Well, my track season just began yesteraday at Mosport International Raceway (one of the tracks the American Lemans Series goes to) in Bowmanville, Canada. The weather was OK. It was a little cold for May, being around 10-20 degrees Celsius during most of the day, and it did rain during lunch time with some light "spitting" from the clouds during parts of the afternoon as well which did not really make the track wet with "spray" from other cars. For most of the day, the track was dry on the racing line. Food provided by the organizers was excellent and plentiful.

I had a GREAT time, probably the most enjoyable track day I've ever had. I've never had as much track time as I did yesterday. I went through about 1.5 to 2 tanks of gas on the track alone. In total, I probably had about 3 to 3.5 hours of lapping time. I was the only one driving a 4 door sport sedan; most of the other street cars were Porsche's (911's) and some Corvettes (2 Z06's) and there were quite a number of fully prepped/stripped out race cars too.

The C55 held up VERY WELL. No brake fade from the stock brake system after all those laps, even with some 45 minute sessions I did continuously. Engine temp never went above ~90 degrees Celsius. The only modification I have is the Renntech CF Airbox with K&N filters. I used Michelin PS2's which went through 2 track days from last year.

Passing rules were simple: passing was allowed only on certain straight portions of the track, and only if the car ahead gives you the point-by. These rules apply for all cars, even the race cars.

I think I held my own, and I'm definitely faster than last year. A number of strangers (to me) came up to me and complimented me about pace of the C55 on the track. I personally think it was the car that made it easy for me, as I'm really not that experienced. Of course, most of the race cars passed me consistently, but not many street cars passed me (from memory, a Z06 did, and a 993 Turbo with R-compounds did, a 997 GT3 RS did and Masarati with R-compounds did.....that's about it). Of course, I did my homework ahead of time......looking back at my previous driving video on this track and reminding myself of the course layout and the racing line, and re-reading key chapters from the book "Going Faster" to remind myself about tracking principles and techniques. Mosport is a high speed track, with some nasty walls that you can crash into if you make a mistake, so safety was always a concern. The highest speed I attained was just over 200km/h on the longest straight. I drove all day with ESP On.....I figure that if the flashing triangle went on, I did something wrong. Understeering or oversteering is not something I strive for at any corner. Also, the last thing I wanted was to damage the car or leave my kids without a dad.

I took a lot of video from my car. Here is a 10 minute clip that doesn't have a lot of traffic slowing me down......you can see me chasing down a 997 C4S and a couple of race cars blowing by me:



And here are some pics of the other street cars and some race cars:

 

nice cars and sounds like a great time!

 

nice PCV!
great cars at the track too! :drool:

 

btw, was the camera mounted outside?

 

AWESOME!!!

Hey PCV it's Hawk from mbfanatics in Toronto. You are sooooooo tempting me to join you next time....

Even with the careful driving, did you find the wear on your car was costly or of concern? My C55 is my gem and if you think I may be 'hurt' by any wear and tear other than the OBVIOUS tire and brakes, do let me know.

It's really the only reason why I am not going. I'm not sure if I want to push my baby hard. What would you say?

Post this on mbfanatics, I'm sure hte guys would love it.

 

I been dying to AutoX to and you raise that desire more...

 

No, the video camera was mounted inside the car on the front windshield.

 

Careful driving yes....but still pushing it. Tires were screeching at many corners, meaning they were at the limit of adhesion. Tires are the main "casualties" with track days. Second on the list is brakes (pads, rotors). But Mosport is relatively "easier" on the equipment because it is more of a "momentum" type of track. Brakes and tires get much more abuse at Shannonville, which is a safer, slower speed track with tighter turns and more severe braking zones.

Other than wear items like tires and brake pads/rotors (which I had replaced under warranty last year), tracking the car 3-4 times a year has not caused any other mechanical problems.

I personally think a race track is the ONLY place you can take advantage of the performance of your car. Blasting down straights, heavy braking before corners, turning and throttling out of a corner at the apex......I'm hooked!!

On the streets, all you can really do is mash the throttle and go fast from street light to street light or on the highway......which is unsafe with other cars around and not worth the possible problems with law enforcement.

 

awesome...great pics....

 

Well done!!

 

Barry, you'll have to come out with me next year with your new C63 beast!!

 

Thanks for the info Are you going again anytime this year to MOSPORT?

[QUOTE=PC Valkyrie;2814639]

Other than wear items like tires and brake pads/rotors (which I had replaced under warranty last year), QUOTE]

Maybe I heard that wrong but brake pads and rotors being worn out is covered under warranty?

 

I'm there.

 

IMHO, using a car on track does no more damage than day-to-day driving. You'll beat up your tires and use up brake pads, but that's it. People often suggest that I'm beating the pulp out of my car on track, and I point out how much strain a car is under sitting in traffic and pounding through potholes. Why have 350 HP if you never get to use it (legally)?

 

What a beautiful venue. Looks like your pace was getting right with it.

Your V8 sounds healthy, too! Thanks for sharing.

 

Finally, some pics of my C55 from my track day at Mosport International Raceway in early May 2008.

 

[QUOTE=PC Valkyrie;2814639]Careful driving yes....but still pushing it. Tires were screeching at many corners, meaning they were at the limit of adhesion. Tires are the main "casualties" with track days. Second on the list is brakes (pads, rotors). But Mosport is relatively "easier" on the equipment because it is more of a "momentum" type of track. Brakes and tires get much more abuse at Shannonville, which is a safer, slower speed track with tighter turns and more severe braking zones.

Other than wear items like tires and brake pads/rotors (which I had replaced under warranty last year), tracking the car 3-4 times a year has not caused any other mechanical problems.

QUOTE]

Couldn't agree more PC Valkyrie

I loved Shannonville, and have never personally driven at Mosport. Give me some heads up and I will make the trip my friend. Anytime I can stop in Tronto/Falls/Race track, I'm in

Hey, don't mean to high jack this thread, but is Shannoville still operating and in good condition now that the Bridgestone school pulled out a couple of years ago? It was always a Great safe tight track, IMHO.

Glad to hear you kept up the AMG pride my friend.

See yeah