The R3gister - Race Rally Research (R3)

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The usual bunch of track enthusiasts - Stanley, Andrew, Nigel (with Sabreena, the youngest ever Satria R3 owner at 16-years of age!) and I decided to feed our systems with adrenaline on Sunday. The open track day was the last track day before next week’s Super GT. Uncommonly so, due to a SuperBike event, track day started only at 4pm, which deterred another track enthusiast and Satria R3 owner, Hanif to burn rubber with us.

It’s been a while since my last track day, too long in fact. Had made a pact with Andrew before, to have track days every month. Two of us being the most track addicted amongst the bunch, couldn’t wait to get our asses on Malaysia’s most famous speedway.

Being the last track day meant lots of other cars, many track cars were there to prepare for MSS (Malaysian Super Series) and MME (Merdeka Millenium Race). That was slightly worrying as an overcrowded track means a more dangerous track, which means less fun and possibly track time. But the thought of extended adrenaline rushes got the better of us and we hastily prepared my car, with help of Stan and Don, swapping my worn AD07s with FTZ Type RR semi-slicks, which were equally as worn. Heh.

It wasn’t a blind track experience for me this time round though. My sole purpose was to test a pair of development race pads, developed in Japan. I had successfully tried and tested the road version, which really wasn’t too bad. Rated at 550 degrees, performance was above average overall. And as demonstrated at Genting Sempah, the pads held its own.

C.Wei and C.Ming did checking and markings on my front discs to gauge wear on my runs. Strapped in and with Stan’s borrowed helmet over my head, I cruised out of the pit, with Nigel and Andrew on my tail. It felt so good just being there at Sepang once again. As I approached the end of the pit and flagged off by the marshall, I accelerated off in 2nd then 3rd to approach T1. The first lap was a re-acquaintance lap for me. Refreshing the lines, braking points was a feat. It’s been more than 6 months, heck. With lots of traction and seemingly no understeer, I pushed a little bit more, finding rhythm.

T7 and T8 always gives me flashbacks of the time went I veered off into the gravel. Although I am pretty much over it, I approach it smoothly and cautiously on my warm-up lap. Nigel and Andrew had disappeared off my rear view at this point, and I pretty much took the rest of the laps alone, with intermittent encounters with various track cars, including Evolutions, Hondas and Scoobys. I pushed on harder and braked gradually a little later as I pressed on, mostly around the 70-80m mark.

The car felt solid and quick, especially on the straights. Where I could only manage 175km/h on the Sepang pit straight in my Stage 1, the Stage 2 convincingly and consistently showed me 190km/h before I had to brake hard at 80m. The straight approaching T9 was also substantially quicker before. It was 160km/h before having to drop to 3rd and 2nd on the T9 accent. The back straight proved quick as well, and I managed 180km/h on approach to T14. Nice. Brakes felt solid, but under hard braking seemed to pull to the right.
My lap times on my first couple of laps were average - 3′00 on my opening lap and 2′58-2’59s. I pitted on the 5th lap to let the engine, clutch and tires cool down. Clutch was already slipping badly on the 4th lap. A clutch upgrade is definitely warranted! Double-checked on the brakes and apparently C.Ming felt it is overall underused. Under-used! Hah!

I let Stan do some laps next. Circuit was closed momentarily due to an accident at T1. Once the lights went green, the three SR3s eagerly made their way out, with Andrew leading the way. Andrew led mostly, with Stan close behind. Andrew has always showed his prowess at Sepang. Despite driving a stock Stage 1 Satria R3, he consistently shows how skill can overcome the power handicap. And of course, not to mention, balls of steel.

He returned with pretty impressive 2’59s and 2’58s while Stan within 2’59s.

I was up next. Eager to push harder, and get a few good lap times and to find that braking threshold. And push I did, eventually. I braked really late into turns, as late as 50m. Had to keep it smooth, no doubt. The pushing did bring some errors and understeer on exit at a few turns, but overall I had quite good speed in turns and on the straights. No threat to the more powerful turbo-charged track cars out there, but I can safely say my SR3 matched them at corners. A particular EVO III track car was awfully slow at corners, and braked really early.

The hard and late braking and overall cleaner lines revealed some better times. I managed a 2’56s on my 2nd timed lap and 2’58s on the 3rd. I was pretty pleased in the end, although I know I could have done better, once ironing out the errors. Dipping below 2’55s would be my next goal!

The brakes held up really well, and C.Ming and C.Wei were quite pleased with the tests. The stress cracks and fractures in my brake discs are worrying though. It’s a mere millimeter or two before it shatters completely. Not good news, for a financially-strapped owner! Any rich Datin or Datin’s daughter wiling to sponsor me? The brakes were one problem. Another was my exhaust header. The little leak which gave it a annoying ring and buzz transformed into a more evil, ear-thumping bellow. My first thought was it sounded like a bus. A mini bus, more like. I got stares around the pit, including Sabreena and friends. Really horrible.

The third and final problem? A stone hit my left headlight, leaving a hole in the centre. How that happened, I do not know. Could have been tailing another car too closely, or something to that effect. Sigh. The price you pay to have fun. Had it plastered, knowing too well that it was merely a temporary remedy. Money loss from pocket was inevitable. Grrr.

In any case, I’m looking forward to another track day soon, especially eager to see how my new Hotbits 4-1 header fares when I have it installed!

Pics courtesty of RZD of Terato.com