Need Sebring Shift point Advice
05-02-2007, 08:29 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Need Sebring Shift point Advice
Have a C6 z06 and have about 8 hpde's and a level 1 Spring Mt course. Drive in the group above novice on street tires w/ Hawk dtc 70 pads, dot 4 fluid. Would like your advice on shift points at Sebring full course. Drove it once and watched numerous races and know the turn #s by heart. Give approximate speeds prior to downshifts. Thanks in advance. (I do have my own thoughts on it but I want to take advantage of the vast amt of experience on here)
05-02-2007, 09:26 AM
#2
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Location: sebring florida
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haven't driven a c6z so can't say for sure. also, not sure on the speeds on all the corners but starting at start/finish, downshift to 4th (or just keep it in 4th depending on how hard you're pushing).
I take t3 in 3rd. next braking/downshifting area is t7 and I go down to 2nd.
next is t10, only go down to 3rd. same with t13 and t15a-16.
t17 I take in 3rd.
mine is a c5 stock tranny/diff but I have a big cam. when are you driving here again?
I take t3 in 3rd. next braking/downshifting area is t7 and I go down to 2nd.
next is t10, only go down to 3rd. same with t13 and t15a-16.
t17 I take in 3rd.
mine is a c5 stock tranny/diff but I have a big cam. when are you driving here again?
05-02-2007, 10:20 AM
#3
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
this Sat May 5 with chin. I assume I'll be in 5th gear coming into 17, do you go 5 to 4 to 3 on t17? I thought that t5 would be in 2nd (good up to 90 mph)?
Staying at the elan, have a red c6 z w/ ccw wheels, should be #11.
Staying at the elan, have a red c6 z w/ ccw wheels, should be #11.
05-02-2007, 12:32 PM
#4
Race Director
your "learning curve" will grow much faster if you base you shift point on YOUR needs, not asking others for advice. Upshift just before the rev limiter (7000 rpm), and that will drop you down to around 5100rpm with the mm6 trans.
As for find the right gear, ideally you would be in the 5000-7000rpm at ALL times. If you are below that, then you should be in a lower gear.
Realistically, dropping down to 4000rpm is going to happen, but if you find yourself coming out of a corner at 3000rpm, you've selected the wrong gear.
Learning and "mastering" new tracks used to be my favorite part of Pro Racing. Learning temporary street courses, airports tracks, etc, where everyone was on an even playing field, was fun.
I mean no disrespect in my advice....just honestly feel you'll get up to speed faster being "in tune" with your car.
As for find the right gear, ideally you would be in the 5000-7000rpm at ALL times. If you are below that, then you should be in a lower gear.
Realistically, dropping down to 4000rpm is going to happen, but if you find yourself coming out of a corner at 3000rpm, you've selected the wrong gear.
Learning and "mastering" new tracks used to be my favorite part of Pro Racing. Learning temporary street courses, airports tracks, etc, where everyone was on an even playing field, was fun.
I mean no disrespect in my advice....just honestly feel you'll get up to speed faster being "in tune" with your car.
05-02-2007, 07:11 PM
#6
Racer
Member Since: Dec 2004
Location: Jacksonville FL
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The only time im in second is turn 7. Ive tried to go to second a couple of times in other turns. to much HP and i end up fighting the wheel instead of being smooth.
Most of the track is third and fourth.
Now im in a c5 and i can run right to the rev limiter at 140 mph in fourth on the main straight. Some upshift to fifth. I find im a little quicker staying in fourth. I dont have 2 downshifts going into 17, which can be a pretty tricky turn. Im in 3 through 17 to the front straight then back info fourth.
All of this really doesnt matter as you need to drive how you are comfortable. Shifting into fifth in the straight may be better if you want to save some revs on the engine. I happen to drive it like i stole it so i tend to rev pretty high.
Do you have a shift light? I use a GFORCE. not for data, but really for the progressive shift light that it has. Got one for xmas few years back, and it is decently handy.
Get with someone with a similar car and that is of similar or a little bit faster speed. Notice a guy passing you during your session in a c6? Go to him after your session and ask if he minds that you follow him for a while in a session. That way you can learn his lines, braking points, and the shift points will come.
Have a great time!
Most of the track is third and fourth.
Now im in a c5 and i can run right to the rev limiter at 140 mph in fourth on the main straight. Some upshift to fifth. I find im a little quicker staying in fourth. I dont have 2 downshifts going into 17, which can be a pretty tricky turn. Im in 3 through 17 to the front straight then back info fourth.
All of this really doesnt matter as you need to drive how you are comfortable. Shifting into fifth in the straight may be better if you want to save some revs on the engine. I happen to drive it like i stole it so i tend to rev pretty high.
Do you have a shift light? I use a GFORCE. not for data, but really for the progressive shift light that it has. Got one for xmas few years back, and it is decently handy.
Get with someone with a similar car and that is of similar or a little bit faster speed. Notice a guy passing you during your session in a c6? Go to him after your session and ask if he minds that you follow him for a while in a session. That way you can learn his lines, braking points, and the shift points will come.
Have a great time!
05-02-2007, 10:04 PM
#7
I went to Sebring 4 tracking days this past winter with CHIN. I tried different shifting points with my Z06. I agree with the previous poster that the only time in 2nd gear is turn 7. I take the rest of the course in 3rd gear with upshifts to 4th on the back stretch and front stretch. I can take turn 1 and 17 in 4th gear because the car has so much power. I downshift to 3rd midway through 17 and just before turn 3. This shifting sequence gave me my best time of 2:30:88 The high rev limit and awesome available torque of the Z06 make shifting a minor function. I have found that less is more with this beast.
Have fun. Sebring is a great track, but be prepared for a bumpy ride.
Have fun. Sebring is a great track, but be prepared for a bumpy ride.
05-03-2007, 10:38 AM
#8
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
I would've thought that if one was pressing that 5th gear would be needed on the back str8? In my SC C5 I reached 145 and backed off quite a bit before I had to brake. Are you z drivers not keeping it floored until the brake zone? Appreciate any advice since this is one of the most dangerous parts of the course (17).
As an aside what tire pressure work well on the stock tire for my level
As an aside what tire pressure work well on the stock tire for my level
Last edited by urslooow; 05-03-2007 at 10:55 AM.
05-03-2007, 11:29 AM
#9
I would've thought that if one was pressing that 5th gear would be needed on the back str8? In my SC C5 I reached 145 and backed off quite a bit before I had to brake. Are you z drivers not keeping it floored until the brake zone? Appreciate any advice since this is one of the most dangerous parts of the course (17).
As an aside what tire pressure work well on the stock tire for my level
As an aside what tire pressure work well on the stock tire for my level
I don't push it 100%, but I was doing 150-155 before turn 17. I agree that 5th gear would be necessary for a seasoned veteran on the back str8. If I push it above the normal routine I mentioned in an earlier post, I have also needed upshifts to 4th after 6, 9 and between 13 and 14. Overall though, my times are not as good. I've only been at this a year so far and I have a lot to learn and more experimentation to do.
I was running Hoosier's and keep pressure at 40. Not sure what is best with run-fllats.
05-03-2007, 12:35 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
05-03-2007, 12:54 PM
#13
Racer
t1 and 2 in 4th, than down to 3rd. Going to 4th after t5 right under the 1st bridge. 3rd in t7. 4th in t8. down to 3rd before t10. t11 and 12 in 3rd. going to 4th for a short time and then back to 3rd in t13. full trottle in 4th thru t14. t15 and t16 in 3rd. I hold 4th on back strait, because if **** to 5th, that would be fo about a second. And 5th doen't accelerate much. 3rd in t17. up to 4th before the bridge.
05-04-2007, 01:16 PM
#17
Melting Slicks
http://www.na-motorsports.com/Tracks...ng.html#HotLap
I was on the pole for the 2005 National race there with a 2:19.1 in my C5 Z06 prepped to T1 specs...and of course have plenty of video!!
I was on the pole for the 2005 National race there with a 2:19.1 in my C5 Z06 prepped to T1 specs...and of course have plenty of video!!
05-04-2007, 11:49 PM
#19
Drifting
Member Since: Sep 2004
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5th is only for the ride to and from the track. I'm not sure you have the torque to take turn 7 in 3rd, I'd recommend 2nd. Everywhere else it's upshifting from 3rd to 4th and then back to third for the next turn. Don't forget to rev match when downshifting. Having a wider gas pedal to heel and toe will make that easier.
05-05-2007, 06:27 AM
#20
the C6Z06 can handle turn 7 in 3rd easily... if you are just cruising and not looking to pass anyone after the turn, leave it in 3rd..if you want to set up for a pass right after 7, then drop it into 2nd and get ready to bolt past the car ahead of you as you exit the hairpin...here's a link to some passing highlights of my visit to Sebring last November..keep your eye out for the Panoz racer.. http://home.insightbb.com/~c6z06/SBpass.wmv
Last edited by Z06_505; 05-05-2007 at 06:36 AM.