OK, Gauntlet about to be thrown... Stephens has some new spec, almost pure slick, Hoosiers fitted up on his track wheels, that he's going to save unused as "green" tyres for an Ultimate lap at PI this weekend. I say he'll get 1.50 in good conditions....... maybe 1.48 if he pulls his proverbial out..... What say you....??
Not a chance. Best I got out of my 355 Challenge (with wing) on Hoosiers was 1.47.2 and that was right on the edge. There is no way in hell a 550 is anywhere near that quick.
Hmmm, we don't know how good stephens is really yet! But remember that Allan did a 1.51 on Corsa with a passenger (100kg+!) on his one and only timed flying lap.... Stephens car has a few subtle tweaks over the car Allan drove too. I reckon the grunt of the 550 at the Island will bring it home ahead of the 355, certainly with a top throttle jockey at the wheel!! Good luck stephen, sub 1.50 wins a prize then it would seem......
I thought it was 1.47.9, but either way, you don't know what a pro could have got and stephen, being better than most pros, might do a 1.48 in the 550 but would do a 1.45 in your old car? it'll never be a fair comparison, really. Also....a challenge is much faster than a standard car. I think AG's best time, albeit NOT with hoosiers, is 1.55?? Maybe 54?
oi! he's not driving an X !!! and that's spelt hedgehog Stephen is a bike rider so has no idea he will die some day, that plus the natural bikers sense of balance makes them better drivers than "normal" joes might get him under the 1:50 but a bribe to the timekeeper is always worth the effort oh yeah rock on
Sounds like he had a good day, but I reckon he missed the sweet spot being safe (how dull!), as his best time was after several sessions and not on the "green" tyre by then! Well done stephen though. Good on ya! I guess you'll have to wait to find out what the prize was......... there's always next time... Winton in fact, next weekend.... 3 days straight if you're up for it... I reckon a 1.37 at Winton......
hahahahahaha...that heavy OHOS at winton doing 1.37? stop being so mean to the poor guy. He'll be devastated when he doesn't even crack 1.40!
LOL 'aint that the truth. I will be pushing **** uphill with a pointy stick trying to get sub 1:40 in the 550. Different story after a 250KG diet..... then there's always some weight savings that can be had from the car! Phil is right though about the tyres. My only excuse is the track was still damp, soI didn'twant to push it. By the time the track was completely dry the guy whose transponder I was using, had packed up and taken it home, so i don't have any final times. Back tomorrow, hopefully there will be some dry runs.
Spot on with this prediction. After talking to PP at the end of the day, dropped the pressures from 45-46 hot to 40 at Sandown and easily ran consistent low 1.24's on the official times. Can't wait to get back to the island and try the lower pressures with a new set of Hoosiers and break into the 1:49's EDIT: For any of you that know Tony Peters (in the WRX), if you could so kindly remind him that I have equalled his PB at PI, (we were there together on the PIARC day) and beaten him and his PB at Sandown today, it would be greatly appreciated.
I don't know how you do those times in that thing...it's terrible on the track. I reckon you'd do a low 33 or 34 (maybe better) in my car...you're either very skillful or totally nutty!
LOL, yes I do think there is a large dose of stupidity required, but it's a real challenge to do fast laptimes, which is the fun part. I can't wait to get back out to Winton with someone like Allen in the passenger seat to help see how fast I can really go with a bit of tuition. Actually I'd like himto come around with me at PI and Sandown too, alongwith doing some fast laps himself, so I can use the data logger to see exactly what is going on.
PP, I don't know where you formed your impression of 550's from, but it's wrong. They're sensational cars in std form, and respond better than any with a few of the subtle tweaks that Stephen has had done.
When Peter came foradrive it was the 1st session and I was very wobbly, taking all the wrong lines, just trying to get a feel for the track, doing 1:43's. I think it's a struggle for any car, when it's being driven that badly. Hal with the GT3, came out with me and remarked how he was amazed that such a big car could be so smooth, quick and tight. Same car, just being driven differently.
