My day at Cota...


daytrayd

daytrayd

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Apr 23, 2010
557
Austin, TX
Went out to COTA with my rides, was an awesome track day. Perfect weather, lots of cool rides. There was an LFA, SLS black series, Sl65 black edition, the usual Ferraris, a vintage F1 car, vintage indy car which blew a motor, Ariel Atom, wicked TT CTSV, etc. Met "BIGSGT" aka Don who was a standup guy. Really cool to meet another GT brother at the track. Lots more pics to come..but heres a sneak peek. My pride and joy had her first track day as well!

fordferrari.jpg
ford2.jpgford3.jpgford4.jpgford5.jpg
 
ford6.jpgford7.jpgford8.jpgford9.jpgford10.jpg
 
ford11.jpgford12.jpgford13.jpg
 

Attachments

  • ford14.jpg
    ford14.jpg
    132.2 KB · Views: 385
  • ford15.jpg
    ford15.jpg
    118.2 KB · Views: 370
Last edited:
ford16.jpgford17.jpgford18.jpgford19.jpgford20.jpg
 
ford21.jpgford22.jpg
 
HECK with the cars - who's the little DOLL with the pink ear protection???!
 
Great shots there, thanks for sharing and glad all went well for you.

Like EP said, what a little treasure she is!
 
So great to meet daytrayd and his family. A truly fine individual and car guy/racer. Sweet and beautiful wife and as mentioned cute baby girl getting exposed at an early age to the wonders of automotive bliss! Thanks for the awesome pictures C! Meeting you and sharing the garage definitely added to the overall experience of COTA yesterday and even with twice as many cars as my last track day there I had a blast not to be forgotten! I hope we can get together again soon. I appreciate that you modestly left out mention of your other 'ride' but you didn't swear me to secrecy so for those that don't know, it's the CGT! I was proud to hear daytrayd claim he enjoyed the FGT on COTA more than the CGT!
 
Looks like it was a great day at the track and oh yeah LOVE the CGT
 
Very Nice! I put braided lines on the 2010 Blue and White Viper that was out there running with you guys. He sent me pics of your FGT while he was out there. Very nice car BTW.
 
Interesting...my yellow CGT TX plates are "05 CGT". Good choice in cars!
 
Looks alike a good time to me!
Nice pictures!Thanks for posting
 
As Big said, she my pride and joy Kylie! Love her to death. Such a good time, and Big lets do it again soon. Thanks for all the compliments guys! :cheers
 
ByeEnzo said:
Interesting...my yellow CGT TX plates are "05 CGT". Good choice in cars!
Click to expand...

Very cool! You have the yellow one, correct? I think I've seen you on rennlist occasionally.
 
Great photos, and beautiful cars!
 
So, what did you think of COTA as far as the track goes? Lots of high speed sweepers, tight technical stuff, or both? I've wondered what its like having seen it on the tube (f1).

Also wondering whether you've put the new Michelins on the CGT -- I've got em on mine but haven't really had the chance to give them a hard test.

What are your observations regarding the difference between the CGT and the GT at the track?
 
FLATOUT said:
Very Nice! I put braided lines on the 2010 Blue and White Viper that was out there running with you guys. He sent me pics of your FGT while he was out there. Very nice car BTW.
Click to expand...

Flatout,

There were no Vipers running on Sunday. As I understand it they also had PSL holder track days on Friday and Saturday as well, so that B/W was likely out there one of those days. Maybe there was another R/W FGT on another day, or did you mean my Tungsten? What a great track and beautiful day!
 
w. mitty said:
So, what did you think of COTA as far as the track goes? Lots of high speed sweepers, tight technical stuff, or both? I've wondered what its like having seen it on the tube (f1).

Also wondering whether you've put the new Michelins on the CGT -- I've got em on mine but haven't really had the chance to give them a hard test.

What are your observations regarding the difference between the CGT and the GT at the track?
Click to expand...


The track in a word was awesome. I've never driven a Grand Prix circuit so I can't really compare it to other courses. But compared to the local tracks I've driven it was so fast! It was incredibly smooth, and I found it a bit technical in really only two places. The esses and turn 13-14-15. However, my times weren't that great so obviously I have a bit to learn. I think I was turning times around 2:40 in the gt, and I don't know in the carrera yet I need to review the tape. I went off courses in the esses twice and three times at 10-11. You think you are set for 13 and then you are way wide for 14 but there is plenty of run off room.

As for the GT vs CGT, it's really hard to say. I started in the Porsche and said it can't get better than this. The sound is pure race car. Confidence isn't as high for me in the p car, so I didn't push it as hard. Plus I was still learning the track and shift points. I will say the ford was the better car when in the wrong gear cause the torque band is so flat. I loved the Porsche so much I considered ditching the gt for the day, but luckily common sense kicked in. My instructor thanked me at the end for a once in a lifetime opportunity to ride shotgun at cota in one, which was very humbling. It's really a legend for track guys.

The gt was like putting on an old pair of shoes. I know this car, almost all my track time is in the gt seat. Instantly I felt the torque of the supercharger pushing me out the turns, and the top end pull is comparable to the carrera, probably better (pullied/tune). My confidence is so much better that I found the limit in certain parts of the course, particularly 10 which is flat out and awesome. Braking was better in the ford IMO, better grab. But you can boil those steels quick so need to watch it. You couldn't boil the CGT if you tried I think. My new instructor screamed America everyttime was passed a Ferrari, which was awesome! After getting out of the gt, I once again said it doesn't get better than this. So with that being said I liked the gt better, but all honesty they are pretty close. It I was more confident in the carrera I'd say dead even.
 
I've been on that track only in a Grand Cherokee SRT (during press intro) and LOVED IT. My main track time is on Willow (big and small) plus a lot of time at Laguna and some at Barbara Motorsports Park (and a little a Buttonwillow and Las Vegas Motor Speedway infield). COTA is very well laid out. Would really like a chance to try it in my Ford GT but haven't, so I have to say Laguna is still my favorite (SO much fun in a GT), but I think COTA would have potential to unseat Laguna. Great track. Looks like a lot of great iron was out there. Thanks for sharing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom