Paging Mason Thomas

[autxr]

In my quest to see who is campaigning GTS's nationally, I came across very few folks.

Mason Thomas in the Colorado area is one person that was driving a GTS and doing pretty well. In a region packed with brutal competition, he was finishing well at events (consistently about 2 seconds back of David Fauth).

2 secs back may seem like a lot, but behind David, it isn't so bad.

Anyhow, I notice he seemed to abandon the Celica with a few events left this season and started driving a Type R. Eventually, he co drove with David at nationals.

I'd love to hear his comments about the 2 cars, I realize he was just hopping into the "R", but he didn't get any faster in the PAX index. Learning curve? Not the speed difference we think?

Anyhow, if anyone can get him to chime in on this list, that'd be great.

I know David Fauth is on over at Honda-tech, so maybe I can pick his brain there...

Scott

[Mas]

I'm right here in plain sight. The screen name Mas and I've signed a few of my posts Mason.

I did campaign the GTS to a GS win in my region (and recieved the most improved driver award, finishing 13 overall PAX'ing above some national trophy winnig drivers) as David Fauth (who PAX'ed 1st at Nationals) and other people who've trophied at nationals run in a PAX'ed indexed expert class.

You are also correct that I drove the Type R at one local event (before nationals) and co-drove for David at Nationals (I missed a trophy by one cone on the last turn, but that's another story).

Last year the GTS was stock except for 225/50/15 Kumhos and a basic alignment (Front -2 camber, 1/8 toe / Rear -1 camber, O toe).
My only complaints with the GTS (which I believe I've vocalized here) is wheel spin. After driving the Type R I find no LSD to be the Celica's biggest disadvantage. With the LSD the Type R can pull itself through turns that the GTS would be scratching for traction. The GTS also has more body roll (which I hope to minimize with the Koni's) but rotates a little easyer.

I believe the GTS is a competent DS car but I'm not sure .5 inch wider wheels and 100lbs less weight will make up for an LSD. That being said I will be preparing the GTS for DS this year. As the season starts I hope to have exhaust (done), Koni's (done), lighter wheels (done), 6mm wheel spacers, harness, 225/45/15 Hoosiers or Kumho E700, and Carbotech brake pads. Whith that done I'll be able to get a fair picture of how the GTS stacks up against the Type R.

PS. I bought my wife a WRX this winter<IMG SRC="http://www.newcelica.org/ubb/smilies/cwm19.gif" border=0>

<FONT COLOR="#0000ff" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Mas on November 07, 2001 at 11:37 AM</font>

[autxr]

Thanks for the heads up. I wasn't even paying attention, though the user name makes it seem obvous now.

Anyhow, nice driving this season, like I said, you have some absolutely brutal competition in your region.

Thanks for the input on the comparison between the two cars. There is enough guessing that goes on around here that your experience in both cars makes you stand out somewhat.

WRX huh? Our local WRX guys have gone from "who are you" drivers to "Damn, who was that" drivers. You might find you like having traction better than not having it.

I've seen the LSD issues first hand, and agree, maybe the shocks will help. An event earlier this year the Type R guys came and put on a clinic (I was 0.7 back on a 34 second course, but had a cone, Aaron was about 0.8 back clean). On the final slalom (uphill, kind of tight), they were going wide open with the car just screaming along, I was rolling between the cones with massiv wheel spin on every transition. Night and day difference. Of course my shocks were pretty hosed at that point.

Well, keep up the good work. Aaron and I are going to try and gain us a little respectabiblity on the east coast next season, though we are still a long ways from haveing the amount of experience we need (I have 2 seasons in the new Celica, and 2 short seasons in '78 and '73 Celicas - not prepped well, Aaron has 1 season in the Celica and 1 season in a Civic).

So, maybe we will start to learn. I really need an Evolution school.

I'm interested to hear you impressions about the brake pads (which compound - I was thinking about a set of the Kelated Metallic - soft pads) and teh spacers. (does an extra 1/2 inch track width make that big of a difference).

What wheels did you go with? And, what was the price and weight?

Scott

[Mas]

Yes, what you describe about the Type R through the slalom is exactly what I'm talking about. With the LSD you can even get into a turn a little out of shape and use the gas to "pull" you out of problems. As for the rex, I like the all wheel drive pull but if you think the Celica has some body roll... the rex has it beat by a mile, and being a little on the portly side doesn't help. I'm helping a local competitor out with their WRX, and as a trade for the help I'll get a ride this winter season. I'm interested in seeing how it handles on R compound tires but I think without some shock help it'll still be a handful.

As for pads I will be going with the 913 (KELATED METALLIC) just because that's what David Fauth swears by. I hear that they dust and squeal like MuthaFu*ka's but I think I'm willing to put up with it. Wheels are the "standard" Rage Race 10's (16lbs, and $75 each) heavier than I was hoping but I don't have $1600 for the Volks. The Rage wheels have to be better than the stock steel wheels I was running plus I will be running a lighter tire this year. The spacers

[NoCones]

Do you guys think that performance brake pads will really make a noticeable difference? I can't see how.

In road racing where heat build-up and fade are a concern, I can see it, but in autocross?

I don't see how it can do much to improve braking power, we've all got enough to make the tires (or ABS) the limiting factor.

Is it a modulation thing?

------------------
Bryan
Absolutely Red '00 GT-S
-Koni Sports
-K&N
-Custom alignment
-Kumho V700's on 15" GT alloys on select weekends

[Mas]

As I understand it a performance Autocross pad will be good for braking feel (modulation before ABS) and should give a little more initial "bite" than the stock pads. The stock pads were also designed to be used with the grip you get from street tires not the grip that you can achieve with R compound rubber.

We're talking tenths of a second here probably but every tenth counts in autocross.

[autxr]

Bryan-

I'ts a modulation thing. The Kelated Metallic are sooo soft. They might even overheat on a hot VA day they are such a low heat range pad. I would change them at events...

But, from what I read (GRM did a test, it is one of the Tech items on their site) and they saw much better braking with the Kelated Metallic pads.

Imagine, our Celicas braking even better. With a non-ABS car like mine, I think it oculd make a difference. On an ABS car, I suspect it will make teh ABS even more efficient.

It won't slow you down any.

Scott