Tracking the 458 Italia

....the main purpose of 458 Italia, and all Ferrari's for that matter, are to perform on the track.

 

I have not read that a 458 has any problems. Could you offer something we could discuss? Many here have tracked their 458 numerous times without incident. Best

 

LMAO....that's funny....of course they're going to say that.....ask them the last time Lambo won a Formula 1 race?

 

The 458 is a fantastic track tool.

How much track time do you have under your belt (in other cars) at this time?

 

there are some first hand accounts (and lots of second hand accounts) on this site. Do a search...try to find the threads that compare scud vs. 458.

 

Assuming that you are serious, you will have no problem with casual tracking a stock 458. Some who push their cars more frequently and more aggressively opt for equipment such as racing brake pads, more track-oriented tires, and a more aggressive camber set up. The wear rates and expense go up accordingly. It is up to you how far you want to go.

 

It depends on your level and experience. For novice through intermediate, sure, no problem. But heavy repeated track use...well, you are going to need a big budget.

Example: I tracked a Porsche GT3. When I started out, a set of street tires and brakes lasted 1/2 the season (maybe 12-14 days). At the end, it was 11 HC on a set of Hoosiers (two days, about $2k per set) and a set of racing brakes every 4 days. Rotors lasted 6-7 days (Figure another $1200 or so) and I replaced at least one windshield per season.

It was about $1200 per day in the end, not including gas and track fees.

I think a 458 at that level (with ceramic brakes) would be about double.

Again, at first it's no issue, but as you drive harder....

Well, that's why I have a pure track only car now.

Either way, some track time (especially with a good instructor or coach) will give you a much better understanding of what your 458 can (and can not) do and will make you a better driver on the street.

Cheers,

Ron

 

I track a lot of cars, but have not driven the 458. I'd expect it will be fine on track, to a point. As a novice you won't hurt it, but I would not be surprised personally if I overheated and used up brakes at an alarming pace.

If you just want the joy of stretching its legs on track on occasion, then I bet the 458 is excellent. If you want a track car, I bet the 458 is a terrible choice unless you have a pretty large budget.

Finally, I would ask those with actual track experience to share lap times at their tracks of choice. Reason I say that is I got into a debate with someone about 360 or 430 brake wear at Texas World Speedway and turns it he was turning laps about Spec Miata pace, so I pretty heavily discounted his assessment.

 

Doubtful. Any street car used hard and heavily on track will not fare well. Even dedicated race cars usually have engine lives measured on the order of 50 hours, and tire lives in laps

 

When he asked about tracking I assumed HPDE events....maybe a few a year....as far as a dedicated track car for races no it will not last....just like all race cars it will need to be torn down and maintained.....

 

Everything aforementioned here about costs is correct. I'm a weekend track rat and usually use my Challenge Stradale instead of the 458. I wouldn't claim to be the fastest guy around, but do well enough to have people point me by more often than the opposite.

I think if you took it easy your first time out, warm things up appropriately, and don't abuse the machinery, you shouldn't have any issues with your 458. You can drive to the track comfortably, go reasonably quick once on Sepang, and drive home after.

If you get serious about track days, though, it's probably more economical to use the M3.

 

track it. many people have done so without issues, that's what it's built for.

track it. have fun. be safe. take lessons. that's my advice.

 

It's been my observation on the track that Porsche break far more infrequently than Ferrari's.

However those are cup cars and challenge cars.

If you are hitting the track once in a while for some laps the 458 will be fine and frankly will blow your mind with it's insane capabilities.

 

I've owned a range of track cars, from Miatas to 430C to 458C and Porsches, generally agree. If you are going to track a car hard and often, you will end up wanting a dedicated car. Doing a couple DE's a year and enjoying the car, you will be fine but have the car checked over closely before, during (if possible) and after by someone skilled and aware.

As an interesting side note, my wife did the FDE up at Mont Tremblant last summer, 18 people thrashing stock 458's all day for two days in a row. Cars were bulletproof. Change tires every couple days, pads/rotors as needed (obviously more frequently than street use) and they are "Gone over" daily (nut/bolt). I was incredibly impressed.


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I've owned a range of track cars, from Miatas to 430C to 458C and Porsches, generally agree. If you are going to track a car hard and often, you will end up wanting a dedicated car. Doing a couple DE's a year and enjoying the car, you will be fine but have the car checked over closely before, during (if possible) and after by someone skilled and aware.

As an interesting side note, my wife did the FDE up at Mont Tremblant last summer, 18 people thrashing stock 458's all day for two days in a row. Cars were bulletproof. Change tires every couple days, pads/rotors as needed (obviously more frequently than street use) and they are "Gone over" daily (nut/bolt). I was incredibly impressed.


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New to the forum, but not to tracking (I've been tracking cars for 12 years, and for the last couple of years I've been organizing track days for friends and coworkers in NorCal).

I'm picking up a 2013 458 coupe today, and expect to have tracked it 2-3 times by the end of this year. I tracked other people's 458s in the past, and I can confirm that it is a fantastic track car.

The key is that tracking a car at anything above novice level is expensive. I've been tracking my Nissan GT-R for the past 3 years, and once I calculated that if I take consumables, fluids, service, etc. into account, each day costs me between $2,500-$3,000: oil change after every track day, diff/trans fluid change after every other track day, new tires and brake pads after every other track day, etc. given the way I drive (~2:05 through the crow's nest at Thunderhill, for those who've been there). Not included in that cost is the hassle involved with breaking the transmission once a year (a $15k part, thankfully covered under warranty), but that's a different story...

I expect the 458 to be comparably expensive, but worth it. Enjoy!

 

I have taken the 458 on track briefly and found it was scrubbing its outside edge of the tyres very badly and were almost worn after only a couple of laps. Another negative is it really likes a good roll in the corners. I am going to get the car lowered a little and given a proper track geo before I try again. Really I just need to get out of these bloody Pirelli cheese zero tyres, they are woeful.

I believe the 458 will be old fun on track but probably more fragile than the likes of a gt3 which can go all day in 35 degree heat without a problem. The Porsche felt like it loved it, wanted more and more. The Ferrari puts up a little fuss if I'm brutally honest.

As said though I have only tracked it gently so far, I will be taking it to silverstone in December though. Very interested in others more experienced comments about its track ability.

 

Does anyone have any feedback regarding regularly taking the 458 on track. I'm worried about it costing a fortune under hard use.

 

Took mine to the track today first time.
So easy to drive.

Here is a vid.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioJUU15dsS8&feature=c4-overview&list=UUaZJu9I2zRZZ0Ezikc94JEA]Ferrari 458 Italia - On track - YouTube[/ame]

 

This is a well covered topic in several threads, so worth a search. Here are my unofficial thoughts

1) the 458 is a phenomenal car, on street or track.
2) using it on track is a great way to learn the car, enjoy it's capabilities, and have fun. The car (for a road legal car) is incredible in every dimension.
3) get and use professional instruction - you can thrash the car, but a pro can help you be a better driver and get the most from the car
4) I race and track often; to point (2) above, using a street car on the track a lot really puts immense stress and pressure on it. My personal rule is 1 track mile = 10 street miles in terms of maintenance, wear/tear.
5) re point (4) frequent track use will accelerate your maintenance requirements...the 458 is very tough and reliable, but it will need service, brakes, tires more often and sooner with a lot of track use
6) I tend to prefer having a rollcage, race seat, harnesses....i.e. a real track/race car if I'm going to be hitting 165mph on straights or going into hard brake zones where I can see Armco ahead.
7) re point (6) above, take that in context. My wife uses our 458 for occasional DE at our track, with a good pro riding shotgun. She has a blast, the car is none worse for wear, and she learns a LOT. I tend to be on the track or race at least 2x a month....ergo I have not yet driven our 458 on the track.

good luck. best investment for tracking? a great coach