First time "race day"

[tldukestang]

I am attending the Lamers Race day at Road America with my GT350 Tech Pack. I have read and understand the probable issue I will have with the limp mode and will not install a transmission cooler option until Ford comes out with a factory option, which will doubtfully happen prior to my race event. Here is my question. I am a novice driver and this will be my first race track day. When the car goes into limp mode do I need to leave the track? I am reading that the car will limit itself to 5000 RPM which, based on my daily driving, will still get around the track OK for a novice. Can I just keep driving in limp mode or is it best to exit the track at the next pit option? Thanks in advance for any help provided.

Sponsored

 

[zombiekiller]

I am attending the Lamers Race day at Road America with my GT350 Tech Pack. I have read and understand the probable issue I will have with the limp mode and will not install a transmission cooler option until Ford comes out with a factory option, which will doubtfully happen prior to my race event. Here is my question. I am a novice driver and this will be my first race track day. When the car goes into limp mode do I need to leave the track? I am reading that the car will limit itself to 5000 RPM which, based on my daily driving, will still get around the track OK for a novice. Can I just keep driving in limp mode or is it best to exit the track at the next pit option? Thanks in advance for any help provided.

you'll need to point everyone by, then you'll need to exit the track.

it isn't anywhere even close to half power. Think base model fiesta, levels of power.

 

[tldukestang]

Thanks. I was hoping for a different answer but I assumed as much. Too bad for novices like me. I've always wanted a track capable car and thought I had one in the GT350. It will be a major disappointment if/when my first and maybe only event turns out to be a serious bummer with a limp mode "track capable" car. I just hope there is a remedy soon so I can get back on the Ford bandwagon.

 

[zombiekiller]

Thanks. I was hoping for a different answer but I assumed as much. Too bad for novices like me. I've always wanted a track capable car and thought I had one in the GT350. It will be a major disappointment if/when my first and maybe only event turns out to be a serious bummer with a limp mode "track capable" car. I just hope there is a remedy soon so I can get back on the Ford bandwagon.

all i can say is, the later you brake and the less engine braking that you allow, the longer you'll make it on the track. If you arent heel/toeing, and you try your best to resist the urge to downshift to 2nd, the longer you'll be out there, you'll just be running much slower than you could. smooth is fast.

If you are a novice, do none of this without your instructors tutelage. :cheers:

 

[mattlqx]

Nit pick: you're not racing so just toss that word out of your vocabulary.

You'll get a fair amount of enjoyment out of it still. Particularly being a novice at Road America, the track is so long and high speed, you may not have transmission temperature issues. But if you do hit the thermal limits, exit the track at the first opportunity. It'll take you a long time to do a full lap whilst limping.

I'm envious though, that's a track I've always wanted to do in real life.

 

[Sprintamx]

You're going to get the limp mode, the question is when. Some good advice already: work the brakes more than the engine and maybe, just maybe, you can squeak out a 15 minute learning session. That won't really suck for a first event. Use the situation to develop good track awareness, be aware of the speed and overtaking differentials that will occur, learn to get your car offline, and otherwise use every aspect as a learning experience.

Keep in mind that as a student you should be working on rev-matching / heel-toeing in combination with braking and corner entry / mid-corner management. So, your instructors may want you to work the transmission more than you'd like because of an attempt to limit the temperature build-up in the tranny. Having said that, many instructors are perfectly ok with students shifting through the gears as little as necessary in order to focus more on track position, turn in, braking, throttle control, car control, etc. There have been plenty of times where I've directed students with high power cars to keep it in 4th for the whole track! With the GT350, there's enough rev range and torque in the motor that you can stay in 3rd (slower corners) and 4th everywhere on most tracks in the U.S. Just keep in mind, somewhere in the back of your mind for your first event, that relying almost exclusively on braking for car control and placement is incorrect and ultimately very slow. Don't fret about it, just know it and move on for now.

Unfortunately, and I'm sorry to say, even babying the tranny by overworking your braking may not buy you the extra time. Please report back with your experience, however.

 

[Bossing]

Don't even go to 2nd gear.... at the slow sections like hairpin turns etc. Just stay in 3rd gear and use your momentum to flow quickly thru the turns. The car will still accelerate fast enough out of 3rd gear. Practice: slow in- into turns and then fast out- out of turns.

Also, try to be one of the last to grid per session so that you have technically less time on the track and can prolong time before hitting limp mode....

Plus don't worry about trying to be the fastest guy out there. Remember that smooth driving = fast laps. With disciplined smoothness, sooner or later you'll be amazed on how fast you catch up to other cars who are aggressive lap in, lap out. It's all about YOU having fun and feeling safe & comfortable. Not a race at all. Enjoy!

Sponsored