Modern Exotics, Vintage Racers: How do they compare? | FerrariChat
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Modern Exotics, Vintage Racers: How do they compare?

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by modena1_2003, May 11, 2013.

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  1. modena1_2003

    modena1_2003 F1 Rookie

    Aug 17, 2005
    3,954
    Full Name:
    Jon
    #1 modena1_2003, May 11, 2013
    Last edited: May 11, 2013
    Are we spending a two million dollars on an early 90's race car?

    Sure, as the years go on, the tech changes and numerous advancements bring us further into the future of road performance. But what about the numbers? We all know that road cars are always far behind the on-track performance of their contemporary race cars, but on my long drive home from work the other day, I was wondering which decade of race-car performance a modern exotic would fall into.

    And if anyone would like to go further with it, specifically to which fielded race car's performance would you compare a car with the estimated numbers of a P1 or LaFerrari?
     
  2. pma1010

    pma1010 F1 Rookie

    Jul 21, 2002
    2,559
    Chicago
    Full Name:
    Philip
    #2 pma1010, May 25, 2013
    Jon,
    Three perspectives.
    - A purpose built race car, even an older, low powered one tends to be more capable (faster) than a modern road car even at a quick track like Road America. A well driven Sports 2000 (140hp, about 1100lbs, wings, aero) like a Swift or Lola will turn around 2:16-2:20 at Road America. An Enzo or comparable will struggle to get to that level despite its greater power.
    - My old race car (a Lotus Élan) was built to 26R specs and produced 190-200 bhp while weighing about 1380lbs wet. My best was a 2:34.6 around the same track. It would top out about 140, maybe 145 mph, on the long straights so it was all about controlling corner speed.
    - Older cars like the Lotus are all about mechanical grip and to get the speed through the corners it was necessary to slide the car and a lot of car control involved controlling the slides. In contrast, newer road cars have tons of electronic aids so that you can pretty much floor the throttle and the electronics will control how much of the power goes to the wheels given the available tire grip, steering angle and so on.

    So, in sum, from my experience, I don't think there's a comparison but maybe others have different experience and perspectives.

    Philip
     

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