AZDoug

I have auto crossed my '61 car,a nd drag raced it,and it is a lot of fun.

But, it doesn't compare to my new Z06. Not. At. All.

Here are some vids from today at Spring mountain raceway at Pahrump, NV.

The first long vid is from me driving, the second short vid is an instructor driving at about 8/10ths.

On the vid, the red bar graph is brake pedal pressure, the green bar graph is throttle position, the round gizmo in the bottom left is g force, right, left, accel, decel, speed and RPM are obvious, the track layout and car position on the track are on the left



Me:


Instructor:




Doug

Frankie the Fink

Almost information overload with all that going on while driving the car - but impressive nonetheless...

AZDoug

We don't see all that stuff when we drive, but it is there for playback sow e can analyze what we did and didn't do.

Doug

Frankie the Fink

That makes sense. I worked with a lot of pilots and on Navy fighter simulators and there is a point when the brain sort of shuts down from over-stimulation in high stress, information overload conditions.

Pretty dangerous...

Bill32

Addicting Huh, Doug?

I have a lot of respect for all the folks at Spring Mountain, really first class.

Your driving lines looked decent.

I've been riding in the right seat in Corvettes for 18 years (SCCA Specialist Instructor license) and it's so gratifying to hear your driver say "Yea, I get it."

I've only driven one C7 and that was on the track, they are impressive. And I feel they are easier for a newer driver to go fast in than a C5 or 6.

The big question is: .............when are you going back?

AZDoug

That is the big question, isn't it?

I already looked into getting a SCCA license, as a curiosity.

If I lived closer to PIR, i probably would get a license, but yes, I will probably go back for a more advanced course next year.

the first one I just took, GM subsidized 75% of the cost, as a new Corvette purchaser.

Going back for a three day would cost a whole lot more, esp in a Z06 car. But, I get to thrash their car and use up a set of their tires, rather than using up my tires.

After the first day, they split us into three groups, based on how we did. I got put into the fast group (the other two groups were driving Z cars also).

We kept coming up on the slower groups and they would have to pull over for us so we could lap them.

Doug

Bill32

Doug, there only 2 types of SCCA licenses, one for full roadracing up thru a Pro license and a license for Time Trials

Running in Time Trials calls for a close to "Racecar" prepped car, 4 point roll cage, etc.

SOME SCCA regions put on Time Trials along with Club Trials (street cars but with timed laps) and PDX (Performance Driving Experience).
In PDX novice, instructors are mandatory, PDX intermediate and advanced groups don't require instructors.

You'd have to look in your area to see if they are available.

Also, Hooked on Driving has events down south, they are as Pro as Spring Mountain but you use your own car.

BTW, go the Hooked web site, they have some very good instructional videos some made at our Reno track.

Cost wise, we (Reno SCCA) are putting on an event at ThunderHill Saturday, the cost is $225 for the day including an instructor.

Congrats on being put in the fast group.

Bill32

Oops, forgot.

The SCCA Club Trials and PDX requires no license at all except your state's drivers license.

63Corvette

Doug, I strongly recommend against this path. Instead, I recommend that you sit down and compile a list of YOUR objectives.
A) Do you simply like tracking your car, OR
B) Do you want/intend to go wheel to wheel racing.........because,

the paths diverge (expensively) and you need to further separate "racing" into "path to PRO" or , "just amateur".
All are expensive.
For YOU, I recommend that you simply "track" your C7 (stock) for seat time, AND go to the sanctioning organization of your choice (SVRA, CVAR, HMSA etc) to qualify for a VINTAGE competition license.
For YOU I feel that Vintaage Racing your C1 Corvete would give YOU the maximum satisfaction, bang for the buck, racing experience that is possible. Please let us know (Forum members) what you decide, and how it works out. NOTE: If you decide to race wheel to wheel, then forget your C7, and buy a properly set up C5 or C6 RACE car (a winning car if posible) and go from there. It is MUCH!!! cheaper (more efficient use of your money).

Bill32

Yea, the C1 would be a hoot.

One adder, if you stay in an intermediate group just to run track days, you'll be OK in the C7. If you move into an advanced group with fast lap times, your expenses will go way up (like your rotors and brake pads might......might get you thru 2 days before they are shot).

Lotsa things to consider.

AZDoug

I don't want to race competitively, i would probably buy a 20 year old Mazda Miata for something like that.

I really enjoyed being able to try to improve my skills, at a (much) higher speed than autocross, someplace where i won't get a ticket or have to worry about people driving the other way.

PS: I really like the paddle shift automatic in the Z. I was really in a toss up between an M7 and the A8, and decided the A8 offered me about everything the M7 did, if I put the trans in manual mode, plus I just put it in D, if I get stuck in some stop and go traffic or take long freeway drive.

Doug

AZDoug

BTW, the '61 is a "hoot" on a track, or at least autocross.

The seats offer NO lateral support, so you are held in place by the seat belt and how well you can hang onto the steering wheel in corners, with the solid axle and 68 year old front kingpin suspension design I think it probably has about a .6G skid pad rating; it is like trying to ride a pizza plate on marbles, while doing a slalom.

I am sure tuning the sway bars better and putting some Nittos on would help, somewhat.

Doug

Bill32

Then, I'd stick with the Z especially if you like the transmission.

One thing I wouldn't do is to start modding the car (sticky tires, etc.) just to go faster. Stay with "I really enjoyed being able to try to improve my skills" That's what it is all about.

I would however look into any situations with tracking the Z with an A8, any trans or engine cooling problems, etc.
I don't usually read those kind of threads in the Autocrossing & Road Racing section so I really don't know. But, it's worth doing some searches to protect your car.

63Corvette

I concur

AZDoug

No, no mods.

Those Z's we ran at Spring Mountain were bone stock, using Michelin Pilot SS street tires (the same type of tire that came on my car). The only things done to the car was they did a track alignment to factory specs with some toe out, and changed camber for improved cornering.

The Z, with either trans, is known to overheat on hot days after 25 minutes or so of hard track running. The Auto trans is bullet proof.

Here is vid from a guy with a stock Z, stock tires, auto trans:

AZDoug

Hers a nice action shot on me and the car i was driving. Note the right rear tire getting some air in a corner.

Doug

Bill32

Would be good framed and on your wall.

Bill32

Lots of events at Wild Horse that you could run.

http://www.racewildhorse.net/index.php/events