kwhiteside

I just got back from the time of my life at Chin Motorsports event at Roebling Road.

I've had my Vette about a year now. Started with the Dragstrip, then did some Solo, now the track. These cars have got to be the greatest machines ever made. I drive my car to work everyday, then take a hiatas to an event. Drive the car there, drive the heck out of it, drive it back, off to work on Monday in it!

Each different type of event changes my priorities and aspirations for the car. I was going to Magnacharge it, but that just isn't good for the long beating at the big track. But before I figure out where I'm heading with the all important handling, I have a question about speed. Please don't flame me for asking, as I know my car is still more than I can handle in the turns. I almost puked from the ride in my instructors vette .

Question is -
What should a C5 Vette be able to get on that long straight at Roebling Road?

I would come out of that last turn throttle on the floor doing 95-100 (again, first timer here), hold it down all the way to the #5 brake cone and engage the ABS brakes before turn one. The best I ever got was 130mph. I was expecting much more and must say I'm dissapointed in that little factoid and wondering if maybe something just isn't right.

Stock LS1, LT Headers, Vararam, Z06 3.43 Diff are my drivetrain mods. Oh, and a Vengeance tune about a year ago. Only the 3.43 Diff has been added since.

Here are some vids if interested.
http://www.dataxperts.net/cars/RoeblingRoad/

sperkins

I've heard that some vette guys are nearing 150 at the start\finish line. I've only been able (or brave enough I guess) to hit 145mph into the braking zone.

If you're entering the stretch at 100mph, I don't undertand how you can only hit 130 at the end with the HP you have.

Z06_BluByU

I saw 143 in my old C4.. (Mild 383 stroker LT1) and +/-160 in a C6Z (race wheels, slicks, brakes, suspension, etc..).. haven't had my C5Z out there yet... I would imagine in the 150s..

BEZ06

I haven't been to Roebling yet, so I don't know.

Butt.....if you want to really turn 'er loose, come on down to Daytona next month, Dec 12-14

In a completely stock C6Z you can easily get 160 to 165 down the front stretch into the brake zone for T1. Probably not quite that fast in a C5 or LS2/3 C6.

Daytona isn't too far down here for anybody in the southeast. The HPDE is put on by an Audi club from Ohio and I don't know if there are still slots left or not, but if you need info give me a holler and I'll point you to their contact info.

Bob

davidfarmer

Roebling has a very short straight.......I can't quote speeds, but I wouldn't expect them to be very high.....

Roebling IS an excellent learning track, very technical and very good for learning multi-radius complexes. It is NOT a track for top speed bragging rights (like VIR/Rd America etc)

racerwannabe

i imagine you have an accurate speedometer....i have been at savannah on many occasions with nccc ...using a radar gun from the highway patrol ,the top speeds were quite different from what the drivers see on the dash....c-5's in the 130's,,,zo-6's 140.....my personal car 153 { that with 525hp at the tires} ... ray meeseman's fast c-4 at 149....as far as over 160??? only tony ave in his GT-1 turning 1:06 second laps at 173....but he's in another zone

Johnny

Z06_BluByU

no doubt about it.. Just posting observed numbers.. should be relative to other observed numbers..

sperkins

Now David..I wouldn't say it's very short. Plus, I've riden in your car and I'd bet you could hit 160 easily at Roebling.

Z06_BluByU

The key seems to be the exit speed and speed carrier through T9

Datawiz

Damn does that look like an easy, fun track.

varkwso

exit T8 rumble at 120, start finish at redline in 4th `143 and with a shift to 5th I am only at ~150 at 3 to go. stock c5 motors. The key is good exit speed, great line and good momentum coming onto the straight.

This last weekend I could only hit 143 or so at the brake markers with ~112-115 about my best exit from T8 all weekend. Probably the tires but could have been the driver....

trumper Z06

Like David Farmer said...

Roebing is an excellent learning track.

Good run-off areas in most places.

It does have elevation changes and a variety of corners.

kwhiteside

Ok, this makes me feel better. Like I said, I'm a newby and was only coming out of that turn at 100 tops. Floored from the apex. My instructor was flooring thru the whole turn like you must have been and got into the 140's with his Z, but he said he wasn't going all out either??

Ya, there is a lot of nice flat off track area. I was there twice. I got a nice line worked out and was sliding with control 95% of the time (including gators). Pushed too hard twice, but just let it go off without a spin. Looking back, I think I might have held the line if I would have accellerated instead pannicing with the brake. I just loved how later in the day I could give it just a touch of gas and it would bring my rear around ever so slightly. Man that was fun.

kwhiteside

One more thing, my wheels are 18/19 inch instead of the stock 17/18 inch. My tuner says the speedo was taken care of though. Just thought I would mention it.

Hazman

Glad you had fun Ken. Sorry about the almost and no I was not running 10/10ths! On good tires and chasing the "track god" in his beast I managed to see 120 coming out of turn 9 and high 140s by the brake markers.

varkwso

No one was hitting 10/10ths there since we were there to have fun....

But boy oh boy running with the "track god" sure did get the juices flowing

Z06_BluByU

That about agrees with the earlier estimation of the C5Z of ~150 on the straight..

Heck I think I was in the car with TIMz06 when he hit 160+ on that straight - stock C6Z!!

varkwso

But Tim is KNOWN to be NUTS..and he can make a car run hard at Roebling

Ojustracing

I agree 100%. I also shift into 5th at the start/finish line. I cant stop from lifting early going into turn 1.

John

kwhiteside

Can't wait till spring to try it again. Lots to think about. My hardest turn was the sweeping left turn 3. My car just didn't feel right going left. I have no idea how Koy (88) hit that turn full throttle. Then going full throttle into 8, yikes . I'm sure I could have pushed more, but I'll have to ease into that with seat time. Experiencing the controlled slide is one thing, but those high speed sweeps are completely different and actually seem more risky to me.

Ken . . .