Perfect Lap Podcast

In this episode, AJ Hartman from AJ Hartman Aero shares insights on aerodynamic components, wind tunnel testing, and practical tips for racer's looking to optimize their vehicle's performance. AJ Hartman shares his journey from a garage builder to a renowned aero parts manufacturer and racer. AJ has taught himself how to design, manufacture, and install numerous aero parts, and you can too. www.ajhartmanaero.comwww.youtube.com/@ajhartmanaerowww.instagram.com/ajhartmanaero/trackaeroconsulting.com/Wush Automotive is a proud sponsor of The Perfect Lap Podcast. Check out Wush's line of Wush Bespoke Wheels for fully forged wheels that can be customized to your exact needs.www.wushautomotive.comhttps://www.instagram.com/wushautomotive/https://www.facebook.com/WushRacingWant 5% of your Wush Bespoke order? Provide the code "perfectlap" at checkout and receive a 5% discount for our loyal listeners!00:00 — Introducing AJ Hartman Aero01:29 — Low-drag, tape-on canards04:12 — Canard design: balancing downforce and drag06:28 — CFD testing and canard development 08:23 — Canards as an aero tuning tool 11:39 — Adjusting aero for different tracks 13:25 — Designing parts with CFD and wind-tunnel data 15:42 — Custom splitters, wing mounts, and chassis-specific parts 18:23 — C-pillar wing mounts and structural strength 22:22 — Wing upright design, knife edges, and cutouts 25:19 — Aero-part failures and track safety 27:16 — Compressible splitter rods 32:25 — What happens inside a wind tunnel 37:55 — Unexpected wind-tunnel results 41:23 — Splitter end plates and aerodynamic details 45:09 — Building an effective splitter on different budgets 48:11 — Blunt versus rounded splitter leading edges 51:08 — Planning a wind-tunnel test program 54:18 — Basic aero tests for a new car 56:28 — Hood louvers, cooling, and drag 60:14 — Diffusers with flat versus dirty floors 63:23 — The challenges of building a flat floor 66:19 — Diffuser ventilation and heat management 71:52 — AJ’s Mustang and racing background 78:16 — Building a business from a small garage 83:38 — The most challenging parts AJ has built 88:30 — Carbon-fiber molds and manufacturing 95:34 — Why AJ races in GLGT instead of time attack 101:10 — Making racing more affordable 105:57 — Rapid-fire car and racing questions 109:48 — Where to find AJ Hartman Aero 112:11 — Lime Rock predictions and future race-car plans 114:00 — Closing remarks 

In this episode, Jager and Kilgore chat with Evan McLaren, two-time Gridlife ClubTR champion and Honda Integra Type R driver. Evan shares his journey in time attack racing, the evolution of Club TR, and insights into car setup, rule sets, and how to win a championship in GridLife. Evan talks about his first love, Subarus, and then moving on to JDM and Honda for his time on track.https://www.instagram.com/bigmacvtak/ https://www.facebook.com/evan.mclaren.7 https://www.youtube.com/@blandsarcasm++++++++++Wush Automotive is a proud sponsor of The Perfect Lap Podcast. Check out Wush's line of Wush Bespoke Wheels for fully forged wheels that can be customized to your exact needs.www.wushautomotive.comhttps://www.instagram.com/wushautomotive/https://www.facebook.com/WushRacingWant 5% of your Wush Bespoke order? Provide the code "perfectlap" at checkout and receive a 5% discount for our loyal listeners!++++++++++Want MORE Time Attack content? Follow the hosts, Jager and Kilgore, and get more Time Attack content in your life!Follow Mark Kilgore:https://www.instagram.com/mkilgore_909/https://www.youtube.com/@09_motorsportsFollow Mark Jager:https://www.instagram.com/jagerracing/https://www.youtube.com/@JagerRacing++++++++++00:00 Intro and Evan McLaren’s background 01:11 Why the Integra 04:10 Starting track driving in 2020 and Track Night in America 08:26 Club TR success, parity, and why the class works 15:59 How Evan got into cars, Hondas, and the Integra journey 22:09 Power numbers, dyno discussion, and K24 setup 24:58 Club TR rules, engine limits, and class philosophy 28:34 Sustainability, cost, and whether Club TR is “real” time attack 31:18 Why aero matters and why Street Class feels less exciting 36:37 The most important mods to stay competitive 41:31 Motivation, budget, and how time attack felt “unreachable” at first 44:48 Rivalry, friendship, and racing against Pete 53:36 Tire strategy and how Evan attacks a session 58:12 Weekend format, too many sessions, and podium sprint thoughts 61:38 Car progression and thoughts on 2027 plans 64:18 Axle problems, drivetrain headaches, and garage life 71:11 Gearing, final drive, and transmission setup 79:32 Paddock transmission repair story 81:19 What’s on the wish list for 2027 93:30 Sponsors, partners, and shoutouts 101:41 Future plans, possibly taking a break 105:37 Rapid-fire questions 110:06 Social media and where to follow Evan 

In this episode, Jager and Kilgore chat with Peter Granberg who shares his journey in time attack racing, the evolution of Club TR, and insights into car setup, rule sets, and how to win a championship in GridLife. Peter talks about his K24-swapped Subaru, going 4-off and still winning Mid-West Fest, and his favorite hobbies besides racing cars.  https://www.instagram.com/petergranberg511/ https://www.facebook.com/peter.granberg.167 https://www.youtube.com/@PeterGranberg511  ++++++++++   Wush Automotive is a proud sponsor of The Perfect Lap Podcast. Check out Wush's line of Wush Bespoke Wheels for fully forged wheels that can be customized to your exact needs.     www.wushautomotive.com   https://www.instagram.com/wushautomotive/   https://www.facebook.com/WushRacing       Want 5% of your Wush Bespoke order? Provide the code "perfectlap" at checkout and receive a 5% discount for our loyal listeners!       ++++++++++   Want MORE Time Attack content? Follow the hosts, Jager and Kilgore, and get more Time Attack content in your life!       Follow Mark Kilgore:   https://www.instagram.com/mkilgore_909/   https://www.youtube.com/@09_motorsports       Follow Mark Jager:   https://www.instagram.com/jagerracing/   https://www.youtube.com/@JagerRacing    ++++++++++   00:00Introduction to Peter Gramberg and his racing background 01:59The origin of Club TR and its purpose in the scene 03:47Peter’s journey from Subaru to K Series engine swap 06:58Car setup, modifications, and maintaining reliability 09:47The importance of community and crew support in racing 13:03Contingencies and strategies for winning the championship 16:05Analyzing Lime Rock performance and lap times 19:06Working with driver coach Scott Robertson and data tools 23:00Car aerodynamics, weight management, and rule set considerations 28:56The mental game: confidence, data, and race mindset 33:59The importance of rule clarity and updates in racing organizations 38:01Community, trust, and the future of time attack racing 44:00Current state of Club TR and its growth 50:00Balancing fun and competition in racing 57:58Final thoughts on racing, community, and the future 

Jager and Kilgore relive the top moments, and some not so top moments, from the latest round of Gridlife time attack racing at Watkins Glen. The hosts discuss results, the overall event, track strategies, car setups, and the high-stakes format featuring the Podium Sprint on Sunday afternoon. This episode is a must-listen for motorsport enthusiasts.++++++++++   Wush Automotive is a proud sponsor of The Perfect Lap Podcast. Check out Wush's line of Wush Bespoke Wheels for fully forged wheels that can be customized to your exact needs.     www.wushautomotive.com   https://www.instagram.com/wushautomotive/   https://www.facebook.com/WushRacing   Want 5% of your Wush Bespoke order? Provide the code "perfectlap" at checkout and receive a 5% discount for our loyal listeners!   ++++++++++   Want MORE Time Attack content? Follow the hosts, Jager and Kilgore, and get more Time Attack content in your life!   Follow Mark Kilgore:   https://www.instagram.com/mkilgore_909/   https://www.youtube.com/@09_motorsports   Follow Mark Jager:   https://www.instagram.com/jagerracing/   https://www.youtube.com/@JagerRacing   ++++++++++   00:00 Introduction to Watkins Glen Race Weekend01:57 Race Incidents and Track Conditions10:00 Car Setups and Performance Insights20:00 Driver Strategies and Tire Management30:00 Record-Breaking Laps and Speed Traps39:54 The Future of Time Attack and Track Selection50:04 Closing Remarks and Next Events58:22 Championship standings and race implications01:00:05 Street Mod and Street G T analysis01:04:11 Subaru dominance and car diversity01:07:23 Rule nuances and car modifications01:12:14 Community insights and future prospects01:16:23 Upcoming events and live stream plans

Ryan Passey has built one of the wildest Mazda Miatas for Time Attack racing. Ryan discusses how he used the best parts from each generation of Miata and combined them all into the HyperMiata. The episode discusses the challenges of taking on a 5-year project, how Ryan stayed on track, and the challenges he faced along the way. It all culminates in Global Time Attack at Thunderhill where Ryan finished second overall.  ++++++++++   Wush Automotive is a proud sponsor of The Perfect Lap Podcast. Check out Wush's line of Wush Bespoke Wheels for fully forged wheels that can be customized to your exact needs.     www.wushautomotive.com   https://www.instagram.com/wushautomotive/   https://www.facebook.com/WushRacing       Want 5% of your Wush Bespoke order? Provide the code "perfectlap" at checkout and receive a 5% discount for our loyal listeners!       ++++++++++   Want MORE Time Attack content? Follow the hosts, Jager and Kilgore, and get more Time Attack content in your life!       Follow Mark Kilgore:   https://www.instagram.com/mkilgore_909/   https://www.youtube.com/@09_motorsports       Follow Mark Jager:   https://www.instagram.com/jagerracing/   https://www.youtube.com/@JagerRacing    ++++++++++   00:00Introduction to the Hyper Miata 05:10The Journey of Building the Hyper Miata 09:50Choosing the Miata Platform 14:56Innovative Modifications and Challenges 20:05The Fuel System and Bodywork Challenges 24:59Final Thoughts on the Build Process 35:15Navigating the Creative Process 41:39From Concept to Reality: The Importance of Molds 49:18Deciding When to Seek Expertise 52:21The Role of Aerodynamics in Performance 53:46Powering the Project: Engine and ECU Choices 01:06:05Transmission Choices and Their Impact 01:11:10Navigating the Challenges of Amateur Racing 01:13:34Supercharging Performance: The LFX Engine Upgrade 01:16:46Power vs. Weight: Finding the Right Balance 01:19:23The Importance of Consistency in Racing 01:21:43The Quest for Optimal Power Output 01:27:02Aerodynamics: Crafting the Perfect Downforce 01:37:48Thunder Hill: A New Challenge Awaits 01:45:32Navigating Thunder Hill: Risks and Rewards 01:48:16The Unexpected Breakdown: A Lesson in Racing 01:53:41Repairing the Hyper Miata: Challenges Ahead 01:56:27Strategizing for Button Willow: Focus and Preparation 02:01:15The Competitive Landscape: Setting New Records 02:05:39Rapid Fire: Insights into Ryan's Racing Preferences