Top speed on stage

[kurt.]

What kind of top speeds is everyone hitting on the stages?

I'm trying to decide if I need longer gears or not. I can hit 120 (at redline, 7k), but I don't think it would be good to sustain that type of rpm for a long period of time..
FYI- I have a V4 RA trans (4.44 FD)

Please stae what drivetrain you're running as well so I can judge the acceleration.

Any input is appreciated.

-Kurt

[UP2MTNS]

what events are you running? you won't see 120 on too many stages, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Unless you're rebuilding your tranny anyways cause its broke....spend your money elsewhere.

[BenSlocum]

I've got well over a thousand stage miles under my belt, I've only been over 100 a few dozen times, over 110 three times (that I had time to look at the odo to verify) and over 115 once.

You'll want something with good close ratios.

[KevinWelker]

Where you race has a big part of it. If you are here in the southwest there are more opportunities to be at top speed for significant portions of time (Desert Storm, Prescott, portions of Gorman) even in my little underpowered Open Light car ('01 RS stock driveline) we've seen over 100mph a couple of times at each of those rallys.

BUT, you will get more benefit from the closer ratios because you can get to top speed quicker more often. The 4.44 is probably pretty optimal for what you want.

[thewizard]

I've got well over a thousand stage miles under my belt, I've only been over 100 a few dozen times, over 110 three times (that I had time to look at the odo to verify) and over 115 once.

You'll want something with good close ratios.

Ben,
Didn' you run RTN this year?
We hit 115+ more than once this year in Paul's Acura...

OP: I wouldn't worry about anything over 110. Even if you hit it it won't be for long. Some competitors cars won't even go over 110 due to gearing limitations.

oscar

[BenSlocum]

Ben,
Didn' you run RTN this year?
We hit 115+ more than once this year in Paul's Acura...


Correct, we went over 110 twice in a PGT/SS 2004 WRX. The only time I've hit over 115 was in a PGT 2006 WRX at Oregon Trail 2008.

[geekguy]

Ben,
Didn' you run RTN this year?
We hit 115+ more than once this year in Paul's Acura...

OP: I wouldn't worry about anything over 110. Even if you hit it it won't be for long. Some competitors cars won't even go over 110 due to gearing limitations.

oscar

That was probably Owl Hollow or Hoenwald. Those are about the only two stages that have flowing sections enough to hit those speeds. But it's not for any length of time, certainly.

[BenSlocum]

That was probably Owl Hollow or Hoenwald. Those are about the only two stages that have flowing sections enough to hit those speeds. But it's not for any length of time, certainly.

I can't remember which ones we hit it on, I was in a daze most of the weekend. Those roads were FUN.

I will be back down to that one.

[thewizard]

It might have been Hohenwald. One run I took a glimpse and saw the indicator a little past 115. I probably have in car of it on my other computer.

[RS MN]

It might have been Hohenwald. One run I took a glimpse and saw the indicator a little past 115. I probably have in car of it on my other computer.

if you find it, you should post it.
i just think that would be completely insane.
i get kinda scared doing 85-90 on gravel.

[thewizard]

At the end of this video we are over 110 possibly 115 (in the wet as well!):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPR7ZETXpzg&feature=related

We were a little slow the first portion of day 1 but had a couple top 4 times throughout the rally.

BTW, on street tires!
Paul F. Is a fast driver

[RS MN]

pure insanity.
i want that road.

[thewizard]

Come out to RTN next year!
As fun as stages could be

[RS MN]

where is it?
im in MN :(

[thewizard]

Linden, TN
http://www.rallytennessee.com/2009/

[RS MN]

too far for me :unamused:

[carl]

We hit right about 100mph even once or twice (n/a ej257, stock 04 sti drivetrain) this year

[kurt.]

Thanks for the input guys.
I'll be running events in the southwest, so I think I'll be able to hit that top speed fairly easy if guys are hitting it N/A. From what you guys say, it seems like it's worth the top speed sacrifice to have the closer gears/quicker acceleration.

Thanks again for everyone's input,
Kurt

[Broken Motorsports]

Correct, we went over 110 twice in a PGT/SS 2004 WRX. The only time I've hit over 115 was in a PGT 2006 WRX at Oregon Trail 2008. Really? we were near 125 coming through the finish on one of the stages at TN. I dont know which stage it was though.

That was probably Owl Hollow or Hoenwald. Those are about the only two stages that have flowing sections enough to hit those speeds. But it's not for any length of time, certainly.
yeah i would say prob one of those.

Rally NY USA 100+ a few times, same stage.
Rally TN 120-125mph
BRS 120-130mph
Int'l Rally NY - 100+ quite a few times on New Mortimer Schiff long.

[REDrum]

We hit 101 at NEFR and 95 at RNY sprints, both gravel. Yet to run tarmac event.

[subyspawn]

I've hit 115+ at Prescott Rally

[Broken Motorsports]

We hit 101 at NEFR and 95 at RNY sprints, both gravel. Yet to run tarmac event.

Oh yeah i forgot about that really long straight section on Saturday afternoon. 100+ there as well.

[BenSlocum]

Really? we were near 125 coming through the finish on one of the stages at TN. I dont know which stage it was though.

Oddly we didn't.

The fastest I've been to date was with Piotr Wiktorczyk at the previously mentioned Oregon Trail.

Basically he called me on Tuesday of the Rally asking if I could fly out, so I did. With no experience with each other, in a rented car, we were able to go 115 on a gravel road neither of us had seen before. The dust was so thick we couldn't see beyond the bumper; my only indication of speed came from when Piotr set up for a R3 that we both hoped to God was there. He pitched the car sideways and I saw grass flick past my window; without that I would have thought we were standing still.

[geekguy]

pure insanity.
i want that road.

That was hoenwald (reverse). Here is what the road looks like on Google Maps (in the forward direction):

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Co+Hwy+1790%2FOld+State+Hwy+20&daddr=35.578383,-87.717376&hl=en&geocode=FQAAHwIdYjvE-g%3B&mra=mi&mrsp=1,0&sz=15&sll=35.578627,-87.738662&sspn=0.046073,0.093513&ie=UTF8&ll=35.588574,-87.761106&spn=0.046067,0.093513&t=p&z=15