Track day infamy... | FerrariChat
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Track day infamy...

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by thibaut, Aug 4, 2006.

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  1. thibaut

    thibaut Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2004
    530
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    Thibaut A.
    #1 thibaut, Aug 4, 2006
    Hello to all

    Yesterday everything was planned for a nice afternoon enjoying my 550. Half a day off from work, GT circuit at Bedford (UK), car supposedly in great shape, beautiful weather. Two ferraris show up: mine and 308 GT4.

    On the chicane after the long straight, I feel the car tail getting very light and no grip so I end up in a nice 360. I see the marshall frantically waving at me an realise a lot of white smoke coming out of the car. At first I feel it may be the tires but then it's obvious something else is wrong.

    Car is covered with coolant. Marshall explains that I have been loosing quite a lot of coolant on the straight. Before I cutoff I glance at water temp which reads about 100 C (out of normal range... not good).

    I spend the rest of the sesssion arranging towing of the car to my trusted mechanic.

    I of course get the mix of commiseration and jokes. The more modern ferrari has gone up in smoke.

    At this stage I don't know what went wrong and I wait to hear from Verdi. I guess it should be either hose splitting or a clamp coming loose. The problem occured when I started pushing the car and I had been driving for 2 hours without problems before that. Hopefully the engine and other various components will not have suffered from this.

    Anyway, I made my contribution to the "ferrari are un-reliable" legend. And missed out on a gorgeous track day. Hopefully will not have to spend $$$$ fixing this.

    My porssche never let mee down on the track. Have other owners experienced lower reliablity compared to other makes when it comes to tracking (gently) the car ?
    I must had the car is totally up to date service wise.

    Cheers

    Thibaut
     
  2. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Dec 10, 2005
    100,224
    Mount Isa, Australia
    Full Name:
    Pap
    #2 PAP 348, Aug 4, 2006
    Sorry to hear mate. Hopefully there isnt any terminal engine damage. :( There alot of Ferrari owners that track their newer cars world wide. It would be nice if the factory would fit low coolant level sensors in the coolant tank on all the new Ferrari's. Once the coolant level drops below a certain level, it lets you know by flashing a light on the dash. You can fit your own kit, but from factory would be cool. Would not cost much and for the amount of money you pay for the car, it would be neglible anyways. :)
     
  3. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

    Apr 20, 2002
    10,676
    Worldwide
    Full Name:
    Steven
    #3 enjoythemusic, Aug 4, 2006
    Thibaut,

    Have seen everything from VW to Porsche to Subies have trouble at the track in the past year alone. Of course it can also come down to car preperation and perhaps your Porsches were better prepared for track use.
     
  4. thibaut

    thibaut Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2004
    530
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    Thibaut A.
    #4 thibaut, Aug 4, 2006
    Well my car was fully serviced at leading specialist and is - was - in tip top- condition.
    Still haven't heard from my specialist.

    The good news is that my 360 spin - because of coolant being spilled - did not result in the car crashing heavily on something.
     
  5. Ferrari 360 CS

    Ferrari 360 CS F1 Veteran

    Dec 4, 2004
    6,892
    Cape Town,SA
    Full Name:
    Jacques
    #5 Ferrari 360 CS, Aug 4, 2006
    Sorry to hear, thankfully thr 360 spin wasnt a high speed one....at least from your post it didnt sound like it...

    Hopefully no engine damage, could have been the hose connector in the middle of the V?
     
  6. cavallo_nero

    cavallo_nero Formula 3

    Nov 3, 2003
    1,707
    colorado
    Full Name:
    Giovanni Pasquale
    #6 cavallo_nero, Aug 4, 2006
    duh, when i first read your post, i thought your 550 was light in the rear, so you SWICHED cars to a nice 360 ferrari. not a 360 spin, ok, so i am not confused anymore - or..........
     
  7. venusone

    venusone F1 Rookie

    Mar 20, 2004
    3,238
    #7 venusone, Aug 4, 2006
    Yeah, blame it on the engine.
     
  8. thibaut

    thibaut Formula Junior

    Feb 28, 2004
    530
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    Thibaut A.
    #8 thibaut, Aug 8, 2006
    Hi
    Hey 360 CS are you a fortune teller ?
    Anyway, you are right. The hose in the V was split.
    Only prob is that you have to take out manifold to change the hose. so a bit of labour.

    Hopefully the is the end of the story and nothing else damaged.

    T
     
  9. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,244
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #9 Rifledriver, Aug 8, 2006
    If it was one of the early hoses that has a rib on each side of the clamp they are famous for that. If so it should have been changed several years ago when the hose vendor and design was changed.
     

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