Track time in a 430 and a 612........ | FerrariChat
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Track time in a 430 and a 612........

Discussion in '612/599' started by kizdan, May 26, 2005.

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  1. kizdan

    kizdan F1 Veteran

    Dec 31, 2003
    5,505
    #1 kizdan, May 26, 2005
    I attended an event where I got to drive both the 430 and the 612 around the road course at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Here are my impressions of both;

    430
    The 430 is just about the perfect sports car. The F1 tranny works amazingly well, the best I have ever experienced. The balance of the car was absolutely superb.......you could make it do exactly what you want it to do. The best car I have ever driven on a track, which is exactly what I expected it to be.

    612
    Now you probably don't first think of a 612 as a track car, but let me tell you......this car was the surprise of the day. The car shrinks around you the more you drive it. The handling and braking was amazing for a 4 seat GT weighing as much as it does. And the torque! Did I mention the torque? When you feed the power in out of a corner, it just comes on llike nobody's business.....it just pushes like a freight train. I did not have the opportunity to turn off the stability program, you could feel it interfering when feeding the massive power in. This was probably a good thing, since power like this could easily get you into trouble if you are not paying attention. This car is, by far, the best all around car Ferrari has ever produced. You could drive it day in and day out, and slip in track days whenever you want. Very, very impressive.
     
  2. Bmyth-FDC

    Bmyth-FDC F1 Rookie

    Oct 4, 2002
    2,742
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    Byron
    #2 Bmyth-FDC, May 26, 2005
    Dan,
    These are interesting findings... I have a 456 GT that I track on occasion. I feel the same way about the torque - I remember going to a Maserati test drive at Cal Speedway not too long ago, where a few 612's were being taken out for hot laps for would-be owners... boy, it was a sight to see the big cars being pushed hard around the road track!

    Thanks for sharing.

    Byron
     
  3. Cavallini

    Cavallini Formula 3

    Nov 2, 2003
    1,835
    #3 Cavallini, May 26, 2005
    Many thanks for the insights.

    It seems that Ferrari's chief engineer Amedeo Felisa and his team will have to be known as the 'metal maestro.' His/their first work was the 360.



    Forza,


    Cavallini
     
  4. phil612

    phil612 Karting

    Apr 22, 2004
    239
    UK
    #4 phil612, May 26, 2005
    Great news, I've only got a month left to wait!
     
  5. dave_fonz_164

    dave_fonz_164 Formula 3

    Mar 11, 2004
    1,658
    Montreal, Canada
    Full Name:
    Davide Giuseppe F.
    #5 dave_fonz_164, May 26, 2005
    out of curiosity, in straight line performance, are the 612 and 430 close?

    the 612 is a masterpiece, a true worldbeater,why would neone even post a thread about its competitiveness versus the opposition?
     
  6. netviper

    netviper Formula Junior

    Nov 2, 2003
    659
    Saint Augustine
    Full Name:
    Dave
    #6 netviper, May 26, 2005
    How did the TQ of the 430 compared to a 360?

    Sounds like the 612 was fun to drive. At least on the inside you dont have to look at it! :)
     
  7. phil612

    phil612 Karting

    Apr 22, 2004
    239
    UK
    #7 phil612, May 27, 2005
    Because many people were scared off by it's radical appearance.
     
  8. Chiaro_Slag

    Chiaro_Slag F1 Veteran

    Oct 31, 2003
    7,789
    CA
    Full Name:
    Jerry
    #8 Chiaro_Slag, May 27, 2005
    I had a great time watching you throw the 456 around the track in Vegas. Well done! :)
     
  9. wachuko

    wachuko Rookie

    Dec 24, 2003
    42
    Orlando, FL
    Full Name:
    Jaime O. Diaz
    #9 wachuko, May 27, 2005
    Photos don't do justice to the 612. I got a chance to see it in the flesh and the car is awesome.. there is no photo that can give you the sense of how wide this car is. Beautiful lines.
     
  10. nejcdolinsek

    nejcdolinsek Karting

    Dec 2, 2003
    211
    #10 nejcdolinsek, May 28, 2005
    And just watch in 10 years how people will be commenting on how beautiful the 612 was...
     
  11. jaturon

    jaturon Formula 3

    Oct 25, 2004
    1,599
    Bangkok Thailand
    Full Name:
    Zane
    #11 jaturon, May 29, 2005
    Smack on!
     
  12. Ulmis

    Ulmis Formula Junior

    Apr 16, 2005
    352
    #12 Ulmis, May 31, 2005
    i`ve seen one in Romania , absolutely awesome
     
  13. gougoul

    gougoul Formula 3

    Nov 25, 2004
    1,305
    Geneva, Switzerland
    #13 gougoul, May 31, 2005
    I always wondered how you could drive around these cars in eastern block...
    with a bullet proof jacket ?
    Or like in brazil with 3 swat cars in front and back ?
     
  14. Ulmis

    Ulmis Formula Junior

    Apr 16, 2005
    352
    #14 Ulmis, May 31, 2005
    A sample of swiss humour , isn`t it ? No you don`t need that kind of gadgets to drive your car around , and exotic car theft in Romania ... well you don`t have this kind of problem.
     
  15. gougoul

    gougoul Formula 3

    Nov 25, 2004
    1,305
    Geneva, Switzerland
    #15 gougoul, May 31, 2005
    ;)
    Well, maybe it depends if you're one of the big mafia playas :D
     
  16. Neal K.

    Neal K. Karting

    May 9, 2005
    161
    Clarence, N.Y.
    Full Name:
    Neal
    #16 Neal K., May 31, 2005
    Hey Dan K., when can I order a 600 Imola from
    you ... let me know, s'il vous plait.
    Are you standing next to Sergio Pininfarina in
    your "profile" picture?
    Neal K.
     
  17. jjmalez

    jjmalez F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 8, 2005
    6,712
    Northern Illinois
    Full Name:
    Joseph
    #17 jjmalez, Jun 1, 2005
    this is also the biggest car ferrari has ever produced. the car is too big. in person or in photos, this is a very large car in size and weight.

    just my .02
     
  18. phil612

    phil612 Karting

    Apr 22, 2004
    239
    UK
    #18 phil612, Jun 2, 2005
    Weight...

    Ferrari 456M GTA - 1770 KG (70 KG less)
    Ferrari 575M -1775 KG (65 KG less)
    BMW M5 - 1830 KG (10 KG less)
    Ferrari 612 - 1840 KG
    Mercedes SL500 - 1845 KG (5 KG more)
    Bentley Continental GT - 2385 KG (545 KG more)

    Weight really isn't an issue here. Size, yes it's a big car but in person it hunkers down low. Although I have to say I'm just a little bias...
     
  19. stephens

    stephens F1 Rookie
    Lifetime Rossa

    Feb 13, 2004
    4,647
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Stephen S
    #19 stephens, Jun 2, 2005
    Ferrari weights quoted are kerb weight. The German car weights quoted are according to EC standards which include driver, luggage and 90% tank of fuel,
    so the 612 is actually around 130kg heavier than an M5
     
  20. Fred32097

    Fred32097 Karting

    Apr 6, 2005
    180
    North Carolina
    Full Name:
    Fred
    #20 Fred32097, Jun 3, 2005
    Great styling is always a little controversial when it is introduced. I've been watching auto introductions since the '55 Chevy. The Bangle Butt was aweful, horrible. One of America's most popular cars will soon have a bangle of it's own and it looks great. The designs that break new ground always take some heat. In a few years they are appreciated for how great they are. The look of the 612 will appear in future F products and will be judged great in the end.
     

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