Took the S to Talladega this past weekend to become more familiar with its(and my) capabilities. Wow! Any talk of the '04 being dumbed down is misinformed at best. The car was extremely nuetral in both Turn 1 (skidpad) and Turn 2 (inside left). Compared to the '02 I've driven, the '04 felt more planted and secure, no doubt. Ran consistent 1:17-18's and that was my limit not the cars.(I'm a 'novice' as well) There were a couple of STI's out there that just FLY! although our S was very, very strong. The front straight maxed out at 93mph before running out of track and the brakes were phenomenal both during hard ins and trail braking. Very linear, no fade, very confident, no surprises. The only handicap I noticed was some heat soak mid-day that sucked some power. No CAI, but can see where one would possibly help. The stock RE050's stuck like glue except now they're just a little more worn... track tires are recommended...
Was running laps around Miatas, a G35, misc civics, just those STI's could keep up.
Anyway, not sure if anyone elses has tracked an '04 but it was an absolute blast.
The car is a better driver than me, but in turn is making me a better driver. Awesome.

 

I assume you're talking about Talladega Gran Prix? If so, I was out there about a year ago in my stock MY03. I was running 1:17s also. I only bumped the rev limiter in 3rd (a little over 90) one time on the back straight, but I don't recall what I was doing on the front straight. I was still in 3rd, but I never hit the rev limiter.
That was a fun track, but it was pretty hard on brakes (at least the stockers). I ended up glazing my pads after only a couple of dry sessions.

Anyway, I'm glad you had a good time!

 

I just got back from TGPR. We ran it on Monday, 3/21. My bone stock 2001 S2K ran 16.3 - 16.5 laps on worn out S02's. I was hitting the rev limiter on the back and front straights every lap (not enough track left before the corner to shift into fourth, so I just let it bounce off the limiter a couple of times before hitting the brakes). I also hit the limiter on the turn after the banked sweeper a couple of times. You can take that sweeper a lot faster than you think you can. I was going around it at 70 - 75 mph. We were running the track clockwise. Anyway - LOTS of fun, but now my tires are completely fried. Good thing I've got new ones coming, as I'm going to be running at Barber at the end of May. Next time you guys have an event at TGPR, let me know. I'd love to get on the track any chance I get.