This was my 5th trip to the ring, and the 4th time I was going in my Panda, which will probably also be the last.
This is my first lap in 21 months, so I was pretty nervous and careful. True to the tradition, my first lap would be the quickest. With a BTG of 10:33, I improved by 15 seconds - happy with that!
The car had new wider tires with a lover profile, mounted on bigger, much heavier wheels with a lot smaller offset, which all made it behave a lot different.
It was slower than ever before, but I got so much more grip in the corners, that the suspension became an even bigger limiting factor.
It is seriously under sprung and under dampened, which made for a very wallowy ride, with unpredictable handling at times. It is definitely not a race car, but it it very fun to race it non the less.
The extra grip also meant that I could rarely heal and toe for down shifts, as the completely flat seat did not hold me at all, so I had to keep my foot against the pedals to be able to press myself into the seat, as well as hanging on for dear life by the steering wheel, while trying to steer.
It was a bit like a rodeo ride on a small but feisty pony.
Car data:
2005 Fiat Panda with 60 HP and 211.500 km - getting a bit tired.
Mods: Rear seat removed. Rusted out tow hook removed :)
Bridgestone Potenza Re050a (normal street tires)
175/55R15 on 6x15 ET 31,5 Alcar steelies for a multipla.
(originals are 155/80r13 on 4,5x13 ET 35)
Lap driven 25.05.2019. Time of day: 17:15
12 сен 2024
