Neil/Rex:
Thank you both for the suggestions. I am considering a higher front spring rate, maybe even rising rate springs but not too much more than the 350 pounds per corner I have now (front corner weights were in the 275 pound ballpark). I have a front 1:1 motion ratio and may, at some future date, go to a 2:1 rocker ratio. So much salt found its way to my dampers, it was easy to see damper travel of 1" or about twice what I was shooting for.
On the way back home from WoS last year, I stopped by the Darko tunnel. Front downforce is a little over 100 pounds positive at 250 mph so not enough to cause me grief. I am changing a few things around so I may even see a little less positive downforce next time out. But I hate stiction with a passion. It kills almost anything you are asking suspension to do and I knew that going in. I just did not have the time to fix it. I had hoped a few passes down track would loosen them up but it did not.
I will definitely use elastomers on dampers for compression control. Cheap and easy. I will also use rubber snubbers instead of leather belts for droop control. Belts kind of got in the way and stretched some as well.
Anyway, all in the name of vehicle development, right?
John