Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum

Dr. Z · 01-01-2002, 05:24 PM

Just curious how many people here are more interested in going straight as fast as possible, and who prefers turning.

I've only done autox and open track (my main interest), but plan to try the strip soon.

Pete

**FRC Tom** · 01-01-2002, 05:42 PM

I do enjoy the drag strip but after my couple of visits to Justin Bell all I see is curves and turns anymore.
Turn in, apex, turn out, brake hard. Yea I caught it bad.

Baron · 01-01-2002, 06:17 PM

Driving on a road coarse is far more exciting than a 12.0 sec blast at the drag strip. Everybody should try a road coarse ( or even an oval track) once.

GlenBo · 01-01-2002, 06:24 PM

Done both...drags are fun, but it's more car than driver and you tend to break crap easily there. Road racing and autocross is where it's at. Did quite a bit with my Firehawk. Waiting on a few scratches b4 I take the Z out there as the track will give ya a few.....g

David Pintaric · 01-01-2002, 06:57 PM

I used to drag race exclusively. Then my brother had me attend a Porsche Club drivers school with a Mustang GT (this was in 1986). Raod racing is better than sex!

I will take the car to the drags, but that will get old. Nelson Ledges is the place to see how these cars really work.

2001Z06 · 01-01-2002, 07:00 PM

I have to agree with Tom (FRC TOM) that I am looking forward to more high speed runs at the track. They are in the process of building a race complex here in Melbourne; 1/4 mile strip, 1/2 oval and 2 mile road course. Drags and ovals were more popular when I grew up in the hills of eastern ohio back in the 60s & 70s, but a number of us used to see how fast we could drive from one valley to the next through the countryside. I still enjoy doing a good hard burn out and running through the gears but I get more charge out of the strategy and skill required to run on a raod course. Besides, we have the best car for the road course. Enjoy the ride, I am!

Don

**MSiska** · 01-02-2002, 09:02 AM

I like the feeling of running through the gears on a strip. But goin' through the twisties on an open track sounds real appealing also

Social_Engineer · 01-02-2002, 01:08 PM

For me it was drag strip for most of 2001 - this will change in 2002 - definetely more Open Track and as always, cruisin'

gbjerke · 01-02-2002, 05:03 PM

NO DOUBT...a road coarse. Straight line is fine but you get a 12 second shot and you wait in line for the next run.
A driving school will give you usually 1/2 hour track sessions and you have multiple chances to get the "perfect" lap, this lap having avoided me so far. Point being you work your ass off in getting the corners down, hitting the brakes just right, turn in, nailing the apex and on the juice for a perfect track out. Excuse me, I just had an orgasm thinking about it.
Point being, the Z is an awesome track car in stock form. Light weight, great power/brakes and sticks like glue...damn, just had another one.
Gotta go now.............

GalaxyEng · 01-02-2002, 05:39 PM

I am eager to try the open track deal. I love the autox and I have a blast at the drags but they are much more fun in the "truck" see sig

One of the main reasons I bought the Z was to take it to the track

Ranger · 01-02-2002, 07:05 PM

I think it was Lou at LG Motorsports that said:

"Road racing is just drag racing with corners thrown in to annoy you."

Ranger

ZO6LS6 · 01-02-2002, 08:26 PM

Glenbo, from what i have read on the forums these past 3 months, seems the track(xcross, etc) are really good at eating tires, rotors, brakes, etc.........and in a prodigious amount.........
These items are FAR from cheap..............

I have done neither, and would like to do BOTH, I can see where the tracks would be addictive.......especially with the open spaces, and corners.............

But, i think the statement that it's more the CAR, than the driver ( in the Drag strip)mode......is not quite true..............

Look at the stat's.............you have some (few) guy's, that easily cut a full second off STRIP ET's, compared with the same cars, equipped the same way.................

Ranger, & PowerShifter come to mind right away..........so, i feel there is a high degree of skill necessary to achieve great results on the strip........all things being equal..

GlenBo · 01-02-2002, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ZO6LS6
Glenbo, from what i have read on the forums these past 3 months, seems the track(xcross, etc) are really good at eating tires, rotors, brakes, etc.........and in a prodigious amount.........
These items are FAR from cheap..............

I have done neither, and would like to do BOTH, I can see where the tracks would be addictive.......especially with the open spaces, and corners.............

But, i think the statement that it's more the CAR, than the driver ( in the Drag strip)mode......is not quite true..............

Look at the stat's.............you have some (few) guy's, that easily cut a full second off STRIP ET's, compared with the same cars, equipped the same way.................

Ranger, & PowerShifter come to mind right away..........so, i feel there is a high degree of skill necessary to achieve great results on the strip........all things being equal..

Was referring to myself and my history in both arenas. I ran my Firehawk in the low 13's fairly consistently (either always good or always bad depending on your opinion). Improvements on times were made by adding options/mods. The only real skills I developed were timing and shifting just b4 redline. I've watched many cars out here at Firebird leave the track ready for repairs. On the other hand, I've done some AutoX and RR as well as spent the 3 days at Bondurant school and a day at teh Roadrunners BMW school. Yep, used up some rubber and saw some brakes go away, even saw a bender or 2, but I still stand by my earlier point of it being less stress on the car and more fun for ME to have some turns in my life. The twisties combined with teh straights have made me a better driver. Training and experience was directly related to better, smoother, faster, etc. No flames here for the 1/4 milers. I'll still get out there every once in a while. The question was which I preferred. I prefer more than going stright and fast for 1/4 mile. Same goes for Nascar, I'd prefer turning RIGHT every once in a while. I think everyone should do what makes them happy....g

Zee Freak · 01-03-2002, 08:36 AM

Hey at my local road course (Portland International Raceway) you get the best of both the worlds. Twice a lap I am over 130 mph. This way I get to go fast in a straight line, brake extremely hard, and corner like a mofo. Yeah baby.

sigung86 · 01-03-2002, 09:17 AM

I don't race anywhere, mainly because it's an awfully expensive habit to acquire. I love to cruise in my FRC, but living out here in the wilds of Missouri, there are some really twisty-turny roads that put my car to the edge!

Take care,

Dan