Dumb Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Dumb Question
Yesterday I was invited to an Autocross event and I watched the Ford Cobras run circles around the C4, C5, and C6 Corvettes. I have been a Corvette fan for over 40 years and I was in shock to see Ford Lightning pickup trucks and Cobras turn in far superior times than the Corvettes. Maybe I am naive, but I thought the Corvettes would obliterate the Fords and it just didn't happen.
Can someone explain to my why, or am I way behind the times technologically?
I can see where one or two drivers might have an advantage but it was so consistent that it was pretty hard for me to swallow as I have always thought Corvettes would excel at this type of venue.
Someone please educate me as I am still in shock (and embarrassed) that my favorite automotive brand did so poorly against showroom stock Ford products.
I am glad I didn't run my 68, it would have been embarrasing to say the least.
Can someone explain to my why, or am I way behind the times technologically?
I can see where one or two drivers might have an advantage but it was so consistent that it was pretty hard for me to swallow as I have always thought Corvettes would excel at this type of venue.
Someone please educate me as I am still in shock (and embarrassed) that my favorite automotive brand did so poorly against showroom stock Ford products.
I am glad I didn't run my 68, it would have been embarrasing to say the least.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
Autocross in general favor good drivers more than good cars.
Autocross has many factors you have to consider. Was it a "fast" track, or a "slow" track?
I used to race a Neon ACR on the autocross circuit and would soundly beat any of the Mustangs and alot of the Corvettes. I was not what you would call a great driver, but most of the tracks were of the "slow" type. Very short straights with tons of very sharp turns and tight cone setups. My car shined on the "slow" tracks, but when we ran the "fast" tracks it was a different game.
The Mustangs and Vettes would soundly stomp me...as they should. Autocross has the cars split into different catagories to keep the cars as equal as possible. I always thought of autocross as a chance to hone my skills with my car and find the best setup for my car. I ran the clock...not the other people.
Try it with your '68 and don't worry if you are slower than anyone else...it's supposed to be fun.
Jeff
Autocross has many factors you have to consider. Was it a "fast" track, or a "slow" track?
I used to race a Neon ACR on the autocross circuit and would soundly beat any of the Mustangs and alot of the Corvettes. I was not what you would call a great driver, but most of the tracks were of the "slow" type. Very short straights with tons of very sharp turns and tight cone setups. My car shined on the "slow" tracks, but when we ran the "fast" tracks it was a different game.
The Mustangs and Vettes would soundly stomp me...as they should. Autocross has the cars split into different catagories to keep the cars as equal as possible. I always thought of autocross as a chance to hone my skills with my car and find the best setup for my car. I ran the clock...not the other people.
Try it with your '68 and don't worry if you are slower than anyone else...it's supposed to be fun.
Jeff
I wanna know too! This must be fixed!
