Speed

My son/daughter live in NV, where I will be picking up my "new" 328GTS on/about Aug 18. A few days ago they sent me an email about the classic, asking me to stick around in the area and run the Ferrari at the classic. At first I said I wasn't interested but I am reconsidering. It would be a great opportunity to REALLY see what the GTS can do. Unfortunately, as a "rookie" in that event, I've read that I would not be allowed to exceed 124MPH at any time, which hardly seems worth the trouble and the price of the entry fee though it would be fun to do that legally for an extended period on a real road instead of just brief illegal blasts or time on the track. But $495 to enter PLUS $250 for the required rookie driver's school? Well, we'll see...

 

I've run the Silver State (or the companion event, the Nevada Open Road Challenge) every year since '99, plus a bunch of other Open Road Racing events.

In general, the SSCC events are great events. Mainly social, with a bit of speed mixed in. Lots of fun, but they have gone downhill the last few years. Lots of politics lately. The last Nevada Open Road Challenge in May was a disaster. Hope the September event will be better. I've run my 308GTS in three of the SSCC events, but am running a Corvette Z06 now in the 145mph class (i.e., trying to average 145mph on a 90 mile stretch of two lane highway from a standing start). Mainly a way for old f**ts to drive their cars fast in a reasonably safe environment (OK...running 165mph for 20 miles or so on a two lane highway is never that safe....even if the road is closed). But life begins at 150mph.

Far better events are the ones put on in Texas (Big Bend Open Road Race). Website: www.bborr.com. And the MKM events put on in Nevada (Pony Express and Bonneville 100). Website: www.openroadracing.com.

In running a Ferrari, the big problem is the safety equipment requirements. If you plan to run in the higher classes (average speed over 125mph), you need to install a roll bar. Most people don't want to rip up their cars that much. Of course, my 308 starts to lift the front end at 115, so I'm a bit speed limited in that car.

But I'll be there in September.

Bob
'78 308GTS
'01 Corvette Z06 (with a roll bar)

 

Of course, my 308 starts to lift the front end at 115, so I'm a bit speed limited in that car.

But I'll be there in September.

Bob
'78 308GTS
'01 Corvette Z06 (with a roll bar)

Question: I don't do it now, but I can remember running 130+ MPH several years ago in my 78 308 GTS and it was like it was glued to the ground. I don't remember any lift at all. At about 125 the car would drop about 1 2/2" on the suspension and accelerate a little without additional gas peddle input. Anyone else have similar experience?

Randy
Lubbock, TX
78 308GTS
01 Corvette (convertible)

 

Randy,

Mine is a GT4, so can't compare it really. My experience (on the no-speed-limits German Autobahn, which is less than 100 miles from here ) is that the car is very stable and planted up to around 125. Above that, it is asking progressively more attention all the way up to its 165 mph top speed (redline in 5th). With two on board and trunk full of travelling gear (clothing and stuff for a week), I've done up to about 150 mph. 165 mph really is for when you are alone in the car, noting in the back and tanks half full at most.

FWIW

Hans
(we're doing an FChat BBQ this Sunday, including some Autobahn miles )

 

The first time I ran it at speed, it was stock. After that rather unsettling experience, I added a Euro spoiler. Problem solved. With the deep spoiler, it was very stable at speed. But I only took it up to 125 or so.

The Euro spoiler was such a pain that I ended up taking it off. Haven't had it up to high speeds since.

Bob
'78 308GTS
'01 Corvette Z06