As I am shopping for a 360 I find I like the looks of the Spider. But when you see a photo of one with the doors open it looks like it can't much resistance to torsion / twisting compared with the coupe. Is that correct? Do people track their Spiders?
I've seen plenty of photos of Spiders on the track... but you should contact your local track to make sure they allow open-top cars there. Not all tracks do. Frank
I do! Most fun you can have with your pants on The coupe is indeed nominally stiffer, and with MS at the wheel will be a little quicker but at "our" level (driver education type track days) I don't think anyone could tell the difference. Just keep an eye on the brake pads.... Cheers, Ian
I, personally at least, have never had a problem - Roll hoops are now mandatory, ruling out 355's etc, but the 360 has 'em so you should be good to go. Of course, ymmv.
A lot of clubs and/or tracks do not allow convertibles, even with hoops. I know the bimmer club is one. At the national meet at Road America last year, spider drivers were restricted to the slow group. Personally, I would not track an open car unless it was a true race car equipped with a cage. Dave
I don't have big enough balls to track a Spider and that's after 5 years of racing and some huge shunts including 4 cracked ribs and a serious concussion. Then again if you drive at only 90% on track, it shouldn't be a problem.
I have a 2003 360 Spider and I track it routinely - It has been a blast on the track. I did have to get a special consideration at VIR to approve the convertible there, but had no issues at WGI, Pocono, Monticello, or NJMP.
I've taken my 360 spider on track quite a few times. My son and I have traded off in the Intermediate run group, my daughter has driven it in novice and intermediate. No issues with being allowed on track. We've had it at Summit Point, VIR, and Roebling Rd multiple times. All the events were Ferrari Club, so I can't speak to how other clubs handle it. Lou ps: Running with the roof down is great fun. Extra thrill for wind in the hair and sound of the engine.
I believe that VIR will not have any problems with your 360 Spider. Recently, I have been running with Potomac PCA, especially since Ferrari of Washington's new ownership abandoned its sponsoring of track days. I drove VIR last September and Summit Point throughout 2009. One big difference between running with PCA and Ferrari, with PCA, you must drive with top up and windows open, unless you are running with arm restraints. With Ferrari, I had to drive with top down, which is much more fun, but I believe pretty dangerous without arm restraints. In any event, I agree with above comments, especially regarding Spider v. Modena. Unless you are driving against someone with exactly the same skills as you, you will not be disadvantaged by the extra weight of the Spider. Have a blast. Rob in Potomac Image Unavailable, Please Login
