Hong Kong Supercar Club - Shanghai Trackday - Singaporean Driver | FerrariChat
Buy

Hong Kong Supercar Club - Shanghai Trackday - Singaporean Driver

Discussion in 'Asia' started by banduga, May 25, 2005.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Page 1 of 2
  1. banduga

    banduga Karting

    Mar 22, 2004
    229
    Hong Kong
    #1 banduga, May 25, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Apologies to anyone using dial-up!

    This was May 14/15, at the Shanghai International Circuit. Day One we got rained out, but everybody was still gung-ho, resulting in a few unfortunate fender-benders. I myself spun out on turn 6 during my very first session! Most painful was a Stradale which rear-ended a wall... :(

    It was nice to have such a large variety of cars, from the Enzo to the F430 to the Porsches. Even the lone E55 was having a great time! The back straight gave everyone the chance to really open up, and this is where the Murcielagos ruled the street cars with their brute power.

    Day Two was incredible, with the weather being dry and sunny. Even though the cars weren't divided into groups like on the first day, traffic was still manageable. A lot of the drivers didn't bother turning up for Day Two, and some of the cars that were banged up on the previous day didn't go out.

    I got to ride with Charles Kwan (a very famous HK racecar driver), and I learned more from those 2 laps with him at the wheel than I could by driving 20 laps myself! It was wonderful to see and experience what a car can really do, and to discover the limits with someone who has been there. I used to race motorcycles, and thought that racecar drivers had it easy. They do a little bit, but not as easy as I expected. I have SO much more respect for them now!

    I have attached some pictures, even though it took me ages to decide what to include! I started out with over 200 you know! I hope you all enjoy! BTW, if you look closely at the very first picture, you can see me, with my wife next to me, filming with her digital camera. :)
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. banduga

    banduga Karting

    Mar 22, 2004
    229
    Hong Kong
    #2 banduga, May 25, 2005
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Oh, and here are pictures of a lap of the track. Just LOOK at the length of that straight!!! LOOK AT IT!!!

    NOTE: In case you're wondering... The pics were taken during different laps, so sometimes the F430 is in front of me, and other times its not. ;)
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  3. AC6

    AC6 Formula Junior

    Sep 14, 2004
    651
    Hong Kong
    Full Name:
    Justin
    #3 AC6, May 25, 2005
    Amazing pics! Thanks for posting!
    Were the 430's from HK or Shanghai? Cause its LHD...
     
  4. Wolfgang

    Wolfgang F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 8, 2003
    16,743
    Heidelberg, Germany
    Full Name:
    Wolfgang
    #4 Wolfgang, May 25, 2005
    Wonderful! Thanks a lot for posting & sharing with us.
    HH Supercar Club sounds pretty good and looks impressive.
     
  5. judge4re

    judge4re F1 World Champ

    Apr 26, 2003
    13,477
    Never home
    Full Name:
    Dr. Dumb Ass
    #5 judge4re, May 25, 2005
    Let me know when the next one is Mark. Too bad I had to be in Tokyo that next day. Let's do dinner and not just drinks next time.

    Cheers,
    Erik
     
  6. lung7707

    lung7707 F1 World Champ

    Jan 13, 2002
    15,967
    Honolulu, Hawaii
    Full Name:
    Rupert 9.0
    #6 lung7707, May 25, 2005
    AWESOME PHOTOS!! Wish I was there.
     
  7. banduga

    banduga Karting

    Mar 22, 2004
    229
    Hong Kong
    #7 banduga, May 25, 2005
    Thank you for looking! Great observation too! Yes, the F430s were from the China Ferrari Dealer. I'm not really sure who exactly that is though... Seems to be quite a lot of politics involved.

    For sure! Imagine if you did manage to come, you would have been able to ride in both the GT2 and the GT3! Don't really see a similar opportunity coming round soon, but I'll will try my best!

    Yes! Such a shame that we missed each other by about a week or so. Anyways, I'm sure we can meet up in Singapore soon, hopefully for a round of golf too!

    BTW, you would have enjoyed watching the yellow GranSport they had. It was really flying!
     
  8. asianbond

    asianbond Formula 3

    Nov 8, 2003
    1,276
    Full Name:
    Chris
    #8 asianbond, May 26, 2005
    Great shots, thanks for the photos.

    How did the GT2 perform?
     
  9. pistole

    pistole Formula Junior

    Jan 31, 2005
    771
    Malaysia
    #9 pistole, May 27, 2005
    excellent pics there !

    you guys sure look like you had a good time there.

    nice to see cars being driven as they should be.

    we're organising another trackday in early July at Sepang ..... if anyone
    is interested ......

    cheers !!
     
  10. banduga

    banduga Karting

    Mar 22, 2004
    229
    Hong Kong
    #10 banduga, May 27, 2005
    Hi Chris!

    First day in the rain? Horrendous! The thing is putting out 450bhp minimum, through the rear tyres, on dry suspension settings, with Pirelli Corsa semi-slicks. I was really disappointed in myself because, even though I used to race bikes (and got my first podium in the rain), I totally over-looked the importance of good suspension settings. It was weaving down the back straight at over 200km/h, and was just plain dangerous. It was only after I rode my friend's street car (the yellow 993 Twin Turbo in the pictures) that I realised how badly set-up the GT2 was. I went back to the pits, and immediately asked my mechanics to soften everything up by HALF. Oh my... What a difference. However, it was late already, and I just decided to call it a day.

    The next day? OMFG!!! Stiffened everything back up, and OWNED the track! NOTHING came past me that day! Its difficult to feel the speed on a large, wide track, but the power became glaringly obvious when I started overtaking "supercars" (360s, 430s, Lamborghinis, and other 911s) like they were going backwards! Steering was very neutral, but constantly felt on edge. I was glad that I learned to be gentle with throttles from my biking days. Nevertheless, the back-end let go on me 3 times. 2 were from coming out of 2nd gear corners and being a bit heavy-footed. 3rd time had me off the track because I was unbalanced making a left-to-right transition after (very rudely) overtaking an F430 in the corner (which were weren't supposed to do since it was only a trackday and not a race). My bad... ;)

    To be honest, the GT3 RS (#28) was easier to drive, and I think I could be more consistent with in a shorter amount of time. The GT2 takes more skill and experience, both of which I'm lacking in terms of cars. :(

    Mark
     
  11. banduga

    banduga Karting

    Mar 22, 2004
    229
    Hong Kong
    #11 banduga, May 27, 2005
    Thank you! It was an INCREDIBLE time. Truly a dream.

    As for Sepang, I have something planned there too... I'll PM you!
     
  12. cwwhk

    cwwhk Formula 3

    Nov 13, 2003
    1,535
    Hong Kong, Tokyo
    Full Name:
    Wayne
    #12 cwwhk, May 30, 2005
    Very nice pics.

    With pouring rain did you run with the P-Zero Corsa or Corsa Directionale tires? If Corsa, then you are one brave guy. In any case neither Corsa nor Corsa systems are really that good in dry condition compared to Michelin Pilot Sport. My team mate and I were originally going to race our 360C on Corsas but after one practice session at SIC decided to switch to the Michlins.

    I am a bit surprised that the GT2 can easily pass F430, but I suppose in full street trim F430 has at least 150kg weight penalty over the race preped GT2.
     
  13. banduga

    banduga Karting

    Mar 22, 2004
    229
    Hong Kong
    #13 banduga, May 30, 2005
    Thanks for the compliment! Means a lot coming from you! :)

    They were the "normal" Corsas, which is why I was all over the place. Like I always tell people: "Its a thin line between bravery and stupidity." I was definitely WAY over on the stupid-side due to inexperience.

    I've always been a Michelin guy, but it seems that everybody is raving about the Pirellis. Oh well, I just hope I get more driving time with different tyres so I can truly compare and feel the differences.
     
  14. tuck

    tuck Formula Junior

    Jan 23, 2004
    919
    #14 tuck, May 30, 2005

    Great pics!!! very inspirational

    Just by reading your post makes me want to hit the tracks. Problem is my car is not that fast nor does handles as well as the GT2 :( sigh....
     
  15. cwwhk

    cwwhk Formula 3

    Nov 13, 2003
    1,535
    Hong Kong, Tokyo
    Full Name:
    Wayne
    #15 cwwhk, May 30, 2005
    Funny thing is that Corsa and Pilot Sport are both rated at tread wear 60. So I guess Michelin simply has a better compound. I was told by the F430 owner who attended the SIC trackday that Pilot Sport is 1 second faster than the Corsa at ZIC. Based on my Shanghai race experience I'd say that sounds about right. In any case you did very well driving in pouring rain with Corsa and didn't crash. Knock on wood.
     
  16. eddiechang

    eddiechang Rookie

    May 10, 2005
    14
    So.Cal
    #16 eddiechang, May 30, 2005
    Excellant Pics. Two things I notice, drivers did not wear full racing suit, one guy only wear a regular T-shirt. Secondly, drivers did not wear HANS device. What was an average speed on Shanghai track ? Love to run with your group someday.
     
  17. JimC

    JimC Karting

    Jul 11, 2002
    137
    HK / Houston TX
    Full Name:
    Jim
    #17 JimC, May 31, 2005
    May I ask how the R34 did in the rain? I knew that car has about 600+ hp. Which car were you riding in when you were riding with CK? It looked like a fun track day that I missed.
     
  18. ultimo

    ultimo Formula Junior

    Feb 14, 2004
    454
    #18 ultimo, May 31, 2005
    I dun know about you guys, but when i last tried wearing hans, i felt like there was something choking me...perhaps i am not used to it, but i feel for normal track days its not really necessary...just my 2 cents. As for racing suit...again way too hot even with the A/C on....just take the chance that you dun catch fire ;)
     
  19. ultimo

    ultimo Formula Junior

    Feb 14, 2004
    454
    #19 ultimo, May 31, 2005
    Michelin for track cars are always better in performance, but are extremely hard to acquire, espcially the latest spec compounds (they are real *****y and ask lots of questions). Pirelli are not as good as michelin but are easily available.
     
  20. donoe

    donoe Formula Junior

    Oct 20, 2004
    903
    SoCal
    Full Name:
    BHANE
    #20 donoe, May 31, 2005
    Whoa!!! Great pics and check out that track!!! The layout and design, amazing...
     
  21. banduga

    banduga Karting

    Mar 22, 2004
    229
    Hong Kong
    #21 banduga, May 31, 2005
    Its not about what you drive (unless you're trying to win a race), but about being somewhere that you can push a car to the limits in a reasonably safe environment! My first time in Sepang back in 1999, after testing a bike, I took a Proton Saga out (it was all I could find), and really enjoyed it! Throttle and brakes were not a factor in unsettling the car, and no gear-shifting, so just went sliding around and around...

    Damn... Who am I trying to kid? GT2 RULES!!! :D :D :D
     
  22. banduga

    banduga Karting

    Mar 22, 2004
    229
    Hong Kong
    #22 banduga, May 31, 2005
    Just a normal track day, so many were in shorts and t-shirts. Drivers were let out with generous spacing, no over-taking in corners, etc. Many didn't even have proper helmets, using cheap motorcycling helmets instead, let alone HANS devices!

    Average speed? I think everyone hit at least 250km/h on the back straight. As fr lap times, I timed myself at 2:30, and Charles Kwan in the same car at 2:20.
     
  23. banduga

    banduga Karting

    Mar 22, 2004
    229
    Hong Kong
    #23 banduga, May 31, 2005
    Hmm... Didn't really notice the R34 in the rain, but I know it was one of the faster cars in the event.

    CK took me out in "my" GT2... He knows the owners, and so do I, so I rented it, and he drove it when I wasn't driving it.
     
  24. pistole

    pistole Formula Junior

    Jan 31, 2005
    771
    Malaysia
    #24 pistole, May 31, 2005
    tuck , tracking doesn't mean that you have to be at edge all the time.

    a trackday is more about you learning your skills and the car's limits in
    a very safe enviroment. Trust me , you get familiar real fast in the corners.

    we'll be in Sepang in early July , come if you're interested. We're also often
    available at the Pasir Gudang circuit here in Johor.

    cheers.
     
  25. pistole

    pistole Formula Junior

    Jan 31, 2005
    771
    Malaysia
    #25 pistole, May 31, 2005
    as for the full race suit/hans ... haha , some of us come in shorts and
    tees. just make sure you have a decent helmet , gloves and shoes.

    no need to go overboard. we always get a good chuckle out of the
    'over-dressed' blokes.
     
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page