Thread: Video: Ferrari 458 Italia on the racetrack at Auto Club Speedway

I think we're on the same page now.

PRIOR to turn 1, which is the long sweep off of 21 and across the finish line, yes the Vettes are getting up towards the 160 mark, but not on average. Modified C6/C6Z's and stock ZR1's are getting nearly there indeed. The GT3's are close as well. That point is where youre Elise is clocking its upper 130's. By mid-turn of 1 though, you're down at your lowest speed before entering the infield, which is where those guys in the videos above were holding between 110 and 125 respectively. That's where I originally assumed you were saying those cars should/would be doing 160, hence the calling into question.

I need to get out there again soon. There's a Willow Springs day on the 17th that I'm really interested in and may well attend. What do you have on the agenda? I'd love to get out on track with some fellow L4P brothers.

Originally Posted by plastique999

Yes I am talking about top speed in the bank....exiting 21, into T1, right as you cross the start/finish line you are approaching top speed. In my Lotus Elise (slicks), I was hitting around 137 mph, and it was definitely hairy. Of course in T2 you scrub speed, but I would still be flat out in the Elise. Granted, I had full aero/kit and suspension....but Corvettes and P-cars could pass me in T, so I assume they are getting very close to 160.
It seems to me that the 458 would be superb on track out of the box....meaning good suspension, certainly has aero, and of course the hp.

It seems to me the ZR1 is letting up on the throttle too much into T2....just my $.02.

Now that we are totally clear about the part of the track we are talking about, the front straight away as you pass the start finish line, I totally agree with you. When you made your first post and were referring to "the bank", I thought you were referring to T1 and T2 since those turns are banked more than the front straight. Both the Z06 and the ZR1 were hitting just over 160 mph before they began to brake going into T1. I believe that the Ferrari would be able to match that speed if the driver of the Ferrari was pushing the 458 to it's potential. Actually the ZR1 was going 126 mph right in the middle of T1 and T2. The ZR1 was on Michelin PS2 tires and the Z06 was on Hoosier's and was going 121 mph in the middle of T1 and T2. I do believe all three cars could go faster in this area. I do know that all of these drivers don't want to push their car to it's potential in this area in case of a flat tire since hitting the crash wall would seriously damage their car. I will look for your Elise at the next Speed Ventures event in January and I'll drop by and say hello.

Kent Elliott
Canyon Run Videos

Originally Posted by CanyonR

Now that we are totally clear about the part of the track we are talking about, the front straight away as you pass the start finish line, I totally agree with you. When you made your first post and were referring to "the bank", I thought you were referring to T1 and T2 since those turns are banked more than the front straight. Both the Z06 and the ZR1 were hitting just over 160 mph before they began to brake going into T1. I believe that the Ferrari would be able to match that speed if the driver of the Ferrari was pushing the 458 to it's potential. Actually the ZR1 was going 126 mph right in the middle of T1 and T2. The ZR1 was on Michelin PS2 tires and the Z06 was on Hoosier's and was going 121 mph in the middle of T1 and T2. I do believe all three cars could go faster in this area. I do know that all of these drivers don't want to push their car to it's potential in this area in case of a flat tire since hitting the crash wall would seriously damage their car. I will look for your Elise at the next Speed Ventures event in January and I'll drop by and say hello.

Kent Elliott
Canyon Run Videos

Hey kent and Nolan, agree with you guys.
Kent I agree with you that the vids show them easing up on T2. T2 is all about balls as you say. There is enough camber that if you have sticky tires and downforce you should be going 130+ through T2. It is a hairy turn though.

I used to run with SV a lot - tell Aaron I say hello. In fact SV at the infield of Cal Speedway was the very first event I ever ran with my Elise years ago. Now I mainly run Lotus Challenge Series.
Sadly I sold the Elise, but now run the 211 ... Still hit SV once in a while. Hope to see you guys there.

Nolan when is the Big Willow event?

Here's a link.

Last 2011 Track Day: WSIR Dec 17 !!!!! - Corvette Forum