On a serious note! Please read...
New Member
Joined: 05-07-07
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From: Mivhigan
How fast are these
I'm kind of a racing newbie. I've been on a road course 3 times so far, here are my experiences. My Cobalt is totally stock.
First time out, I went with some friends. One was in a Subaru Impreza dna the other (experienced road racer) was in a RX7 setup for competition with brakes, tires and suspension. I followed the guy in the RX7 for about 3/4 of the lap before I decided I could do this and he was just too slow, I passed him and never looked back. I was easily the fastest car in Novice. In fact, the only two cars there that day that were faster than me was a 70's 911 RSR race car and a brand new turn key Mustang racecar with the 400+ hp "Cammer" engine in it. I was faster than all the other cars in the race car class that included 2 Vintage Mustang race cars. I had passed the lone 2006 Corvette Z06 as well.
2nd time out, I went to a hosted event with instructors and such. I was pretty intimidated when I showed up with (what seemed to be) the least prepared car. Every Neon had staged upgrades and slicks. There were 911s, a Ferarri 360, a Lotus Exige, a 400+ hp Mustamg setup for road racing. My instructor had a totally gutted SRT4 with roll cage, slicks, suspension, a stage 2 upgrade, Carbon Fiber hood and deck, etc. She went two laps with me in Novice where I passed everyone, she had me leave the track so she could
put me in Intermediate. Now I was out there with two 911 GT2s and the Ferarri 360, as well as a C5 Corvette. I passed the Vette early, 4 laps in I passed both 911s and the 360 later after he spun. I was apparently the talk of the track. I passed the Mustang when his brakes overheated, they later caught fire. I was the talk of the track apparently, the host of the event said "You have all those guys with cars that cost as much as a house shitting a brick." My lap times were even better than a lot of the cars in advanced, including my instructor.
third time out, I went with a friend who has a Golf GTI-V with competition tires. I was still faster, we were about the same on the straights, but he couldn't hold the corners like I could. I passed another C5. I got passed by a Mini with Competition tires and two Civic race cars, that was it. I spent the whole race chasing a late Model RX-7, we ran identical lap times.
I've been accused of knowing how to drive. I'm sure I still have a lot to learn, the car is a good package, but it comes down to the driver as well. I shouldn't have been able to beat most of the cars I have on paper.
First time out, I went with some friends. One was in a Subaru Impreza dna the other (experienced road racer) was in a RX7 setup for competition with brakes, tires and suspension. I followed the guy in the RX7 for about 3/4 of the lap before I decided I could do this and he was just too slow, I passed him and never looked back. I was easily the fastest car in Novice. In fact, the only two cars there that day that were faster than me was a 70's 911 RSR race car and a brand new turn key Mustang racecar with the 400+ hp "Cammer" engine in it. I was faster than all the other cars in the race car class that included 2 Vintage Mustang race cars. I had passed the lone 2006 Corvette Z06 as well.
2nd time out, I went to a hosted event with instructors and such. I was pretty intimidated when I showed up with (what seemed to be) the least prepared car. Every Neon had staged upgrades and slicks. There were 911s, a Ferarri 360, a Lotus Exige, a 400+ hp Mustamg setup for road racing. My instructor had a totally gutted SRT4 with roll cage, slicks, suspension, a stage 2 upgrade, Carbon Fiber hood and deck, etc. She went two laps with me in Novice where I passed everyone, she had me leave the track so she could
put me in Intermediate. Now I was out there with two 911 GT2s and the Ferarri 360, as well as a C5 Corvette. I passed the Vette early, 4 laps in I passed both 911s and the 360 later after he spun. I was apparently the talk of the track. I passed the Mustang when his brakes overheated, they later caught fire. I was the talk of the track apparently, the host of the event said "You have all those guys with cars that cost as much as a house shitting a brick." My lap times were even better than a lot of the cars in advanced, including my instructor.
third time out, I went with a friend who has a Golf GTI-V with competition tires. I was still faster, we were about the same on the straights, but he couldn't hold the corners like I could. I passed another C5. I got passed by a Mini with Competition tires and two Civic race cars, that was it. I spent the whole race chasing a late Model RX-7, we ran identical lap times.
I've been accused of knowing how to drive. I'm sure I still have a lot to learn, the car is a good package, but it comes down to the driver as well. I shouldn't have been able to beat most of the cars I have on paper.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: 11-21-08
Posts: 428
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From: Ontario
I'm kind of a racing newbie. I've been on a road course 3 times so far, here are my experiences. My Cobalt is totally stock.
First time out, I went with some friends. One was in a Subaru Impreza dna the other (experienced road racer) was in a RX7 setup for competition with brakes, tires and suspension. I followed the guy in the RX7 for about 3/4 of the lap before I decided I could do this and he was just too slow, I passed him and never looked back. I was easily the fastest car in Novice. In fact, the only two cars there that day that were faster than me was a 70's 911 RSR race car and a brand new turn key Mustang racecar with the 400+ hp "Cammer" engine in it. I was faster than all the other cars in the race car class that included 2 Vintage Mustang race cars. I had passed the lone 2006 Corvette Z06 as well.
2nd time out, I went to a hosted event with instructors and such. I was pretty intimidated when I showed up with (what seemed to be) the least prepared car. Every Neon had staged upgrades and slicks. There were 911s, a Ferarri 360, a Lotus Exige, a 400+ hp Mustamg setup for road racing. My instructor had a totally gutted SRT4 with roll cage, slicks, suspension, a stage 2 upgrade, Carbon Fiber hood and deck, etc. She went two laps with me in Novice where I passed everyone, she had me leave the track so she could
put me in Intermediate. Now I was out there with two 911 GT2s and the Ferarri 360, as well as a C5 Corvette. I passed the Vette early, 4 laps in I passed both 911s and the 360 later after he spun. I was apparently the talk of the track. I passed the Mustang when his brakes overheated, they later caught fire. I was the talk of the track apparently, the host of the event said "You have all those guys with cars that cost as much as a house shitting a brick." My lap times were even better than a lot of the cars in advanced, including my instructor.
third time out, I went with a friend who has a Golf GTI-V with competition tires. I was still faster, we were about the same on the straights, but he couldn't hold the corners like I could. I passed another C5. I got passed by a Mini with Competition tires and two Civic race cars, that was it. I spent the whole race chasing a late Model RX-7, we ran identical lap times.
I've been accused of knowing how to drive. I'm sure I still have a lot to learn, the car is a good package, but it comes down to the driver as well. I shouldn't have been able to beat most of the cars I have on paper.
First time out, I went with some friends. One was in a Subaru Impreza dna the other (experienced road racer) was in a RX7 setup for competition with brakes, tires and suspension. I followed the guy in the RX7 for about 3/4 of the lap before I decided I could do this and he was just too slow, I passed him and never looked back. I was easily the fastest car in Novice. In fact, the only two cars there that day that were faster than me was a 70's 911 RSR race car and a brand new turn key Mustang racecar with the 400+ hp "Cammer" engine in it. I was faster than all the other cars in the race car class that included 2 Vintage Mustang race cars. I had passed the lone 2006 Corvette Z06 as well.
2nd time out, I went to a hosted event with instructors and such. I was pretty intimidated when I showed up with (what seemed to be) the least prepared car. Every Neon had staged upgrades and slicks. There were 911s, a Ferarri 360, a Lotus Exige, a 400+ hp Mustamg setup for road racing. My instructor had a totally gutted SRT4 with roll cage, slicks, suspension, a stage 2 upgrade, Carbon Fiber hood and deck, etc. She went two laps with me in Novice where I passed everyone, she had me leave the track so she could
put me in Intermediate. Now I was out there with two 911 GT2s and the Ferarri 360, as well as a C5 Corvette. I passed the Vette early, 4 laps in I passed both 911s and the 360 later after he spun. I was apparently the talk of the track. I passed the Mustang when his brakes overheated, they later caught fire. I was the talk of the track apparently, the host of the event said "You have all those guys with cars that cost as much as a house shitting a brick." My lap times were even better than a lot of the cars in advanced, including my instructor.
third time out, I went with a friend who has a Golf GTI-V with competition tires. I was still faster, we were about the same on the straights, but he couldn't hold the corners like I could. I passed another C5. I got passed by a Mini with Competition tires and two Civic race cars, that was it. I spent the whole race chasing a late Model RX-7, we ran identical lap times.
I've been accused of knowing how to drive. I'm sure I still have a lot to learn, the car is a good package, but it comes down to the driver as well. I shouldn't have been able to beat most of the cars I have on paper.
Sounds like you are not a bad driver at all, those RX7's are pretty quick cars.
Like you I was the talk of the day after my 2nd run out!
Senior Member
Joined: 06-21-05
Posts: 5,060
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From: London, Ontario
. Simply based on road driving like I've said, taking larger bends with your foot planted the car just holds the corners like it's on rails and begs you to keep going. By the sounds of things the car is surprising a lot of people like I thought it would...and with an experienced driver like yourself behind the wheel I'm sure there's still a lot more I could get out of it. I need to find a way of getting over my inherent fear of running a circuit and hosing my car...getting out there and doing it is likely the only way to accomplish this but I'm sure I'll be shitting piles of bricks the whole time which means I'm likely to make more mistakes...where's that chicken emoticon when you need one 
.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: 11-21-08
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
I really wanted you guys to see the Supra vid first, but I have a hard time with it. I'll try again later.
Here is the BMW clip...
We started with 4 cars in this little group: Mini CooperS Turbo on R-Comps, the white E46 on Pilot Sport Cups, the black 03-07 STI on R- Comps, the red all done up E46 and me in the little Cobalt.
The Mini gave up very soon into the 2nd lap and the white M3 a little later. Note how fast I caught up with the STI after the red M3 waved me by.
To say I was impressed with this car is MASSIVE understatement! More on that later...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWmFNzx2ZZk
ps
I just got word from the Supra owner and he is ok with me posting his mods so here goes...
The mods on the supra are as follows:
GT3582R single turbo 0.63 exhaust side running 16psi, 3" to 4" exhaust, no cats.
FMIC, hardpipes, MAP ECU 2 for piggyback fuel/timing management.
Tein SuperStreet coilovers.
EBC greenstuff pads in the front, hawk street pads in the rear.
265/35/18 Pirelli P-Zero Rosso's in the front
295/35/18 BFG KDW-2's in the back
Here is the BMW clip...
We started with 4 cars in this little group: Mini CooperS Turbo on R-Comps, the white E46 on Pilot Sport Cups, the black 03-07 STI on R- Comps, the red all done up E46 and me in the little Cobalt.
The Mini gave up very soon into the 2nd lap and the white M3 a little later. Note how fast I caught up with the STI after the red M3 waved me by.
To say I was impressed with this car is MASSIVE understatement! More on that later...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWmFNzx2ZZk
ps
I just got word from the Supra owner and he is ok with me posting his mods so here goes...
The mods on the supra are as follows:
GT3582R single turbo 0.63 exhaust side running 16psi, 3" to 4" exhaust, no cats.
FMIC, hardpipes, MAP ECU 2 for piggyback fuel/timing management.
Tein SuperStreet coilovers.
EBC greenstuff pads in the front, hawk street pads in the rear.
265/35/18 Pirelli P-Zero Rosso's in the front
295/35/18 BFG KDW-2's in the back
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: 11-21-08
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
Thanks very much guys.
Note to everyone :Both vid links are now on my first post. Enjoy
Just got wind from one of the Subaru drivers that my little Cobalt is the hot topic around here on the forums
I quess I have them all running for the hills, so to speak
Note to everyone :Both vid links are now on my first post. Enjoy
Just got wind from one of the Subaru drivers that my little Cobalt is the hot topic around here on the forums
I quess I have them all running for the hills, so to speak
Senior Member
Joined: 06-21-05
Posts: 5,060
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From: London, Ontario
So a bunch of us gathered around my monitor at work to watch the first video and everyone's comments were:
1) Shock at how well the TC held up against the rest of the crowd (no more jokes at work about a Turbocharged Cavalier I'm sure!!)
2) Complimented your skill behind the wheel and thought I could learn a thing or two from you (I'm clearly the target of sarcasm on a daily basis)
Anyways, nice vids seeing how easily you overtook the STI was a bit surprising (I thought the AWD would hold you on the turns) but that Supra vid is awesome, sounds like you and Norbee had a blast ripping around and the TC kept up exceptionally well. My personal favourite was the mini-drift and save near the end of the video, that backend kicked out good and he brought her right back like it was nothin!
So, any thoughts on running the TC in Solosprint this year? I know you were waiting for the car to prove itself based on lap times in comparison to your Cobra, I'd say offhand it did that but have no experience with it and don't know the times so I could be wrong. By the looks of things it will stand up well in its class and based on how it cornered and held may almost have a huge leg up on the competition...should make for some close times if nothing else!
1) Shock at how well the TC held up against the rest of the crowd (no more jokes at work about a Turbocharged Cavalier I'm sure!!)
2) Complimented your skill behind the wheel and thought I could learn a thing or two from you (I'm clearly the target of sarcasm on a daily basis
)Anyways, nice vids seeing how easily you overtook the STI was a bit surprising (I thought the AWD would hold you on the turns) but that Supra vid is awesome, sounds like you and Norbee had a blast ripping around and the TC kept up exceptionally well. My personal favourite was the mini-drift and save near the end of the video, that backend kicked out good and he brought her right back like it was nothin!
So, any thoughts on running the TC in Solosprint this year? I know you were waiting for the car to prove itself based on lap times in comparison to your Cobra, I'd say offhand it did that but have no experience with it and don't know the times so I could be wrong
. By the looks of things it will stand up well in its class and based on how it cornered and held may almost have a huge leg up on the competition...should make for some close times if nothing else!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: 11-21-08
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
So a bunch of us gathered around my monitor at work to watch the first video and everyone's comments were:
1) Shock at how well the TC held up against the rest of the crowd (no more jokes at work about a Turbocharged Cavalier I'm sure!!)
2) Complimented your skill behind the wheel and thought I could learn a thing or two from you (I'm clearly the target of sarcasm on a daily basis)
Anyways, nice vids seeing how easily you overtook the STI was a bit surprising (I thought the AWD would hold you on the turns) but that Supra vid is awesome, sounds like you and Norbee had a blast ripping around and the TC kept up exceptionally well. My personal favourite was the mini-drift and save near the end of the video, that backend kicked out good and he brought her right back like it was nothin!
So, any thoughts on running the TC in Solosprint this year? I know you were waiting for the car to prove itself based on lap times in comparison to your Cobra, I'd say offhand it did that but have no experience with it and don't know the times so I could be wrong. By the looks of things it will stand up well in its class and based on how it cornered and held may almost have a huge leg up on the competition...should make for some close times if nothing else!
1) Shock at how well the TC held up against the rest of the crowd (no more jokes at work about a Turbocharged Cavalier I'm sure!!)
2) Complimented your skill behind the wheel and thought I could learn a thing or two from you (I'm clearly the target of sarcasm on a daily basis
)Anyways, nice vids seeing how easily you overtook the STI was a bit surprising (I thought the AWD would hold you on the turns) but that Supra vid is awesome, sounds like you and Norbee had a blast ripping around and the TC kept up exceptionally well. My personal favourite was the mini-drift and save near the end of the video, that backend kicked out good and he brought her right back like it was nothin!
So, any thoughts on running the TC in Solosprint this year? I know you were waiting for the car to prove itself based on lap times in comparison to your Cobra, I'd say offhand it did that but have no experience with it and don't know the times so I could be wrong
. By the looks of things it will stand up well in its class and based on how it cornered and held may almost have a huge leg up on the competition...should make for some close times if nothing else!The STI's was no match for the Cobalt.
As for Solosprint, I am heading out there this weekend for Event 1 and 2 on DDT and based on the laptimes the Cobalt will be VERY competitive to say the least.
Last edited by venom09; May 19, 2009 at 11:40 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
Senior Member
Joined: 06-21-05
Posts: 5,060
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From: London, Ontario
Don't worry, if you hang out with me at the tracks this year you won't have to be the target of sarcasm for much longer. These cars are so much easier than my Cobra to drive, even the wife had fun for the 6 or so laps behind the wheel! If she can do it, so can you...lol
The STI's was no match for the Cobalt.
As for Solosprint, I am heading out there this weekend for Event 1 and 2 on DDT and based on the laptimes the Cobalt will be VERY competitive to say the least.
The STI's was no match for the Cobalt.
As for Solosprint, I am heading out there this weekend for Event 1 and 2 on DDT and based on the laptimes the Cobalt will be VERY competitive to say the least.
.With my g/f out of town this weekend I'm trying to find one of my friends to make the trip down either Saturday or Sunday with me so I can come watch and see what the events are all about and particularly to see the 'Balt tear it up. So far no luck, they'd rather stay behind and get drunk which makes me the oddball out of the group but I'll keep trying
. The online schedule shows dates but no times (I remember you said super early), if you have a schedule could you please PM me the approximate times whenever you have a second (for Sat and Sun) so I can plan getting sleep accordingly if I find someone to tag along? I'll do my best to let you know by Friday night whether or not I've tracked someone down...I might have to resort to bribery as a last ditch effort .
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: 11-21-08
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
During open lapping you are not allowed to pass unless the driver in front gives you a clear point to pass signal. And then the slower car has to get out of the throttle completely as the faster car is making the pass.
