First Trip to COTA with my 488

This car is certainly what I hoped for. It sounds great while driving fast and it handles so much better than the Porsche did. I didn't drive the car really hard because it only has 700 miles on it but it's very well behaved. I did push more on the last session, this was only a 2 hour driving event with 3 20 minute sport sessions and three 20 minute beginner sessions so I had a lot less time to try different things with the car. Sometimes there was traffic but on the last session I was able to get in the clear enough to run what felt like faster laps. I also got all three data collectors properly working for that session.

I used OBD Wiz for collecting OBD data which was a bust because even though it produced 10s/s, the data didn't update at that rate so the gauges look crappy. I have the Racelogic Vbox with GPS data for speed and that does update 10/s so it is what I used for the speedo. I also had my GoPro mounted in the windshield which gives me a very good view of how I am driving. So I got a full data and video collection of the last session which is where those fast feeling laps were. As it turns out, according to the Circuit Tools analyzer the laps were 2:38.59, 2:39.05 and 2:38.59. That is consistently two seconds faster than my best ever lap 2:40.79 with the 991tts on that track and that only happened once, ever. Most laps in the Porsche were 2:42-2:45.

I used the paddles for shifting and had the car in RACE mode. The lack of decent RPM data is a problem because I would like to analyze my shifting patterns which I am sure would help with times. I know I was a gear up coming out of some corners but it's really hard to see what gear I am in on the display and then there is the rev limiter which comes on early. You cannot get anywhere near the redline if you use the tachometer, about 7300 was where it hit the limiter so I ended up short shifting at 7krpm which probably cost me speed on the straight.

I was not sure about the stopping power and so I was braking somewhat conservatively into turn 12 at first. Those fast laps at the end I was braking inside the 300 marker but not as aggressive as I would with the Porsche at say 225. The brakes did get hot, I could smell them and I also ran out of gas early in the last session so I only ran 16 minutes out of 20.

The ambient temperature was 102 degrees but the IAT as reported by the OBD was never higher than 140 during the lapping. That is 25 degrees lower than on the Porsche with bigger after market intercoolers. I compared data from the previous Porsche sessions which was collected using the AccessPort from Cobb at a 44 sample per second rate. I wish there was an aftermarket way to collect data like that for this car.

Here are the strengths:

Car is very stable in the corners, and responds well to power in the turns.

Engine sounds great and power comes on very well in almost any gear over 4500rpm so being up a gear out of a turn isn't a huge penalty.

Visibility of the track is excellent with the top down.

Weaknesses:

Rev limiter is a problem on the back stretch, shifting manually will require more practice. Instrument panel isn't easy to see while driving other than the tach and it's not as helpful as it could be so the LEDs turn out to be the best indication of shifting. When they all are lit, time to hit the paddle.

Roof is too low for me to wear the helmet so it's a good thing I have a Spider but I guessed that would be the case. I have Daytona full electric seats and after this day, even those seats didn't help my back not be sore. Never had that problem in the Porsche.

Brakes are still squeaking.

I will be taking the car to more driving events and plan to get my lap times below 2:30. The measured 60-130mph and 100-200kph were lousy at best because of the heat. The Porsche wasn't any faster in the heat with 725hp but the best 60-130 was 8.0s and the best 100-200 was 6.7s. That seems slow but then I would be expect other cars be slower in this kind of extreme heat, the Porsche was. Cooler temperatures would be better for really getting those times down.

 

William , I know nothing about racing and I read your post that was Chinese to me. I didn’t comprehend much ,but it certainly looks like you had a blast in the video. So thanks for sharing bro. All the best man , Kirk.

 

I bet you will be much faster once it breaks in and you have more seat time.

 

I am counting on it but it will be in the fall before I take it back out because it's just too hot now.

Well, this isn't really racing but it's as close as I will come. You should give it a try, you get to drive the car fast legally.

 

Wow. A feast for the eyes and ears! Thanks for posting...T

 

It was hot..that is for sure. At least we didn't need to worry about the tires taking too long to reach temp

Amazing fun.

The speed of the 488s on the back straight vs our 2016 cali T was far greater than i would have expected.

 

Was this SA and Austin Ferrari event? That was fun searing hot but fun i was in red tan 488 gtb


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

Very cool (or maybe hot!) You should have no trouble getting below 2:30, I was 2:22 in a 570s and the pros were 2:18. Its all about having fun though. COTA is a great track and very rewarding.

 

COTA is almost exactly an hour drive from my house. Very fun track. If you can, get a driver who knows the place ride shotgun and teach you the best lines and braking points.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Yes, it was really hot. I signed up for the Edge Addicts event on the evening of Friday July 13. At least the sun will be down when we drive. Should be interesting to drive at night.

 

I did a couple of 2:205's in my 488 before they ground the track this spring, so you've got plenty of time to find! The event was nicely done by FoA and SA. For me the highlight was loading 3 guys into my Lusso some hot laps, giggled like schoolgirls the whole time!

 

I think I saw you guys piling in, you were parked right behind me. I was thinking, man, that's a tight fit.

 

When the track is hot (or cold) traction is a problem. That sounds "Duh". I've crashed COTA when cold and slipped it when hot. Trofeo R makes a huge difference and is road worthy when dry. Turn 12 braking at or inside 200. It's hairy. I have sport seats and helmet fits my tall body but top-down is so exhilarating. Helmet is being ripped off on that back straight.
Cheers and enjoy.

 

HAH...I watched a video from the guy in the back seat during your laps. Your Lusso with 4 BIG dudes in the car was kicking serious butt...

 

Second trip to COTA yesterday and I drove with the top up this time. I had to scrunch in to drive but I was able to do it. I let the car shift this time but I discovered something disconcerting. When the car is up a gear and I want it down one and use the paddle to change it, the car leaves auto and then you have to start shifting again. That isn't really what I want it to do and the race mode auto shift pattern keeps the car in too high a gear frequently which keeps the car out of the power band.

I was in a run group where I was one of the faster cars and I moved up on the third session but didn't get good data because my Vbox came unplugged from the cigarette lighter which is another problem with that setup. The gopro also ran out of battery but I am pretty sure I ran low 2:30s in that session based on running 2:36-2:38 throughout the previous session where I had cars getting in the way or wanting to pass each time around when I had a good lap going.



I actually had a guy pass me and then a little later he spun out in front of me because he was way overdriving his corvette. I think 2:2x is achievable with my car and me driving.

 

Glad to see you out there yesterday!

With the heat, times were up, besides no one sets a personal best with a 110+ track temperature!

But I bet we both set personal bests for night sessions at COTA. Turn 15 was incredibly hairy with turtles out and no lighting on the apex.

I'm looking for a 458 right now, but it is a shame no one tracks these cars. There are 15,000 458s and only a single Speciale was there yesterday and he only ran it half speed for two sessions. Asking around, all I can gather is 458's brakes are too expensive for COTA and I guess owners don't want to switch to Girodisc/Pagid.

 

Hey there. I was pretty worn out from the three sessions in the heat. I also wasn't sure about the lighting so I didn't stay around. Is this the Speciale you meant? It never went out during the day.

You can hear my brakes squeaking in turn 11, they did it every time. What were you driving?
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

That's the one! Love love love that car. Hopefully my investments grow faster in value than the Speciale. I want to own one someday.

Once I sell the current car, I'll post what it is. I'm still a little paranoid on the warranty side. Some manufactures think the car should only be on the track for marketing photos.

 

So here is the over-driving corvette that passes me and seems out of control in the esses but loses it completely in 8.

 

Glad he didn't collect you! Good job keeping your eyes up!

 

Here is a good indication of the heat. Look at this picture they sent from Photomotion.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

You're leaving an easy 1/2 - 1 second in turn 3. In the video, you're at ~95 in turn 3, try to be around 110, hard brake for 4 after you've gathered the car. As long as the turtles arent there, you're fine through the esses. In 6, straddle the curbing on right, and you wont have to bring the car back mid track to set up for 7. More throttle in 7, its uphill, let the hill assist with braking. 7 should be enough throttle the car ends up on the right side curbing on exit. In 20, make sure you are all the way on the curbing. 1 ft off, and you're leaving .2 on the table.

 

Thanks for that input. I had another guy tell me that he hits turn 3 at 115. I have noticed that I should go faster in that little straight after turn 2 and use the brake prior to 3 instead of letting off the gas. I am planning to work on that one because I know that I have room for more speed there.

 

I am Chinese and i didnt comprehend much either. But thanks for sharing like you always did on 6speed with the 911. Enjoy your spider!


Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app

 

So 3 is where most people get collected into the wall on drivers side, and its because they either lift or brake mid turn. In 2, make sure your right tires are on the curb, do not miss, do not get 1 ft off, big camber change within that foot. By getting 2 correct, you'll be carrying enough speed that it should be a slight acceleration, then maintain that ~110 through 3, then brake. Try to not coast or brake in 3, as you want the weight balanced and not on the nose. I race a lower HP car at COTA (GT4 clubsport), so not sure what a 488 could do through 3, but knowing a few drivers that have run it, its a 2:22ish car on street tires and alignment for someone that is very familiar with the car and track. You're not far off from the 20s, and watching the video, a few easy changes will get you there no problem.

Do you have a few laps uploaded? 7-8 is usually a second to 1.5, 13-15 is usually 1-2 seconds, 17-18 is usually 1 second and 19 is usually .2-.5 till people get them figured out. 19 is a very important turn as is 20; getting 19 right, really effects 20, which of course is 1 of the 2 most important turns on the track.

The good thing is, the wall at COTA is soft, and it doesnt cost near what the rumors say it does if you ever hit it!