THREE DAYS AT COTA

[cobra498]

My best-ever laptime in the Mac was 2:28, I ran a 2:24 in the GT, and given no traffic and more seat time I reckon it could be a 2:20 car. The handling is way better than the Mac, which always seems a little unsettled under heavy braking, and the GT steering is sublime - tells you exactly what the car is about to do (that’s what makes it so easy to correct). Acceleration is a bit quicker (not much) but the surprising thing is turbo lag; in the Mac there’s not a lot going on below 3000 rpm, but in the Ford it’s all happening all the time. Even if you come out of a corner in say, third instead of second, the torque just pulls you through. I love this thing!

Thank you Texas, that is wonderful to hear. I have not tracked mine but did notice how easy it was to control on an induced off ramp slide. Very balanced and undramatic gives a feeling of confidence.

 

[GT0987]

As an observer to your group you were definitely balls to the wall. People were pointing at you coming onto the front straight and saying "watch this!" and there you went. Being in a different group I had the pleasure of chasing the Heritage (Frank the Tank?) for a few laps. As much as I've watched the car and heard about it, nothing prepared me for the extreme braking I saw at the end of the straights. It was unfamiliar to brake so much earlier than the car in front of me. It was a great weekend.

 

[Thugboat]

I was there with Dave this weekend, The NFGT was incredible to watch both on the track and off. Being in the garage with Dave and Frank people were constantly around with cameras. I was in the same run group as Dave rotating between a 96 vette, Audi R8 and a Honda powered Miata. Dave lapped me in everything except the Audi. Thats where the NFGT is most fun to watch, on the track as it closes on you and goes by like a low flying jet. Dave was tearing up the track and he drove it over from Houston and straight onto the track a few minutes later. So it will most likely do in the 220's or less lap times if your not worried about taking it home or for groceries. LOL Dave was giving rides all weekend to the brave. Two riders got queasy from their ride and they are both racers. One thing almost every rider mentioned is that the way the aero is designed the hot air off the radiator goes right past the windows. In some turns with the windows down they could feel the hot air distinctly. It was a great weekend and I am pretty sure Dave still has a big grin plastered on his face.

 

[06fordgt]

Excellent and great way to enjoy this beast!!

 

[digman1]

Great write up. Thanks for giving us a taste of these amazing cars on the track !

 

[DJC]

Where did you set the stability and traction control? When I tracked mine I did feel it taking over on tight turns. That's with everything on. I figured next time I'd start backing them off.

 

[MJSFRX]

thanks for sharing. Sounds like a ton of fun

 

[ByeEnzo]

Here’s a video of Mongrel’s smoking tire...

 

[ByeEnzo]

I had a great time hanging out with the Houston crew including David and Sanjay. 3 NFGT’s and 2 Senna’s there plus a bunch of hi end race machinery. I brought my GT3RS, It was raining Friday so track times were slow. Sat and Sun were clear and warmer. My pace definitely picked up. My last session was my best...not quite as quick as the FGT guys

 

[ByeEnzo]

Sanjay brought 4 machines....his Carbon series FGT, a new Senna, a Pista, and a 570GT4. Tracked them all!
Then there was my lowly RS
Pics of Mongrel’s and Frank the Tank’s cars also.

 

[Iconic GT]

Awesome the weather cooperated for your weekend Dave! Wish I could have made it out... great feedback and look forward to more of your adventures.....

 

[Apollo]

I plan on giving it a try. I always use the silver hi-temp tape on the wheel weights. I may not drive as fast as Mongrel though. Definitely not as fast as DoctorV8.

Ed

The silver tape works well, too well for my taste. It is so hard to get off after it has been baked on. I have been using gaffer tape with very good results.

 

[NJS]

+1 Gaffer tape is way easier to remove.

Really fun running at COTA for 3 days. Loads of exotics as others have mentioned.

Ran the GT350R and managed a 2:29.44 -- always fun trying to catch/keep up with the GT3R/GT3RS's:

 

[GTMD]

Looks like you all had a blast. Looking forward to a future track day again with you all. New GT is a beast!!

 

[DBK]

 

[DBK]

 

[ChipBeck]

Damn that looks like fun.

 

[daytrayd]

Mongrel, I tried to find your garage but never could, sorry i missed ya. I was in the e36 track rat, but I only drove Sunday. Perfect weather on Sunday, set a pr.

Ajay, Frank, and Sanjay, good running into you as well! Looking forward to March!

 

[fjpikul]

Did you have the nannies on?

 

[texas mongrel]

Did you have the nannies on?

Yup - I’ve got to drive this thing home! However, I think the ESC is not at all intrusive on the GT: in my Mac it comes on all the time and you can feel it, but in the GT I never saw the dash light come on, even when I was kicking the tail out. I might try ‘performance level’ setting next time I track it to see if I can feel a difference