After the positive results of last weeks dyno tuning session, I took the RASpec Impreza up to the Circuit at Mont Tremblant with the COM Sports Car Club. This circuit is nestled in the beautiful mountain resort region just one hour north of Montreal, one of the best events of the season.

As it was the first event of the season, my main goals were to shakedown the car for the Redline Time Attack June 20-21st. Finding and fixing any foreseeable problems would be key for success in Chicago.

The caravan to Canada included myself, David Yu (2005 Impreza WRX STI) and some other guy…, both students of Dent Sport University.

The trip started Saturday with last minute preparation, loading the truck and trailer with all the gear.

Sunday morning we headed out of Boston around 10am. The ride was roughly 8 hours, with a few stops for gas along the way and minimal traffic through Montreal. We unloaded the trailers at the racetrack just before dusk and headed to the hotel. There we met up with the rest of the group of track-friends at a shared condo.

A subset of the group enjoyed dinner in town, followed by a trip to “le Faucon Bleu”, a local full-contact strip club that is a mandatory trip while at Mont Tremblant. Lap-dances are $15. There was 4 ladies on rotation duty. No photos of this are available.

Monday morning we arrived at track and headed to registration and tech inspection. Some people voiced alarm at my straight pipe exhaust and the 92dB sound limit. I hit the track at around 10am for the first of 4 practice sessions.

During the initial 30 minute practice session, the car warmed up well and the tires got scrubbed, I regained my “Track legs” and jogged my memory of the line. Initial impressions were that the car had “adequate” power to say the least. The Stance suspension was a huge improvement over the Cusco’s, and a great deal.

Around 17 minutes into the session, I noticed the black flag pointed in my direction and headed into the pits. The pit chief let me know the sound level was 92dB and my car registered 92.5dB. I would have to pit in and make changes. I would be given another chance before getting kicked off track for the day.

In the pits I gassed up and looked at my options: Look for a slip-on turn down pipe, head into town and buy some hardware, or try and look for the sound meter guy and try again. I asked around for turn-downs, but they were all in use.

I had a quick snack and relaxed a bit in the truck prior to heading out to session 2. Session 2 had fewer people on track, so I was able to push the car a bit more. I had hoped to get some timed laps, but nobody was available in the pits to help out (I’ve been slacking and haven’t yet replaced my broken lap timer). I found the sound guy in corner 7, and managed to keep off the throttle enough to keep in the session until he moved to turn 9 and registered a 92.2dB on the meter, enough to end my session again and end the day. I would be missing 2 more sessions.

I headed back to the pits, put the car on jackstands and checked the car over. There was a small amount of smoke coming out of the engine bay from a possible oil leak, and I located an area around the oil dipstick guide as the source. It would be a quick fix and fairly unimportant. I checked the oil level, tire pressures and took a once over of the car, she was fine.

Monday evening I had a great steak dinner in Town and the guys had some food on the grill at the condo.

Tuesday was gray and overcast with rain all day. It was time to make a strategic decision, I would run the car in the morning practice session to get a feel for the car in wet conditions and then try to run the time trial without breaking the sound limit.

Practice session was interesting, with rivulets of water running across track in places. I decided on a rough line to take to avoid the water. I increased tire pressures to 36psi cold from 32 to achieve a 38/39 hot. I then decided I wouldn’t push the car because I didn’t want to risk it on its first debut outing, in a car i wasn’t comfortable in, with another event so soon.

I did the the time trials before lunch, and had a great time. I realized it wasn’t as fast as I expected, but still enjoyed it.

After time trials, there was an hour of open track time. That other guy (who caravaned with us) took his car out and ended up putting it into a wall. Severe damage to the passenger side suspension, but it looks very fixable. It would need to be towed home as he didn’t bring a trailer, but thats a story for another time.

Awards Ceremony, I took 2nd place (of 2) in Street Prepared B. Nothing to be proud of.

We had a leisurely evening and headed into Boston the next day.

All told, it was a great event. The car handled great with the new Stance suspension, and it makes serious power. We have a ToDo list of things to improve before Chicago, but nothing major. She is almost ready. Needless to say I can’t wait to get lots more seat-time and feel more comfortable with her handling capabilities.

Video

Some laps of the circuit during practice.

Gallery