Track Day: Grobnik 2019/4

Grobnik is a racetrack located two hours away from me, near Rijeka, Croatia. I’ve started going to track days regularly last year when they renovated the track with new asphalt. It was also in the first year when I owned a car worth driving to the racetrack. 🙂

2013 Toyota GT86

I’ve finished last year with the best lap time of 1:52.3 which wasn’t too bad for a newcomer to the track. The goal I set for 2019 was to get below 1:50.

To my pleasant surprise, I broke the record on yesterday’s opening session. The best lap of the day was 1:49,8.

Grobnik 2019/04/18 – Toyota GT86 – 1:49.8
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2

That said, I have not miraculously gotten better over the winter (even though I had some Gran Turismo Sport “training”). The improvement is due to the new tires fitted for this year – Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2. An amazing track/road tire for dry weather (and slippery when wet) and it performed fantastic on the track.

Last year I’ve used good road-focused tires, Michelin Pilot Super Sport and Pilot Sport 4, but the difference is substantial.

Porsche 911 GT3 & Toyota GT86

With the goal achieved in the opening session there are still major improvements to be had in the driving area. There are sections which I’m aware can be driven a lot faster and with a bit of luck, I might be able to shave another second or two of the current best time.