C6 is AWESOME on the Track!
05-31-2005, 08:04 PM
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C6 is AWESOME on the Track!
Hi all,
Last week I posted that I would be going to the track with my new C6 -- thanks to everyone for giving me such helpful suggestions!
Friday I took the C6 out on the track and what can I say, it was AWESOME!! I went with a group out here in So. Cal. to the California Speedway, where we ran on about 1/2 the oval + infield road course.
The car was great - it was my first time on a track (with any car), so I learned a lot and got much better as the day went on. I'm really glad I got the Z51 package - everything was great and I really enjoyed my day. I left the Active Handling on all day, and as someone suggested it was really great because at first the active handling and traction control were doing a lot of work as I was learning how to drive the track, but towards the end of the day they barely turned on during my laps. My top speed on the rear straight-away was 140 mph, and I really shaved a lot of time off my lap time from the beginning of the day to the end. The only problem now is that I want to go back to the track!!
Anyhow, it was a great time and strongly advise that everyone with a C6 (especially Z51) take it to the track.
Here are some pics:
Last week I posted that I would be going to the track with my new C6 -- thanks to everyone for giving me such helpful suggestions!
Friday I took the C6 out on the track and what can I say, it was AWESOME!! I went with a group out here in So. Cal. to the California Speedway, where we ran on about 1/2 the oval + infield road course.
The car was great - it was my first time on a track (with any car), so I learned a lot and got much better as the day went on. I'm really glad I got the Z51 package - everything was great and I really enjoyed my day. I left the Active Handling on all day, and as someone suggested it was really great because at first the active handling and traction control were doing a lot of work as I was learning how to drive the track, but towards the end of the day they barely turned on during my laps. My top speed on the rear straight-away was 140 mph, and I really shaved a lot of time off my lap time from the beginning of the day to the end. The only problem now is that I want to go back to the track!!
Anyhow, it was a great time and strongly advise that everyone with a C6 (especially Z51) take it to the track.
Here are some pics:
05-31-2005, 08:10 PM
#3
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2020 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Great pics!! I am jealous. I have a Vert and that makes it impossible to get on a track without a installing a roll bar which I am not going to do.
05-31-2005, 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by rm50
Great pics!! I am jealous. I have a Vert and that makes it impossible to get on a track without a installing a roll bar which I am not going to do.
05-31-2005, 08:16 PM
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That Porsche was really cool -- it was a GT3 that humbled many cars on the track.
Originally Posted by DP Dave
What an experience! Glad to see the Porsche is behind you!
05-31-2005, 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by V Vette
A silver Bullet streaking! NICE.. 140MPH was that in 5th gear???
05-31-2005, 08:33 PM
#9
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by dimavette
I'm really glad I got the Z51 package - everything was great and I really enjoyed my day. I left the Active Handling on all day, and as someone suggested it was really great because at first the active handling and traction control were doing a lot of work as I was learning how to drive the track, but towards the end of the day they barely turned on during my laps.
Paying attention to the active handling helps drivers new to a road course build speed.
Originally Posted by dimavette
My top speed on the rear straight-away was 140 mph, and I really shaved a lot of time off my lap time from the beginning of the day to the end.
Originally Posted by dimavette
Anyhow, it was a great time and strongly advise that everyone with a C6 (especially Z51) take it to the track.
Amazing how well the car will hold up when driving it this hard.
Originally Posted by dimavette
The only problem now is that I want to go back to the track!!
05-31-2005, 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by vetracer
That must be a pretty good straight, at Firebird Raceway in Chandler we sometimes run the main track which includes the dragstrip. I couldn't get over 131 MPH there...
05-31-2005, 08:41 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by dimavette
It was pretty cool because you could build up a lot of speed coming around the last sweeping turn of the infield road course, so by the time you get onto the straight you're already going pretty fast!
05-31-2005, 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by vetracer
At Firebird you come out of a pretty tight turn onto the straight, so you can't carry much speed. At the other end is a big wide carousel, which you enter at about 90 MPH. If you go in too fast, you're toast.
05-31-2005, 08:48 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
Originally Posted by C6Batmobile
vetracer, I go to Firebird often for Fri & Sat night drags. I would love to take the C6 on the road course. When is the next time it's available?
They do a Corvette time trials group also, nothing but Corvettes.
http://www.proautosports.com
Unfortunately all the local events are through for the summer because of the heat. You might want to check out the St. Johns event, it's the big one and a lot of fun - You run on an airstrip course which means lots of speed.
06-01-2005, 12:29 AM
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Great pics! Glad to hear you had fun. My first time at the track will be on the 24th at Thunderhill in N. California. Needless to say I am looking forward to it.
06-01-2005, 08:35 AM
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Congrats on the on Track experience.
I found this yesterday while looking for On Track days. Johnny O’Connell is putting on a Corvette Camp at Carolina Motorsports Park on September 17th and 18th. I gave them a call and am going to give it a try. Sounds like a deal to me and a whole lot of fun. Classroom coaching from Johnny O’Connell, professional on track coaching, catered lunch and drinks, commemorative memorabilia and only $400.00 per day. They will have two camps that weekend so I guess you can sign up for both if you like. Sunday will be a repeat of Saturday. Here is the link: http://www.corvettecamp.com/
I had the change to meet Johnny at a National Corvette Museum sponsored C5R Performance Tour last fall. He’s a really nice guy – very personable and takes the time to chat with you. Many drivers won’t do that! I really like his SPEED Channel race announcing as he has good insight into what is actually happening on track. Plus, he’s a super Corvette Team racer. They said he was flying out today to France for Le Mans.
After finding the camp info, I took a look on his website and found that he has some very informative tips on driving. http://www.johnnyoconnell.com/new/main.html
All the Best to the Factory Corvette Team at the 24 Heures du Mans!
I found this yesterday while looking for On Track days. Johnny O’Connell is putting on a Corvette Camp at Carolina Motorsports Park on September 17th and 18th. I gave them a call and am going to give it a try. Sounds like a deal to me and a whole lot of fun. Classroom coaching from Johnny O’Connell, professional on track coaching, catered lunch and drinks, commemorative memorabilia and only $400.00 per day. They will have two camps that weekend so I guess you can sign up for both if you like. Sunday will be a repeat of Saturday. Here is the link: http://www.corvettecamp.com/
I had the change to meet Johnny at a National Corvette Museum sponsored C5R Performance Tour last fall. He’s a really nice guy – very personable and takes the time to chat with you. Many drivers won’t do that! I really like his SPEED Channel race announcing as he has good insight into what is actually happening on track. Plus, he’s a super Corvette Team racer. They said he was flying out today to France for Le Mans.
After finding the camp info, I took a look on his website and found that he has some very informative tips on driving. http://www.johnnyoconnell.com/new/main.html
All the Best to the Factory Corvette Team at the 24 Heures du Mans!