Daytona Track Time
12-10-2018, 07:33 AM
#1
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Daytona Track Time
Recently spent three days at Daytona learning and getting comfortable with the car. This long three day weekend was to be my second time with the car on the track, the first being a 2-day stint at Barber in Birmingham Alabama. I am still working on some edits to the PDR in-car camera footage as the video quality is sub-par to the Go Pro video which I will attach.
The Sport Cup 2 tires were AWESOME and despite 7 sessions at Barber, I was able to get 5 additional sessions at Daytona before experiencing any noticeable fade in performance. For those contemplating running there, the event is EXTREMELY well run by longtime race car driver David Pierson. Classes are grouped 1 to 4, and as an instructor, I was able to run any class and carry either a student or a spectator. Tire set up was 26 LBS on the left side, 24 on right front 25 on the right rear. Various intersession stops showed under duress tire pressures at 34 lbs and temps in the 170 range. The track is very hard on the right side particularly the right front.
I was able to turn a few 1:57 lap times when there was no traffic but as you can see in the video this car is so wicked fast it closes up on cars so quickly that the drivers have a hard time timing the wave bys correctly which resulted in most of my laps were in the 2:02 range. In the open pro group 1, I was only passed by a couple of full monty GTP style race cars. At 6:25 you can see the fun dancing with a few GT3RS Porsche Cars before the ZR1 ran away.
I cannot say enough great things about this car. Super Stable at 180 MPH plus, tons of grip and very predictable even with the nanny off. I was able to get about 25 minutes of hard driving before the low fuel light would come on and trust me you do NOT want to run out of fuel in this car as a starter motor will likely be wasted trying to refire/reprime the engine as in my previous Z06 fuel mistake
I bought and brought an extra set of tires and wheels (factory OEM) and did not take into account the tire pressure sensors would need to be relearned after changing. Will be making the investment in the proper device before next track day. No issues with heat, the hottest day was 85 degrees.
Met a few of you forum members there and as expected it was a great group Corvette owners! This track is not a highly technical track but if you like speed this is the Mack Daddy.
The Sport Cup 2 tires were AWESOME and despite 7 sessions at Barber, I was able to get 5 additional sessions at Daytona before experiencing any noticeable fade in performance. For those contemplating running there, the event is EXTREMELY well run by longtime race car driver David Pierson. Classes are grouped 1 to 4, and as an instructor, I was able to run any class and carry either a student or a spectator. Tire set up was 26 LBS on the left side, 24 on right front 25 on the right rear. Various intersession stops showed under duress tire pressures at 34 lbs and temps in the 170 range. The track is very hard on the right side particularly the right front.
I was able to turn a few 1:57 lap times when there was no traffic but as you can see in the video this car is so wicked fast it closes up on cars so quickly that the drivers have a hard time timing the wave bys correctly which resulted in most of my laps were in the 2:02 range. In the open pro group 1, I was only passed by a couple of full monty GTP style race cars. At 6:25 you can see the fun dancing with a few GT3RS Porsche Cars before the ZR1 ran away.
I cannot say enough great things about this car. Super Stable at 180 MPH plus, tons of grip and very predictable even with the nanny off. I was able to get about 25 minutes of hard driving before the low fuel light would come on and trust me you do NOT want to run out of fuel in this car as a starter motor will likely be wasted trying to refire/reprime the engine as in my previous Z06 fuel mistake
I bought and brought an extra set of tires and wheels (factory OEM) and did not take into account the tire pressure sensors would need to be relearned after changing. Will be making the investment in the proper device before next track day. No issues with heat, the hottest day was 85 degrees.
Met a few of you forum members there and as expected it was a great group Corvette owners! This track is not a highly technical track but if you like speed this is the Mack Daddy.
The following 12 users liked this post by pibohmark:
2019 ZR1 (12-11-2018),
DebRedZR1 (12-10-2018),
dee zed (12-15-2018),
NewYuriCity (12-11-2018),
Palantirion (12-10-2018),
and 7 others liked this post.
12-10-2018, 08:08 AM
#2
Why is she so angry??? Good Lawd! Looks like fun OP!
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sidewinder77 (02-27-2019)
12-10-2018, 08:12 AM
#4
Heel & Toe
That was awesome and perfect timing. I just picked up a 77 that has been built to do some Autocross or vintage racing. I had been wondering about track days at tracks in the southeast. I live north of Orlando, so I'm close to Daytona and Sebring. Could you provide some information on how I could participate. Maybe some links to places that hold them, instructions for what I may have to do before I'd be allowed on a track. Here is a link to my intro to the forum where you can see what has been done to the car. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1598474263
Thanks in advance for any help, Rick.
Thanks in advance for any help, Rick.
12-10-2018, 08:36 AM
#6
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NICE! Good to see the ZR in action, next time you are down this way let me know! Thanks for sharing!
12-10-2018, 09:25 AM
#7
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Surprised you ran so low a starting pressure on right side. For most tracks starting 26-27 is fine, but I would have been much higher on a track doing 180-185 with that much force on the right side of the car.
If I remember correctly, NASCAR will set up a car with like low 20s on the left side and approximately 50 on the right side.
If I remember correctly, NASCAR will set up a car with like low 20s on the left side and approximately 50 on the right side.
Last edited by fleming23; 12-10-2018 at 09:27 AM.
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pibohmark (12-10-2018)
12-10-2018, 11:40 AM
#9
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At that pressure, after 4 laps we came in to check temps and the tires had built pressure up to 38 LBS which is what the manufacturer recommended in combination with a tire temp of 170 with less than a 15-degree variance across the inner middle and outer tire areas. I will reach out to them again and see if a higher achieved pressure would be better. Car felt very stable where it was.
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DebRedZR1 (12-10-2018)
12-10-2018, 11:55 AM
#11
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Oh how I love a good track video. I have only run Daytona in a little 300SX during chump race. It could only do 130mph with tailwind. 
12-10-2018, 02:32 PM
#14
Truly King of the Hill!! Looks like you had a blast!
12-10-2018, 10:20 PM
#15
Le Mans Master
I was under the impression the TPMS re-learns the new sensors on this car. I have the tool for my '10 ZR1, which does not relearn by itself. Perhaps, you didn't drive it long enough after changing the wheels?
12-11-2018, 09:00 AM
#18
Burning Brakes
Using nitrogen in your tires will help with pressure build up..
At that pressure, after 4 laps we came in to check temps and the tires had built pressure up to 38 LBS which is what the manufacturer recommended in combination with a tire temp of 170 with less than a 15-degree variance across the inner middle and outer tire areas. I will reach out to them again and see if a higher achieved pressure would be better. Car felt very stable where it was.
12-11-2018, 11:37 AM
#19
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Great video and agreed with the others, awesome to see the ZR1 in action!
I use this tool on my truck and other vehicles with TPMS, works great:
I use this tool on my truck and other vehicles with TPMS, works great:
Last edited by NW-99SS; 12-11-2018 at 11:37 AM.
12-11-2018, 06:33 PM
#20
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That pissed off ZR1 is flying. Takes a little getting used to the speed even watching it. That's a first.