As the National Pro Street Association (NPK) season 6 approaches, racers are getting ready to hit the tracks with their modified cars. In preparation for the upcoming races, a group of racers recently gathered at Virginia Motorsports Park for a five-day testing session to try out some new rules for the season. Among these racers was Jim Howe, a seasoned racer who has been competing in the NPK for several years.
A Haltech Hero. Photo by Howe Motorsports
The testing session presented some challenging conditions for the racers. They tested only during the hottest part of the day when the heat was on the racetrack, and the sun beat down on the surface, with track temperatures ranging from 190 to 210 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the racers had to deal with foreign no-prep conditions and no glue or any other substances on the racetrack.
Photo by Howe Motorsports
Despite these challenging conditions, Jim Howe and the other racers were able to learn a lot and make some important adjustments to their cars. They focused on making their cars more consistent players when the sun is on the track, especially during the first couple of rounds on Friday or Saturday. For Jim Howe, this meant making some critical changes to his car's setup.
Photo by Howe Motorsports
During the testing session, Jim Howe tested his car's performance using two different engines. One engine was set up for more horsepower, while the other was set up for more torque. By doing so, he was able to compare the two engines and determine which one would be better suited for the upcoming NPK races.
Jim Howe also worked on fine-tuning his car's suspension and adjusting the weight distribution to optimize his car's performance on the track. This included diagnosing a problem that had been affecting his car for quite some time. He finally figured out that it was a bad strut, which was causing the tire to drop too quickly, affecting the car's stability. Once he fixed the problem, he immediately saw an improvement in his car's performance.
The testing session was a great opportunity for Jim Howe to work on his tuning and see what works best for his car. He found a couple of things that he will be sharing with his fans in a tuning part one video coming up soon. Jim Howe also took advantage of the testing session to test two cars at the same time. This allowed him to jump in his GTR, put it down the racetrack, park the car at the top end, jump in a pit vehicle, drive it to the starting line, fully dressed with a Hans device, helmet, gloves, boots, and the whole nine yards, and then jump over into the next car to race.
Overall, the testing session was a huge success, and Jim Howe feels confident going into the start of the NPK season in Hebron, Ohio. He is determined to make his car as consistent as possible and make fewer mistakes than the guy next to him. With the new rules in place, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top this season.
Photo by No Prep Racing
Jim Howe expressed his gratitude to the staff at Virginia Motorsports Park and Tommy Franklin for their hospitality during the testing session. He is looking forward to seeing his fans in Hebron, Ohio, and has some exciting contests coming up for his followers on social media.
Video by Howe Motorsports
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