Hong Kong Supercar Club - Shanghai Trackday - Singaporean Driver

**banduga** · #1 05-25-2005, 05:29 AM

Apologies to anyone using dial-up!

This was May 14/15, at the Shanghai International Circuit. Day One we got rained out, but everybody was still gung-ho, resulting in a few unfortunate fender-benders. I myself spun out on turn 6 during my very first session! Most painful was a Stradale which rear-ended a wall...

It was nice to have such a large variety of cars, from the Enzo to the F430 to the Porsches. Even the lone E55 was having a great time! The back straight gave everyone the chance to really open up, and this is where the Murcielagos ruled the street cars with their brute power.

Day Two was incredible, with the weather being dry and sunny. Even though the cars weren't divided into groups like on the first day, traffic was still manageable. A lot of the drivers didn't bother turning up for Day Two, and some of the cars that were banged up on the previous day didn't go out.

I got to ride with Charles Kwan (a very famous HK racecar driver), and I learned more from those 2 laps with him at the wheel than I could by driving 20 laps myself! It was wonderful to see and experience what a car can really do, and to discover the limits with someone who has been there. I used to race motorcycles, and thought that racecar drivers had it easy. They do a little bit, but not as easy as I expected. I have SO much more respect for them now!

I have attached some pictures, even though it took me ages to decide what to include! I started out with over 200 you know! I hope you all enjoy! BTW, if you look closely at the very first picture, you can see me, with my wife next to me, filming with her digital camera.

**banduga** · #2 05-25-2005, 05:37 AM

Oh, and here are pictures of a lap of the track. Just LOOK at the length of that straight!!! LOOK AT IT!!!

NOTE: In case you're wondering... The pics were taken during different laps, so sometimes the F430 is in front of me, and other times its not.

AC6 · #3 05-25-2005, 07:26 AM

Amazing pics! Thanks for posting!
Were the 430's from HK or Shanghai? Cause its LHD...

**Wolfgang** · #4 05-25-2005, 08:28 AM

Wonderful! Thanks a lot for posting & sharing with us.
HH Supercar Club sounds pretty good and looks impressive.

**judge4re** · #5 05-25-2005, 10:10 AM

Let me know when the next one is Mark. Too bad I had to be in Tokyo that next day. Let's do dinner and not just drinks next time.

Cheers,
Erik

**lung7707** · #6 05-25-2005, 10:23 AM

AWESOME PHOTOS!! Wish I was there.

**banduga** · #7 05-25-2005, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC6

Amazing pics! Thanks for posting! Were the 430's from HK or Shanghai? Cause its LHD...

Thank you for looking! Great observation too! Yes, the F430s were from the China Ferrari Dealer. I'm not really sure who exactly that is though... Seems to be quite a lot of politics involved.

Quote:

Originally Posted by judge4re

Let me know when the next one is Mark. Too bad I had to be in Tokyo that next day. Let's do dinner and not just drinks next time.

For sure! Imagine if you did manage to come, you would have been able to ride in both the GT2 and the GT3! Don't really see a similar opportunity coming round soon, but I'll will try my best!

Quote:

Originally Posted by lung7707

AWESOME PHOTOS!! Wish I was there.

Yes! Such a shame that we missed each other by about a week or so. Anyways, I'm sure we can meet up in Singapore soon, hopefully for a round of golf too!

BTW, you would have enjoyed watching the yellow GranSport they had. It was really flying!

**asianbond** · #8 05-27-2005, 12:34 AM

Great shots, thanks for the photos.

How did the GT2 perform?

pistole · #9 05-27-2005, 06:28 AM

excellent pics there !

you guys sure look like you had a good time there.

nice to see cars being driven as they should be.

we're organising another trackday in early July at Sepang ..... if anyone
is interested ......

cheers !!

**banduga** · #10 05-27-2005, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asianbond

How did the GT2 perform?

Hi Chris!

First day in the rain? Horrendous! The thing is putting out 450bhp minimum, through the rear tyres, on dry suspension settings, with Pirelli Corsa semi-slicks. I was really disappointed in myself because, even though I used to race bikes (and got my first podium in the rain), I totally over-looked the importance of good suspension settings. It was weaving down the back straight at over 200km/h, and was just plain dangerous. It was only after I rode my friend's street car (the yellow 993 Twin Turbo in the pictures) that I realised how badly set-up the GT2 was. I went back to the pits, and immediately asked my mechanics to soften everything up by HALF. Oh my... What a difference. However, it was late already, and I just decided to call it a day.

The next day? OMFG!!! Stiffened everything back up, and OWNED the track! NOTHING came past me that day! Its difficult to feel the speed on a large, wide track, but the power became glaringly obvious when I started overtaking "supercars" (360s, 430s, Lamborghinis, and other 911s) like they were going backwards! Steering was very neutral, but constantly felt on edge. I was glad that I learned to be gentle with throttles from my biking days. Nevertheless, the back-end let go on me 3 times. 2 were from coming out of 2nd gear corners and being a bit heavy-footed. 3rd time had me off the track because I was unbalanced making a left-to-right transition after (very rudely) overtaking an F430 in the corner (which were weren't supposed to do since it was only a trackday and not a race). My bad...

To be honest, the GT3 RS (#28) was easier to drive, and I think I could be more consistent with in a shorter amount of time. The GT2 takes more skill and experience, both of which I'm lacking in terms of cars.

Mark

**banduga** · #11 05-27-2005, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistole

excellent pics there !

you guys sure look like you had a good time there.

nice to see cars being driven as they should be.

we're organising another trackday in early July at Sepang ..... if anyone
is interested ......

cheers !!

Thank you! It was an INCREDIBLE time. Truly a dream.

As for Sepang, I have something planned there too... I'll PM you!

**cwwhk** · #12 05-30-2005, 10:37 AM

Very nice pics.

With pouring rain did you run with the P-Zero Corsa or Corsa Directionale tires? If Corsa, then you are one brave guy. In any case neither Corsa nor Corsa systems are really that good in dry condition compared to Michelin Pilot Sport. My team mate and I were originally going to race our 360C on Corsas but after one practice session at SIC decided to switch to the Michlins.

I am a bit surprised that the GT2 can easily pass F430, but I suppose in full street trim F430 has at least 150kg weight penalty over the race preped GT2.

**banduga** · #13 05-30-2005, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwwhk

Very nice pics.

With pouring rain did you run with the P-Zero Corsa or Corsa Directionale tires? If Corsa, then you are one brave guy. In any case neither Corsa nor Corsa systems are really that good in dry condition compared to Michelin Pilot Sport. My team mate and I were originally going to race our 360C on Corsas but after one practice session at SIC decided to switch to the Michlins.

I am a bit surprised that the GT2 can easily pass F430, but I suppose in full street trim F430 has at least 150kg weight penalty over the race preped GT2.

Thanks for the compliment! Means a lot coming from you!

They were the "normal" Corsas, which is why I was all over the place. Like I always tell people: "Its a thin line between bravery and stupidity." I was definitely WAY over on the stupid-side due to inexperience.

I've always been a Michelin guy, but it seems that everybody is raving about the Pirellis. Oh well, I just hope I get more driving time with different tyres so I can truly compare and feel the differences.

tuck · #14 05-30-2005, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banduga

Hi Chris!

First day in the rain? Horrendous! The thing is putting out 450bhp minimum, through the rear tyres, on dry suspension settings, with Pirelli Corsa semi-slicks. I was really disappointed in myself because, even though I used to race bikes (and got my first podium in the rain), I totally over-looked the importance of good suspension settings. It was weaving down the back straight at over 200km/h, and was just plain dangerous. It was only after I rode my friend's street car (the yellow 993 Twin Turbo in the pictures) that I realised how badly set-up the GT2 was. I went back to the pits, and immediately asked my mechanics to soften everything up by HALF. Oh my... What a difference. However, it was late already, and I just decided to call it a day.

The next day? OMFG!!! Stiffened everything back up, and OWNED the track! NOTHING came past me that day! Its difficult to feel the speed on a large, wide track, but the power became glaringly obvious when I started overtaking "supercars" (360s, 430s, Lamborghinis, and other 911s) like they were going backwards! Steering was very neutral, but constantly felt on edge. I was glad that I learned to be gentle with throttles from my biking days. Nevertheless, the back-end let go on me 3 times. 2 were from coming out of 2nd gear corners and being a bit heavy-footed. 3rd time had me off the track because I was unbalanced making a left-to-right transition after (very rudely) overtaking an F430 in the corner (which were weren't supposed to do since it was only a trackday and not a race). My bad...

To be honest, the GT3 RS (#28) was easier to drive, and I think I could be more consistent with in a shorter amount of time. The GT2 takes more skill and experience, both of which I'm lacking in terms of cars.

Mark

Great pics!!! very inspirational

Just by reading your post makes me want to hit the tracks. Problem is my car is not that fast nor does handles as well as the GT2

sigh....

**cwwhk** · #15 05-30-2005, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by banduga

Thanks for the compliment! Means a lot coming from you!

They were the "normal" Corsas, which is why I was all over the place. Like I always tell people: "Its a thin line between bravery and stupidity." I was definitely WAY over on the stupid-side due to inexperience.

I've always been a Michelin guy, but it seems that everybody is raving about the Pirellis. Oh well, I just hope I get more driving time with different tyres so I can truly compare and feel the differences.

Funny thing is that Corsa and Pilot Sport are both rated at tread wear 60. So I guess Michelin simply has a better compound. I was told by the F430 owner who attended the SIC trackday that Pilot Sport is 1 second faster than the Corsa at ZIC. Based on my Shanghai race experience I'd say that sounds about right. In any case you did very well driving in pouring rain with Corsa and didn't crash. Knock on wood.

eddiechang · #16 05-30-2005, 05:39 PM

Excellant Pics. Two things I notice, drivers did not wear full racing suit, one guy only wear a regular T-shirt. Secondly, drivers did not wear HANS device. What was an average speed on Shanghai track ? Love to run with your group someday.

JimC · #17 05-31-2005, 04:11 AM

May I ask how the R34 did in the rain? I knew that car has about 600+ hp. Which car were you riding in when you were riding with CK? It looked like a fun track day that I missed.

ultimo · #18 05-31-2005, 04:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eddiechang

Excellant Pics. Two things I notice, drivers did not wear full racing suit, one guy only wear a regular T-shirt. Secondly, drivers did not wear HANS device. What was an average speed on Shanghai track ? Love to run with your group someday.

I dun know about you guys, but when i last tried wearing hans, i felt like there was something choking me...perhaps i am not used to it, but i feel for normal track days its not really necessary...just my 2 cents. As for racing suit...again way too hot even with the A/C on....just take the chance that you dun catch fire

ultimo · #19 05-31-2005, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwwhk

Funny thing is that Corsa and Pilot Sport are both rated at tread wear 60. So I guess Michelin simply has a better compound. I was told by the F430 owner who attended the SIC trackday that Pilot Sport is 1 second faster than the Corsa at ZIC. Based on my Shanghai race experience I'd say that sounds about right. In any case you did very well driving in pouring rain with Corsa and didn't crash. Knock on wood.

Michelin for track cars are always better in performance, but are extremely hard to acquire, espcially the latest spec compounds (they are real *****y and ask lots of questions). Pirelli are not as good as michelin but are easily available.

donoe · #20 05-31-2005, 04:29 AM

Whoa!!! Great pics and check out that track!!! The layout and design, amazing...