Bitten by the track day bug...

[cus]

Well the track day bug has bitten after a day at Wakefield yesterday. Had previously had some experience in the Bora 4Motion that preceded the R32, but it was certainly a very different kettle of fish. Rained almost all the way down to Goulburn, and was thinking that would make for some fun, but the sun broke through about 40kms out and it stayed fine all day - 18 degrees and a dry track. Perfect.

Initial impressions were that the R was lacking in feel a bit, but that really wasn't helped by road tires that have almost had it. And as the day progressed I found it easier and easier to place the car on the track, and adjust it at speed, it actually is quite throttle adjustable through the corners, although it never really gives way to full oversteer (something I think I'm going to have to address with the Haldex controller).

Much, much more grip than I thought possible, and it helped to have one of the trainers come out and show me just how much the R can actually be pushed - highlight being a full four wheel slide at 130km/h, and the car just felt beautifully balanced throughout. Can't say the same for my heart rate though...

And I have to say, full credit to German engineering, the thing is virtually unbreakable, especially the brakes, which faded very little all day, despite having copped a thrashing. Indeed, they were working so hard that the lovely blue paint that once adorned the front calipers has been somewhat baked black!

A few highlights from the day on the link below.

YouTube - Wakefield Park ANZAC day

I think this could be the beginning of a very expensive habit..

[bazzle]

Well done. Good vid too.
Nice run with the 370Z
Have a read of the link in my sig.

Bazzle

[sa-r32]

Looks like a lot of fun, lucky bugger.

[pirelli]

I suppose you will attend the Nationals supersprint on the 22nd of May then

[HercMax]

Hey I think I saw your post in another forum (too many golf forums to follow!!!). Tracks days are hella fun but can get expensive. Don't think I will track the R32 myself. Did you have ESP off the whole day or did you do some runs with it on? How did you feel the car behaved with the ESP on/off? Any quicker with either method?

[adzy]

Hey I think I saw your post in another forum (too many golf forums to follow!!!). Tracks days are hella fun but can get expensive. Don't think I will track the R32 myself. Did you have ESP off the whole day or did you do some runs with it on? How did you feel the car behaved with the ESP on/off? Any quicker with either method?

ESP results in slower lap times, it is great for unpredictable conditions/situations on the street but is too intrusive for the track. There are moments where it corrects oversteer/understeer which you have already accounted for with your driving inputs resulting in a big over correction.

I have never seen an article comparing ESP lap times to non ESP lap times where the ESP laps where quicker.

CUS Nice vid bro and good on you for getting out there be careful though it is very addictive!!!

What camera mount did you use bro?

[HercMax]

That's assuming you're a good driver where ESP off will help with lap times. Plus it will depend on how intrusive the ESP is. A well sorted ESP system will aid drivers in quicker lap times in most situations. ESP systems have come a long way since the early days where it just kills your power and it depends on manufacturer and car as well I guess. For example, the ESP system on a Lexus (even the IS250) does the car no favours as it cuts in way too early and harshly, whereas at the other end the ESP system on Ferrari 430 (in Sport mode) will allow an average driver post much quicker times than with it off.

[HercMax]

With the R32, I find it's not too intrusive and you have to be doing something silly or right on the edge for it to cut in. I experimented this on a large 3 lane roundabout late one night (it was dry though) and with the ESP on, taking the turn hot and then applying throttle just before the apex to upset the line, the ESP light flashed a couple of times but the car kept its line and powered out nicely. You hardly noticed it. With the ESP off and taking the same corner at same speed, applying throttle at the same time would see the car lurch a little off its intended line and was generally more scrappy. It was only the one time I had the chance to test the differences so can't give any conclusive observations but it would be interesting to see differences on a track, especially if the road was wet.

[cus]

Well done. Good vid too.
Nice run with the 370Z
Have a read of the link in my sig.

Bazzle

Thanks Baz - some good points raised in the thread. Think I'm going to leave it alone and do a few more track days save for some pads (I almost fried them at Wakefield) and a lovely new VF CAI that I just got in the post!

I suppose you will attend the Nationals supersprint on the 22nd of May then

She who must be obeyed would see to it that I would lose body parts if I tried that - I'm struggling to get away with doing another track day within a month...

Hey I think I saw your post in another forum (too many golf forums to follow!!!).

Yep - posted it on vwgolf.net too...

What camera mount did you use bro?

'twas a Camzilla, but I think the camera I was using was a bit heavy for it to be honest, it weighs about a kilo or more...

[adzy]

That's assuming you're a good driver where ESP off will help with lap times. Plus it will depend on how intrusive the ESP is. A well sorted ESP system will aid drivers in quicker lap times in most situations. ESP systems have come a long way since the early days where it just kills your power and it depends on manufacturer and car as well I guess. For example, the ESP system on a Lexus (even the IS250) does the car no favors as it cuts in way too early and harshly, whereas at the other end the ESP system on Ferrari 430 (in Sport mode) will allow an average driver post much quicker times than with it off.

I agree, Driver experience would definitely change the outcome considerably, I also agree with the manufacturer of the vehicle in question as every company has vastly different parameters/thresholds and means of computer intervention when things get sketchy.

'twas a Camzilla, but I think the camera I was using was a bit heavy for it to be honest, it weighs about a kilo or more...

My set up gets the shakes as well, I use the Delkin Geko and get a similar amount of shake... think your right about the camera weight causing it. I sent you a couple of video responses on you tube bro

[AusScare]

Nice vid, giving the car and tyres a good run. I think I'd be so nervous going on with all those performance cars around, was good to see the AMG black though, right where it was made for.

[noone]

Hope to see you on the track at some stage.

I have not been to the track since August last year, just joined a track day for this august. Hopefully the new bits will help (coilovers, intercooler, front sway, new wheels / tyres).

From what I've read, the 32 can really benefit from the Haldex controller upgrade and some race tyres.

[Nathan_B]

Nice work - its fun out ther isnt it!

I have completed a couple myself - interested to know if you ran ESP on or off?

Found my RSB was worth its weight in gold too