First track day ACR Video and impressions

[stradman]

Ok guys, I finally got around to taking the ACR to its first track day. I had tried about 2 months ago as well but unfortunately as some of you many have read in some of my posts after a handful of laps got CEL and limp mode which ended that day. Took me a few weeks to sort out and find the problem of a melted O2 rear wire/connector. Having subsequently deleted that sensor and insulated the crap out of everything I could see since, I ventured out on to the track at the famous Spa F1 Circuit in Belgium. I've been there a couple of times before, last year(bear in mind I'm a late comer to tracking overall and have only had about 6 track days in my life-so steep learning curve for me!)
Anyway I was there for 2 days with the car and my impressions are immense! Car is incredible. Totally unflappable. Of course as it was my first outing with the car, I was both kind of nervous and apprehensive as I didn't know what to expect of a nearly 700hp high downforce aero car! I also brought along my trusty 993 RS Clubsport with a measly 300 hp to fall back on(which although anemic by comparison in power does feel extremely lovely just like you're getting into a nicely worn pair of comfortable jeans-always feels just right!)
Anyway as you will see I posted a relatively modest(for the car) 2:45 lap time. However I am sure this car is good for under 2:30. However as a lot of you have already mentioned the biggest thing I will have to overcome is accepting the car is capable of going round corners faster than your mind thinks it can do, and I simply have to go faster and I'm sure it will feel better.
I've posted geo settings elsewhere https://driveviper.com/forums/thread...es-ACR-at-Inde. But car felt utterly stable though with camber at 2.75. One thing I did notice was that the wing was holding my speed down the fast long Kemmel straight. It was set at the standard 2 position and was only able to get to 145mph max. A GT3RS by comparison is good for around 155mph. So I think for next time I need to get it to position 1 for that track.

Although I brought 2 extra sets of front tires along, and having driven 350 miles there and back, after 2 track days the tires are still good! Of course this says that I'm not pushing quite as much as it can go, but also I truly feel the track is not that abrasive. In fact the surface of tracks at many European tracks are pretty smooth compared to what Ive seen in the US so they are less punishing on the tires. Having said that once I have truly pushed the car I will get a proper idea of the tire wear.

The other thing I noticed was even though the ambient temp outside was reasonably warm at about 85 degrees when the car turned off the air con to maximise power, it certainly did feel hot inside the car! You guys who regularly drive in places like Arizona, Florida, Texas etc where temps are much higher are real heroes. Do you drive naked?! LOL!

Also the other thing I most certainly need to do is get some ear plugs. Even though I have stock catback and Belangers headers and HF front cat, my left ear was buzzing at the end of the 2nd day! Defo need to protect my ears next time!

Moreover even though I put extra insulation in the sills and around the HF car, my PPF hasn't taken too well to the extra heat generated so will probably need to change that at some point.

But overall what a car! I look forward to getting better and exploring the limits of the car.!

[racegate]

Nice lap. What camera were you using to record this?

[stradman]

Nice lap. What camera were you using to record this?

Cheers. Smartycam along with SoloDL

[docwviper]

Cheers. Smartycam along with SoloDL

Glad you liked the setup

[stradman]

Glad you liked the setup

Worked perfectly Martin! Did you get another setup?

[Racingswh]

Wonderful. I am jealous. What a track for that car. Sounds great!

[BlueAdder]

The other thing I noticed was even though the ambient temp outside was about reasonably warm at about 85 degrees when the car turned off the air con to maximise power, it certainly did feel hot inside the car! You guys who regularly drive in places like Arizona, Florida, Texas etc where temps are much higher are real heroes. Do you drive naked?! LOL!

Close all the vents on the dashboard, that'll help with the heat. For some reason, in CA, they force you to drive with the windows down (unless it rains) so while it still get hot, it's not too horrible but the vents have to be closed otherwise, you get all the hot air from the engine bay and you start feeling like a lobster in a pot (just before you start looking like one too).

Looks awesome! Funny thing is that despite being French, I've never been to SPA or any other circuits in Europe for that matter

[Dr.Ron]

Close all the vents on the dashboard, that'll help with the heat. For some reason, in CA, they force you to drive with the windows down (unless it rains) :

In NJ at NJ Motorsports Park you drive with the windows down regardless of temps or rain! That's why I won't go in the rain. Driving slow and a soaking wet driver and car interior are NOT fun!

[ek1]

For some reason, in CA, they force you to drive with the windows down (unless it rains)

It's not just CA. Every single HPDE organization I ever ran with forces you to keep windows down, even if it rains. It makes it easier for them to pull your body out of the car if you crash.

[Arizona Vipers]

Smart Cams rule! hehe.
Great vid, thanks for sharing. You wont' be able to outrun those GT3's on the straights even with the wing set at 1, they just accelerate too fast.
That track looks scary, what are red/orange barriers made out of? Are those cement?

[stradman]

Smart Cams rule! hehe.
Great vid, thanks for sharing. You wont' be able to outrun those GT3's on the straights even with the wing set at 1, they just accelerate too fast.
That track looks scary, what are red/orange barriers made out of? Are those cement?

Well im pretty certain I should be able to get a much better top speed through that straight by adjusting the wing as well as by getting a much higher exit speed out of the uphill corkscrew(eau rouge) just before that straight. I mean a 350 hp lotus exige gets up to 145 with the same exit speed out of eau rouge as me! So I have to believe it's the wing. Those red and orange barriers are mostly hard rubber walls with tires behind them. But you're right it is a scary circuit with potential for very fast speeds and corners and of course big offs. Eau rouge is probably the scariest section of any track anywhere in the world. Just Google it! But what a glorious circuit..

[BlueAdder]

I believe that those are just stacked tires with a plastic cover on.

[LABrit]

Nice - SPA is my fav track! My first time there was epic! You def. were taking it easy but so would anyone with half a brain in the Viper - my Speciale did half the driving for me when i was there!

[Eugene Lee]

lap time was actually pretty fast considering that your not pushing the car that hard. nice job!

SPA is my favorite track

[stradman]

lap time was actually pretty fast considering that your not pushing the car that hard. nice job!

SPA is my favorite track

Cheers. On these laps and speed, not even a chirp from the tires which shows you it wasn't even pushed ! No there is a lot left in the tank at that track. I see mid 2:30's or even low 2:30's possible. It will just take a bit of time for me to build up the aero confidence and then it will fly I'm sure.

[apeas2]

Nice driving! What product was holding your cell phone so steady shown at the bottom of your video?

[stradman]

Nice driving! What product was holding your cell phone so steady shown at the bottom of your video?

Just a cheap chinese holder. I'll take a photo and post it.

[apeas2]

Please post. Never found a good way to support phone.

[Policy Limits]

I always Track with both Windows all the way down which mitigates heat issue. Car sounds great and you nailed the apexes. Much better to be in control at your own pace and to have fun. Great video.

[Snakebit10]

Very cool. Thx for sharing. One of my favorite tracks in the world. I wonder which turn is more epic between Eau Rouge or Laguna Seca corkscrew?

[stradman]

Very cool. Thx for sharing. One of my favorite tracks in the world. I wonder which turn is more epic between Eau Rouge or Laguna Seca corkscrew?

Never been to LS but looks to me like a reverse direction turn to ER!

[Bill Pemberton]

Spa Francorchamps and La Rouge ------ don't care if you were going half speed , I am super envious. Great track , a very fast track , and understandable you were getting used to the ACR at your own pace. On that track I would think any smart driver with a new ACR would follow your lead. PS - did I mention I am quite envious!?

[stradman]

Spa Francorchamps and La Rouge ------ don't care if you were going half speed , I am super envious. Great track , a very fast track , and understandable you were getting used to the ACR at your own pace. On that track I would think any smart driver with a new ACR would follow your lead. PS - did I mention I am quite envious!?

Cheers Bill. Well I'll be back at Spa again in September and hope by then I'll be able to do the ACR justice. In the meantime a couple of track days at Silverstone beckon in June!

[Bill Pemberton]

Ah, I hear my English Heritage calling , I need to fly over and be your co-pilot ,ha,ha.

Send us videos, always cool to see a Snake Slithering around Silverstone!!

[stradman]

Ah, I hear my English Heritage calling , I need to fly over and be your co-pilot ,ha,ha.

Send us videos, always cool to see a Snake Slithering around Silverstone!!

Anytime Bill. Happy to have as many pax rides as you like(unless I'm timing a real hot lap! !)