Road Racing: What's your best time?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: S.CA
202 C32 AMG
Road Racing: What's your best time?
Hello,
I am interested to know what's everybody's best time at road racing at your local track. Maybe we can all post our time and set up. It'll be interesting to see if our car can handle the corners or not.
California - Streets of willow springs full course with bowlpass CCW
Date: 1/11/2009
Temp: 70's
Best Lap Time: 1:37xx
Stock 2002 C32
Kimho Estra II Tires
Sorry if my time sucks but this is my first time on the track.
Anyone else?
I am interested to know what's everybody's best time at road racing at your local track. Maybe we can all post our time and set up. It'll be interesting to see if our car can handle the corners or not.
California - Streets of willow springs full course with bowlpass CCW
Date: 1/11/2009
Temp: 70's
Best Lap Time: 1:37xx
Stock 2002 C32
Kimho Estra II Tires
Sorry if my time sucks but this is my first time on the track.
Anyone else?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 11
From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
Hello,
I am interested to know what's everybody's best time at road racing at your local track. Maybe we can all post our time and set up. It'll be interesting to see if our car can handle the corners or not.
California - Streets of willow springs full course with bowlpass CCW
Date: 1/11/2009
Temp: 70's
Best Lap Time: 1:37xx
Stock 2002 C32
Kimho Estra II Tires
Sorry if my time sucks but this is my first time on the track.
Anyone else?
I am interested to know what's everybody's best time at road racing at your local track. Maybe we can all post our time and set up. It'll be interesting to see if our car can handle the corners or not.
California - Streets of willow springs full course with bowlpass CCW
Date: 1/11/2009
Temp: 70's
Best Lap Time: 1:37xx
Stock 2002 C32
Kimho Estra II Tires
Sorry if my time sucks but this is my first time on the track.
Anyone else?
Okay, I'll bite:
Beaverun, North course
1:09xx C32
1:05xx 91Mustang
1:10xx M Roadster
Nelson Ledges
1:16xx Mustang
1:22xx C32
See yeah
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
02 C32, G60 Corrado
Wow, I guess not many people take their cars to the road courses as much as 1/4 mile racing. I have been at Summit Point a couple of times with my other cars a while back, but not the C32 yet.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
Every time you run 1/4 mile you get a timeslip. Most track day organizers prohibit timekeeping, so that makes it a little hard to keep track of times.
I've run a lot at Summit Point (main and Shenandoah) and at VIR. I don't get the C32 on track anymore, but my 944 has run a 1:36 (more or less) at Summit main course.
For 2009, I've significantly upgraded my suspension but I'm actually going to downgrade from R-compound tires to good street tires. I'm going to see how much the R-compounds were making me fast; and I should also learn a ton more on street tires because they are less grippy and more forgiving.
I've run a lot at Summit Point (main and Shenandoah) and at VIR. I don't get the C32 on track anymore, but my 944 has run a 1:36 (more or less) at Summit main course.
For 2009, I've significantly upgraded my suspension but I'm actually going to downgrade from R-compound tires to good street tires. I'm going to see how much the R-compounds were making me fast; and I should also learn a ton more on street tires because they are less grippy and more forgiving.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: S.CA
202 C32 AMG
I have been to 2 road racing tracks here in S.CA, one is California Speedway and the other is Streets Of Willow. I was the only Mercedes at Streets Of Willow and there were maybe 1 or 2 Mercedes at California Speedway. I guess Mercedes isn't a popular track car. My C32 acturally ran pretty good at the track (for beginner class) and handle the corners very well. I would recommand more Mercedes owners take their car to road racing. You may surprise how well it can handle the corners. Hope to see more Mercedes at the track.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 1
From: Canada
C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
Yes, there really are very few MB's at the lapping days I have gone to. I'm all the way up in Ontario, Canada, so the tracks that are around me include Mosport, Shannonville, Dunnville, and Toronto Motorsports Park (Cayuga).
Here is my old thread about my last track day in 2008:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...season-me.html
I've decided to stick with street tires for as long as possible. I also track with stock suspension in both my cars, although I plan to get a square setup for my 1er next season with stickier street tires and light weight rims.
I've said many times in the past that many people (usuallly BMW M3 guys and Porsche guys) are genuinely surprised about the pace of the C55. I love mixing it up with them, as they give me a target to try to follow.
Here is my old thread about my last track day in 2008:
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...season-me.html
I've decided to stick with street tires for as long as possible. I also track with stock suspension in both my cars, although I plan to get a square setup for my 1er next season with stickier street tires and light weight rims.
I've said many times in the past that many people (usuallly BMW M3 guys and Porsche guys) are genuinely surprised about the pace of the C55. I love mixing it up with them, as they give me a target to try to follow.
Last edited by PC Valkyrie; Jan 14, 2009 at 09:00 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
C32/C55 is comparable on track to the S4 and the E36 M3. Ironically, the 2009 S4 is going to have a supercharged V6 making similar power to the C32.
With a great driver, the M3 is probably quicker, but in general they are close enough that the difference in outright speed is the driver. Once you get into road course driving, you realize that there is a fundamental disconnect -- the better a car is for the road course, the worse it is for everyday use. It's also much easier to total your car on a road course than on a drag strip. So I got a cheap track beater.
I see a handful of Benzes out on track. Some old school types, but a few modern AMGs. Mercedes does not really have that image, and until they rolled out the C63, it was clear that the AMG image was a fast cruiser, not a nimble curve-carver.
With a great driver, the M3 is probably quicker, but in general they are close enough that the difference in outright speed is the driver. Once you get into road course driving, you realize that there is a fundamental disconnect -- the better a car is for the road course, the worse it is for everyday use. It's also much easier to total your car on a road course than on a drag strip. So I got a cheap track beater.
I see a handful of Benzes out on track. Some old school types, but a few modern AMGs. Mercedes does not really have that image, and until they rolled out the C63, it was clear that the AMG image was a fast cruiser, not a nimble curve-carver.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,064
Likes: 1
From: Canada
C55 AMG, 135i, 911 GT3, GLE43 AMG
Actually, I respectfully disagree. From personal experience and published head to head tests, the C55 is comparable to the E46 M3 (stock vs stock, street tires, and with drivers of comparable skill).
From my own experience, the only E46 M3's which are clearly faster are those with R-compounds and often suspension/brake modifications (these guys probably have more experience than me too).
With some suspension upgrades, the C32 should be comparable to a stock E46 M3 too.
Another big factor of course, is the type of track. Some high speed tracks may actually favour the AMG, while very tight tracks with lots of slow corners may favour the M. But I agree that the biggest factor in determining laptimes between the cars probably is driver skill and courage. The next biggest factor is probably R-compound vs street tires.
From my own experience, the only E46 M3's which are clearly faster are those with R-compounds and often suspension/brake modifications (these guys probably have more experience than me too).
With some suspension upgrades, the C32 should be comparable to a stock E46 M3 too.
Another big factor of course, is the type of track. Some high speed tracks may actually favour the AMG, while very tight tracks with lots of slow corners may favour the M. But I agree that the biggest factor in determining laptimes between the cars probably is driver skill and courage. The next biggest factor is probably R-compound vs street tires.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 11
From: PA
S600, GL450, GLC 43
The R tires are by far the single BIGGEST improvement for track times. HANDS DOWN. The down side is two fold with them.
1. They DON'T give a rookie hardly ANY warning at the limit.
2. They allow you to make BIGGER mistakes, aka higher corning speeds means a bigger crash bill
Unless you are a real die hard own your race suit type of a guy, save your money here and possiably your car, IMHO.
Remeber open track days only win you bragging rights and a BIG old grin across your face. There is No cash or trophey reward at the end of the day.
See yeah
PS: I am just crazy enough to fit the above description, however I haven't purchased ANY r's now in over three years
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,513
Likes: 0
C32 AMG
Yes, a big old set of b__ls often leads to a victory, or a tow truck
The R tires are by far the single BIGGEST improvement for track times. HANDS DOWN. The down side is two fold with them.
1. They DON'T give a rookie hardly ANY warning at the limit.
2. They allow you to make BIGGER mistakes, aka higher corning speeds means a bigger crash bill
Unless you are a real die hard own your race suit type of a guy, save your money here and possiably your car, IMHO.
Remeber open track days only win you bragging rights and a BIG old grin across your face. There is No cash or trophey reward at the end of the day.
See yeah
PS: I am just crazy enough to fit the above description, however I haven't purchased ANY r's now in over three years
The R tires are by far the single BIGGEST improvement for track times. HANDS DOWN. The down side is two fold with them.
1. They DON'T give a rookie hardly ANY warning at the limit.
2. They allow you to make BIGGER mistakes, aka higher corning speeds means a bigger crash bill
Unless you are a real die hard own your race suit type of a guy, save your money here and possiably your car, IMHO.
Remeber open track days only win you bragging rights and a BIG old grin across your face. There is No cash or trophey reward at the end of the day.
See yeah
PS: I am just crazy enough to fit the above description, however I haven't purchased ANY r's now in over three years
There is a period when you're past the point of total control, but you're still in a position to save the car. That's where ALL the good learning takes place. With R-comps that timeframe is tiny. The back steps out and you have a tiny fraction of a second to correct, or it's over. With street tires, the whole thing is slower and longer. I just hope that I learn a lot and quickly without finding a tire wall!
PS: When I said that a C32/C55 was comparable to an E36 BMW I was not ruling out that it could keep up with an E46 too. (And when I said S4, I meant the current V8 and the old 2.7 turbo 6).
And the BIGGEST reason that Benzes are not often used as track cars -- they're almost all automatic transmissions.
Last edited by Fifth Ring; Jan 15, 2009 at 04:54 PM.
