| Author | Message | ||
| Lou B (Toby91)
New member Username: Toby91 Post Number: 23 Registered: 4-2001 |
Rob. I have tracked my 328 for over 11 years in FCA/FOC events and have had loads of fun working my way up to the mid-high run groups. In the early 90's it was reasonably competative even in the Blue group but in recent years it isn't. You still have fun but become a rolling chicane giving up over 100 shp to all the 355's, 360's, challange cars or better in Blue (northeast) or sport (florida). You spend a lot a time checking you mirrors for F40's and 333's. I have given the 328 to my son to learn in green and white while I now track my 512TR and 360 Spider. | ||
| Mark McKenzie (Redcar)
Junior Member Username: Redcar Post Number: 71 Registered: 4-2001 |
Yeah, I'm really struggling with the decision. I would love to track the 348, but I would hate to damage it, and it really isn't a race car. One shunt could kill my racing budget for some time. I have a great race car that I would love more track time with anyway. On one hand I should spend my track time with the race car and keep the street car on the street, but on the other hand the Ferrari could finally stretch out.... I thought about trailering it to the track, but that seems pretty silly... unless something was to break then it would seem pretty smart?? If I do track the 348, I think it will probably be a one time trip, and I do like the idea of going out with other Ferrari's.... we'll see. Mark McKenzie | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 1359 Registered: 12-2000 |
I am really thinking twice about tracking the 328. I had a great time at MSR in the 328, but it doesn't even compare to the fun of club racing. You can take the race car away from me, but you can't take the racer out of me. I'm thinking about everything that's happened to me with just a 100 hp car and racing tires. What will happen with 260 hp and street tires, plus all the extra weight. | ||
| Mark McKenzie (Redcar)
Junior Member Username: Redcar Post Number: 70 Registered: 4-2001 |
Rob, I'm not quite under 1:24 yet at MSR, but should be pushing it in the Cobra next time, with a new differential. It would be nice to keep Bobby Archer in sight for more than the blink of an eye as he laps me. I'm seriously considering taking the 348 to TWS April 6&7. I'm a little hesitant to risk the more delicate Ferrari on street tires, after hammering TWS with the Cobra on Hoosiers, lapping under 2:00. While I would love to track the 348, I'm not too crazy about the thought of carrying an extra 1000#'s with much less hp and without the Hoosiers. I think I'll leave the Hotlap Timer at home. Mark McKenzie | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
Board Administrator Username: Rob328gts Post Number: 1309 Registered: 12-2000 |
I ran into this at FCA annual meet here in Dallas last year. I run hard and have racing experience, plus MSR is a tight technical track. I was all over and by anything with a 12 and even the F40's were struggling at this track. The quickest laps I saw turned were by a 355 C with a very good driver in side. He was running about 1:26's and I was about 5 seconds off with street tires in the 328. 60-75% of the drivers were in the 1:35+ range. To depress the Ferrari drivers even more, I ran a race there last month and turned 1:31's in a 100 hp RX7 race car. The pole sitter in my class was running 1:29's. Bobby Archer of Speed Vision World Challenge fame was running 1:19's in a T-1 prepared Viper. I think Mark McKenzie (FerrariChat.com user) was running under 1:24 in his Cobra repro? Anyway, I think that shows the difference between purpose built race cars on a clear track will unlimited passing with nothing to loose vs. a FCA track event where there are million dollar cars on the track. They shouldn't allow lap timers because people are always pushing for that last second. I was guilty of this... clicking my stop watch down the straight each lap. Bad Rob! | ||
| Jon P. Kofod (95f355c)
Junior Member Username: 95f355c Post Number: 122 Registered: 8-2001 |
William is right. Unless you have extensive track experience stay in a medium run group. One word of caution if you do feel you are ready to run in the higher groups. Don't assume that all the advanced guys belong there. Different regions have different criteria for letting people into the advanced group and this greatly effects the saftey of run groups. I have run with the Empire State guys a few times (Matt's group) and they are pretty cautious about letting inexperienced people in the advanced group. The flip side is the Mid Atlantic Region of which I am a member of. In recent years they have let people into the advanced group based on what you are driving. As a result we are getting a lot of drivers who have bought Challenge cars and "spiffy" driving suits but have absolutely no business in the advanced group. I sometimes run a Spec Racer Ford in this group at the end of the day and I am actually faster in my Spec Racer than some people driving Challenge cars. To give you some perspective a SRF has 105 hp and weighs about 1650 pounds. I can turn 1:28's all day in that car at Summit Point and there is no way I should ever be able to pass an advanced driver in any Challenge car. A good time for a 355C is 1:20-1:21 and sub 1:20 for a 360C. Yet people who can't turn a 1:30 are suddenly in the advanced group because they have some racing decals on their car. My best advice is that you find out who the good drivers are and ask around about the bad ones. Most FCA events are populated by the same group of guys and we all know each other and as a result can stay out of trouble. Regards, Jon P. Kofod | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Intermediate Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 1130 Registered: 2-2001 |
<Hey Adam, i have the 512TR which I track pretty seriously. At speed it spins so fast its practically non recoverable, just hold on & nail the brakes. With such a heavy car u HAVE to bring 1 set of brake pads per DAY!!! Bringing some spare porterfield rotors would b a good idea too. I always run in the advanced groups now, they run hard & fast but they also have the best drivers, some of the drivers in the lower classes can b clueless & dangerous. If any class gets fender to fender it will b the high classes altho the novices may do that by accident  | ||
| John J Stecher (Jjstecher)
Junior Member Username: Jjstecher Post Number: 84 Registered: 1-2002 |
All IBMer's are awesome right Adam!! :0) My car is getting its 30K done as we speak....dropped it off at GT-cars in Minneapolis and they were doing a pre-sale on a '95 Diablo VT and I got to ride along!! My god that thing is a beast!! No rear vision but it just launches you in any gear! The guy, a unnamed football player for the Vikings the brought it in must have beat the hell outta the interior but man does she sing! They also had a beautiful '67 275GT sitting there that was in for a tuneup! Anyway....I hope to be able to post some pictures of the engine being out and other various things either by the end of this week or next if my digital camera ever stops glitching on me. Have fun on the track my man and enjoy your Koenig! | ||
| Adam Goldman '86 TR (Icnsltmfg)
Member Username: Icnsltmfg Post Number: 277 Registered: 8-2001 |
Tim; Our Headquarters are in Armonk, but I spend most of my time at my clients offices, such as BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Dow-Jones / WSJ. I am up in Armonk and White Plains from time to time. | ||
| Tim Gendreau (Tim)
New member Username: Tim Post Number: 35 Registered: 3-2002 |
tracked my TR about 5 years ago. from what I remember (compared to my M3) I had to go into the corner a little hotter, stand on the brakes just to get the car to turn in and as you start to trail brake the rear starts to come out on you, ease into the throttle and the rear tucks in neatly. funnest car I have had on the track so far. interested to see what my F40 is like compared to my Viper and the TR. as for run groups, each club is different. from what I have seen most clubs let the advanced groups pass in more places but not all. usually they will tell you if the advanced group is wheel to wheel and that usually means anything goes. I have not seen anyone wear their suit is club days at the track. I would hide it in a bag, if others have it you can always put it on but might look kinda funny if your the only one. if I saw someone in a suit I would expect them to be pretty darn good on the track. anyway, you are sure to have a blast. best fun you can have with your clothes on. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 572 Registered: 6-2001 |
I'd wear the suit because with my luck i'd crash and the car would catch on fire if i didnt wear the suit. I noticed you work for IBM, is it the IBM in armonk or near phleps? | ||
| Adam Goldman '86 TR (Icnsltmfg)
Member Username: Icnsltmfg Post Number: 276 Registered: 8-2001 |
I am getting ready for this years club track day's and I had a few questions since I have not done a track day with any of the Ferrari clubs, yet I have been on the track with other clubs and race schools. How would you disc each group (Novice, Int, Adv) or Green, White, Blue, Red. Which class will get fender to fender (as I would like to keep the TR in piece). I have Gloves, and Helmet, and some groups do not require more, but driving suits are quite functional vs jeans and a shirt. How many of you wear your suit in the non competitive classes vs Jeans. My feeling is that it also adds to the whole excitement of the weekend. How many of you have tracked TR's. Anything to be aware of, besides not being able to stop at Lime Rock. I have put new high performance pads in, and put new brake fluid. Should I carry an extra set of pads with me. Anything else? Adam |