mazda Miata
"It's like a, like a Miata, right? Like it's not fast, but it's a really good, like it's really good to go"
The Mazda Miata is a small sports car that many people love because it's fun to drive, even if it isn't the fastest car out there. It's known for being light and easy to handle.
The Mazda Miata is a lightweight two-seat sports car known for its agile handling and fun driving experience. While it may not have the highest horsepower, its balance and responsiveness make it a favorite among driving enthusiasts.
lap times
"lap times come in. Um, and yeah, we were just having a good, it was"
Lap times are how long it takes a car to go around a racetrack. Shorter times mean better performance.
Lap times refer to the amount of time it takes for a vehicle to complete a lap on a racetrack. They are crucial for assessing performance and competitiveness in racing.
gearing issues
"the problem with these motors is we run into gearing issues. Like there's only so much gear in the transmission."
Gearing issues happen when the car's gears aren't set up right, which can make it harder for the car to go fast or accelerate well.
Gearing issues refer to problems related to the gear ratios in a vehicle's transmission, which can affect acceleration and top speed. If the gear ratios are not optimized for the engine's power band, it can lead to performance limitations.
transmission
"there's only so much gear in the transmission."
The transmission is what helps the car change gears and move. It connects the engine to the wheels.
The transmission is a system in a vehicle that transmits power from the engine to the wheels, allowing the car to move. It can be automatic or manual and plays a key role in vehicle performance.
spark plug
"We had a new coil and plug together"
A spark plug is a small part in the engine that creates a spark to help ignite the fuel and air mixture. It's important for starting the car and keeping the engine running smoothly.
Spark plugs are essential components in gasoline engines, providing the spark that ignites the air-fuel mixture in the combustion chamber. They need to be replaced periodically to ensure optimal engine performance.
coil
"We had a new coil and plug together"
An ignition coil is a part of the car's engine that helps create the spark needed to start the engine. It takes a small amount of electricity and turns it into a much stronger spark.
A coil in automotive terms usually refers to the ignition coil, which is responsible for converting the battery's low voltage to the high voltage needed to create a spark in the spark plugs. This is crucial for starting the engine and maintaining its operation.
drum brakes
"...that is it has drum brakes front and rear. So it has cable actuated drum brakes which are..."
Drum brakes are a kind of brake that uses a round drum to create friction and stop the car. They are usually not as strong as the more common disc brakes.
Drum brakes are a type of braking system where friction is applied to the inside of a drum to slow down the vehicle. They are generally less effective than disc brakes, especially in high-performance situations.
disc brakes
"...with good disc brakes hit the brakes in front of us it was pretty sketchy..."
Disc brakes are a type of brake that helps slow down a car. They work by squeezing a flat disc to create friction, which stops the wheels from turning.
Disc brakes are a type of braking system that uses a disc-shaped rotor and calipers to slow down or stop a vehicle. They are known for their effective heat dissipation and consistent performance under various conditions.
horsepower
"...we found ourselves with 12 horsepower going damn near 60 miles an hour at the end of the straightaway."
Horsepower is a way to measure how powerful an engine is. The more horsepower an engine has, the faster and stronger it can make a car go.
Horsepower is a unit of measurement for power, commonly used to quantify the power output of engines. It indicates how much work an engine can perform over time, with higher horsepower generally translating to better performance.
cable stretch
"...what they refer as cable stretch..."
Cable stretch happens when a cable gets pulled tight and becomes longer. This can cause problems in cars, especially with things like brakes or gas pedals, where everything needs to work just right.
Cable stretch refers to the elongation of a cable under tension, which can affect its performance and the operation of connected components. In automotive contexts, this can relate to brake cables or throttle cables, where precise tension is crucial for proper function.
housing compression
"...more like housing compression..."
Housing compression is when the outer part of a cable gets squished down, which can make it harder for the cable inside to move. This can cause issues in cars, especially with brakes or gear shifts.
Housing compression occurs when the outer casing of a cable system compresses under tension, which can lead to reduced performance or responsiveness of the cable inside. This is important in systems like brakes or shifters where precise movement is needed.
brake shoe wear
"but yeah brake shoe wear and cable housing compression are the two main things"
Brake shoe wear is when the parts that help your car stop start to wear out. If they wear down too much, your brakes won't work as well, and you might need to replace them.
Brake shoe wear refers to the degradation of the brake shoes, which are critical components in drum brake systems. Over time, as the brake shoes make contact with the drum, they wear down and may need to be replaced to maintain effective braking performance.
57 second laps
"we had been running like 57 second laps something like that at that track earlier in the year"
A 57 second lap time means it takes 57 seconds to go around a racetrack once. Faster lap times usually mean the driver and car are performing really well.
A 57 second lap time refers to the duration it takes to complete one lap around a racetrack, which is a measure of speed and performance. Lower lap times generally indicate faster and more skilled driving, as well as a well-tuned vehicle.
brake situation
"if you guys get the brake situation sorted and maybe different gearing like we have..."
The 'brake situation' is about how well a car can stop. It includes things like the condition of the brake pads and how the brakes are set up.
The term 'brake situation' refers to the overall performance and effectiveness of a vehicle's braking system. This can include factors like brake pad condition, brake fluid levels, and the design of the braking system itself.
tire temps
"...what data is being collected you know tire temps for sure even..."
Tire temps refer to how hot your tires get while driving. Knowing the temperature helps you understand if your tires are performing well or if they might be wearing out too quickly.
Tire temperatures are critical for understanding tire performance, as they affect grip, wear, and overall handling. Monitoring tire temps can help drivers optimize their driving style and tire management during races or spirited driving.
longitudinal
"...tire temps for sure even lateral longitudinal..."
Longitudinal means forward and backward movement. In cars, it describes how the vehicle accelerates or brakes.
Longitudinal refers to movement or forces acting in the direction of the vehicle's length, such as acceleration and braking. Understanding longitudinal forces is essential for optimizing performance during straight-line driving and stopping.
lateral
"...tire temps for sure even lateral longitudinal..."
Lateral means side-to-side movement. In driving, it describes how a car behaves when turning or going around corners.
Lateral refers to movement or forces acting sideways on a vehicle, particularly during cornering. Understanding lateral forces helps drivers gauge how well their car handles turns and maintains grip.
derometer
"the derometer if you're taking derometer readings on your tires when they're new versus you know a couple of heat cycles old and tracking the temperature when you take them and stuff like that"
A derometer is a device that checks how hot your tires get while driving. Knowing the temperature can help you understand if your tires are working well or if they are getting worn out.
A derometer is a tool used to measure the temperature of tires, which is crucial for understanding their performance during use. Monitoring tire temperature can help in assessing tire wear and optimal performance under different driving conditions.
heat cycles
"when they're new versus you know a couple of heat cycles old and tracking the temperature"
Heat cycles are the times when your tires get hot from driving and then cool down again. Each time this happens, it can change how well your tires work and how long they last.
Heat cycles refer to the number of times a tire heats up and cools down during use. Each heat cycle can affect the tire's performance and longevity, as tires can degrade over time with repeated heating and cooling.
bump steer
"depending on your caster and bump steer and stuff like that that can"
Bump steer is what happens when the wheels change direction as the car goes over bumps. It can make the car feel unstable or harder to control.
Bump steer refers to the change in the angle of the wheels when the suspension moves up or down. It can affect handling and stability, especially during cornering.
caster
"depending on your caster and bump steer and stuff like that that can"
Caster is an angle related to the front wheels of a car. It helps the car steer straight and makes it easier to turn corners.
Caster is the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle. It affects the steering stability and self-centering of the wheels, influencing how the car handles during turns.
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