Challenge Stradale lap time at Laguna Seca

Interesting info! In a comparison between the GT3 RS and CS on Top Gear, they did identical lap times. So if the GT3 RS can do 1:39.5, the CS may be able to match it. Seems that I have a few seconds to shave from my time but I doubt that I can get below 1:42 before I put it into a wall.

My car is modified with a quiet switch that prevents the bypass from opening so it passes sound. I'm sure the same can be done to your Scuderia. Contact me if you want the info for the mechanic who did the mod for me.

 

Top Gear ran the older 996 GT3 RS (380Hp) and that car came with Pirelli Corsa System. The times I mentioned at Laguna Seca were done with the newer GT3, one 997 GT3 and another 997 GT3 RS (415Hp) both with pro-drivers and Michelin Pilot Sport Cups (235/305 and more grip than Pirellis). Top Gear is a TV show, hardly a good benchmark to compare cars, but plenty of fun.

Around 1:41 is what I think the 360CS on Pirelli Corsa can run at LS. If the car switches to wider Michelin Sport Cups (265/305) it should get under 1:40s (1:39.5 very possible) and with the Pirelli slicks from the challenge cars, it should get on the 1:36s. The biggest limitation on the 360CS are the soft spring rates and the skinny tires.

The F430 on equal tires exceeds the track performance on the 360CS, despite of being heavier by 250 lbs. Newer F430 are a little lighter due to the CCB brakes.

I had telemetry from one of my GT3 at Laguna Seca and Cal Speedway, and more telemetry at Cal Speedway with my 997 GT3 RS and the Scuderia.

 

Is the 997 GT3 RS 1.5 secs faster than the 996 GT3 RS? That's a lot.

Fastestlaps.com lists the CS as faster than the 430 at Fiorano whereas Wikipedia lists the CS as slower.

Motor Trend says the R8 did 1:40 at Laguna Seca (assuming it was on stock tires) so I still tend to think the CS can't be slower than a much heavier car, although the R8 has more torque and more grip with 4WD.

I try to conserve the engine by shifting at 8000. Can shifting at the 8500 redline shave some time?

At turn 1 I shift to 5th when the rev reaches almost 8000 in 4th between start/finish and the apex. Should I stay in 4th and let it get closer to redline?

 

Shifting does depend on the power curve, in some cars an early shift makes little difference. However in the CS, power keeps going straight up to red line, so you will see a difference from shifting at red line. When driving the challenge I actually experimented with shifting with one or both red lights on which is <100 rpm difference if I recall correctly, and it made a difference on the data - for example down the long straight at Road Atlanta, it made a couple of tenths of a difference (and this is just foot flat 2 thru 6, so no other difference).