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Tracking your Ferrari

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by 410SA, Apr 10, 2010.

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  1. 410SA

    410SA F1 Veteran

    Nov 2, 2003
    8,511
    West Coast
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    #1 410SA, Apr 10, 2010
    Napolis, an esteemed member, made the observation in a thread a few weeks ago that there are only two types of cars on a track (I'm paraphrasing here, so forgive the inaccuracies), cars that have crashed and cars that will crash. And in the case of the inevitable crash it is really useful to have a roll cage, fire system, full harness belts and a HANS system. Most road going Ferraris, including Scuds, CS and run of the mill 430's, 360's etc don't have those safety systems installed. I also know that the vast majority of modern (post 2000) Ferraris never see a track. Heck some of them never see daylight after they are safely parked in the owner's museum, eh garage.

    For those drivers who want to track their cars, there are many Driver's Ed type of events, usually run by enthusiast clubs like the Porsche Club or BMW club, where other marques are welcome, and these events have instructors aboard and rarely do the cars exceed 70% of their capability, but is there a program anywhere that can provide the safety paraphernalia for weekend warriors in their Ferraris. If you own a Mazda or a a Golf GTi, there is no shortage of race prep shops.

    Ferraris bought in Europe can be ordered with roll cages and harness belts, but the Feds somehow seem determined to keep absolute safety out of our high performance cars in the USA.
     
  2. Sareve

    Sareve F1 Rookie

    Oct 23, 2007
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    Singapore/Melbourne
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    Daniel
    #2 Sareve, Apr 10, 2010
    What is the reason for making roll cages and 4 point harnesses illegal?
     
  3. robert biscan

    robert biscan F1 Veteran
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    Jan 17, 2003
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    Nashville and Palm b
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    robert s biscan
    #3 robert biscan, Apr 10, 2010
    I have seen several cars crumpled up on the track. Sometimes it has been driver error and sometimes it has been track conditions. I bought a full fire suit, gloves, shoes, underwear, and a new helmet. My 16M doesn't have all the features mentioned. I have been thinking of getting a safer car for the track. I have attended 2 driving schools in days gone by and they do help a lot.
     
  4. Hawkeye

    Hawkeye F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Sep 20, 2009
    8,211
    #4 Hawkeye, Apr 10, 2010
    If you're going to do a weekend here and there to learn about handling characteristics of your car, I say do it and have fun. It's not a race, it's not timed and there are not trophies.

    But, you should never put anything on a track that you are not willing to write off. Things happen, especially at high performance driver education events with very inexperienced drivers pushing 7/10 in their cars ahead of and behind you.

    A lot of people are touting the track times of the new 599 GTO. That's fine but this is not a safe car for the track and potentially very expensive for the owner. An experienced track driver in a real track car (BMW 3 Series/Mazda/Miata, etc) will be on the back bumper of the novice in the 599 GTO very quickly.

    I say take your Ferrari to the track, if you LOVE the experience, buy a track car that is already built. More fun, safer and easier on your wallet should something go wrong. Our road cars are high performance road cars, not track cars, 599 GTO included.
     

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