Trackday at Sears Point Raceway in the C32
11-24-2009, 11:41 AM
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... are always a good time.
Trackday at Sears Point Raceway in the C32
Just did my first trackday in the C32. Its been three years since my last trackday but that was in a 2006 Sentra SE-R Spec-V. And prior to that was a 1985 Carrera 911.
The club event was pretty much a sold out day amongst members. Since SPR is a premier track and also located in the SF Bay Area it makes for a very attractive weekend. Price was $285.00.
The C32 was outstanding. I knew that it would have the HP but I underestimated its handling and transmission. The car danced around the track with ease. Yes it was a little heavy but with preper technique everything works perfectly.
I was running with 19's and Kuhmo tires. This was my main concern. I was worried that I would rub the rears in the fender well. Well, I only rubbed once the entire day. Tires stuck well for the first 7 laps. After that I started to get some squealing.
On the exit towards the main front straight I tested the acceleration against a few high power cars. Nissan GT-R... kicked my ***! Corvette Z06... kicked my ***! Last generation M3, Corvette C5, EVO's... not as powerful.
Otherwise I had a clean day.
Miguel
The club event was pretty much a sold out day amongst members. Since SPR is a premier track and also located in the SF Bay Area it makes for a very attractive weekend. Price was $285.00.
The C32 was outstanding. I knew that it would have the HP but I underestimated its handling and transmission. The car danced around the track with ease. Yes it was a little heavy but with preper technique everything works perfectly.
I was running with 19's and Kuhmo tires. This was my main concern. I was worried that I would rub the rears in the fender well. Well, I only rubbed once the entire day. Tires stuck well for the first 7 laps. After that I started to get some squealing.
On the exit towards the main front straight I tested the acceleration against a few high power cars. Nissan GT-R... kicked my ***! Corvette Z06... kicked my ***! Last generation M3, Corvette C5, EVO's... not as powerful.
Otherwise I had a clean day.
Miguel
11-24-2009, 12:39 PM
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2012 Mercedes S63 P30, 2015 Mercedes GL550, 2009 BMW 650i Convertible
Having fun and keeping it off the wall always makes for a satisfying day. Glad the car performed well!
Bill
Bill
11-24-2009, 05:24 PM
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... are always a good time.
Sorry... I dont have any vids. Its been awhile since I tracked soI didnt want to screw around and set up a camera. I didnt want to take a chance in dividing my time to get the perfect VID of a track battle and staying on the track. But beleive me I did feel like zip-tying my digital camera to the headrest.
I do have more pics and I will try to post them up. The files are kind big for MBW.
Miguel
I do have more pics and I will try to post them up. The files are kind big for MBW.
Miguel
11-27-2009, 06:14 PM
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... are always a good time.
Pics from Infineon / Sears Point Raceway
Here are a few more action pics from SPR.
Funny how the car adapts to the driving conditions. It will actually hold your gear even though you are "tach"ing out in 2nd or 3rd. In the first few sessions I would manually use the lever to change the gears. After driving for awhile I realized that it wasnt necessary.
The C32 is a great car for the track but there are better sedans out there. I still would rather have a manual gearbox for the track. But "it is what it is" and the C32 did much better then I would have expected.
Enjoy the pics!
Miguel
Funny how the car adapts to the driving conditions. It will actually hold your gear even though you are "tach"ing out in 2nd or 3rd. In the first few sessions I would manually use the lever to change the gears. After driving for awhile I realized that it wasnt necessary.
The C32 is a great car for the track but there are better sedans out there. I still would rather have a manual gearbox for the track. But "it is what it is" and the C32 did much better then I would have expected.
Enjoy the pics!
Miguel
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11-28-2009, 01:43 PM
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SLK55 AMG, E320 BlueTec, ML350, (formerly) C32 AMG, MR2 Turbo, HD-FLH-FSE, BMW R100RS, Ducati M900
C32 on track
Cheers mate,
Your experience with C32 and comments mirror my own exactly. It does really well for what it is. I would take a manual trans also. Walking Evo's, M3 E46 and similar performance cars is possible.
Irish
Your experience with C32 and comments mirror my own exactly. It does really well for what it is. I would take a manual trans also. Walking Evo's, M3 E46 and similar performance cars is possible.
Irish
11-30-2009, 01:46 PM
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... are always a good time.
Yes, the C32 can be quite athletic on the track. Looking forward to more track days in 2010. Maybe I can get another MBW member interested when it happens. Usually there is room for guests after the membership registration period has passed. The premier track for our club is SPR due to it being so close to the SF Bay Area. But Thunderhill Raceway is a great track and Laguna Seca usually draws a decent crowd.
Just be prepared to pay about $300-375 for an event. Definitely worth it!
Miguel
Just be prepared to pay about $300-375 for an event. Definitely worth it!
Miguel
