4. Initial Shakedown and first track impressions
We did the chassis work in stages and took the Prelude out with some of the bracing, tyres, and suspension work completed for a shakedown at Luddenham Raceway. Those of you who know this track, you will know it as a tight, short circuit running clockwise and is just over 800 metres long, with a mix of slow- to medium-speed corners and a short main straight.
The car handled well, though the stock automatic transmission, single overhead cam 2.2 litre engine did not do the chassis justice. We were able to manage a best time of one minute around Luddenham. The car lacked straight-line speed badly, but it was extremely fun and stable in the corners, and it rotated well and felt stable in all the corners.
However, the Yokohama Advan Apex V601 held up for about 4 - 5 laps. After that we found their was a noticeable loss of grip in the turns. At this stage we had also not yet spent real time tuning the damper settings in the coilovers, which would come later.
Yes, it really was that slow, but also a whole lot of fun.