And loving it! I finally got on track at the Glen, and it was pretty sick. Mark (T-Red98) showed up too. Hot dang does an SVT with headers/y/intake pull hard! I was stretching towards 110 (~4th redline) on the back straight, and he wasn't having much trouble hitting it - and thanks to my tires, I was coming out of the esses at least 10mph faster!
The Contour feels awesome on the fast corners. I kept it brimming with oil (7qts) and had no issues, despite ~70 laps, each with 4 very long, sustained right-handers at 5,000 - 7,000 rpm. And it was really fast. Thanks to a forgiving chassis and lack of power (and some autocross experience) I was able to push pretty hard through the corners. It's amazing how a car that sticks well, when driven on the right line, will come FLYING up on a C5 or Mustang Cobra that's missed an apex. As fast as those cars are, they really don't stick in the corners much better than the Contour. Power was much less of a factor here than I imagined it would be.
I'd have to agree, it was my first track event and I'm soo happy I went. I cant wait till next year. Watkins Glen is a great track, the instructors are extremely knowledgeable, and helpfull.
I 'hit' redline in 4th on the backstraight once, but for the most part I would roll off the throttle around 6k and then start to brake. On the last couple of laps I tried 3rd in some spots, but for the most part I just took your advice and left in in 4th and tried to work on my lines.
Im definitely hooked and looking forward to future events.
IMHO, the Contour is a much better road course car than autocross.
I've heard many reports through the years of Contour drivers pulling on much more powerful cars in the twisty bits. (Even if they get caught on the straights--eventually).
The technical details that limit this car on the autocross course are much less of a factor on the road course. Furthermore, I think the car's inherent strengths are allowed to come into play.
Oh yeah, the 107.5" wheelbase is the biggest factor. I mean, this car feels good on parking lots, but it was SOLID on the course. My (ITA-racing) instructor was floored by its performance. It's so stiff, so balanced, and so predictable that I was running at 9/10ths and felt super comfortable. My second day on the track I was cracking off 7-8 laps in a row without missing a corner. Throttle-steer is silky-smooth, power is everywhere in the rev band, brakes held up fine, and the seats were supportive.
Problems - Front non-SVT rotors are pretty marginal. Heel-toe is tough (but I got it down on the second day), brake pedal is very soft, and it is a bit under-powered (SVT would be much better).
I have to agree with the thought that the Contour is better on the road course than autocross. My instructor was very surprised at how well the Contour stuck in the corners. I think I averaged about 8-10mpg when I was driving.
Well considering my rear sus. is about to get a major overhaul (TCAs, BAT sway bar, boxed main control arms, endlinks, etc.), I think its about time I found me a road course! Too bad the closest one is Daytona and that is a PITA/hard as balls to get track time on. Sebring, Atlanta, Homestead anyone?
Someone post info on how/what it takes to get involved and be "allowed" to use your car on a roadcourse.
Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
roebling
I was watching a video of the guy I worked for take his car around Roebling and it seems like a pretty technical track. He said it's pretty fun though.
You guys can watch it if you want. I think his best time was around 1:15-1:16.
Corvette at Roebling
Originally posted by Ray:
Someone post info on how/what it takes to get involved and be "allowed" to use your car on a roadcourse.
Ya sign up. I'll make a sticky, though...
Originally posted by JustinCSVT:
I think his best time was around 1:15-1:16.
Damn, that is crazy fast. Professional driver on another forum I'm on ran 1:19 in a c5 z06.
Said driver around roebling in a supra with too small tires http://www.gscdownloads.com/supra/roebling1016/1lapsupraFINAL.wmv
Originally posted by Auto-X Fil:
Originally posted by Ray:
Someone post info on how/what it takes to get involved and be "allowed" to use your car on a roadcourse.
Ya sign up. I'll make a sticky, though...
Not always. May vary from venue to venue, or event to event. Sometimes you must have a competitive license.
Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
Damn, that is crazy fast. Professional driver on another forum I'm on ran 1:19 in a c5 z06.
Yea this car and driver aren't your average combination. Reese used to race in the World Challenge series before going to the modifcation business. That Z06 isn't your average Z06 either. 
I really want to see him take his 427ci World Challenge car out to Roebling or RA but he says the Road Atlanta won't allow him to bring it to a trackday.
Originally posted by Auto-X Fil:
And loving it! I finally got on track at the Glen, and it was pretty sick.
I got 8 mpg when I went. 
*
I wasn't that impressed with the Glen to be honest. To me it seemed like more of a point and shoot track rather than one you can get a good rhythm to, ala Mid-Ohio, VIR or even BeaveRun.
You should come do BeaveRun with Terri and I when we go, GREAT little track and when I took the Contour there I absolutely raped the Porsches. (Except one turbo 911 on race rubber - I still run street tires. )
*I was in my Cobra at the time. 
Originally posted by JustinCSVT:
I have to agree with the thought that the Contour is better on the road course than autocross. My instructor was very surprised at how well the Contour stuck in the corners. I think I averaged about 8-10mpg when I was driving.
Every road course review I've ever seen of this car (SVT and non) the author has been stunned by the handling & performance of the Contour. There was a post here with a link to a Mustang site where two 'Stangs went to the Dragon with an SVTC and they were impressed that the Contour with it's much lower HP rating not only kept up, but actually did very well vs the Mustangs. This is why I've been itching to get my Contique onto a road track almost since I bought it. Love to explore the full capabilities of the chassis while sitting on descent tires & a BAT kit.
Anybody got an event in Florida coming up, let me know.
SVTOA does an event at Sebring every year around April I think.
Originally posted by Hdbngr8:
SVTOA does an event at Sebring every year around April I think.
You are correct. First year I heard about it, I was too late. Last year I was too busy. They charge about $300 to get on the track though. Seems kinda steep compared to some events I read about.
That's not a bad price for two days of track time. So far I have seen costs between $240 and $340 for a weekend (comparing SVTOA, MCOI, Shleby Club, etc.). I think it's well worth the money.
Wow. 2 of the tracks in CO charged cars $75/day for tracktime. Im not sure what the others charged. Half days were available for less.
I'd kill for $75/day track time!!
Originally posted by TourDeForce:
Originally posted by Hdbngr8:
SVTOA does an event at Sebring every year around April I think.
You are correct. First year I heard about it, I was too late. Last year I was too busy. They charge about $300 to get on the track though. Seems kinda steep compared to some events I read about.
That's a steal. I don't know what events you're looking at but I seriously doubt they're cheaper. I'm usually closer to $400 just in track fees...
Well, that wasnt for "events." They charged that for open track days. They were open most times as long as the weather was good.
I miss quoted the track fee
motorcycle was 50/75 for half or full day
car is 60/100 for half or full day
http://www.pueblomotorsportspark.com/pmiroad.htmThe other was closed last Christmas because the people who moved in around it finally got their way and got it closed (due to noise). It was right by Denver International Airport too, wonder if that will close soon!
IMO I would stay away from those types of events because unless you have a lot of experience tracking your car you're really not going to get as much out of it. I think it is much better to get with a crew of people that run a good event and stick with them for a year or two then maybe start looking at open tracking. You'll get a lot more out of it.
This statement is really directed at anybody interested in tracking their car.
If you're on the East Coast check out trackschedule.com.