458 30 Track Days!

Just concluded five track days at Watkins Glen in Upstate NY with FCA and Chin Racing. The final day was a bit wet and foggy, probably the worst weather I’ve been out in so far.

Sebring, Homestead, VIR, Pocono, Concours, Road Atlanta, FIRM, and WGI - all in the 458 - which is been bullet proof on track.

I’ve earned my stripes through countless hours of instruction. Each time out I get a bit better and my set up improves. Trail braking, passing off line, late apexing, setting the wheel - it all comes with time and experience. There’s a lot to learn when doing HPDE.

The 458 is really a pleasure to drive on track - lively, responsive, great sound, and overall a lot of fun!




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John, I always knew I’d encounter rain at some point. WGI is quite a trek from FL, so I was determined to drive all 5 days regardless.
I had the lead instructor from Chin with me part of the time. You actually have more grip than you think.

Kumhos are great in the rain, though I did slide out of T9 a few times (ponding), not fun at all as it’s the tightest corner and surrounded by walls!

Summit Point is on my bucket list for next year, as well as Barber, Pitt, Ozark, COTA and Laguna (I may rent a track car and fly out). Like @mdrums said, it is time consuming!

I’m not quite done this year - I’m concluding with Atlanta, Lime Rock, Daytona and Homestead. I plan to track the STO at Daytona.

I hope folks here will see that the 458 is an incredible car on track, and not in the least bit fragile. I’ve run mine quite hard (all nannies off) under all conditions and it has been an unexpected thrill and wonderful experience! It has increased my respect for the brand.

With the exception of the occasional Ferrari, you’re the only one I see out there on a consistent basis. Maybe this’ll convince others. As I always say, if you want to know, you gotta go!

 

I eventually changed out of the ceramic rotors and pads to Girodisc steel. They are heavier but provide a high degree of trail braking, better for turns, etc. Pads last me 3-4 track days, depending on hard braking. Some tracks are tougher on brakes (Sebring, WGI) than others.

I was burning through rear pads pretty quickly at first, but have learned to run with Esc Off. The csr is livelier with all Nannies off, but it is no longer impeded coming out of turns, so out quicker.

You should be okay with stock set up and race mode - just keep an eye on the pads, especially the inside rear passenger side.

 

No, don’t be hesitant! The 458 is far more robust trackside than most would give credit to.

The fun factor has provided orders of magnitude more excitement and pleasure than the minor expenses associated with tracking.

I can pretty much guarantee mine’s set the record for fluid changes, brakes, tires, alignments, etc (though there is at least one person here who actively tracks his 458).

Been quite a wonderful experience.

 

No damage, but my PPF is starting to show its age. There are a few blemishes on the hood as one would expect.

At Watkins it poured the last two days. I used up all the Track Armor and switched to race tape, but the track wasn’t hot enough anyway to generate the infamous rubber marbles. Whatever is used, it needs to come off carefully once done.

This weekend I’m at Road Atlanta where it’s perfect weather, covering up as best I can with TA.

 

Road Atlanta today and tomorrow. 60 degrees and sunshine, got the crew on top (or should we say bottom) of things……

Excellent track and highly recommended!
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