| Author | Message | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
|
 Here I am with the 512TR at Pocono last year | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
|
Matt r u going to b at Pocono May 4 ? Maybe u can help me throw some speed on  I see 160 around the tunnel turn thanks to brute power, problem with Pocono is I only do it once a year for 2 days so its hard to get used to. This year I may be there 4 days or more | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
|
When coming down the front straight, I lift off the accelerator, (I'm sorry, but I can't see the exact markings I use, in my mind to help you with, but I know it on the track) and keep just minimal acceleration underfoot, never touching my brakes. (I believe it is where the distance markers start.) I think it is the 100 marker where I initiate the turn in. I slowly bring the car down to the apex of the turn, meanwhile gradually squeezing more and more power on, until I am at full acceleration right before, or by the latest, on the apex. (I am riding all the way down at the BOTTOM of the track, with my left side tires just above the white line. The car will shift around just a bit, but when you are down there, KEEP your foot in it.) I keep the full power on all the way through the turn, letting the power push me up towards the wall (NOT using the steering wheel MUCH AT ALL). Remember to let the car do what it wants and needs to, and use ALL the track on your exit. DO NOT fight the car.....LET IT OUT towards the wall. I am appx. 3 - 4 feet away from the wall, under maximum acceleration, when I finish the turn. For several seasons I have been driving my setup 348 Challenge Car. With that car, I entered the turn at around 133-135. I was exiting the turn anywhere between 145-150, and attaining a top speed of around 160-165 before setting up for the tunnel turn. I have driven (and am awaiting delivery of my 98 355 Challenge Car) a 355 Challenge Car there several times. Since they were not my cars I was driving, and I was not as agressive as I would be with my own, I was only marginally faster, getting up to 170 before the tunnel turn. A note: I strongly suggest that if your car is not setup as a track car, DO NOT be to agressive with this turn (or the tunnel turn for that matter). Slicks, suspension, rollcage, bucket and harness are essential. If the car is a street car, go out and enjoy yourself. Entering turn 1 at 120 MPH is fine with that setup. Don't worry about setting any records. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
|
my biggest problem at Pocono is the banking is intimidating, I think the fastest I have ever come out of that corner is like 125 when I know I should be doing like 160 coming out of there. Any tips on the banking ? | ||
| Rob Lay (Rob328gts)
|
Simple, out smart them. A huge element of your time is just driving ability. 75% of Viper owners don't know how to drive them and will make mistakes. The #1 mistake viper owners make is giving it too much power at the wrong times. With equal drivers I would have to give the advantage to the Vipers, but I know you're a good driver. | ||
| Matt Karson (Squidracing)
|
In stock setup, both the viper and the 512 are pigs in the infield. Properly setup (suspension and brakes) the viper is a better track car. There is just too much behind you with a 512. The best tip I can give you for the infield at pocono is to use a lot of throttle induced oversteer to pivot the car. No brakes before the first right turn. After the first lefthander, stay to the right side of the track, (don't follow everyone and swing your car left to set yourself up for the next right) and shoot straight up to the righthand turn. Trailbrake to initiate the turn, then throttle steer to complete the rotation. You will see the white of the eyes of the driver in front of you, as he thinks you are about to run into his passenger door. This is a much faster way to take this turn, but much more difficult. Also, briefly lift before the light at the end of the back straight, (before the tunnel turn (NO BRAKES)), at the start of the fence, initiate turn in and moderately accelerate and build to full acceleration by the apex. When the car is headed straight, hard hard braking, downshift (I'm not sure if 2nd or 3rd is best in the 512 for that turn) and trailbrake into devils elbow. If you want to scare the person you have caught up to by taking the tunnel turn full bore, stay to the left, (make sure you have enough room for him to turn in unless you want to overtake him there) and you will see him pull over at the soonest possible time to let you in front. Its all fun and games, but remember to be safe. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
|
I visit the Viper board every now & then, Vipers r way cool. ANyways it seems some Viper dudes will be running at pocono May 4, same day as FOC. So it should b interesting. I know the Viper has more torque than my 512, any1 know the weight on a Viper GTS? Top speed I think I have an advantage, not that we'll see top speed but at Pocono we'll get to maybe 90% if we run the correct track. Wonder about the infield. Any tips on running against Vipers ? |