Latest addition ... 458 Challenge

Short update ... more details and pics to follow later this week ...

One word ... WOW. This car is amazing and such fun to drive. The grip with slicks is just phenomenal and the car is very well balanced.

The shakedown was a dream come true. Car performed well and all systems worked flawless. Engine, gearbox, suspension, ... flawless.

I was able to do very consistent lap times at the end of the day. Did very respectable 1 min 20.3 times which were, according to professional driver's who were present, very good. Key was to be consistent and the last 15 laps were all within 0.1 seconds of each other. Mind you, Clastres is a very twisty, very technical track with series of difficult corners. In addition, it is a very narrow track.

Weather was dry for most of the time (some drops of rain) but we were able to drive with slicks all day. Did get some trouble because of pick up (there were road Ferrari's present on the track) in the afternoon, creating under steer (less grip) in the quickest corner on the track but the positive thing is that the car gives you very good feedback.

She is bloody quick and needs to be treated with respect. She's demanding to drive but at the same time very rewarding.

My team did a great job. Very professional people to work with and they prepped the car to perfection.

All in all ... we had a perfect day and I'm very, very excited about the track days to come. This was better than I could have wished for.

More feedback and pics to follow later this week.

PS: As to the question how she compared vs the GTO: Still love and worship my GTO as I did before I drove my Challenge. But ... you can't compare the two. Different cars, different philosophy. The GTO is such an amazing car providing loads of fun on the track and on the street. The Challenge ... track only but what it does on a track is just amazing.

Obviously having both is the pinnacle

 

Thanks my friend. Spot on comment with regards to the GTO

You will love the 458C ces!!! It is a beast but keep in mind to always respect it. You need to focus 100% because she can get tricky. Play with the tire pressures. I had 2.2 in the front in the morning and found the car to under steer quite heavily. In the PM we dropped the pressure in the front to 2.0 bar and kept 2.2 in the back. She handled much better.

As to the GTO: Still a great car both on the road and the track. Mind you that the 458C is way better because she was built specifically for that purpose but that doesn't mean that the GTO lost any of it's appeal to me. Consider that we are both very lucky: we have the possibility to drive to the track in a GTO and step into the 458C once arrived and return in the GTO. It doesn't get any better than this

 

We finished the season last Sunday at the track where we started. Was able to shave off 3.5 seconds off my lap time from the start of the season. Really starting to feel very comfortable with the car and we have the set ups figured out.

What a machine this is. I simply love the 458C. Challenging to drive but very rewarding.

Some on board shots from the season with some happy passengers ...
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We played around with tire pressures, roll bars, ... . Also feel a lot more confident with the car so starting to drive it more and more with TC off.

Plenty of video but all large files and didn't have the time yet to put any on YouTube. Will try to play around with it over the winter and post some stuff.

We did 8 events and must have logged around 2,500 km.

Unfortunately not. Will be away for business and simply couldn't reschedule to accommodate the agenda. Will you be attending?

 

Same to you Jurgen.

Lovely picture. I miss her. Can't wait for the season to start. Roll out is planned for April 13th 2013. If you are interested in de program and if you would like to participate one day, just let me know and I can send you an e-mail with details of our 2013 season.

Cheers,

M

 

Thanks. FOD's 2012. Already looking forward to the 2013 edition. Will be there both days.

Thanks.

 

June 28 and 29.

No problem. Will send it to you soon.

 

We are all set for the season 2013 kick-off at Clastres.

Our new web site is on line (see below in signature)

Can't wait to get back out in the 458C