Tracking a 355 Spider??

I have searched (albeit briefly) about the possibility of taking a 355 Spider to a track for a fun day. My father has expressed interest in taking their car to a track - but I told him that it might not be possible in a Spider because it's a Spider.

However, my searches have proven to not fully satisfy my questions. I am not asking about the car's ability on the track (yes, I know that it will be less rigid than a Berlinetta, or likely even a GTS), nor the safety ramifications of a topless car during a track day. Several track websites have an 'approved' convertibles list - but only because those cars either have fixed roll hoops or an active rollover system on them - neither of which the 355 Spider has.

I would like to know if anyone has done it, and what modifications were required. Hopefully the 'modifications' aren't "sell it and get a Berlinetta".

 

Most tracks will just require a cage. No other issues

I have a spider, gts and b.

 

What about smaller, non-tracked venues, such as SCCA autocross events and the like?

 

sure autocross it. they do great

I autocrossed my diesel truck for giggles

 

It’s allowed at FCA sanctioned events. Dig a little deeper as I recall that Spiders are only supppsed to run in the 2 slowest classes.

Last event they did let me run in group 3
(Faster ).

I have had no luck other than FCA if the Spider is in stock form ( no cage ).





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Don’t do it, you Krazykarguy!!!

 

Some tracks will let you but limit you t slower groups and point to pass groups. Phone the track or event planner. Its site and day specific from what I have been involved with.

 

Your location says Bay area but that looks like a shot of Harris Hill in San Marcos, Texas. How did you find yourself so far away for such a small, lesser known track? Also, how was the spider on that track? I have had my Corvette out there a few times but I just assume the F355 won't like all of the bumps out there with it being so low to the ground.

 

Born and raised in Danville, CA. I moved to Austin for 2 years, after I sold my house in the Bay Area, and to see what all the buzz was about. Now I am back in Cali now (Socal).

I bought 2 houses with cash in ATX and Canyon Lake and sill had $$$ left over.

I would drive right past San Marcos when I went to my Lake House. It was really good living but missed Cali a lot.

Anyhow, yes that was an FCA track event in San Marcos. We ran the track in reverse and it was a lot of fun. They combined the San Antonio Chapter with our ATX Chapter.

My car is set-up at Stock Ride Height so the bumps were no problem at all from a clearance stand point.

My car is aligned with a little under steer versus the over steer that many 355 I have seen. So no “oh crap” moments. The newer F Cars with the duel clutch, way more power, driver assist, etc were way too much for me to pace. Super fun and goes along with my Karting, Street Bike Riding, and racing jet skis mantra: ....... Driving fast belongs on the track, not on the public streets.

There was a guy in a 360 doing donuts and going nuts. He said he was an ex Rally Car driver. He pushed people around like he was thinking “ rubbing is racing”. Later I learned he did more donuts on a club drive. He rocked chipped so many F Cars doing his donuts, that I later learned the members wanted him voted off the island.

 

Cool man, I'm always happily surprised to see people post pictures of themselves at Harris Hill. I have a lot of fun there.

Maybe I'll bring the F355 out there after all, at least to get a feel for how it drives closer to the limit.

 

Definitely give the 355 a go on the track. It will be an entirely different experience than the Corvette, but super fun.

What model Corvette did you have ? How was it set-up ?

 

I'll get it out there but I'm not going to push it real hard, just some spirited laps. I got the spider model knowing it would just see street duty. I'll stick with the Vette for hard laps, it's much cheaper to fix.

The Corvette is nothing special, it's a base C4 with some little tweaks. I still have it and I still track it every so often. The C4 gets very little respect from just about everyone so it's a bit of a sleeper. I have no fear pushing it to the limit because it's so cheap to replace. If I wad it up I can replace it for about the cost of a set of F355 wheel bearings.

 

So tell my dad to get a C4 instead. Got it.

 

Track your 355 at FCA events. Just tell them what your intentions are and it should be okay. Assuming just want some seat time on the track to wring the car out, but not push it.

 

I haven't done much research, but the car is in the north east. What FCA events at what tracks are typical? New Hampshire? Lime Rock? Watkins Glen? Monticello?

Just curious... this is giving me excellent Father's Day ideas!

 

https://www.ferrariclubofamerica.org/index.cfm/ID/25/FeaturedEvents

 

It really does not take much to roll any car and often at lower speeds than you think. It also takes very little in time, dollars, and holes in your 355 to have your local raceshop make you a bespoke bolt in 4pt rollover hoop. This way if you start to enjoy the track you have the 4pt hoop to anchor your harnesses to and they can be HANS or other head and neck restraint compatible. It would take about an hour to bolt-in before you leave for the track. Overnight in the hospital is way more expensive and painful than commissioning a 4pt.