599 GTO on the track.

Spent a morning at the track today, there were 2 GTO's there and a few 458s. I knew that this would be a special day but it exceeded my expectations. My friend had a passenger in his GTO so the other owner offerred to take me for a few laps. This gentleman is to me a role model, why, he is over 70 but has such a love for life, a love for Ferraris, he still rides superbikes and there is just this massive enthusiasm for everything.

Anyway we leave the pitlane, the V12 screaming as we approach turn one, massive oversteer on cold tyres, more squirm of the hips down the next straight, braking really late in the next corner, massive massive power towards the next s bend section. Again a big dash of oversteer, traction control intervening(the engine jerks when it intervenes) and down the next straight, max revs in 3rd and 4th, braking down from 240 km/h to around 80 km/h, the back of the car doing a gentle sway on the bumps in braking area, tight nearly 90 degree corner, another straight, perhaps 265 km/h braking down to around 150 km/h for the tight flowing corner, more rampant oversteer. The scream of the engine changinging down at high revs, even now I have goosebumps thinking about it.

In short the first lap was terrifying, the 2nd was a bit bit better but the next 3 were awesome, the GTO is an absolute monster this gentleman was really giving it everything, to feel the force and power of this car, the handling, the way the systems work was astonishing, an experience beyond anything I thought possible. Even with a helment on the scream of the V12 is intoxicating.

After 7 laps I got out, having felt I have experienced one of the truly great Ferraris, to be able to experience it at this limit was something I wont ever ever forget. (I will admit my hand was shaking).

Spent 5 laps in a 458 and its astonishing too, oh so agile but it doesnt have that fear factor that GTO has or that wailing, screaming V12.

In time I will do a proper write up on this day for Scuderia GTO.

 

Pictures to follow.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v59/Ferrari360/Cars/GTOfrontside.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v59/Ferrari360/Cars/TDF458.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v59/Ferrari360/Cars/458s-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v59/Ferrari360/Cars/458sun.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v59/Ferrari360/Cars/4581-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v59/Ferrari360/Cars/599GTOside.jpg

 

I haven't tracked my GTO (yet) but I tracked my 458 yesterday in race mode and the car is a precision instrument. I agree with you that the brute force of the GTO can not be replicated by the 458. I know my GTO wouldn't have been as forgiving in a few corners where I needed the ECU. Kudos to you for using the car as it was meant. On a track, full throttle.

Cheers

 

Jacques,

I'm already looking forward to your "proper write up" as this write up was already top of the bill as far as I'm concerned. Felt like being in the car while reading it.

And some say this isn't a "driver's car". So much for that. I'm glad you enjoyed it and got to experience the 599 GTO in a habitat it likes very much.

We very much look forward to your write-ups for Scuderia GTO.

Thanks Jacques.

M

 

Thanks for the kind words, have started working on a more comprehensive write up for Scuderia GTO!

 

Here a video of the 599 GTO on track at Monza last saterday;

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X15LSUCtr5Q[/ame]

 

Very nice!!

 

Ee781bt is my CAR

 

Amazing! How did the GTO compair in times to the 458 on a high speed track? That must have been fun to watch the red 458 and the white GTO.

Jim

 

yours looks almost like mine ))

 

see the front discs glowing at 1.03 ...

 

Sweet.

 

Au passage bonjour Mister M! à voir d'urgence les photos de Wouter Melisen por ce qui est du Superamerica 45 http://www.***************.com/car/4848/Ferrari-Superamerica-45.html

 

bene, bene....U-L-T-I-M-A-T-E / C-A-R / P-A-G-E

 

Bonjour Christian. I hope all us well. Long time no chat. Thanks for the link but ... to be honest ... I prefer the Aperta and ... the GTO. Great project none-the-less.

Hasta luego

M

 

Love the black tail lights on the red GTO in the video. I almost thought it was a 599XX.