Learning to master the Gen V on the road course

[VENOM V]

Nice write-up!

On the very few times I have had my Gen IV Coupe at a HPDE (3 days over 6 years I think), it was rock solid and excellent handling. It was actually much more solid and better handling than my C6Z--especially the steering (Z was too light in the steering).

Did your instructor (Rick Malone) have any comparative comments between the C6ZR1 and your Gen V Viper? Just curious.

Nope, but I will say that he raved about the C7. While not as fast as my Viper, I had trouble keeping up with him when he drove a C7 Z51. He showed me some fresh skid marks where a prototype C7 Z06 slid off the track during recent testing, LOL. That new Z06 is going to be a beast to be reckoned with, hopefully we'll have an ACR to compete with it. Heck, the TA may be able to hold it off, but the GM boys are coming with some ammo so I hope we're ready.

[VENOM V]

Todd, what car are you bringing down to Buttonwillow this weekend? Like I mentioned the last time I rode in your Viper "Slow in, fast out" Glad to see you getting more comfortable in the Viper.

Hey Jonathan, I can't make it this weekend but I'll be there along with Mike on 4/19 - 4/20. I'll be in my TA wanne-be bright orange Camaro, LOL. Any chance you can make it that weekend?

And yes you helped me a lot with corner exit speed, appreciate all the tips!

[Boba Fett]

Great read. Rick is def a class act and a gentleman. Had the pleasure of attending his school

[Redsled]

I'll try to make it out on Saturday, if I have any brake pads left from this weekend.

Hey Jonathan, I can't make it this weekend but I'll be there along with Mike on 4/19 - 4/20. I'll be in my TA wanne-be bright orange Camaro, LOL. Any chance you can make it that weekend?

And yes you helped me a lot with corner exit speed, appreciate all the tips!

[johniew398]

Reference "...It's better to brake earlier and then lighten pressure as you approach turn-in for lots of reasons..."

I took the two day ZR1 course at Spring Mountain and I thought, if I didn't learn anything else during those two days, that lesson was worth the two days.

I learned a lot more than but the braking tips were worth the course. (not that I was paying since GM included that with the purchase)

[Policy Limits]

And guys thought Stryker Red cars were gonna be garage queens....

Well you've inspired me. There's a local course coming up that I was contemplating and I think I'm gonna go for it. The president used to teach my state motorcycle course and licensing exam that I took 20 years ago. Looks educational & fun. Would be my first one but if a Stryker car can get out there any of us can & should!

Thnx for the inspiration

[ViperSmith]

And guys thought Stryker Red cars were gonna be garage queens....

Well you've inspired me. There's a local course coming up that I was contemplating and I think I'm gonna go for it. The president used to teach my state motorcycle course and licensing exam that I took 20 years ago. Looks educational & fun. Would be my first one but if a Stryker car can get out there any of us can & should!

Thnx for the inspiration

Ha, watch out, you may become addicted

[Bruce H.]

Todd,

Can you tell me if my normal corner strategy should make sense based on what you've learned? I tend to threshold brake, not at the last possible moment, and then smoothly transition to trail braking to avoid the recoil/unsettling of suspension you mentioned. The trail braking also tends to minimize understeer by keeping weight on the front tires, and I can target the lowest vehicle speed before reaching the apex, make any steering correction there, and then start easing into the throttle before the apex in order to maximize exit speed and also have throttle to assist steering beyond the apex. That strategy of easing on throttle early worked well on the turbo cars that had some lag, but I suspect it would work for the Viper as well with its E-throttle ramp up programming.

Bruce

[VENOM V]

And guys thought Stryker Red cars were gonna be garage queens....

Well you've inspired me. There's a local course coming up that I was contemplating and I think I'm gonna go for it. The president used to teach my state motorcycle course and licensing exam that I took 20 years ago. Looks educational & fun. Would be my first one but if a Stryker car can get out there any of us can & should!

Thnx for the inspiration

Ha, watch out, you may become addicted

LOL, yep. I took the Ron Fellows Level I while waiting for my Viper. I figured I'd want to get my snake on the track once just to know what it's capable of. I didn't know what hit me. I really had no idea I'd be making deals with my lady like this: "Ok, ok, I'll see Celine Dion with you, but you've got to come to Thunderhill and ride with me on their new 5-mile course." She went for it, haha.

Rick, have fun and let us know how it goes.

[VENOM V]

Todd,

Can you tell me if my normal corner strategy should make sense based on what you've learned? I tend to threshold brake, not at the last possible moment, and then smoothly transition to trail braking to avoid the recoil/unsettling of suspension you mentioned. The trail braking also tends to minimize understeer by keeping weight on the front tires, and I can target the lowest vehicle speed before reaching the apex, make any steering correction there, and then start easing into the throttle before the apex in order to maximize exit speed and also have throttle to assist steering beyond the apex. That strategy of easing on throttle early worked well on the turbo cars that had some lag, but I suspect it would work for the Viper as well with its E-throttle ramp up programming.

Bruce

Yes Bruce that's exactly what I do. The Viper's torque comes on smooth and linearly, not as early as the ZR1's supercharged low end torque but sooner and more linear than a turbo with lag. I think this makes it ideal for tracking, you can typically ramp up to full throttle pretty quickly before you exit the corner. Those big rear tires have loads of grip.

By the way, I'm liking the Corsas more and more, as my last two sets of track tires have been MPSCs and they haven't been as impressive. I know this goes against conventional wisdom, but this is my opinion. I think the Corsas are grippier, don't heat cyle out as fast, and are much better in cooler temps. I've run Corsas in 106 degree weather at Thunderhill and in foggy damp cool weather at Laguna Seca, they gripped surprisingly well in both cases. The MPSCs, on the other hand, have very little grip below 60 degrees, at least in comparison to NT-01s and Corsas. The MPSCs heat cycle and get hard quickly too. After one weekend at Buttonwillow, my outside tires were hard. Rick showed me the fingernail test- if you push your fingernail into the tread, is it hard or soft, and does it leave a lasting dent? If hard and no lasting dent, the tire is heat cycled and has lost grip. We checked my MPSCs that had been used only two track days Vs. my new MPSCs, night and day different on softness. However, my Corsas stayed soft after four track days, and remained grippy. The Nitto NT-01s on my Camaro were super grippy all the way to cord, and gripped well in cold weather. Too bad NT-01s aren't available in Viper sizing, although I heard Toyo R888s may be so I may try them soon.

Disadvantage of course is the high cost of the Corsas, and that you really should shave them if you can. If they go on sale and get closer to MPSC pricing, I'll likely buy them.

[Bruce H.]

Perfect! Glad I won't have to reprogram my brain as that could be as challenging as unlocking the PCM

I'm afraid I'm going to really, really like the Corsas, but will also try the MPSS for the street and maybe distant tracks. If they're good enough for the odd track day then the cost of the Corsas won't be as much of an issue. I'm assuming the fronts will wear out quicker when just used on the track, and they're less expensive. I only got two track days out of a front set of 285 V700 Esta Kumhos on the Supra, and expecting the Corsas will last much longer. I heard a rumor that if you don't drive as hard on the track that the tires will last longer but that had to be the dumbest thing I've ever heard! Also looking forward to R888 feedback on the Viper.

Bruce