I just want to know who drive their Mkiv regularly.
Also, I wonder how you guys take the corner 5a (after you exit the cyclone).
I almost hit redline on 2nd gear at the apex of 5a. I feel losing speed if I shift up the gear during the apex. Any input?
I short shift into third coming down the hill between 5 and 5a. I get a lot of wheelspin (since you're going down a fairly steep hill) and have to make the 2-3 shift at an inconvienent time (apex of 5a) if I stay in second until redline. I also tend to miss the apex at 5a because there is a big dip in the track right there that will bottom your front tire into the fenderwell if you have taller than stock front tires.
A few other Thunderhill tips from doing 1000+ laps there:
1. avoid the outside of turn 2 because it is so bumpy. I start about 2/3rds of the way out and work my way into the apex about 3/4 of the way around the turn.
2. hug the inside of 3. The corner gets more and more off-camber the farther out you go. Small light cars may be faster farther out, but bigger heavier ones do better on the inside.
3. most people turn into 6 too late, which makes you turn at too abrupt of an angle and slows you down all the way through the backside of the track.
4. a really fast lap requires carrying a bunch of speed through 8. However the margin for error is pretty small (not as bad as it was before they added the extra pavement though), and if you go off, bad things are likely to happen. If you do try to make it though without much of a lift and realize you aren't going to make it, go off straight, not sideways. (I speak from experience here).
5. you can carry a lot of speed through 9 even though it is intimidating since there is a hill in the middle of the corner. You have to come over the hill about 2/3rds over (from the left) to allow for the track continuing to turn to the left after you crest the hill. Most people brake too much going into the corner. Lower powered cars don't even need to brake. The fourth gear wheelspin you get coming over the top is fun.
Eric
