The Track
“Qualifying on pole is even more important at Mid-Ohio”
The Track: Mid-Ohio is a driver’s track. There is typically a larger spread in qualifying times (relative to other tracks) down the grid as this track is very technical. It’s not straight forward. You’ll need to compromise a corner, in a series of corners, to optimize lap time; it takes time to learn where the good lap time comes from. Mid-Ohio was repaved 2 years ago so it’s still changing; likely the setup will need to change from last year to follow the track.
The track is all asphalt now with no concrete. It’s very smooth, European style. It was low grip last year but has seasoned a bit and could be better this year, it will depend on track temperature. The curbs are big and flat, it’s a gain if you can use them. It’s very hard to pass like- speed cars here; the only real passing zones are braking into the keyhole and braking into the right hander at the end of the strait. With passing being difficult, qualifying on pole is even more important at Mid-Ohio.
“Mid-Ohio is typically an under-steer track”
Handling: Mid-Ohio is typically an under-steer track. Getting through and off the low speed corners is where the lap time comes from as they lead onto the longer straits; in saying that, high speed turn 1 is also important. Top speed is slow here, under 160 mph so we run max aero here. Ideally, you want to be a bit quicker on the strait (when don’t you! ), compared to the cars in your class, to get an advantage into the back strait braking zone, but you need a good run off the keyhole to do that.
Unfortunately there are some not-common-knowledge setup particulars here that we won’t go into that aid getting around Mid-Ohio. Dampers don’t play a big roll here. Getting the dampers right could help your curbing and you can gain on rear grip over the crests,; if you can get the car to work with less rebound, this will help keep the wheels on the ground.
The Race
“Should be a classic Porsche against Ferrari battle”
The race: the Mid-Ohio race in 2007 didn’t have very many yellows. All the GT2 cars will need 2 stops if the race is green. Competitively, this should be a classic Porsche against Ferrari battle. The mostly short slow corners favor the Porsches torque, but Ferrari has made gains. This track is very easy on tires, at least last year it was; the Ferrari’s should be able to double stint tires here. But can the Porsches? Guess we’ll see come Saturday. This will be a very close race. I hope the track suits horses…on Red cars.
