512 TR track experience

Spent 2 days at VIR with the 512, and thought I would pass on the experience for the record. Full course. Sunny, 80 degrees F both days. The only prep I did was replaced the brake fluid with Motul 600 and ran Porterfield R4's at all 4 corners. I also used a set of 355 wheels shod with Mich. PS2's. The fronts are 225's, since they are off a 355 (stock is 235). Rears are 295's. I am not a very experienced driver, this being my 7th HPDE. I have also been on track driving an Audi S4, a 355, and our Factory Five Cobra replica.

I thought the car was a blast. It is very easy to control. It tends to understeer and needs some encouragement to turn in. But it is very easy to balance once the suspension is set. I do not drive deep into either big brake zone (end of the 2 long straights), but I had no brake problems, with plenty of power and easy modulation. I did not experience any tail wagging or instability under hard braking. The rotors look fine, no cracks. The oil temp never got above 220, despite a fair bit of time in the upper rev range. I could hit an indicated 140 on the back straight at the top of the hill (well before the brake zone).

The steering is light at speed, but the ratio is pretty small, and I found I needed to rotate the wheel about 180 degrees each way. This is a drawback to the non-power steering, which otherwise gives great feedback. I joked with my instructor that shifting required a committee approval, but this made it almost impossible to slip it into the wrong gear. I would have liked a slightly wider gas pedal, as I would occasionally miss the throttle when trying to rev match. (Ultimate pedals is making the new one).

I would not really call this a track car, but I certainly thought it was fun! It is (relatively speaking) fast in the straights and slower in the turns, but I could keep pace with most drivers of similar skill. I look forward to taking it back!

 

The photo folks were at another event (GRRR!)

My dad took some video, and I compiled it. Mostly a compilation of fly-bys at the same point, but I do like to hear the sounds (he could only film one run session from one spot).

http://jandjsalmon.com/video/AudiClub512.mpg

Cheers!

 

Capristo level 2, factory cats. I am pleased with it, even tough it doesn't howl like my 355 did. This one sounds even better in the cabin.