The Z zero six, as my instructor called it, was made for the track. This past weekend was spend at Road Atlanta getting my feet wet in my latest adventure. Two autox and drag racing at Beech Bend were the first. Now I've pulled off the trifecta envisioned when purchasing the car.
Back to the track, 7 Z zero six's were there, 3 instructors,3 students,1 racer. My instructor took me for a ride during one of his sessions. I have never been so scared in all my life. I felt like throwing up,pissing my pants, and calling my mommy all at the same time. His Z has intake,cam,headers,410 rwph, he also later told me he is a pilot.He was all gas or all brakes nothing in between.I told him I would never be able to do what he just did and he said sure I could it is just a matter of seat time.
Six 25 min sessions four 50 min classes and I had successfully completed my first drivers ed track event.
My main objective now is to get track tires, upgrade brake fluid and pads and possibly get a head/cam/header package and get some more seat time.
I ran 120 down the back straight and had laps in the 2 min range. I was being conservative on stock equipment and lack of experience.
Glad you had a good time! That was my Buddy, who instructed you. Your improvement over the two day event was dramatic !!! By Sunday afternoon, you were carrying speed down the hill into turn 12, thru the esses and womping down the Back Straight!
Learn the car as it is before adding big power. I have headers and the extra 30rwhp is nice, but driving experience is what is going to get you faster. TimZ06 was 3-5 seconds faster than all of us at VIR last month, of course his 01 Z06 has the least amount of mods and is about 350rwhp, some of us had 04 shocks and more on the suspension. We even had him beat by 25-30 rwhp. No matter!
Carbotech has some great pads (XP8s and XP9s) and we all use ATE amber 200 brake fluid.
Know what you mean ...
And all say ... "seat time, seat time, seat time" is a must to bring the driver closer to the Z "
Always good to ride with an instructor ... or better yet, have them drive your car, to demonstrate what the car is capable of in the hands of an experienced driver.
I've been out four days over three weekends, and still haven't mastered the brakes ... I know I'm not using them hard enough.
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^VIR Turn 3 '08^-MungoZ06-'03 QS/ModRed - NCCC, NASA NCM Member - Z06 Fest IV,V,VI,VII
As I write this I'm getting ready for day 3 of the Panoz GT school at Road Atlanta, training I concluded that I needed before exposing my Vette to the track. After a couple of hours in the school car (which pulls about like a Honda Civic compared to the C5), I'm on the verge of having the confidence to sign up for the next open track day. While a bit pricey, I highly recommend the Panoz school for anyone that wants to really steepen their learning curve.
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98 Silver M6, C5R 427, LS7 Heads, F1C Procharger. 788 RWHP at 8 PSI, no methanol.
A professional Drivers School is the quickest way to gain experience & confidence! You probably gain the equalivent of a year's knowledge doing D E Events in a 3 day session at Panoz! That's if you have some auto-cross/ D E background before attending the school.
I've been wanting to go to Road Atlanta on DE days but I haven't done it for whatever reason. It has to be a rush though because that's the way I like to drive, all gas or brake, nothing in between!
One of these days.
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Learn the car as it is before adding big power. I have headers and the extra 30rwhp is nice, but driving experience is what is going to get you faster. TimZ06 was 3-5 seconds faster than all of us at VIR last month, of course his 01 Z06 has the least amount of mods and is about 350rwhp, some of us had 04 shocks and more on the suspension. We even had him beat by 25-30 rwhp. No matter!
Carbotech has some great pads (XP8s and XP9s) and we all use ATE amber 200 brake fluid.
Spend your bucks on seat time and consumables (pads, rotors, fluids, etc.) - there is a lot of capability in the "stock" ZO6. It takes most of us "mere mortals" a while to even outstrip the capability of a fresh set of F1s. The learning curve at DEs are amazing.
Well the Panoz school is history, and I'm pumped to find a way to quickly get back on the track. It had been nearly 30 years since I'd been on a racetrack in a car (I've done a few schools and trackdays on sportbikes, including two at Road Atlanta), so there was some rust to shake out, but it was a stellar experience. Just when you think you're ready for Le Mans, the instructor takes over for a lap and brings you back to reality.
Nice write up. I enjoyed having you as a student. You had a great attitude and a talent for driving. As trumperZ06 said you made a tremendous improvement for just two days on the track. Do the tires and brake upgrades, you don't need anymore power at this time. Give that a good year of lot's of seat time, then go for it. Some times more power gets you into more trouble. More track experience will help you survive better, when you get that extra power.
Glad you liked the ride. I am conservative, get a ride with the chief instructor in the YELLOW Z06! He scares the crap out of me.
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Glad you had a good time! That was my Buddy, who instructed you. Your improvement over the two day event was dramatic !!! By Sunday afternoon, you were carrying speed down the hill into turn 12, thru the esses and womping down the Back Straight!
A professional Drivers School is the quickest way to gain experience & confidence! You probably gain the equalivent of a year's knowledge doing D E Events in a 3 day session at Panoz! That's if you have some auto-cross/ D E background before attending the school.
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