Z06Vette.com - Corvette Z06 Forum

jrz1 · 07-01-2002, 08:23 PM

I just got back from a weekend in Savannah, GA at Roebling Road raceway. It was my 2nd track event in my EBZ. I realize a lot of you guys like to play the hp/quarter mile game which is fine, however, if you've never taken your car on the road course, your missing out! I won't get long winded, but suffice it to say, driving the Z on a track around high speed sweeping corners is about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on. It's unbelievable how stable and nuetral this car is. It almost makes me feel guilty as it's so easy to drive fast once you get the hang of it. 4-wheel drifts and powering through the apex of a corner are the best in this car. Hard to even describe the experience.

Roebling is especially well suited for the Z as it has a lot of high speed corners. Only issue I had was in one rather long sweeping corner (turn 3) I was passing a friend doing around 85-90 mph when I hit a slick spot and almost had a very ugly incident. Luckily I caught it after 2-3 tail wags and made it to the pits where I changed my shorts. Turns out a guy in a Porsche 944 was blowing anti-freeze all over the track after a hose blew and I hit a bunch of it at an inopportune time. Anyway hope to see you at the track!!!

AgentZ06 · 07-01-2002, 08:31 PM

Excellent! Sounds like you had a blast! Glad you avoided trouble out there.....

Mind if I ask what kind of experience is required to drive there? It's only a couple hours from home for me.

moved to Racing

jrz1 · 07-01-2002, 08:48 PM

I typically run with either the BMW (I used to own one) or Porsche car clubs. This time was with the Porsche Owners Club. In any of them, they welcome first time drivers and provide instructors & class instruction (very helpful for first time drivers). Check www.trackschedule.com to see who might be sponsoring an event at Roebling in the next couple of months. These three clubs all list their events as do a bunch others. Try it. I guarantee you'll like it!!

Redshift · 07-01-2002, 09:55 PM

Driving on track is fun, educational, and addicting. Best way to spend your mod money IMO.

**mdickie** · 07-01-2002, 10:01 PM

Went to Watkins Glen International in May, my first road course, or any other racing experience, for that matter. What a blast, 3.5 miles of ups, downs, lefts, rights. Really makes you understand all the techno-jargon they talk about in the video.

This car allows you to do things that you simply should not be able to do. This car was truly built for the road racing genre, going to my second track event at NHIS in August with about 6-10 of the bros, should be a ball.

Vettes will dominate NHIS...

G Stamatakos · 07-01-2002, 10:09 PM

1 day on a good Road Course is like a season of Drag Racing, and i also love those long sweepers, this car is just amazing.

I was at a local BMW advance driving school on Friday and passed everything, well it helps that i was armed with a LPE 382 but even in the corners it did better then those gutted race BMW'S.

slvr02 · 07-02-2002, 05:51 AM

I'm running the Panoz Racing School Track Day at Texas Motor Speedway this Saturday. They're using the "Roval", which is the oval and the road course, all 2.5 miles of it. I've ran the road course only in my 96, but this will be the first time in the Z06. I can't wait.

Chetah · 07-02-2002, 03:22 PM

You will have a BLAST!!!

The road course is the main reason I am getting my Z. I have a slightly modded coupe that gets the same HP/TQ as a Z, but the Z just blows it away in the handling department.

02C5Z06 · 07-06-2002, 01:52 PM

I've been to the Panoz Track Days at Road Atlanta 3 times so far this year(scheduled again for 8/10). One time was in the rain which was a learning experience but not a terribly enjoyable one, on the, not too rain oriented, F1's. The Z is definitely a car that is easily driven fast. Its true, all-around, total potential can be most be enjoyed and appreciated on a road course. Anyone one who wants to understand what the designers of the Z were trying to accomplish MUST take it onto a road course. You will love it!

02C5Z06 · 07-06-2002, 01:58 PM

Very true, Cheetah! My brother has an '01 coupe that he also takes to Road Atlanta. When we are on the track, other than the obvious extra HP's that really show themselves on the straights, I was really surprised at how much the lighter weight and more aggressive handling package become very evident in the turns (and the coupe is no slouch!).