Fastest Speeds EnteringTurn 1 @ Fontana

[Zulu993]

Going to Fontana for the first time what should I expect from a 996 GT3 entering turns 1 and 2? They do have the "safer barrier" right!

[Greg Phillips]

Going to Fontana for the first time what should I expect from a 996 GT3 entering turns 1 and 2? They do have the "safer barrier" right!

Are you wondering how fast you can go into turn 1 or how fast you can come out of turn 2
A lot depends on the tires you are on but I think you should have the acceleration to easily get up over 140 mph on the front straight. If you are relying on the safer barrier, don't go there

Greg

[kary]

I have ridden as an instructor with a student and we entered turn 1 at 155 MPH. You can enter faster if you get a good launch on the last left turn that sets up the sweep to the oval. Depending upon the tires you are using however, you will need to lift a bit coming into turn 1 or in turn 1 because you cannot hold it in turn two. Pros that drive GT3 race cars there breath the throttle in the middle of turn 1/entrance of turn 2 and then full throttle following the breather. Not recommended for us weekend warriors.

Hope this helps!

[Zulu993]

Thanks, we're planning on starting on old MPSC F:235 R: 315. And maybe hook up with the Michelin Man or Yokohama for some Cup tire scrubbs by Sat or Sun.

[4est]

I listened to a Cup car leading the field by a mile last year. As evidenced by his super loud exhaust, he never lifted at all thru 1 or 2. Gave me the confidence to do it in my car and just let the turn in scrub the speed. It's scary, though, even when you keep telling yourself how wide and banked it is. I think that you would have to do something pretty dumb at exactly the right moment to end up (way up) in the wall.

My $.02

[kary]

It is one thing to hold your foot down flat with under 300 HP, and quite another thing to hold it down with over 400 HP

[MikeD]

I think that you would have to do something pretty dumb at exactly the right moment to end up (way up) in the wall.

My $.02

Not so. Smarter drivers than you and I put together have ended up in that wall.

• A mechanical failure is more often than not going to happen there as there is a lot more stress on all the parts.
• A slower driver not paying attention pushes you out.
• Oil on the track.

It really doesn't take much to send you high up on the banking and close to, if not into the wall. And sometimes all it is, is being a little too cocky about the track.

At the club level, you should always leave enough grip to get yourself out of trouble. Especially in that turn.

[Dan Chambers]

I think that you would have to do something pretty dumb at exactly the right moment to end up (way up) in the wall.

My $.02

Not so. Smarter drivers than you and I put together have ended up in that wall.

• A mechanical failure is more often than not going to happen there as there is a lot more stress on all the parts.
• A slower driver not paying attention pushes you out.
• Oil on the track.

It really doesn't take much to send you high up on the banking and close to, if not into the wall. And sometimes all it is, is being a little too cocky about the track.

At the club level, you should always leave enough grip to get yourself out of trouble. Especially in that turn.

I agree with Mike. I saw a video of a pro racer in a GT-3 Cup car lose it into the wall backwards at Daytona when his right-rear tire blew. You watch as a loud BANG occurs, then a whip-fast spin ........ and then........ THUD! Engine first.

You never know. Start slow, build speed, think: in slow, out fast. You should have enough seat time all weekend long to work your way up to the limit of the tires. In slow, out fast, go home with the car (and you) in one piece.

Just my dos-pesos.

[lowyder993s]

These guys are right on ALL counts...Tribute last year a cup blasted past me, right thru a debris field and had a blowout! The only reason he didn't go up in the wall is cuz he did the same thing the year before and hit the inside barrier. Fortunately, no contact, but I nearly collected him as he slid down to the infield

[JHPGT3]

Kary, why don't you mention your blowout at Fontana a couple years ago at this same event (new Pirellis as I recall?).