sobering videos
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,408
Likes: 1,595
From: Western NY
Most of these look like irrational exuberance, but I have to say there's something treacherous about the new cars. I have a C3 with lots of power that I've autocrossed for years with never a problem. If I feel it getting a little sideways I've always been able to catch it. Got a C6 Z06 a few years back and tried it out. In second gear I could feel it sliding out, backed off a bit, thought I caught it, but it just kept going around the other way. Happily (I guess) this was on a big airport apron. Must have spun around five times at 75 MPH or so. Passenger and I just stared at each other, nothing else to do.
My feeling at the time was "what the hell just happened?". It was very sudden. These cars are "drive-by-wire" and have stability control. I was in "competitive driving mode" at the time. All I can think is that these goodies add some lag to the driver feedback loop.
Anybody else got one of each? I'd be curious as to your experience at the limits.
My feeling at the time was "what the hell just happened?". It was very sudden. These cars are "drive-by-wire" and have stability control. I was in "competitive driving mode" at the time. All I can think is that these goodies add some lag to the driver feedback loop.
Anybody else got one of each? I'd be curious as to your experience at the limits.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,616
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
No body here has ever gotten on their car, gone down a winding road a little faster than normal. You have never fish tailed a car. These guys aren't idiots or any of the other things said about them. They were showing off in their cars, and thats why we own corvettes and they got away from them. Remember you don't buy a corvette because you want basic transportation.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
Most of these look like irrational exuberance, but I have to say there's something treacherous about the new cars. I have a C3 with lots of power that I've autocrossed for years with never a problem. If I feel it getting a little sideways I've always been able to catch it. Got a C6 Z06 a few years back and tried it out. In second gear I could feel it sliding out, backed off a bit, thought I caught it, but it just kept going around the other way. Happily (I guess) this was on a big airport apron. Must have spun around five times at 75 MPH or so. Passenger and I just stared at each other, nothing else to do.
My feeling at the time was "what the hell just happened?". It was very sudden. These cars are "drive-by-wire" and have stability control. I was in "competitive driving mode" at the time. All I can think is that these goodies add some lag to the driver feedback loop.
Anybody else got one of each? I'd be curious as to your experience at the limits.
My feeling at the time was "what the hell just happened?". It was very sudden. These cars are "drive-by-wire" and have stability control. I was in "competitive driving mode" at the time. All I can think is that these goodies add some lag to the driver feedback loop.
Anybody else got one of each? I'd be curious as to your experience at the limits.
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,212
Likes: 80
From: Port Huron MI
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I almost put my C4 through the front of an empty Home Quarters store (like a Home Depot/Lowes until they went out of business) during one of our clubs autocross events. Thats when I realized how different and important tire compounds are.
Terry
Terry
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 721
Likes: 105
From: hernando fl
its not exclusive to corvette owners , check out youtube idiot mustangs and supercars and harleys.
new mustangs suffer from the same problems as new corvettes......almost impossible to get 600+ HP to the ground.
if people put half as much time, effort and money into learning how to drive (like bondurant driving school) as they do with suspension upgrades and making HP,they would find out in a big hurry it takes a very good driver to take a bone stock car to its limits. they would also find out a good driver with a stock setup will outdrive a bad driver with everything upgraded to "performance " specs
new mustangs suffer from the same problems as new corvettes......almost impossible to get 600+ HP to the ground.
if people put half as much time, effort and money into learning how to drive (like bondurant driving school) as they do with suspension upgrades and making HP,they would find out in a big hurry it takes a very good driver to take a bone stock car to its limits. they would also find out a good driver with a stock setup will outdrive a bad driver with everything upgraded to "performance " specs
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 871
Likes: 73
From: Memphis Tennessee
First off, only the throttle is "drive-by-wire". And stability control isn't as involved as many people think. If the car loses traction, all stability control does is have the engine computer cut the throttle, and uses the ABS module to apply pressure to each brake individualy to try and straighten the car out. It should be seamless until it's needed.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 67
From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Sorry, but that's a load of BS. I cruise every summer with a lot of guys that have Vettes, however, the guys that want to drive like maniacs are never asked to come back. There is no excuse for condoning stupidity........nor can you fix it. Age has nothing to do with that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 844
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne, IN
Not many C3s COULD do stuff like that.
The folks with the big block C3s know how special they are and don't do that. Later C3s straight up couldn't do that, and those of us that have added enough power TO be able to do that, know how much time, money, blood, sweat, and tears it took to get it that way. So we protect our investment and actually learn how to handle that much power.
Just my $.02
The folks with the big block C3s know how special they are and don't do that. Later C3s straight up couldn't do that, and those of us that have added enough power TO be able to do that, know how much time, money, blood, sweat, and tears it took to get it that way. So we protect our investment and actually learn how to handle that much power.
Just my $.02
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 844
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne, IN
I think my favorite is the Bugatti Veyron that runs straight into a lake parallel to a highway...going highway speed without slowing down. Asleep at the wheel or straight up not paying attention.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,408
Likes: 1,595
From: Western NY
Yup, that one is plain stupidity in action!!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 8
From: Belmar NJ
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
after all, everyone knows old guys drive Corvettesother than the clutch burner and his accomplices - they're people doing silly things with their cars... been there, done that, saw the movie, glad I wasn't part of the film parade.
*1950 Sedanet, twin turbo 430ci monster - nope, not done yet... but still, I will stick with my Buicks
Last edited by SuperBuickGuy; Mar 17, 2013 at 10:32 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 11,616
Likes: 350
From: No Where USA
What do you consider old guys. And what are the childhood dreams you are talking about. I have had vettes since I can remember and have always have also owned some kind of hot rod or race car at the same time. Right now I have a 67 GTO that goes in the tens as my "childhood dream". Also the Buick you are talking about, I had a Grand National. Is that the one you are talking about.
When you get older I hope you can support and still have interest in your childhood dram.