Thunderhill Track Analysis – First Event
Since I was not able to record any of my laps at Thunderhill last weekend at the Driver’s Education/Time Trial event with the GGR from Zone 7 of the PCA, I wanted to take a look at some youtube videos and make some mental notes for myself so that I will remember the track better next time I go back. My fast lap was a 2:17:4.
I am leveraging this youtube clip as a visual reference:
Setting up for Turn 1 – once past the flag tower, get all the way over to the right past the end of the pit wall and look for your brake marker ahead of turn 1.
Turn 1 – Turn markers start at 3, I began braking before 3 and turn in toward the apex by 2 (note, any later and you will go off if you are taking the corner fast). Once the car is pointing at the apex get back onto the throttle and use all of the turn (lots of track to the right after the apex). Corner taken in 4th gear.
Turn 2 – Brake and downshift to 3rd going into this corner starting at 2, you can go deep into this corner if needed for braking. Stay about 1 width off the inside of the pavement and look for a yellow mark on the pavement about 2/3′s of the way through the turn. Once you see this mark, get on the accelerator and try to hit it with your front left tire, allowing the car to then drift out to the right side of the track approaching turn 3.
Turn 3 – off camber and seems like it decreases radius a little bit. Make sure you brake hard before turn-in between 2 and 1 and then get back on the gas to control the car’s nose through the turn. Start about 1 width off the inside shoulder, but move in gradually to the berm and hold it all the way to the end before turning in for turn 4.
Turn 4 – still controlling the nose of the car with the throttle, take this turn with the same speed as exit to turn 3 and accelerate hard up the hill for turn 5.
Turn 5 – I never got this one nailed, brake between 3 and 2, turn in late (don’t creep in) but hit the inner burm. Stay to the inside to set up correctly for the bend heading into turn 7. For the bend, stay on the accelerator, but not fully coming down the hill until the car settles (you will feel it in your butt). Once settle, floor it and get the car over to the right to set up for turn into 6
Turn 6 – Brake just briefly, get the car turned in towards the apex and gradually go to full throttle. Should still be in 3rd gear here and will shift to 4th after the the exit berm for 7. Use all of the track.
Turn 7 – This turn is really just a slight bend between before you come to 8, look for the white paint mark on the inside(left) and make sure your tire hits it. You should be able to floor it all the way through to turn 8.
Turn 8 – This corner kept screwing me up. Needs some work still. Look for marks on the pavement along the right hand side (3 white painted marks evenly spaced). Brake a little before the 3rd mark and turn in by the 2nd mark. You should then be able to get back on the throttle all the way through the turn. There is a lot of shoulder on the exit of 8 to use.
Turn 9 – Brake hard for this corner but not too hard. Shift down to 3rd before the turn-in and get to the apex, but you can carry more speed here than you think. As you come over the hill (blind hill) look for the water tower straight in front of you and point the car at it. Don’t turn in to the right after the corner. You will want to but it is dirt. Rather, stand on the accelerator and keep the car pointed straight over the crest of the hill (car will lighten up). Once settled, begin a gradual bend towards the right side of the track to get set up for turn 10. You should be in 4th coming down the hill.
Turn 10 – Brake hard for this turn, turn in a little bit early and accelerate before the berm as there is a wide shoulder coming off of this turn.
Turn 11 – Brake hard for this turn, get down to 2nd gear, look for white paint mark on right side of track for turn in, hit the apex and get back on the gas hard for the 12 and 13.
Turn 12/13 – You can use all of the berm of this turn and stay on the gas through 13. Need to do a better job of straightening it out.
Turn 14 – Coming off of 13, you should be floored and the car should be all the way to the right of the track. Get the car pointed towards the “K” on the foot bridge (2/3s over from the right) and hold that line until you brake for 14. Stay left while braking (don’t cheat in), downshift to 3rd and turn in hard just past the 1 to hit the apex. Get back on the gas hard and hold 3rd floored through the exit of 15 (if the line is right).
Turn 15 – This turne sets you up for your turn 1 entry speed, coming off of 14, you will be floored in 3rd gear. After hittle the apex of 14, the car will drift out to the white paint stripes on the left. Don’t go as far as the rumbe strip. Once hitting the white stripes, make sure the car gets turned in to the apex of 15 and this should allow you to keep it to the floor through the exit of 15 in 3rd gear.
Thunderhill in Willows, CA is a great track. About 170 miles from San Jose and I stayed at the Baymont which was fine for $60 a night. My next event it Infineon (Sear’s Point) in October. Can’t wait!
