Don't Wreck Your GT

[centerpunch]

Isn't that a contradiction? Maybe I'm misunderstanding?

Other high power cars have traction control, making them comparatively easy to control.

Back when I used to instruct at Porsche club schools at Mid Ohio, there were lots of guys, with lots of money, driving very fast cars that didn't have the slightest idea what the f*ck they were doing, but were really trying to impress me, rather than learn anything.

Which is why I "retired" from instructing!

 

[Luke Warmwater]

Other high power cars have traction control, making them comparatively easy to control

I figured that's what you meant. I've never driven a car with traction control so I have no idea how that contributes to keeping the over-eager pointed in the right direction. I know with my truck I wouldn't let just anyone behind the wheel. When the turbo lit if you didn't have a good idea where you wanted to be pointed, things could get ugly in a hurry. I concur that hitting the go peddle abruptly while not pointing straight ahead is a recipe for a quick and unexpected roundy round. Be smooth...

 

[Derry]

I would also point out that a car with the motor behind you will behave differently than one with the motor in front. The parking lot or better yet a track are excellent suggestions to feel out the limits of the car. With the weight in back if you hit the gas too much in a turn it will spin you around faster than you may be used too. Enjoy!

 

[skyrex]

Other high power cars have traction control, making them comparatively easy to control.

Back when I used to instruct at Porsche club schools at Mid Ohio, there were lots of guys, with lots of money, driving very fast cars that didn't have the slightest idea what the f*ck they were doing, but were really trying to impress me, rather than learn anything.

Which is why I "retired" from instructing!

+1.......Nothing good ever comes out of someone trying to "impress" you with their car skill or any skill for that matter.

If there is something to be impressed with it will come out without trying to show it. Which is also why I "retired" from my form of instructing. :lol :cheers

 

[Luke Warmwater]

+1.......Nothing good ever comes out of someone trying to "impress" you with their car skill or any skill for that matter

I disagree! No better entertainment is to be had than the actions of someone following their statement "Watch this!" lol

 

[GTED]

In addition to what's been said, 2 comments I'd like to add:

1. do not lift the throttle in mid-turn, whether you are doing a spirited fun-run in backroads or at the track. For most of us, we will run out of nerve/talent before the car runs out of grip. Just don't lift in mid-turn.

2. keep reminding yourself, when you are new to the car and not sure about its dynamic/behavior, "speed and HP are not your friend". I was taught that by an instructor some years back when I started to learn to drive on the tracks. This instruction has been good to me.....

Have fun and enjoy the GT!!

GTED

I have never driven a car with the motor behind me so I'm pretty sure
the car will act differently if it gets "loose" and I may not know what to expect.

 

[Kayvan]

In addition to what's been said, 2 comments I'd like to add:

1. do not lift the throttle in mid-turn, whether you are doing a spirited fun-run in backroads or at the track. For most of us, we will run out of nerve/talent before the car runs out of grip. Just don't lift in mid-turn.


GTED

I know this is true....at Skip Barber they had diagrams/physics.

Is it b/c because keeping the power on rear wheels, keeps them planted/maintains traction v. lifting off, shift of weight/grip to front and slide....

If done right, do you just power thru, with tire smoke and drift like in Top Gear vids?

 

[Rockstar]

There has been a lot of good advice given here. As an X professional stock car driver I would suggest get to know your car first. Buy the shop manual and electrical manual and read them at your leisure. Find a shop or a lift that you can put your car up in the air. Remove the tires and have a good look at your car, climb thru it with a flash light. The more you look the more you will find and learn about yor car. Do a basic shake down on your car each month or sooner if you drive it agressively. Check fluids and air filters reguraly, check air pressure and torque on lug nuts. There is so much more you can check on your car but you get the idea. NEVER, NEVER rev a cold engine, always let it warm up before putting the juice to it. Warm up the trans and tires, know what your guages read cold and hot. When time permits take a driving class. You can how ever find a big parking lot moterately rev up the motor drop the clutch and get a feel for when the tires break loose. Do a couple of donuts, push the car in a right and left steer let it break loose and drift. You will need to know how the car handels and feels in these conditions because these conditions may sometimes happen on their own. This can help you in an emergency condition. Lock up your brakes and see how it skids going strate or on a turn. All of this can help you to learn your car to become a better and safer driver.

 

[GTFUN]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate all these great posts.
I think I'll do many of the things mentioned here and learn the car inside and out.

Not showing off to friends and family is a good point because you always
want to impress people with a car like this and that can lead to bad results.

Sometimes I am very impulsive when it comes to when I'm gonna "get on it"
and I need to keep that in check

Learning on the track with an instructor is something I will do for sure
and the parking lot will be a great place to practice handling the back end sliding around.

Thanks Again guys..

 

[Empty Pockets]

.

Not showing off to friends and family is a good point because you always
want to impress people with a car like this and that can lead to bad results.

Sometimes I am very impulsive when it comes to when I'm gonna "get on it"
and I need to keep that in check

..

Rather than surrender to temptation, I actually USED this 'line' once when "challenged"(?!) at a red light by a young buck in a... Mustang??? "Son, the diameter of the injectors on this car is twice that of the tailpipes on your's...and there are 16 of them. Now, knowing ONLY that, apply the odds of probability and predict the logical outcome for yourself."

He still looked stunned when I pulled away on the "green"...

 

[soroush]

Rather than surrender to temptation, I actually USED this 'line' once when "challenged"(?!) at a red light by a young buck in a... Mustang??? "Son, the diameter of the injectors on this car is twice that of the tailpipes on your's...and there are 16 of them. Now, knowing ONLY that, apply the odds of probability and predict the logical outcome for yourself."

He still looked stunned when I pulled away on the "green"...

your setting yourself up again!:biggrin

 

[Empty Pockets]

your setting yourself up again!:biggrin

Ya, I know. :bored

 

[PL510*Jeff]

Ya, I know. :bored

:agree: :thumbsup: :dead:

 

[Triheart7]

:banana Fun thread to read. I just got my whipple installed and picking it up from Shadowman tonight. :banana