Spring Mountain solution ?
Drifting
Joined: May 2013
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From: Texas Hill Country Texas
I was at SM last week driving a Z06 M7, but most drivers in a class of 20 were in autos. While it was much cooler than high summer temps they say overheating is never a problem for them.
While track sessions are about 20 minutes long you are not hot lapping the entire time. Warm up lap, slow on the straight to change car positions, slow/stop on straight because you’re in the fastest group and about to overtake slower groups, etc mean you arent pushing at 10/10s. They also have A8 in M and dictate gear selection. The track, instruction, and driver ability all tend toward low temps.
Of course if you go back for level 2/3 where open lapping in the summer then probably some over temps. As many have said, manual short shifting in hot conditions is the way to go.
They change out cars pretty frequently, my M7 had the aux radiator so 2017/18.
While track sessions are about 20 minutes long you are not hot lapping the entire time. Warm up lap, slow on the straight to change car positions, slow/stop on straight because you’re in the fastest group and about to overtake slower groups, etc mean you arent pushing at 10/10s. They also have A8 in M and dictate gear selection. The track, instruction, and driver ability all tend toward low temps.
Of course if you go back for level 2/3 where open lapping in the summer then probably some over temps. As many have said, manual short shifting in hot conditions is the way to go.
They change out cars pretty frequently, my M7 had the aux radiator so 2017/18.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
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From: Redmond WA
It was 112F when I was there and they asked you to upshift early so as to keep the RPMs down under 5K, more or less. That generally solves it.
It's not the fastest way down the straight, but you get to attack all the corners and prevent the car from overheating.
I wouldn't do open or competitive lapping in A8 on a hot day, but the school's fine.
It's not the fastest way down the straight, but you get to attack all the corners and prevent the car from overheating.
I wouldn't do open or competitive lapping in A8 on a hot day, but the school's fine.
Last edited by davepl; Dec 3, 2017 at 12:51 PM.
Race Director
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From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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It was 112F when I was there and they asked you to upshift early so as to keep the RPMs down under 5K, more or less. That generally solves it.
It's not the fastest way down the straight, but you get to attack all the corners and prevent the car from overheating.
I wouldn't do open or competitive lapping in A8 on a hot day, but the school's fine.
It's not the fastest way down the straight, but you get to attack all the corners and prevent the car from overheating.
I wouldn't do open or competitive lapping in A8 on a hot day, but the school's fine.
I went in late June. 115* temps. Most of us were in autos. No issues other than the AC shutting off on a couple due to heat and a fuel malfunction on one of the Z's I was driving. I had a new car after lunch and the fuel issue car went to the garage.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Dallas Georgia
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (track prepared)
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The fact that they run with the A/C should tell you that they don't experience many issues. That being said, my M7 during the owner's school is the only one I've driven to hit limp mode, but was one of the faster participants of the class. 99.9% of the time, you'll be fine.
Last edited by fleming23; Dec 3, 2017 at 04:16 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,653
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From: Boston
Was in the 90's when I went...drove an A8 Z06 the whole time. No overheating issues. What I did there is about as much as I would, personally, ever do in terms of track-stressing my car. So, from my POV, the issue continues to be way overblown for 95%+ of Z06 owners. I could see hard-core track semi-pros having a different POV.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Lake Bluff IL
With the automatic Z06s, they had us drive in manual mode and keep it in fourth gear the entire time, save on three curves when you needed to shift down to third. That kept the revs down and as a consequence, the temps as well. They said basically that is how they handle the issue and that the Z06 has so much power and torque that there was never a lack of grunt available. --Bob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Fair Oaks, California
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Millstone Twp New Jersey
Ditto what Bob said. They keep you around 5-5500rpm shift points. I was in the faster group and didn't have any issues with my car. The cooling fans stayed on for a good while after I was done a session but it wasn't a concern. You don't need the extra RPMs anyway.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: CA
Just got back from the school, there were no auto Z's in our group. me and a grand sport were the fastest ones and we got to basically run in our own "fast group". The car was amazing, learned so much. Since you are only doing about 5-10 laps at most wide open I don't see overheating being an issue. They had the auto cars do manual shifting.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 432
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From: central mountians colorado
FWIW, my last level 2 class in May had no A8's . I was driving a z06 m7 and asked for a base model with the A8 but they were not using them. They made it clear they are not using autos for any classes as of may 2017. Overheating was cited as the reason.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
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From: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
Not correct, unless this pertains to only the faster, more proficient driving schools (but you said "for any classes") who would drive them much harder. I went in mid Oct. '17 & most cars were autos (me M7 Z). Many have posted here that went in summer/fall & have driven A8s. They put you in same model/tranny you own to drive the course in Level 1.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: central mountians colorado
Last edited by rsilver; Dec 8, 2017 at 01:52 PM.
Malinois Dad
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Kent WA
I also went in June and drove my own car (A8) because I use hand controls so they track prepped my car for me. One thing they showed me was an air duct they put on their cars to channel air to the power steering pump which they said helps keep things cooler. I hadn't heard that before but they do this "mod" to all their cars.
It was 113F when I was there and, like a previous member said, they had me shift about 5,000 RPM to keep things a bit cooler. My last session I was shifting about 6,000 RPM - did one cool down lap in the middle of the session before finishing off about a 25 minute session.
It was 113F when I was there and, like a previous member said, they had me shift about 5,000 RPM to keep things a bit cooler. My last session I was shifting about 6,000 RPM - did one cool down lap in the middle of the session before finishing off about a 25 minute session.