Hey Dave,
Which track you running?
Here is what I have found open tracking these trucks.
Tire Pressure- Honestly, never found the gen1 to respond to pressure adjustments. The Viper and the Vette respond very well, but no matter what you do the tires are going to screaming for mercy on the Gen1. I usually set the pressures to 42-44 and adjust according to tire wear after each session. Trying to get the wear more centered on the tread as possible.
Tires- fwiw, Toyos are the best stock street tire stock size I have used on a road course.
Brakes- As stated above, brake fade is a real possibility if you are stock, especially on The Streets. I have found that as I got better as a driver, I didn't use the brakes as much. Big Willow not so much. Its happened to me a few times. You are going to be there in winter, so you shouldn't have any issues with boiling the fluid. Resist the tendency to jab at the brakes and try to be as smooth as possible is my suggestion.
ABS- Rear abs is an issue on these trucks. The first turn at The Streets comes to mind. You should be hitting that hairpin turn off the front straightaway about 100mph. For me the ABS always kicks in there when I brake, it creates a weird sensation that makes you want to over respond to the under steer. With the front wheels locked and the rear wheels rolling. Then the front tires bite and you are spinning. My advice if this happens to you, fight the tendency to want to turn the steering wheel more or much at all.
Since you are used to a Mustang and this is your first time in a Gen1 on a road course...the truck is higher up, wider and longer, you will think you are hitting your marks on your line. In reality, you will probably be 3 to 4 feet away from your marks in the corners. I have to tell myself that I am not going to go off track if I move the truck over more and use as much of the track as possible. You will see what I mean. You need to use as much of the track as you can to keep your momentum up.
Never had the center caps pop off and I have gone off track quite dramatically many times, lol.
The main thing with a stock gen1 is just keep your momentum up in the corners and you will be able to hang with anything out there. Concentrate on coming out of a corner onto the straightaway with as much momentum as you can so you can pass. You wont have the top end, especially on Big Willow, to overtake people unless you are perfect on your line.
Then get back in your Mustang and see how much better of a driver you are after running a gen1 :thumbup: