218 - Should've Done Way More Homework (Jim Smith)
About this episode
Jim Smith returns to discuss his journey from time attack to wheel-to-wheel racing in GLTC, reflecting on his experiences and challenges. He shares insights on the transition, the importance of ergonomics in race car setup, and the lessons learned from his first races, including the need for better visibility and race start strategies. Jim also contemplates the sustainability of racing and his future plans, including potential endurance racing. The episode is filled with candid discussions about the realities of motorsport, including the financial and time commitments involved.
Seth lags... Jim had a secret Corvette... and Scott soapboxes about ergonomics...
Jim Smith returns! After deciding to move on from Sundae Cup, Jim joins us to share his experience with buying someone else's race car, his first wheel-to-wheel races, the difficulty of maintenance and car prep, and what he's looking forward to next.
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Discord! Where we hang out
Track Walking - Instagram
Mazda Miata
"...is one of the problems. The other problem is the Miata. And then the other other problem is that stupid ..."
The Mazda Miata is a small, two-door car that is really fun to drive. It's popular because it's light and handles well, making it a favorite among people who love sports cars.
The Mazda Miata is a lightweight, two-seater sports car known for its exceptional handling and driving pleasure. It has a cult following due to its affordability and the joy it brings to driving enthusiasts, making it a common topic in discussions about fun and accessible sports cars.
wheel to wheel racing
"...you wanted to go try your hand in this wheel to wheel thing."
Wheel to wheel racing is when cars race against each other on the track at the same time. It can be very exciting because drivers try to pass each other and compete closely.
Wheel to wheel racing refers to motorsport where multiple cars compete against each other on the track at the same time, often resulting in close competition and strategic overtaking.
Chevrolet Corvette
"...erman and Honda Fit. And so I'd actually bought a Corvette or I owned a Corvette in my garage for a while. ..."
Honda Fit
"...even that excited to go do laps at Gingerman and Honda Fit. And so I'd actually bought a Corvette or I owned..."
The Honda Fit EV is an electric car that looks like a small hatchback. It's designed to be efficient and is great for city driving, but there aren't many of them out there since they were made in limited quantities.
The Honda Fit EV is an all-electric version of the popular Honda Fit, designed for urban driving with a focus on efficiency and practicality. While it was produced in limited numbers, it represents Honda's efforts to enter the electric vehicle market and is often discussed in the context of eco-friendly transportation.
Buick Grand Sport
"... a while. And then, uh, yeah, I actually had a C6 Grand Sport that was built a lot by G-Speed and made like 55..."
The Buick Gran Sport is a classic car that was made to be fast and stylish. It's part of the muscle car era and is loved by collectors for its powerful engine and cool design.
The Buick Gran Sport is a performance-oriented version of the Buick Skylark, known for its powerful V8 engines and sporty features. It represents a blend of luxury and performance from the muscle car era, often discussed for its classic appeal and collector value.
Bosch ABS
"...that was built a lot by G-Speed and made like 550 wheel and had Bosch ABS. And, and then I kind of,..."
Bosch ABS is a system that helps cars stop safely without skidding. It makes sure the wheels don't lock up when you brake hard, which helps you stay in control.
Bosch ABS refers to the anti-lock braking system developed by Bosch, which prevents the wheels from locking up during braking. This technology enhances vehicle control and safety, especially in emergency braking situations.
GLTC
"...2019 watching GLTC get started with thinking myself, not pursuing that dream. So I was like, you know what, let's get rid of this car..."
GLTC is a type of racing series where regular people can race their cars. It's more about having fun and enjoying the experience than being a professional racer.
GLTC stands for Grid Life Touring Cup, a racing series that focuses on grassroots motorsport and provides a platform for amateur racers to compete in a friendly environment. It emphasizes fun and community over professional racing.
time attack
"...at prepping even a Honda Fit for a time attack. Like people don't appreciate the level that a lot of the Sunday Cup guys go to..."
Time attack is a type of racing where drivers try to complete a lap as quickly as possible. It's not about racing against other cars directly, but about beating your own best time.
Time attack is a motorsport format where drivers compete to set the fastest lap time on a track. It emphasizes individual performance rather than direct competition with other cars during the lap.
halo seat
"...I wanted a halo. So I had to get a seat that would work. Dude, he didn't have a halo seat? No, yeah..."
A halo seat is a special kind of seat used in race cars that helps keep the driver's head and neck safe in case of an accident. It has extra support around the head area.
A halo seat is a type of racing seat designed to provide additional head and neck support during a crash. It features high sides and a headrest that helps protect the driver from lateral impacts.
Honda S2000
"...ich is tricky, I feel like you can get out of an S2000 with a halo. Just saying. It was my excuse to als..."
The Honda S2000 is a small, two-seat convertible sports car that is really fun to drive. It's known for its powerful engine and great handling, making it popular among people who love driving.
The Honda S2000 is a two-seat roadster known for its high-revving engine and exceptional handling, making it a favorite among driving enthusiasts. Produced from 1999 to 2009, it represents Honda's engineering prowess and is often celebrated for its engaging driving experience.
ball joints
"and see like, okay, how are the ball joints? So I found a couple ball joints that wanted, I wanted to replace there's little play. So just little things like that."
Ball joints are parts of a car's suspension that help the wheels move up and down while allowing the steering to work. They are important for keeping the car stable and handling well.
Ball joints are crucial components in a vehicle's suspension system, allowing for smooth movement and articulation between the steering knuckle and the control arm. They are designed to handle both vertical and horizontal forces, making them essential for vehicle stability and handling.
wheel to wheel contact
"...we made wheel to wheel contact literally his right front with my left rear..."
Wheel to wheel contact is when two race cars bump against each other, usually at their wheels. This can happen when they're racing closely, especially around turns, and it can cause crashes or damage.
Wheel to wheel contact refers to the situation in racing where two cars make contact with each other, typically at the wheels. This can happen during close racing, especially in turns, and can lead to loss of control or damage to the vehicles involved.
Acura TSX
"...sat in Houghton's car later in the weekend, the TSX and I'm like, Oh my gosh, this is a fishbowl. It's perfect..."
The Acura TSX is a small luxury car that offers a good balance of performance and comfort. It's known for being fun to drive and has a nice interior.
The Acura TSX is a compact executive car that was produced by Honda under the Acura brand. It is known for its sporty handling and comfortable interior, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts and daily drivers alike.
blind spot
"...like when they came up behind me in a blind spot, like I would just give them the benefit of the doubt that they were there. And so I was giving up a lot too."
A blind spot is a part of the road that you can't see when you're driving. It's important to check these areas before changing lanes to avoid accidents.
A blind spot is an area around a vehicle that cannot be directly observed by the driver while at the controls. This can create safety issues, especially during lane changes or merging, as other vehicles may be in these areas without the driver being aware.
engine harness
"...we redid like the engine harness and a bunch of other little things on the car because I didn't want to get into a..."
The engine harness is like the car's nervous system, sending signals to different parts of the engine so they work correctly. If it gets damaged, the engine might not run well.
An engine harness is a collection of wires and connectors that transmit electrical signals between the engine and the vehicle's electrical system. It is crucial for the proper functioning of various engine components.
Sunday Cup
"...more in that event than probably like two years of Sunday Cup. Yeah, I was going to say so Midwest Fest 2025 was your first wheel to wheel race that season, right?"
Sunday Cup is a type of racing event where regular people can race their cars. It's meant to be fun and not too expensive, so anyone can join in.
Sunday Cup is a grassroots racing series that typically features affordable and accessible racing for amateur drivers. It focuses on fun and competition without the high costs associated with professional racing.
Falcon
"I put new Falcons on for that session and pretty much like I think I ruined them in that one session because I overheated them..."
Falcon makes tires that are popular among racers for their grip and performance.
Falcon is a brand known for producing high-performance tires, often used in motorsports and racing applications.
grid penalty
"...I got a five place grid penalty. And that set me back even further. So then I got to learn that lesson of it's really hard to work your way back through..."
A grid penalty means you have to start the race further back than where you qualified because of a mistake you made. It's like getting a time-out in a game for breaking a rule.
A grid penalty is a sanction applied in racing that requires a driver to start from a position further back than their qualifying position. This can occur due to various infractions, such as causing contact with another car or other rule violations.
rear differential
"...the rear diff blue. So I ended up changing up the gear ratios..."
The rear differential is a part of the car that helps the back wheels turn at different speeds when you go around corners. This is important for keeping the car stable and easy to handle.
The rear differential allows the wheels to rotate at different speeds, which is essential for turning. It can also affect traction and handling, especially in performance driving.
gear ratios
"...I ended up changing up the gear ratios. So I didn't make it back out in that 2000 until, until Audubon again..."
Gear ratios are like the settings that control how fast your car can go and how quickly it can accelerate. Changing them can help the car perform better in different situations.
Gear ratios determine how power is transferred from the engine to the wheels, affecting acceleration and top speed. Changing gear ratios can optimize a car's performance for specific driving conditions or events.
Honda Civics
"...lly they hopefully they add even more BOP to the civics. Doesn't look like well, they added 2% or whatev..."
The Honda Civic is a small car that many people drive because it's reliable and gets good gas mileage. It's also popular for customizing and racing, which is why it often comes up in car conversations.
The Honda Civic is a compact car that has gained a reputation for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and versatility over the decades. It's a popular choice among a wide range of drivers, making it a frequent topic in automotive discussions, especially regarding performance and modifications.
BOP
"...hopefully they add even more BOP to the civics. Doesn't look like well, they added 2% or whatever extra 2%, which isn't much."
BOP means Balance of Performance, which is a way to make sure all cars in a race can compete fairly. It helps level the playing field by changing things like how much power a car can use or how heavy it can be.
BOP stands for Balance of Performance, a set of regulations used in motorsport to ensure that all competing vehicles have a fair chance of winning by adjusting their performance parameters. This can include weight adjustments, power limits, and other factors.
power to weight
"...based on the dyno, we weren't that far off. I think like, because I was nowhere near maximized this year for power to weight..."
Power to weight is how much power a car's engine has compared to how heavy the car is. If a car is lighter but has a strong engine, it can go faster and accelerate better.
Power to weight ratio is a measurement that compares the power output of a vehicle's engine to its weight. A higher power to weight ratio generally indicates better acceleration and performance.
dyno
"I'm not paying anything. They can they can impound me if they want me to dyno. So I was like running, I don't know, 26.2 to one."
A dyno is a machine that tests how powerful an engine is. It shows how much power the engine can produce, which helps in making it run better.
A dyno, short for dynamometer, is a device used to measure the power output of an engine. It helps in tuning and optimizing performance by providing data on horsepower and torque.
frontal area rule
"Do you remember the huge stink that everyone made when they introduced the basically the frontal area rule and the provisionals a couple years back?"
The frontal area rule is a racing rule that says how big the front of a car can be. This is important for making sure all cars have a fair chance to compete.
The frontal area rule is a regulation in racing that limits the size of a car's front profile to ensure fair competition. It affects aerodynamics and overall performance on the track.
Road America
"I was just in general, like it was clear, like, and like the road America, um, like live stream of the civics versus the fit, it's like you're pushing a massive blob through the air versus a slippery civics."
Road America is a famous racetrack in Wisconsin where many car races take place. It's known for its long and twisty roads that challenge drivers.
Road America is a renowned road course located in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, known for its long straights and challenging turns. It's a popular venue for various motorsport events, including sports car racing and motorcycle racing.
Watkins Glen
"Yeah. Watkins Glen is still a thing from the run up from turn two all the way through the bus stop. That's a, it's a lot of uphill and a lot of straightaway time there."
Watkins Glen is another well-known racetrack in New York where cars race. It's popular for its beautiful scenery and tricky turns.
Watkins Glen International is a road course located in Watkins Glen, New York, famous for its scenic views and challenging layout. It hosts various racing events, including NASCAR and sports car races.
alignment
"...how many alignments did we do that day? We did at least three different alignments."
Alignment is how the wheels of a car are adjusted to make sure they are straight and working well together. Good alignment helps the car drive better and makes the tires last longer.
Alignment refers to the adjustment of a vehicle's suspension system to ensure that the wheels are set to the optimal position. Proper alignment improves handling, tire wear, and overall vehicle performance.
dipstick
"...the mechanic forgot to put the dipstick in when I first went out. So I did like one half a lap and I radio in I'm like, it's smoking a lot..."
A dipstick is a long, thin tool that you pull out of the engine to check how much oil is inside. It's important to make sure there's enough oil to keep the engine running smoothly.
A dipstick is a tool used to measure the level of oil in an engine. It allows the driver or mechanic to check if the oil is at the proper level for optimal engine performance.
Porsche 911 GT3
"sometimes we get to drive cool cars like GT3s and GT4 RSs..."
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a special version of the 911 sports car that is built for racing and high performance, featuring a powerful engine and better handling.
The Porsche 911 GT3 is a high-performance variant of the iconic 911 sports car, designed for track use with enhanced aerodynamics and a more powerful engine.
Ford Mustangs
"...to drive cool cars like GT3s and GT4 RSs and cool Mustangs and stuff. So for sure. What I remember when you..."
The Ford Mustang is a classic American sports car that is famous for being fast and stylish. It's been around for a long time and is loved by many car enthusiasts for its performance and cool looks.
The Ford Mustang is an iconic American muscle car known for its powerful engines and sporty design. It has a rich history dating back to the 1960s and remains a symbol of performance and freedom, often discussed in the context of American automotive culture.
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