[sr71bb]

I just did the Driver's Edge Hi Performance Driving School that was held at Eagles Canyon Raceway LAST weekend Sept. 19-20. Their website is https://thedriversedge.net/. Anyway their format is pretty simple. They combine driving sessions within an assigned instructor that basically is your riding buddy for the entire weekend.

Intermixed with each driving session is instructional training that typically you do immediately once your track session is finished. Each track session is 20 minutes long and their are basically 8 track sessions (4 each day).

The drivers are divided up into four categories GREEN, BLUE, YELLOW and RED groups. The new to road racing guys are placed with the GREEN group and the BEST of THE BEST road racers are in the RED group. During the driving sessions they DONT mix the run groups so ALL newbies (GREEN) run with other NEWBIES etc.

My personal background is EXTENSIVE but limited to drag racing, roll racing, 1/2 mile and 1 mile stuff. I have done numerous autocross events but basically didnt like that format because of the limited speed and very tight coned courses.

Earlier in the week I ran a SCCA Track Night event at Motorsports Ranch and had a blast so I felt like I wanted to get more heavily involved in Road Racing which led me into signing up for the DRIVING EDGE school.

I would HIGHLY recommend even someone that is only casually interested to look into their program. It was ALOT of fun and the instructors both in car and instructional were phenomenal. It was DEFINATELY worth the 450 dollars. This would be great to send your kids to even in my opinion because they teach you what you car CAN and CAN NOT do. I believe their next event is THIS coming weekend at MOTORSPORTS RANCH in Cresson, Oct 3-4 on the 1.7 mile.

I have attach some pics and my professional racing buddy in the car with me was SMOKEY (lol). That boy can really drive!!! I rode in the PASSENGER seat when they let the instructors drive and I could have used a grab handle (LOL).

[Pcormier66]

Congrats! You picked one of the best DE organizations in the country. I've run with many and they are the cream of the crop. Outsiders regularly comment that his red run group is the fastest in the country. I've been running with TDE since 2003. Well run organization. Rick Schwalenberg has been the only owner. His grid chief (Dean) has been with him since the beginning. They are focused on safety, with a passion for education. They are not a loosy goosy, run as much as you want, mix it up event. You get a report card after every event and they only move you up if you are ready. Only treadwear of 120 or higher for green and blue groups. No race rubber until you are intermediate or Advanced.

[sr71bb]

Well I forgot to mention about how my was car set up for this event. This car is a 2019 SS A10 with SG3 suspension and 1 LE sway bars. AMP did the work on this car which included the installation of ZL1 brakes as well (15.3 inch rotors) which you can see if you look closely at the pics of the front wheel.

Tire setup is MS 4S 305 30 19 tires of all four corners using APEX 19 x 10.5 ET25 wheels. Camber was set at -2.0 degrees on front and -1.5 degrees on the rear.

AMP will basically add additional mods shortly to bring the NA horsepower to 580-600 RWHP. In effect , the concept is a 2019 Z-28. It currently sets at around 450.

The car was hitting around 125-130 MPH on the back straight and 115-120 MPH on the front straight. At the absolute edge the car is still pushing some on the front end needing probably needing somewhere around -3.5 degrees negative camber. Since this car is a daily driver, I will use VORSHLAG camber plates so I can easily so back and forth from track settings to street settings (-2.0 negative camber) without having to constantly visit my favorite alignment shop (LOL).

The car currently runs E85 and I think that is probably why the car NEVER went higher than normal operating temperature. It also runs the AMP 160 degree thermostat and thermostat housing.

[Pcormier66]

How did you like the track? I've not driven Eagles since they reconfigured and resurfaced it. I stopped going there about 5 years ago because the track was in bad shape. I have a Chin event there 10/10-11 (2 weeks).

I have no idea what a fast lap time is there now. Did you happen to clock any fast camaro's in the red run group?

[sr71bb]

Originally Posted by Pcormier66

How did you like the track? I've not driven Eagles since they reconfigured and resurfaced it. I stopped going there about 5 years ago because the track was in bad shape. I have a Chin event there 10/10-11 (2 weeks).

I have no idea what a fast lap time is there now. Did you happen to clock any fast camaro's in the red run group?

The last time I ran Eagles Canyon was about 7 years ago. They recently redid the surface and it was VERY smooth. The elevation changes were easier to deal with because of the smoother surface.

The two camaros I saw in the RED run group seemed to be lapping pretty fast and they BOTH were 1LE's. I had HARRY's Lap Timer but I never ran any laps with it those two days. There was a ZL1 1LE but he wasnt in the RED group. My instructor ran my car in the instructor grouping and it was surprisenly competitive .

[el_d3sconocido]

I run with TDE here in Houston as well and have a blast at each of the events. Rick is a character and his team is very helpful and informative. As soon as I get a trailer I will be heading up to the Dallas area and running at the other tracks. Just be confident in what your instructor is telling you have faith in the car, and have fun!

[carguy55]

I've hit almost all the Texas tracks and various groups the past 3 years. TDE is good for novice drivers or those wanting/ needing more coaching. I always need more coaching and check rides. It's a great place to get started. More experienced drivers my find their format a little too restrictive. Going to ECR next week with Chin then to Cresson with Edge Addicts for their Triple play event. Happy tracking

[Pcormier66]

I'll be at the Eagles Chin event next week also. I'll look you up. What run group will you be in?

The TDE red run group can pass anywhere with a point. No trains or you will get flamed. I've run NASA that allows passing without a point but that is dicey. I never know if the guy in front knows the drill and is paying attention. Not worth a mistake. I'm an obedient servant. I only pass when given permission.

[carguy55]

Originally Posted by Pcormier66

I'll be at the Eagles Chin event next week also. I'll look you up. What run group will you be in?

The TDE red run group can pass anywhere with a point. No trains or you will get flamed. I've run NASA that allows passing without a point but that is dicey. I never know if the guy in front knows the drill and is paying attention. Not worth a mistake. I'm an obedient servant. I only pass when given permission.

I'm on the roster for Intermediate Solo. Looks like you are too

[Pcormier66]

Cool. See you there.

[sr71bb]

Well I guess I have gotten the road racing bug BAD so I just signed up for the Driver's Edge, Oct 3-4 event THIS weekend at the 1.7 mile Motorsports Ranch at Cresson. Rick told me he still has a few slots left for anyone that wants to sign up. I will be in the BLUE run group with the same 2019 SS Camaro number 24 but TODAY I just had some VORSHLAG adjustable camber plates installed.

We put the car on the alignment rack and found I know have a range of roughly -1.8 degrees camber (- 2.0 degrees is my street setting) to ABOUT 3.6 degrees negative camber at MAX point (track setting). You can go back and forth between these camber settings in about 10 minutes time by loosening up the THREE top bolts that protrude through the shock tower and then my simply pushing the strut assembly IN for MORE camber or OUT for less camber (with the wheels off the ground of course!! LOL).

I want to thank KEVIN at The Muffler King shop on Garland Rd. 214-328-4669 for the install and alignment as he made time for me because he knew I wanted to race THE DRIVING EDGE event this weekend. Prior to this Bryan at that same shop installed some flowmaster mufflers in place of the stock bathtub muffler (lol).

Prior to this signup, I also registered for the APEX driving event that is OCT 10 Saturday, half day from 12-5 which will be at MSR Cresson 1.3 mile course.

If any of you guys are going to either of these events, look me up.

[Pcormier66]

Eagles is the only Oct event for me. Planning barber in Nov and NOLA in Dec. have fun. Your next event should be the Cresson 3.1

[carguy55]

Originally Posted by sr71bb

.... You can go back and forth between these camber settings in about 10 minutes time by loosening up the THREE top bolts that protrude through the shock tower and then my simply pushing the strut assembly IN for MORE camber or OUT for less camber (with the wheels off the ground of course!! ..

Just remember when you change the chamber it changes the toe, so the toe needs to be reset

[sr71bb]

Originally Posted by carguy55

Just remember when you change the chamber it changes the toe, so the toe needs to be reset

While this is true, we found that the changes in toe are not significant enough to require a toe adjustment at the track. Thats not something you can easily do anyway at the track. The toe is set correctly for the street settings on -2 degrees negative camber which of course is what the plates will be adjusted back to PRIOR to leaving the track.