StuK

Just kidding!

I figured the title would get some attention for some good responses to this question though.

I am considering taking my '88 to the drag strip and also running at Cresson here with the Granbury, TX Corvette Club May 5th. I guess I am jonesing for a biological adrenaline shot to counter the 9-5 engineering job driving a computer.

Just searched youtube for "Corvette Crashes". The videos are not in short supply! Granted, we have these cars because we probably lean to opening them up rather than driving them all nice and sweet 100%.

I love my car and don't want to screw it up so....

You guys that have had issues with stability, or "lost it" or have spun out on the track... could you give me some advice that in retrospect, you may have done something different?

More gas in the tank to even the weight distribution or???

mike100

If it starts to really spin the rears- simply get out of it. If your car is fairly stock and the driveline is in good shape, i wouldn't expect any surprises.

JrRifleCoach

The only surprise is the neck whip you get when the rears finally grab.

Zoui

most of those crashes happen because drivers are new to their car's or just inexperienced to how their car acts. Try to get to nice closed area or somewhere large opes space to learn your car. Do some rolling burnouts, drift etc. things that you can't normally do. So if you happen to loose traction during shift or hard acceleration at the road or strip, it wont surprise and you will know what to do to get the car back in control and not to panic and hit the guard rail.

And also if you car is with manual trans, when you loose traction, hit the clutch. If you just loose the throttle, the engine braking can be so hard that it acts like pulling the e-brake

cv67

Only unstable with moron inexperienced drivers behind the wheel.
Those were the drivers fault not the car

2:35 OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

gerardvg

Having found out on a closed race track hired by the club just for this purpose, a vette can be lethal in the wrong hands.... but so can an axe.

The main problem is the very direct steering compared to some run of the mill cars, as soon as you feel the back slide out around a bend even a quarter of a turn opposite lock can have you over correct. Resulting in sliding the back out in the opposite direction. I found restricting myself to to a max of 1/8 a turn of opposite lock, (which is a daunting feeling) the vette was a joy tho throw around corners and did great power slides.
(On a track hired by our club to do this in safety).

I am not familiar with c5 or c6 vettes but the classic over correction featured in a lot of the video's, i know not to disengage the traction/stability control and experiment on public roads with a Z06 or ZR1.

This was experienced by the majority of the c4 owners in the club over here in Australia, that is why we hire out race tracks so we can get the feel of our vettes in relative safety.

I do however like the direct steering ratio but instead of 2 turns lock to lock to around 3 would help the in experienced.
Best go to a deserted car park or hire a track to get the feel of how your vette responds before you get caught out by surprise.
The limited slip differential and plenty of horsepower makes a vette very lively, and needs to be treated with respect until you can get the feel of how a c4 responds in a safe closed environment.

enventr

This reminds me of demolition derby at the stock car races.Very foolish drivers wrecking these beautiful machines

kimmer

That's a case of stupid *** drivers.

Aardwolf

Well more fuel can actually cause a pendulum effect, more mass in the slide. That will make it more difficult to correct. Also don't chop the throttle if the rear does slide. If you transfer to much weight off the rear it will slide all the more. Just go out and have fun, you'll be fine!

Jon Hekking

If you have a stock L98, you're safe. Just try to stay out of everyone else's way.

pr0t0typ3

i ran many times at the track, years back but luckily never had any issues, just be safe and have a great time!!

StuK

You guys are great. Thanks a million for the technical advice and comments. I still have the '74 914 I learned to drive in on Trans Mountain Road in El Paso in the early 80's so, mid-engine, standard trans (not the ***** of the Vette but, still modified over stock and I am very used to controlling that car.

The Vette is a totally different monster handling wise and the auto trans in the Vette has different technical tricks to maintain control as I can't hit the clutch if it starts to lose traction like the Porsche.

I certainly don't want to screw up anyone else car while out at Cresson nor my own yet would like to push it some so, again, I really do appreciate the tips and advice on the handling characteristics of the stock C4!

Voxego

Ouch.

WW7

: ....So true, so true.......WW

j3studio

I'm often surprised when folks with far more horsepower move over to let me pass.

StuK

That's what I like to hear!

3D87C4

They probably already noticed the cop car up ahead.

93Rubie

Auto-x and handling on a road course is one thing. Drag strip is another.

I just got back from my first passes of the season. MY 93 is a manual.
Burnout, no problem, goes straight maybe a little wheel but not much.
No issues getting traction off the line, I spin going into 2nd once in a while, car is VERY stable. No issues whatsoever. Basically stock 300HP LT1, I ran a new PB today, 13.46@104. New launch technique too, it works, there is more in the car. I see consistent low 13's being VERY doable, pending driver can drive.

I did watch a guy in a new Challenger spin it 180 and back it into the fence. Yeah, he got loose, didn't back off, idiot. Too much car, not enough talent or brains.

C4's tend to understeer at the limit. So expect that. However, misuse of brakes/throttle can cause oversteer, mainly throttle when cornering.

Considering 88's only had 240HP. Should be an easier car to drive at the limits. Check your ego at the door of your house when you are leaving. Drive to YOUR limits. Start slow, learn to go fast. Everyone is always still learning this, at least the smart ones.

I've spun my car in auto-x, hurt nothing more than my pride and some innocent cones. Cone killer....

Mike in Boston

Do you think the stability control on C5/C6 cars could be a contributing factor? A bad driver is a bad driver and you can't do anything about that but some of those cars seem to take a hard right or left real quick.

PLRX

Turn your ASR and traction controls off. That crap is only good for the rain or cruising at safe speeds.

That was a complete moron (white Vette) to start showing off around people, he was lucky no one was hurt.