My BS and Stradale at the track and ...
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Sunny Orange County, California
2008 CLK BS
My BS and Stradale at the track and ...
The track in question is the Roval at the California Speedway. 2.88 mile course that consists of the high speed banks and interior road course.
I've had a Stradale on the track before and was always impressed with it's track prowess. Ferrari created an almost perfect blend of a street/track car - not perfect for either but just the right blend to enjoy the car in both environments.
Since I had never tracked the BS I was excited to run it so it was first up. By the third lap I had easily passed a new Z06, M5, ISF, R35 and a few other potent machines. I was running in step with a modified Noble and was blown away at how well the car was handling! I figured it would do well but it surpassed my expectations!
I then took the Stradale out and lo and behold ... it wasn't as thrilling as the BS had been! Very similar times although I honestly believe the BS could have ultimately been faster around a track like the Roval due to its massive torque. I was not used to the BS (only have 600 miles on it) and still put down an identical time to the Stradale! A little more seat time in the BS and I'm sure it would be faster around the Roval than the Stradale.
Again this is probably a good track for the BS because of it's torque. All in all - a great day for the BS. I loved the car before I tracked it and love it even more now!
I've had a Stradale on the track before and was always impressed with it's track prowess. Ferrari created an almost perfect blend of a street/track car - not perfect for either but just the right blend to enjoy the car in both environments.
Since I had never tracked the BS I was excited to run it so it was first up. By the third lap I had easily passed a new Z06, M5, ISF, R35 and a few other potent machines. I was running in step with a modified Noble and was blown away at how well the car was handling! I figured it would do well but it surpassed my expectations!
I then took the Stradale out and lo and behold ... it wasn't as thrilling as the BS had been! Very similar times although I honestly believe the BS could have ultimately been faster around a track like the Roval due to its massive torque. I was not used to the BS (only have 600 miles on it) and still put down an identical time to the Stradale! A little more seat time in the BS and I'm sure it would be faster around the Roval than the Stradale.
Again this is probably a good track for the BS because of it's torque. All in all - a great day for the BS. I loved the car before I tracked it and love it even more now!
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Cave Creek, AZ and Newport Beach
'22 G 63 AMG, '21 GLE 53 AMG, '20 NSX
Nice write up. It seems its the same byline. Went to the track kicked everybodys *** and they couldn't believe its a mercedes! BTW, was the Nobel a metalic brown driver Rob Green?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 111
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From: Sunny Orange County, California
2008 CLK BS
No. Black Noble. Modified. Cool watching it shoot flames out the tail pipes on all the up shifts!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 111
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From: Sunny Orange County, California
2008 CLK BS
Consequently ... you owe yourself one of these cars Rob! Incredible machines. Very impressive!
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2012 CLS63, 2009 Scud, 1978 930 Turbo
Glad to hear that my Stradale has maintained it's "garage queen" status and that you opted to take your "beater" Stradale to the track!!
You're my hero!!!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 86
From: Cave Creek, AZ and Newport Beach
'22 G 63 AMG, '21 GLE 53 AMG, '20 NSX
What ever happened to that Stradale you autocrossed? I forgot the name of the shop that did the body work, you could hardly tell on the repaint.
Would you stop lurking and buy the Black.
Jimmy
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From: Sunny Orange County, California
2008 CLK BS
When the BS first appeared I immediately fell in love with it! It was a masterpiece and had the performance stats to back it up. I knew I wanted one. However, it was very difficult for me to swallow a MSRP of $138,000 for a CLK-based car (despite everything it represented).
When the cars started to dip below $100k I started to pay attention. The right opportunity presented itself and I decided it was time to make my move. I knew I would be impressed but did not realize how impressed I would be.
It's simple. If you're considering a BS ... buy one. You won't be disappointed.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Wisconsin
CLK 63 AMG Black Series
I like the Black a lot! However, to be clinically objective, it's my 4th most enjoyable of my toys on Road America: CGT, F430 Scud, GT3RS and then the BS. Maybe it is the long straights or my style of driving, but for me it doesn't match its garage siblings come track day. On the road, I really enjoy it.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Cave Creek, AZ and Newport Beach
'22 G 63 AMG, '21 GLE 53 AMG, '20 NSX
I like the Black a lot! However, to be clinically objective, it's my 4th most enjoyable of my toys on Road America: CGT, F430 Scud, GT3RS and then the BS. Maybe it is the long straights or my style of driving, but for me it doesn't match its garage siblings come track day. On the road, I really enjoy it.
"Clinically objective"
in this forum? I be curious to know what the lap time differential between the cars given the high speed of RA. Subjectively I believe the Black was easier to drive fast that a GT3/RS and I've pretty much had my way with GT3's on high speed tracks. The CGT is really in another league and even a mediocre driver cleaned my clock at WSIR so you won't get any argument from me there. A Scud should be faster but haven't seen ANY show up on track days. BTW, nice stable.
Jimmy
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Wisconsin
CLK 63 AMG Black Series
...I be curious to know what the lap time differential between the cars given the high speed of RA.
Subjectively I believe the Black was easier to drive fast that a GT3/RS and I've pretty much had my way with GT3's on high speed tracks...
...A Scud should be faster but haven't seen ANY show up on track days.
Subjectively I believe the Black was easier to drive fast that a GT3/RS and I've pretty much had my way with GT3's on high speed tracks...
...A Scud should be faster but haven't seen ANY show up on track days.
Though I have not made timed run comparisons, I can drive the RS, while I'm struggling with the BS. Maybe because I have more 911 seat time, the RS seems more engaged and more planted. The manual RS is always in the power band; the BS has a shift lag that makes it difficult to peg the right gear with the automatic transmission. Also, TC is always smoking the rear brakes trying to save me from myself. As expected, both are as slower on the long straights than Scud and CGT.
Make no mistake, the BS is an absolute blast to drive at RA -- and on the road. In this league, differences are amusing more than disappointing. If I didn't love the BS, I wouldn't own it!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,309
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From: Cave Creek, AZ and Newport Beach
'22 G 63 AMG, '21 GLE 53 AMG, '20 NSX
Though the CGT has a 14% power to weight advantage over the Scud, I'm only seeing 1 to 3 second faster lap times which I attribute to the Scud's 60 ms shift time. I can carry more speed and exit faster.
Though I have not made timed run comparisons, I can drive the RS, while I'm struggling with the BS. Maybe because I have more 911 seat time, the RS seems more engaged and more planted. The manual RS is always in the power band; the BS has a shift lag that makes it difficult to peg the right gear with the automatic transmission. Also, TC is always smoking the rear brakes trying to save me from myself. As expected, both are as slower on the long straights than Scud and CGT.
Make no mistake, the BS is an absolute blast to drive at RA -- and on the road. In this league, differences are amusing more than disappointing. If I didn't love the BS, I wouldn't own it!
Though I have not made timed run comparisons, I can drive the RS, while I'm struggling with the BS. Maybe because I have more 911 seat time, the RS seems more engaged and more planted. The manual RS is always in the power band; the BS has a shift lag that makes it difficult to peg the right gear with the automatic transmission. Also, TC is always smoking the rear brakes trying to save me from myself. As expected, both are as slower on the long straights than Scud and CGT.
Make no mistake, the BS is an absolute blast to drive at RA -- and on the road. In this league, differences are amusing more than disappointing. If I didn't love the BS, I wouldn't own it!
Jimmy
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 22
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From: Wisconsin
CLK 63 AMG Black Series
I had a pro race driver ride with me a few laps. His guidance:
"Drive it like a DTM!"
I said, "OK. How do I do that?" I'm starting to get the knack.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Sunny Orange County, California
2008 CLK BS
I like the Black a lot! However, to be clinically objective, it's my 4th most enjoyable of my toys on Road America: CGT, F430 Scud, GT3RS and then the BS. Maybe it is the long straights or my style of driving, but for me it doesn't match its garage siblings come track day. On the road, I really enjoy it.
I've never tracked my other cars and really don't have a desire to for fear of crashing one of them! Not that I would care less if the BS or Stradale hit the wall but I can't even fathom the CGT or F40 even picking up an errant rock chip!
I am in the market for a Scud but am being patient. Time is on my side in terms of being able to acquire one for an attractive price!
Last edited by Tipo815; Nov 24, 2008 at 11:47 PM.
