A few pics from the last track day

[darbgnik]

Well ever since Nine Ball posted a hi res pic of his car on the roadcourse, it has been my desktop wallpaper. Lucky for me, there was a professional photographer present at my last track day. When I mentioned I wouldn't mind a few pics of my car for a price, his only question was, what do you want? My response was, loaded up.

He took the first pic on the entry into the chicane, a perfect place to load up the suspension, drivers front tire stuffed, and passenger front tire with air under it. (Too bad the curbing is new for this year, and not yet painted.) A really nice picture, and his camera actually captures the Competition Blue nicely. According to quite a few other drivers, my car with this color really stood out of the pack, like there was a spotlight on it.

I can say one thing for sure, on the track, the new Viper is incredible. It's so much better than my last Viper, and my Lamborghini, obviously. I knew the power increase was a given, but the handling is the absolute best I've felt. The car actually talks to you, like the old one never did. You can feel what all the tires are doing, where the grip is. It's amazing. In my old Viper, I knew I had found the limits of traction when I had spun off the tarmac, there was never much of a warning.

I also find the stock SRT suspension worked very well, at any pace, staying controlled under hard braking and fast transitions. In the most aggressive group I felt like I was cheating. In a twenty minute session, on a 1:30 second lap course, I would lap several cars twice, this was a first for me, with this group. Only two guys were faster than me that day. Both very accomplished drivers, one in a Gen 4 ACR, and the other in a Z06 on Sport Cups.

Moral of the story, I am more than happy with my purchase.

[FLATOUT]

Nice Brad! I love track photos!

[Coloviper]

Is that the track south of Edmonton near Leduc?

[ViperPete]

Now blow them up and make yourself some posters!

[Bruce H.]

Looking great...need in-car videos next!

[timberwolf]

Sweet! Love the comp blue!

[darbgnik]

Is that the track south of Edmonton near Leduc?

Yup. The new roadcourse at Castrol Raceway.

[Nine Ball]

I see daylight under that front tire. Doing it right!

Tony

[stuntman]

I always enjoy seeing them on track. Your car looks great!

[LmeaViper]

Really liked the last pic.
A good/ fun day indeed.

[lochnessmonster]

Great pics Brad, and a great review of your Gen V driving impressions.

Out of curiosity, what does it take to get on the track in terms of car prep, driver prep, cost, track availability etc.? My buddy Chris (2000 GTS) and I have talked about attending a track day in AB, but it would be nice to have some first hand information so we have a better idea of what it will take. We both live here in Meadow Lake, so the drive is about 6 hours one way, that's a start....... :(

Edit - No worries Brad, I found the Track Junkies site which looks like it has all the info. Anyone else who is interested, here is the site: http://www.trackjunkies.ca/the-basics-requirements-of-getting-on-track/

[darbgnik]

Great pics Brad, and a great review of your Gen V driving impressions.

Out of curiosity, what does it take to get on the track in terms of car prep, driver prep, cost, track availability etc.? My buddy Chris (2000 GTS) and I have talked about attending a track day in AB, but it would be nice to have some first hand information so we have a better idea of what it will take. We both live here in Meadow Lake, so the drive is about 6 hours one way, that's a start....... :(

Edit - No worries Brad, I found the Track Junkies site which looks like it has all the info. Anyone else who is interested, here is the site: http://www.trackjunkies.ca/the-basics-requirements-of-getting-on-track/

Ya, those are the local guys, and would be your best bet. I run with the Calgary Exotic Auto group, and it's an invitation only group. They're pretty picky over who they let on the track with them........

I used to drive 7-8 hours each way to the track in Calgary, before they closed it. Now it's 5 hours to Castrol.

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Really liked the last pic.
A good/ fun day indeed.

You need to get that GTS on there next time!

[Madmav]

[QUOTE=lochnessmonster;145862]Great pics Brad, and a great review of your Gen V driving impressions.

Out of curiosity, what does it take to get on the track in terms of car prep, driver prep, cost, track availability etc.? My buddy Chris (2000 GTS) and I have talked about attending a track day in AB, but it would be nice to have some first hand information so we have a better idea of what it will take. We both live here in Meadow Lake, so the drive is about 6 hours one way, that's a start....... :(



Edit - No worries Brad, I found the Track Junkies site which looks like it has all the info. Anyone else who is interested, here is the site: http://www.trackjunkies.ca/the-basics-requirements-of-getting-on-track/[/QUOTE

They don't look for much when it's a new car. It's about 250 for track fees and they will make you go with an instructor the first time and if your a safe track driver they will let you go solo next time. It's an extra 100$ for the instructor. They will also try to put you in a session with drivers of the same experience/vehicles. Sessions are 20min. It's worth it !!!

[LmeaViper]

Ya, those are the local guys, and would be your best bet. I run with the Calgary Exotic Auto group, and it's an invitation only group. They're pretty picky over who they let on the track with them........

I used to drive 7-8 hours each way to the track in Calgary, before they closed it. Now it's 5 hours to Castrol.

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You need to get that GTS on there next time!


LOL...I'm scared.

[lochnessmonster]

It actually sounds quite reasonable. I was expecting the need to get some sort of licence through in class instruction + on track driving, and then some car prep involving taping/wiring etc.... It sounds like a blast!!! It's something I've always wanted to do. I didn't even know the Gastrol track existed. It's definitely on my list................ Thanx for the additional info guys.

[darbgnik]

LOL...I'm scared.

Awww.... she's a big ol pussy cat!