Dunlop Drift Performance Encapsulating The Essense Of Drifting

Finally, the article is up and running in Motorsport Channel.



The interview was completed during mid of July and it is out. Check it out in full at.

http://www.motorsportchannel.com/2_archive/2008/drift/drift_dunlop_drift_performance_encapsulating_essense_of_drifting.html



Althought there are some corrections needed. I bought my car at RM39k only.. but all is good as it raises the sale price of the cars, especially after all the love and work out into it not to mention the upgrading done to it. Am sure all the Silvia owners would be happy with it. :) How could we put a price on our love ones.

Some nice picture taken by Motorsport Channel too.



Many thanks and appreciation to Motorsport Channel for the time taken to meet us and interviewing us and the great pictures taken.

Sepang Open Trackday

It has been a while since I last went to an open track day in the Hiper DCM Silvia.

The previous time it went for a full circuit drive was back in 2006. Back then, it had the GT-SS turbo setup, R32gts-t 4 pot brakes, no means of downforce, and on drift setting of course which made it very very tail-happy. Despite some drawbacks, it clocked a 2'36 on a hot lap, and it made me realised the potential of the car as a time-attack machine.

Some changes were made to the V2 as compared to V1 in 2006:
- HKS GT2835R Turbo
- Dunlop DZ101 225/45/17 Front, 255/45/17 Rear
- R33GTR Brembo Caliper Front with Endless SSS pads
- SARD Pro Drift GT Wing, adjusted to maximum low

The power has increased tremendously compared to the previous setup. On the main straight, it clocked 220km/h on 1.2bar boost and street mapping. The race mapping allows 1.6bar boost which I presume will bring the top speed about 10km/h higher.

The DZ101, despite being a street tyre, are surprisingly excellent under threshold braking. The Brembos can definitely brake harder compared to the Nissan 4-pot, but the front are showing no signs of lock-up. The rear, however, will lock-up under very hard braking on the back straights and main straights. This is caused by the new brake setup which shifted the bias to the rear. The car still braked in a straight line though, just that with an extra puff of smokes.



Although the turn in response of the DZ101 was not knife-edged sharp, it was sufficient to steer the car into the proper cornering line. Smooth and precise steering input will make the tyre turn better rather than harsh and rapid adjustments. With the wider rear tyres and a GT wing, the car is less tail happy. On the high speed corners, throttle can be applied earlier without having to worry about oversteer. However, a slight understeer was present, especially coming out of the fast corners, which is probably due to too much rear downforce, causing the front to lift.

The day ended with some rubber burning down turn 5 and 6, and an overboost problem on the way back to pits during the last lap.

Photos courtesy of Sheikh @ www.evolusiotomobil.com.my

Professional Drift Session @ Kompleks Sukan Negara

This drift session was held at KSN Bukit Jalil last weekend by Tengku Djan and R3. It is a little bit different from the conventional drift session held there, as the drift course is being setup at a much higher difficulty.

Tengku Djan participated in the D1GP Tokyo Drift last month in Odaiba, Tokyo. Having wanted to share his experiences with us, the drift course has been setup in a way that resembles the D1GP drift course in Odaiba.

The focus of the drift session is on the drift initiation part. You need to get the tail out at an maximum angle during initiation, and get the car to slide in a straight line towards the outer clipping point.

Entry speed of the Dunlop 32 is about 105km/h average recorded on my Garmin GPS. As you can see on the video, I did a slight feint on the entry to give that extra swing on the tail. Initiating the drift early is also important so as not to let the car slide too wide.



I must say the Dunlop 32 is really a tank. After having some encounters with the tyre barrier, all it suffered is a dented fender and dropped rear bumper. But hey, no pain no gain. The fastest way to learn is actually to push beyond the limits and slowly revert it. :)

Kudos to Tengku Djan and gang for the passion and patience. Hope we can do this more often in future.

Dunlop Launches a New Star in Extreme Performance

Dunlop Launches a New Star in Extreme Performance Summer Tires

May 23, 2008

Tires tested:

Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R (Extreme Performance Summer 225/45R17)

* What We Liked: Excellent road manners for an Extreme Performance Summer tire
* What We'd Improve: A small improvement in steering response
* Conclusion: The most civilized Extreme Performance Summer tire for everyday driving
* Latest Test Rank: 2nd
* Previous Test Rank: 1st (August '07), 1st (May '06)


Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec (Extreme Performance Summer 225/45R17)

* What We Liked: We liked it all — handling, dry grip and especially wet traction
* What We'd Improve: A small improvement in ride quality
* Conclusion: A new Extreme Performance Summer star is born
* Latest Test Rank: 1st
* Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested


Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 (Extreme Performance Summer 225/45R17)

* What We Liked: Modest price point
* What We'd Improve: A large improvement in wet grip and road manners
* Conclusion: A value-oriented tire that struggles to keep up with the big boys
* Latest Test Rank: 4th
* Previous Test Rank: Not previously tested


Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07 (Extreme Performance Summer 225/45R17)

* What We Liked: Responsive steering feel and exceptional dry cornering grip
* What We'd Improve: Improved ride comfort and reduced tread noise
* Conclusion: Still a top-performing Extreme Performance Summer tire
* Latest Test Rank: 3rd
* Previous Test Rank: 3rd (August '07), 2nd (May '06), 1st (June '05)


Vehicles used:
2008 BMW E90 325i Coupe

In the fall of 2007, Dunlop brought the successful Direzza Sport Z1 to North America. Already successful in Asia for drifting and time attack track events, the "Zed One" quickly found many fans among enthusiasts in North America driving potent performance vehicles on the street or in track and autocross events thanks to its blend of excellent dry traction, respectable wet grip and reasonable road manners.

Not resting on its own success, Dunlop has taken the Direzza Sport Z1 another step forward with the new Star Spec version. Designated with a simple 5-pointed star on the sidewall (not to be confused with the symbol used to designate BMW Original Equipment status), the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec features a revised tread compound on top of the original tire's architecture aimed at improving initial dry grip during the first lap of track driving or in autocross competition runs when tread compound temperatures are at less than maximum levels. Dunlop's own testing has also shown that wet traction is improved due to the lower operating temperatures found in these conditions (versus in the dry) puts the tire in the sweet spot for enhanced traction provided by the new tread compound.

To find out how the revisions of the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec impacts road manners and enhances track performance, the Tire Rack team conducted a Real World Road Ride and Performance Track Drive comparing it to several favorites in the Extreme Performance Summer tire category, the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R, Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 and Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07. Our evaluation used 2008 BMW 325i E90 coupes with new, full tread depth 225/45R17 tires mounted on 17x8.0" wheels.


What We Learned on the Road

Our 5.6-mile loop of expressway, state highway and county roads provides a great variety of road conditions that include city and highway speeds, smooth and coarse concrete, as well as new and patched asphalt. This route allows our team to experience noise comfort, ride quality and everyday handling, just as you would during your drive to school or work.

All four tires were praised for their responsive handling and agile feel thanks to the crisp steering response and stable cornering that are hallmarks of the Extreme Performance Summer tire category.

Of particular note was the Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07, which continued to live up to its reputation for laser-sharp steering response. Nearly matching the quick steering feel of the Yokohama was the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec. The "Zed One Star Spec" displayed a linear, connected feel in the steering wheel. The Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R followed in its rating for overall road handling with somewhat slower steering response than the Yokohama or Dunlop. Rounding out the group was the Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 with levels of handling and steering response that were appropriate for the Extreme Performance Summer tire category but not quite equal to the other tires in this test.

Some tread noise is a normal by-product of the large tread block elements that are a common feature of Extreme Performance Summer tires. Among the tires in this test, the Potenza RE-01R produced the least amount of tread noise of the group. The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec also did a good job minimizing tread pattern noise with only modest noise across the variety of surfaces on our test route. The ADVAN Neova AD07 and its large tread block elements generated several distinct pitches on asphalt surfaces at higher speeds, while the Ventus R-S2 Z212 produced noticeable tread noise on all road surfaces.

Maximizing ride comfort is not normally a high priority for the tire designers when they develop Extreme Performance Summer tires. And while you won't confuse the Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R with a comfort-oriented touring tire, it did provide the best ride quality of the tires in this test. The Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec was also praised for its ride quality, doing a good job minimizing the harshness of small- to medium-sized impacts. The Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07 felt firm when driving over the smaller bumps and expansion joints along the route and bordered on harsh when encountering the bigger impacts. The Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 was also found to be somewhat harsh over uneven surfaces and patched sections of the route, feeling less refined than the other three tires tested.


What We Learned on the Test Track

Our 1/3-mile per lap test track course includes 90-degree street corners, lane changes and simulated expressway ramps. Run in both dry and wet conditions, the test track allows our team to experience the traction, responsiveness, handling and drivability normally only encountered during abrupt emergency avoidance maneuvers or competition events.

Extreme Performance Summer tires are designed to deliver sporty road handling and on-track performance and this group didn't disappoint during our dry track test. Our test format normally sees tires build significant tread temperature during driving with brief pauses between drivers while a different product is driven on the track.

And while the revised tread compound of the Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is designed to enhance dry grip at lower tread temperatures, it also proved to aid dry grip under our test conditions and post the quickest overall lap time of the test. The Z1 Star Spec felt responsive and nimble as it was quickest through the lane-change slalom section of the course.

Yokohama's ADVAN Neova AD07 was able to generate significant levels of lateral grip around the skidpad section of the course but couldn't quite match the overall poise and balance of the Dunlop.

The Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R was able to lap the course within 0.34 seconds of the first-place Dunlop thanks to its forgiving nature and easy-to-drive fast feel when driven at the handling limit.

The Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 rounded out the group, feeling responsive but just not quite up to the performance level of the other three Extreme Performance Summer tires in this test.

Traditionally, wet traction has been one of the largest sacrifices to achieve the significant level of dry grip found in Extreme Performance Summer tires. But several of the tires in this test show the advances being made in tire design with respectable wet traction in addition to their dry performance.

In the wet, the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec was the clear favorite among our team, sweeping the test for best lane change slalom sector time, highest lateral g-forces and fastest overall lap time. This tire displayed excellent overall balance, which translated to driver confidence and quick lap times.

The Potenza RE-01R was second quickest around the course with somewhat less grip and responsiveness than the Dunlop.

The ADVAN Neova AD07 followed, feeling a bit more skittish and less predictable in transitions and around the 90-degree corners.

The Ventus R-S2 Z212 was a distant 2.1 seconds behind the first-place Dunlop, feeling very nervous and unstable in all areas of the course.


Product Details

Bridgestone Potenza RE-01R (Extreme Performance Summer): The Potenza RE-01R (with the "R" signifying "Revolutionary") is the Extreme Performance Summer tire member of Bridgestone's global family of Potenza performance tires developed for enthusiastic sports car, sports coupe and performance sedan drivers. The Potenza RE-01R is designed to provide high levels of traction, responsive handling and driving control in dry and wet road conditions. The Potenza RE-01R is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice. The Potenza RE-01R molds a soft tread compound featuring a superior wear resistance polymer to improve both wet and dry grip while contributing to wear and durability. Read more.

Dunlop Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec (Extreme Performance Summer): The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is Dunlop's Extreme Performance Summer tire developed for serious sports car, sports coupe and performance sedan enthusiasts looking for race tire-like traction on the street or for use in autocross, drifting and track events. The Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec is for drivers who don't want to wait as long for their tires to come in during initial runs, as well as drivers of lighter weight vehicles who are often confronted with the task of working tire temperatures up to the point of generating peak grip.

As an evolution of the Direzza Sport Z1 and continuing to use the same tread design, the Direzza Sport Z1 Star Spec tread compound helps provide faster lap times from the start by developing more traction in temperate temperatures along with consistent grip on subsequent laps when the tires are fully warmed up. Read more.

Hankook Ventus R-S2 Z212 (Extreme Performance Summer): The Ventus R-S2 Z212 is Hankook's Extreme Performance Summer tire developed for the drivers of sports cars, sporty coupes and high performance sedans. The Ventus R-S2 Z212 is designed to provide crisp cornering, responsive steering and a firm grip. Like all summer tires, the Ventus R-S2 Z212 is not intended to be driven in near-freezing temperatures, through snow or on ice. Read more.

Yokohama ADVAN Neova AD07 (Extreme Performance Summer): The ADVAN Neova AD07 is the Extreme Performance Summer tire member of Yokohama's global family of ADVAN performance tires developed for sports car, sports coupe and performance sedan enthusiasts who love sport driving. Used as Original Equipment on the Lotus Elise, the ADVAN Neova AD07 is designed to provide high levels of traction, responsive handling and driving control in dry and wet road conditions. The ADVAN Neova AD07 is not intended to be driven in cold temperatures or in snow.

From Tire Rack

The one that got away

Finally got the shot that gave heart attacks to so many.

It was the best 8 tsuiso at Star Drift round 2 against my own team mate and thus trying to smoke it up for the run. End up had to much angle and was going to spin. Thus
decided to take the escape route to avoid getting hit.

Gave a few heart attacks to the photographers. All was good and in control as I had already pre determoined their position and saw two of them, Fishee and Josh and then Mizu....and avoided them as well as MrN.But they did not know that. Trusting boys and they are not clipping point..I know...:)


Man I love the angle though, would have been good smoking run if I did not angle it too much....oh well on to the next round to try again.

Picture by Fishee..many thanks

Qualifying video from Star Drift Challenge Round 2

Managed to get a video of Dunlop32's qualifying run during Star Drift Challenge Round 2. This is the 1st run and I managed to score 90 points for it. This was the cleaner run although 2nd run was much closer to the outer clip and I scored 91 points for it.

Take note on how early I need to get on the throttle to get the car to the outer line after the inner clipping point.

Time for more power!

OAKLEY Carbon X Base Layer

First time trying out the Oakley Carbon X base Layer. Initial thoughts, was expecting it to be a bit hotter under the sun as it is black in colour. But turn out it was not hot wearing it at all.

The look is cool and the fit is fantastic. Love the red stiching finishing. The short sleeve was a bit confusing for me at first as was not sure which side was front and did not wanted to look weird but then again wearing it either way no one would notice as well as it fits so well either way.



The long sleeve top was great too as I used it on Sunday and worked out really good.



First time throughout the two day I felt cool and sweat dries up really fast and did not have the normal discomfort associated with wearing pants and T shirt. In the past when it got as hot as Sat, I would sometime be seeing stars especially after the heat in the car as I am baking in and out of the car.

After seeing cars catching fire the last round in Bukit Jalil, I decided to be safe than sorry. Skin graft was not an option for me if the car catches fire. Can you imagine as flash fire of over 1000 degrees in the first few second if it flashes into the car. Safety comes first, the heat I can find my Honda and sit in it to cool down with the air cond, which I did. The RM 2.70 fuel price would hurt but then again I am hot. so air cond it is.

The Oakley Carbon X base layers offers the highest level of protection currently available in the market. Carbon X will not ignite or burn even when exposed to temperatures exceeding 2600 F for over 120 seconds. Nomex will disintegrate although it still give you better protection than normal clothing. Best of all it has minimal moisture retention and great wicking properties.

Short sleeve is great for practice just in case.

Long Sleeve is FIA 8856-2000 approved.

Especially when water is been dumped on to you during the prize giving..hehehehe

Star Drift Challenge Round 2

Star Drift Challenge is getting more challenging each and every time. Drifters are not only going faster, but are also initiating their drifts earlier and at a greater angle.

After working on the Dunlop 32 for 4 days and shaved off almost 40kgs, I'm eager to try how it will perform this round. Reached A'Famosa on Friday to assist Ngan on setting up on the venue. Woke up early on Saturday morning only to realised that the cars were already there but the trailer operator was away.



Nevertheless, I went out for practice and warm-up straight after unloading. Unfortunately, my turbocharger decided to end its lifespan just after 3 laps of warm-up run. I guess stock RB20 ceramic turbine does have its disadvantages despite being one of the cheapest turbo you can get off a scrapyard.



Having not much choices, I'll have to drive back to KL to pick up a replacement from DriftHouse (Joe Han's shop). After about 4 hours of downtime, the car came back to life again. Thanks to Joe Han for assisting me with the mechanical work. Can't imagine if I have to do everything by myself.

Went out for some practice after that just to make sure everything is running fine and also to get my lines correct for the competition of the following day. Also sat in Sean's car to give him some tips and fine tuning his lines.

Initial feel after lightening is that the car feels much responsive under throttle. Cornering speed also improved and I can throw the tail at a greater angle now. Straight line speed is still slow though... but then again, the engine is stock standard apart from the cooling upgrades.



Competition started at 1pm on Sunday.

Judging in qualifying is emphasized on lines, angle and throttle application.

The best run I did was 91 points with an entry speed of 94km/h. That puts me in 3rd qualifying position, behind Tengku Djan of Bridgestone with 99 points and Kim Wan of Toyo with 92 points. Sean qualified in 6th position with 89 points and 99km/h entry speed. This also means that I might face Sean in the best 8 battle if both of us made it pass best 16.



Tsuiso time.

First I was up against Vincent Goh from Team Soon Yeen. His usual ride has broke down so he was drifting with a spare car, a fairly stock JZX90 Mark 2. I kept my composure and went through best 16 smoothly. Sean, on the other hand, went up against Hanizam Hamzah of Feinto D. On their first run, Hanizam dived into the inside line and understeered, giving Sean a slight advantage on the next run. He too progressed without much difficulties.

Bingo! I'm going against my team mate in best 8.



First run, I was the leading car, so I just maintained my lines and drifted through the course. I was given 7 over 3. I guess Sean must have understeered at the back. Second run, despite having advantage, I decided to go full. Sean went off course on the 2nd clipping point, and I progressed to semi finals.

Next up was Koh Kok Hoor with his NOS-ed AE86. As I was the higher qualifier I'll have to start in front. Damn the car's fast. He was up my tail from start to finish and although both of us drifted through without mistake, that gives me a 4 over 6 disadvantage. Second run, that's it. If I don't push 120%, I'll fall back to 4th placing as Tengku Djan got eliminated in semi finals which will put him in 3rd placing for sure. I guess I've pushed it too far this time and my gear is stuck in 1st on the straight. Before I could get out of 1st into 2nd, Koh is already 10 cars length ahead of me.

I soon learned that Koh's car is running a silvertop 4AGE with 100-shot NOS, which probably has more power than my bone stock RB20, putting aside the weight differences.



After Round 2, I'm now 4th place in the championship standings, with Koh on 3rd, Djan on 2nd and Tan Tat Wei on 1st.

Next round of Star Drift Challenge will be held in KSN Bukit Jalil. In the mean time, I guess it's more weight saving and fine tuning of the handling for the Dunlop 32.