Success! Outing two was much better, thanks to fancy modern conveniences like: Windshield wipers!
On to the play in a second, first up was some shop time Saturday. The fiberglass hood has a lip all the way around that prevented the wipers from moving, so that was the first item on the list. To the bodysaw, again..
After a few times on and off and some extra trimming, things were motivating properly. Seeing in the rain: check.
On to issues of slightly less pressing importance: aero. A spoiler has always been a part of the plan, and getting it on before Optima would be lovely, so we nabbed some posterboard and started the mockup process.
This measures 8" high in the center, and will be mounted on piano hinge with adjustable struts running forward about the way the tape is done for support.
So we registered for outing 2 a while back, and of course the weather forecast deteriorated all week, leading up to morning showers the day of the event. I was hopeful of getting some dry runs in, and thankfully the rain moved out and provided a mostly dry session in the afternoon.
The only minor issue was some tire rub on the drivers side front under load, but some, ahem, finessing, with a small crescent wrench and a big hammer between sessions seems to have solved the problem.
Don't throw away your inner fenders, kids!
One of the best reactions the underhood scene has received - guy who tech'd us asks 'Where's all the rest of the stuff that's supposed to be under here??'
And finally, video of the fastest run, which was good for 3rd in class behind a Z06 and an M3 (I'll take that!).
I've got a lot of work to do on my driving. I'm still overcompensating for the differences from my 350Z, which results in a lot of overdriving and anticipating some of the more evil things that it thankfully doesn't do anymore.
The drastic increase in swaybar stiffness, combined with adjusting the uppers in the front has calmed the car down drastically. There's very, very little roll side to side, and it seems to have cured the front dive/rear end hike under braking as well. Much more responsive turning, and way more predictable through the corner.
Super excited to get some warm dry pavement under it - I think it's going to be a
ton of fun once I get caught up to it.