So I lucked out and got a chance to beta-test the Mountain Pass Performance RWD Party Box!
This was my first visit to Willow Springs Raceway. It is not the best track for a RWD Model 3 as it is such a high speed course, and charging is an issue. I went through over 40% of the battery in each session. But it is loads of fun.
The "Party Box" is a traction/stability control device - basically it is Track Mode for the RWD! What's cool is that you can select between 5 different settings which control the level of allowed wheel slip. For example, setting 1 maintains the normal stability control and allows 7% slip, and it progresses up to level 5, which turns stability control off and sets a 60% slip target. All setting retain the full ABS, which is good, especially for those of us still working on our threshold braking technique. With this single device you can take the RWD from Mild to Wild!
For the first and third sessions I had the Party Box off. The second session I played with settings 3 and 4, and the final session I used full party mode. I found a significant advantage to using the Party Box. My best lap with stock TC was 1:48.1 in the first afternoon session at about 85% SoC. My best lap of the day was 1:45.9 in the last session at about 40% SoC using full Party mode. This video shows a comparison of those two laps. I don't claim to be a great driver, I've got about 15 track days under my belt. I'm sure the car is capable of much better times. I was running with the Alfa Romeo club Time Trial and the LR RWD with stock tires ended up in class "P" based on weight to HP ratio and adjusted for modifications. I don't have the final results from the Time Trial yet as I had to leave before they announced and they have not posted them yet, but based on previous year's results, my best lap would have put right near the top of the leader-board.
The key time advantage came in the speed I was able to carry in the long sweepers of turns 2 and 8. Without the stock VSC nannies kicking in, I was able to lock in my steering angle and feel when the car was approaching the grip limit and basically steer with the throttle. Even in the most aggressive setting, I found the break-away very predictable. With a bit more experience with the Party Box, I believe I can improve much more as my confidence increases. Oh, and I've really got to get off of the stock all-season tires!
I also really should have listened to JAD when he told me to not run the full sessions! The group I was running with offered 30 minute sessions, and I just couldn't convince myself to come in before seeing the checkered flag. I was having too much fun! But, not only was I exhausted by the end of each session, but I also had brake over-heat and power reduction warnings.
I have a few upcoming track days planned at tracks I've been to before, like Buttonwillow and Fontana, so I can focus more on getting the most out of the Party Box versus just learning the track.
This was my first visit to Willow Springs Raceway. It is not the best track for a RWD Model 3 as it is such a high speed course, and charging is an issue. I went through over 40% of the battery in each session. But it is loads of fun.
The "Party Box" is a traction/stability control device - basically it is Track Mode for the RWD! What's cool is that you can select between 5 different settings which control the level of allowed wheel slip. For example, setting 1 maintains the normal stability control and allows 7% slip, and it progresses up to level 5, which turns stability control off and sets a 60% slip target. All setting retain the full ABS, which is good, especially for those of us still working on our threshold braking technique. With this single device you can take the RWD from Mild to Wild!
For the first and third sessions I had the Party Box off. The second session I played with settings 3 and 4, and the final session I used full party mode. I found a significant advantage to using the Party Box. My best lap with stock TC was 1:48.1 in the first afternoon session at about 85% SoC. My best lap of the day was 1:45.9 in the last session at about 40% SoC using full Party mode. This video shows a comparison of those two laps. I don't claim to be a great driver, I've got about 15 track days under my belt. I'm sure the car is capable of much better times. I was running with the Alfa Romeo club Time Trial and the LR RWD with stock tires ended up in class "P" based on weight to HP ratio and adjusted for modifications. I don't have the final results from the Time Trial yet as I had to leave before they announced and they have not posted them yet, but based on previous year's results, my best lap would have put right near the top of the leader-board.
The key time advantage came in the speed I was able to carry in the long sweepers of turns 2 and 8. Without the stock VSC nannies kicking in, I was able to lock in my steering angle and feel when the car was approaching the grip limit and basically steer with the throttle. Even in the most aggressive setting, I found the break-away very predictable. With a bit more experience with the Party Box, I believe I can improve much more as my confidence increases. Oh, and I've really got to get off of the stock all-season tires!
I also really should have listened to JAD when he told me to not run the full sessions! The group I was running with offered 30 minute sessions, and I just couldn't convince myself to come in before seeing the checkered flag. I was having too much fun! But, not only was I exhausted by the end of each session, but I also had brake over-heat and power reduction warnings.
I have a few upcoming track days planned at tracks I've been to before, like Buttonwillow and Fontana, so I can focus more on getting the most out of the Party Box versus just learning the track.
