[Z06] Track Day!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 4
From: Northern VA
Track Day!
Went to my first HPDE yesterday at Summit Point. Had an absolute blast. Learned more in one day on the track then i have ever learned in my 6 years of driving experience on public roads. If you have never taken your Z to a road course then i highly suggest it. It is a much safer and smarter way in a controlled environment. I seriously can't get the grin off my face i had such a fun time. Had my car up around 135mph on the straight. Made a few mistakes along the way nothing damaging, but learned so much. Got the line of the track pretty well. Plan on practicing some heal/toe downshifting before the next event. I am about to register for the next one in august. I have a video thats like 9 mins long throughout the day that i may upload but here are some shots for now. Thanks to my gf for snapping these pics...here are some from yesterday:
I didn't do it
That's an index finger...
I didn't do it
That's an index finger...
"AlohaC5" Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 44
From: Madison, AL
Another one bit by the HPDE "Bug"! Glad you had a great time - its truly an addiction. Try an event at the Virginia International Raceway (VIR) - its one of the best on the east coast!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,482
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From: Common courtesy and common sense are not common.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Glad you had a great time, great way to learn to better drive the Z
I did a PDX at Mid-Ohio and had the time of my life
Here's my fun!!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,482
Likes: 0
From: Common courtesy and common sense are not common.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Glad you had a great time, great way to learn to better drive the Z I did a PDX at Mid-Ohio and had the time of my life Here's my fun!!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 4
From: Northern VA
Last edited by Stevo92z28; Jul 11, 2009 at 10:11 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,482
Likes: 0
From: Common courtesy and common sense are not common.
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 4
From: Northern VA
I did too i laughed my *** off once i looked at the pics. May have been a point-by that he didn't want to give me!
I don't know if some of the guys just didn't want to be passed, if they didn't think they should be passed, or if they just didn't really know. I had a blue C6 that was equally as fast on the straights but wouldn't give me the pass when we got to them. But every time we came into turns i was right on him. Finally my instructor said "really let him know you want to pass" so i got probably car length behind him coming out of turn 10 and didn't let off and sure enough his instructor waved me by then the driver did. So maybe this vert was giving me the finger! All in fun though. My only complaint was too many cars in our beginner's class. Way too much traffic they didn't split us up enough. I pulled in the pits a couple times just to go out solo and really push it without having to brake early because of other cars. I think it was a first time out for lots of guys including myself. Now i just want to get better and more experience so i can put myself in the intermediate class. It was just so much fun out there.
I don't know if some of the guys just didn't want to be passed, if they didn't think they should be passed, or if they just didn't really know. I had a blue C6 that was equally as fast on the straights but wouldn't give me the pass when we got to them. But every time we came into turns i was right on him. Finally my instructor said "really let him know you want to pass" so i got probably car length behind him coming out of turn 10 and didn't let off and sure enough his instructor waved me by then the driver did. So maybe this vert was giving me the finger! All in fun though. My only complaint was too many cars in our beginner's class. Way too much traffic they didn't split us up enough. I pulled in the pits a couple times just to go out solo and really push it without having to brake early because of other cars. I think it was a first time out for lots of guys including myself. Now i just want to get better and more experience so i can put myself in the intermediate class. It was just so much fun out there.
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Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 514
From: Pahrump NV
Hey Stevo!
Welcome! It's always great to hear about someone's first time on the track. Looking forward to the video.
I try to explain to people how street driving just can't compare, but they just don't understand until they have been on a track.
I totally agree with your thought on heel-toe downshifting. I think it's the foundation of performance driving. I've written a couple of articles on the topic that might help. You can access them here. Hope they help.
Take care,
Ken
Welcome! It's always great to hear about someone's first time on the track. Looking forward to the video.
I try to explain to people how street driving just can't compare, but they just don't understand until they have been on a track.
I totally agree with your thought on heel-toe downshifting. I think it's the foundation of performance driving. I've written a couple of articles on the topic that might help. You can access them here. Hope they help.
Take care,
Ken
__________________
Victor Resendiz
Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club
Ron Fellows Performance Driving School
The Official Performance Driving School Of Corvette
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Victor Resendiz
Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club
Ron Fellows Performance Driving School
The Official Performance Driving School Of Corvette
www.racespringmountain.com
victor@racespringmountain.com
800-391-6891
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 4
From: Northern VA
Thanks Ken. Appreciate the link and video. I found at the track that my rev matching of downshifts was not a good idea. As you can imagine coming down the stretch at the top of 4th then braking...then letting off the brake to blip the throttle to rev match and shift to third then back on the brakes just didn't work. We decided to leave the shifting till the end of my braking points just before turn in and focus on the basics. I would still get the chirp from letting out the clutch and shifting to 3rd at that speed. Really shocking the drivetrain and balance of the car. Got a handle of that to minimize shock, but to really get better i must learn how to heel/toe downshift while braking. Several turns i just road out 3rd and let torque pull me out when i could have been in 2nd. A lot to learn and your link will definitely help out.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 514
From: Pahrump NV
Glad it helped. Heel-Toe takes a lot of practice, but it's well worth it. Chirping the tires on a downshift while in a corner can be bad news. 
Third gear is a good option for many tracks. The Z06 has so much torque, you don't loose much. When first starting out, most are faster just leaving the car in third. It let's one concentrate on driving the line.
Remember: Smooth is fast, Slow in Fast Out and Look where you want to go
Third gear is a good option for many tracks. The Z06 has so much torque, you don't loose much. When first starting out, most are faster just leaving the car in third. It let's one concentrate on driving the line.
Remember: Smooth is fast, Slow in Fast Out and Look where you want to go
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 514
From: Pahrump NV
You will have a BLAST at Texas!
I got my start in Vipers (2001). It's a great group of guys and gals. We always thought of Corvette owners as brothers (and sisters) but there was still a friendly rivalry.
Have a great time!
Ken
I got my start in Vipers (2001). It's a great group of guys and gals. We always thought of Corvette owners as brothers (and sisters) but there was still a friendly rivalry
. Have a great time!
Ken
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 22
From: Cary NC
Graham
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,107
Likes: 4
From: Northern VA
Glad it helped. Heel-Toe takes a lot of practice, but it's well worth it. Chirping the tires on a downshift while in a corner can be bad news.
Third gear is a good option for many tracks. The Z06 has so much torque, you don't loose much. When first starting out, most are faster just leaving the car in third. It let's one concentrate on driving the line.
Remember: Smooth is fast, Slow in Fast Out and Look where you want to go
Third gear is a good option for many tracks. The Z06 has so much torque, you don't loose much. When first starting out, most are faster just leaving the car in third. It let's one concentrate on driving the line.
Remember: Smooth is fast, Slow in Fast Out and Look where you want to go
I am thinking of signing up for the MVPTrackTime's Sept 7-8 at VIR. The Z is just so much car for the street can't really use it. Right at home on the track.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Acworth Georgia
Looks like you had a blast. I will be getting my first Track time in my Z06 up at Road Atlanta September 2nd. Only a good five fast laps, but considering the next to no opportunities anymore up there it was worth the small fee. It will be different than the FWD Import I used to drive at track days up there.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 65
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From: N. Richland Hills Texas
I did the school @ Spring Mountain, If your ever in Vegas GOTO Spring Mountain, worth every penny and at the ride with Ken. He will show you what that handle on the pass. side is for.