Took my Scud to the Track

Went to Willow Springs on Wednesday to do the big track. Had an absolute blast! For those familiar with the track I was able to carry 145mph through turn 8 without any issues. The car actually could have gone quicker but the apex is so bumpy it made the idea of going much quicker seemed sketchy. Unfortunately after 3 30 minute sessions the sidewall my front left tire was completely blistered and the tread was ripped off (getting shims installed ASAP so camber can be set to 3 degrees ). So that cut my day short.

Decided that I hadn't had enough. Got my tire replaced and went to the Streets of Willow Saturday. Didn't have any tire issues and had a really great time. Love the cars balance and how manageable it is on and over the limit.

Thinking about going with larger tires in the front to counteract understeer in slower corners and bigger in the rear to help put power down at corner exit. However that did make for some great power slides. Does anyone have suggesting for what tires sizes I should be running for optimum performance while still usable on the street? I'm running Pirelli Trofeo R's right now, and I'm really in love with them.

Thanks guys!

 

Sounds like a blast!

I would suspect incorrect tire pressures first if you are riding the sidewalls and ripping the tread off - vs camber settings. Suspension would have to be pretty far out of whack for that to happen IMHO.

No recommendations here on tires yet for the scud - first track day later this month!

: )

 

You MUST post picts! Wow!!!!

 

Did you run with in CST off? From my understanding, if you run in Race, you can pin the gas pedal to the floor after an apex and the car will deliver the maximum amount of power available without breaking the back end loose.

 

I did that track last year, ran nearly 60 laps in my m3 and the mich PSS's are fine. Posted fastest time of all the cars, even the 458.

 

Dan, saw you on Sat. We were actually in the same run group, I was behind you a few times in my white FRS.

Trofeo R isvery grippy, but side wall is too soft. Have you thought about switching it to Toyo R888? Thicker side wall and just as grip as Trofeo R.

 

I have R888 on my evo. I believe the side wall of them are too soft for the Scud too and to sensitive because it is made somehow containing silicon. That makes it very sensitive. Maybe NITTOs would be a nice choice but i have not even tried it to have an opinion.

 

I'm curious what setting you had the car in as well... Race or CST/Off.

Sounds epic... did you shoot any video?

 

Hey Guys,

Had the car in CT mode. I tried the car in Race mode but the computer wasn't allowing me to power out of turns. My next session I put it to CT and my lap times went from a 1.27 to a 1.25. Although I don't have many track sessions left on my tires now (worth it!)

Talking with the mechanics at Beverly Hills Ferrari their opinion is that the car needs 3 degrees of camber in the front w/ caster and the rear could use some camber as well. Should help the tires from rolling over so much

They had a 458 Challenge car there. Fronts were 255 and rears were 305. Apparently even with that set up there's still understeer, but a lot less.
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Tire damage from 3 30 minute sessions at Big Willow. I was pushing the car very hard but this shouldn't happen.
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Tire pressures were at 28-31 hot as recommended by Pirelli. I had to start them around 23 and take it VERRRY easy the first 2 laps until they got up to temperature and pressure.

 

I am on -3,5 degrees camber in front with zero toe and -2,4 camber at the rear with 4 mm total toe. Caster is unchanged and the Trofeo R I am using at the moment is heating evenly. Biggest change this year was going from 235/35-19 to 245/35-19 at the front while keeping the 285/35-19 at the rear. Helped a lot in reducing the under steer. This set up wotks perfect for the rather small and twisty tracks I visit here in Sweden. I would not put more rubber at the rear without compensating at the front.

 

I would think that the computer wasn't allowing the rear to slide as it was when you were in CT mode. While you were faster in CT, it may be because you were improving on the track the more times you drove it. I can't imagine that power slides are the fastest way to exit a turn.

Johan: What mode do you run in? Curious as I will be heading to the track for the first time in the scud next month.

Agree that increasing the size of the fronts will help the understeer but that increasing the rears too will counteract your efforts in the front.

 

I have tracked my Scud many times and never saw tire wear like that - in fact I get more interior wear - can eventually feel it on the straights

 

Result of a car that is out of alignment from the factory (common) or driver technique. Almost anyone can blister a tire like that in only a few laps if they are pushing too hard with an improper line.

Before making a lot of changes on the car with setup, tires, etc., I suggest you invest in a good data telemetry unit and hire a good instructor to help you perfect your driving style.

People often immediately go to bigger tires and change suspension setup when what they really need is some good professional coaching.

If you hit apex too early in a Scud, it will push out (understeer heavily), and it will be hard to get power down coming out of the turn.
With a proper line, the Race Mode should not intervene in exiting a corner and it will provide a degree of safety on the track.

Good luck and glad to see you are tracking your Ferrari. Be safe and drive smart!

 

When I got the car I started to run it in Race mode, last year I started using CT-off. From what I have found out so far, I am faster in CT-off by quite much. Not sure the CST-off will give that much extra, will know more in a few weeks I guess. I would start in Race mode, works greats and feels safe.

Regarding tires, I would strongly recommend staying with 285/35-19 at the rear but upgrading to 245/35-19 at the front. The balance is so much better. Putting in 305 for show, is fine I guess but unless you can go equally wider at the front it will just ruin the balance...

 

Great pictures and awesome to see another tracked!

 

Okay, thanks. Well if you both notice a difference, I suppose there must be something to it. Ferrari really touted Race mode in the scud as though you couldn't do better than the computer. I guess this isn't actually the case. Regardless, I do plan to start off in Race to avoid an expensive mishap at the track.

 

It's great to see you on FChat, Dan. Car looks great (think I already said it on your instagram picture) . After my stock Pirellis gave up on mine, I went with 245 and 295 Michelin PSSs and had a lot of fun with it during my last trackday. Perhaps you should give it a try next. Thinking of Trofeo Rs and surprised to read the reviews here.

 

Thank you for the tip! I will discuss this setup with my
Mechanic.

Can the stock wheels fit a 245? Thanks!

 

Stock wheel with Pirelli Trofeo R in 245/45-19 is what I am on and they fit perfectly, you couldn't tell by the looks that they are 10 mm wider than stock.

 

Wow camber seems off.
Once the car is set up properly you should get even faster times.
Great to see you track it. Big Willow is a lot of fun....oh T9!!!


Sent from my 16M

 

How about putting on Hoosiers for the track - I have and extra set of original Scud wheels with Hooisers on them now if u are interested