Hey Everyone,

First off, are any of you doing the Celebration Exotic Car festival? Anyone doing the Daytona Track days on Thur, Fri next week as part of it?

Ok, So I am doing the Daytona Days and havent tracked a car before. I have a coach as part of the event, but want some advice.

I have my car going into the dealership Friday to check it out, and also make sure I am not having issues with my clutch. I was planning on just driving the car up there and back. Is this dumb? I have been on the track before in exotics, just never my own. I always just showed up, paid a fee and played.

I want to make sure I am correctly prepared. I searched the forum and didnt find anything helpful.

Thanks everyone,
I have a v8vS with 3,000 miles on it if you need to know that.

 

Yea....dont tell anyone from Aston Martin that your tracking your car.....you still want the warranty right?

 

Good call. Thx!

 

I'll be at Celebration. I have been the chief Lotus judge since the show began years ago. This'll be the first year I don't show one of my Esprits, though. I'll be bringing the Aston instead. Feel free to stop by and say hi–just make sure to let me know that you're on 6-speed so I can put the real name and username together.

I believe that Stuart D. from RSC told me he would be there too.

Cheers.

ETA. I won't be there for the track days this year.

 

Indeed we will be!

 

I look forward to meeting both of you!

 

Suggest you talk w a mechanic that understands daytona banks and the AM engine. FYI - just a heads up - About 4 years ago my mech warned my buddy not to drive his P-car ('01 996 - my ex car) on the Daytona banks for any "extended" period of time - key word TIME - not speed! Long story short his engine blew due to oil starvation on Right side. This may not be an issue for the AM engine but just wanted you to know. P-car race engines are built differently than the street engines (oil pickup, GT3 as an example). This is not an issue on "regular" tracks but Daytona is a totally different animal w the long steep banks. Just might want to get some expert advice - or it might be an expensive day ....

 

Ha... that's something I never thought about. Interesting problem. I'm wondering (not that I'm advising this) but if you had a RHS oil pickup whether it would be safer at high speeds than low because the oil would surge back to the RHS of the pan!

 

FWIW The Multimatic team is currently championing two 4.7L V8Vs in the GS class of the Continental Tire Series of the Rolex Grand Am racing. Both cars ran fine during the 24hour weekend's BMW Performance 200 race on the Daytona banks

Also, we had a La Belle Machine track event in the same 24hr track back in November. Both Aston Martin of North America and Aston of Orlando brought cars to the event and also encouraged me to take my car on the track. During the event, I was driven around the track by one of Aston's Performance Driving Course instructors in a Mako Blue V12V. They also had a Rapide, Virage, Virage Volante, V8VS, DBS Volante, and a DB9. I think your car will probably be OK, but the usual disclaimers apply. I say "probably" because things happen sometimes—as was the case with the beautiful black Aventador LP700-4 that met its demise that weekend.

 

Wow, good to know about the long steep banks. I've never thought about that either. Makes sense though.

karlfranz: what did the Aventador in, oil starvation also?

 

I wasn't so much the oil that was starving as it was the wall. It was very hungry.
Actually the right rear tire allegedly blew up and tore the rear part of the body up. If there was actual contact with the wall, I don't know.

 

Ouch. Sounds expensive.

 

Years ago Porsche brought their 959 to race at Daytona 24 - kept blowing the tires on the banks during practice - they pulled the car prior to the race !

 

The V8 Vantage has a dry sump, so that should help, just make sure its topped up to max before you start.

The V12s would be at more risk, with their conventional wet sumps, but if they ran OK there, then you should be fine.

Have they said what safety gear you need, helmet, gloves etc.? Would hate you to arrive and not be able to play for lack of something simple like that

 

Hey Guys, Well I finished my two amazing days at Daytona. All I have to say is WOW!!! The car was amazing! and completely exceeded all my expectations. I was fortunate that my coach was Jonathan Summerton. He is an amazing driver and a great person.

He really like the Vantage S after driving it. Said he way surprised by how balanced the car was.

My tires held up perfectly, Front brakes feel like they are shot, and didnt burn a drop of oil. Got 400 miles of track time in over two days!!! This event was worth every penny. The car cleaned up nicely with no damage whatsoever.

For everyone going to the car show tomorrow, I look forward to meeting you.

Ed