My 2023 track day season was quite a year for me that can best be described with the theme of always progressing.  I started off the year with a GTI that slowly became an entry level sleeper time attack machine.  With the slow and deliberate development of that car, I simultaneously improved my driving in the same manner.  The result was achieving my annual goal I had, which was achieving a sub-2 minute lap time at my home track, the Ridge.  From there, I improved further, taking the GTI to its limits at Global Time Attack, where I aimed for a top 3 finish.  Although I missed out by one tenths of a second, I was provisional 3rd for most of the weekend against much more capable car platforms.  After that event, I weighed my options to decide if it was worth continuing with the Mk7 GTI platform or to step up to a more track capable platform.  Upon settling on the Elantra N, I immediately was faster than the GTI with a near bone stock setup, which catches us up to my final track day of the year at Pacific Raceways.

Since my last post, the EN has seen some quality upgrades that are going to make it even more capable.  The car has some major brake and suspension upgrades that I am eager to try going into this year.  While handling was superior to the GTI, it left some room to be desired.  Suspension improvements include Swift Springs and a more aggressive alignment (-2.5 F, -2.0 R), and I am hoping these will sharpen the handling and keep the car a bit more planted.  As for the brakes, the stock rotors have been upgraded with both front and rear Girodisc rotors.  It finally feels like the EN has some quality stopping power and a firmer brake pedal feel.  The Audi RS3 brake ducts that I previously had on my GTI were also retrofitted.  The final and most recent mod was the SXTH Intercooler, which I won’t have the privilege of testing until the track days come around.

As the PNW season doesn’t truly get started until late spring,  I am finally committing to some days this year in California.  Visiting some of the Cali race tracks has been a goal of mine since I started driving.  While I love driving at the Ridge and will be doing plenty of days there as well, I want to test myself and drive at race tracks outside of my region to progress further as a driver.  Currently, Thunderhill West will be where my first set of 2024 track days are, although I would like to do an initial test of my offseason upgrades before making the trip down south.  Some tracks I would like to visit this year are Sonoma, Laguna, and Buttonwillow to name a few, so as the year progresses we’ll see what falls within my schedule.

I would like to participate in some more time attacks and will definitely participate in GTA when it returns to the Ridge this year.  If I continue on the trajectory I have set, I’ll be in for not only a great, but fun year of driving. I am very excited to see how the 2024 season shakes out for myself.