My track day at Mosport International Raceway

PC Valkyrie · 05-09-2008, 02:02 AM

Well, my track season just began yesteraday at Mosport International Raceway (one of the tracks the American Lemans Series goes to) in Bowmanville, Canada. The weather was OK. It was a little cold for May, being around 10-20 degrees Celsius during most of the day, and it did rain during lunch time with some light "spitting" from the clouds during parts of the afternoon as well which did not really make the track wet with "spray" from other cars. For most of the day, the track was dry on the racing line. Food provided by the organizers was excellent and plentiful.

I had a GREAT time, probably the most enjoyable track day I've ever had. I've never had as much track time as I did yesterday. I went through about 1.5 to 2 tanks of gas on the track alone. In total, I probably had about 3 to 3.5 hours of lapping time. I was the only one driving a 4 door sport sedan; most of the other street cars were Porsche's (911's) and some Corvettes (2 Z06's) and there were quite a number of fully prepped/stripped out race cars too.

The C55 held up VERY WELL. No brake fade from the stock brake system after all those laps, even with some 45 minute sessions I did continuously. Engine temp never went above ~90 degrees Celsius. The only modification I have is the Renntech CF Airbox with K&N filters. I used Michelin PS2's which went through 2 track days from last year.

Passing rules were simple: passing was allowed only on certain straight portions of the track, and only if the car ahead gives you the point-by. These rules apply for all cars, even the race cars.

I think I held my own, and I'm definitely faster than last year. A number of strangers (to me) came up to me and complimented me about pace of the C55 on the track. I personally think it was the car that made it easy for me, as I'm really not that experienced. Of course, most of the race cars passed me consistently, but not many street cars passed me (from memory, a Z06 did, and a 993 Turbo with R-compounds did, a 997 GT3 RS did and Masarati with R-compounds did.....that's about it). Of course, I did my homework ahead of time......looking back at my previous driving video on this track and reminding myself of the course layout and the racing line, and re-reading key chapters from the book "Going Faster" to remind myself about tracking principles and techniques. Mosport is a high speed track, with some nasty walls that you can crash into if you make a mistake, so safety was always a concern. The highest speed I attained was just over 200km/h on the longest straight. I drove all day with ESP On.....I figure that if the flashing triangle went on, I did something wrong. Understeering or oversteering is not something I strive for at any corner. Also, the last thing I wanted was to damage the car or leave my kids without a dad.

I took a lot of video from my car. Here is a 10 minute clip that doesn't have a lot of traffic slowing me down......you can see me chasing down a 997 C4S and a couple of race cars blowing by me:

- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

And here are some pics of the other street cars and some race cars:

Just_me · 05-09-2008, 02:33 AM

I want this

I see you order a 135i. IS it going to replace the C55?

ree · 05-09-2008, 02:56 AM

Thanks for the post. It sounds like a lot of fun.

Great, that your C 55 AMG is still a competitor on the race track!!

Tycoon · 05-09-2008, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ree

Thanks for the repost.

I don't remember that PC already posted this...

Great pics, PC. Thanks for sharing.

One thing though, where's your C55?

PC Valkyrie · 05-09-2008, 08:24 AM

REPOST???? This is the first time I've posted this experience.

If you look at pic #3 with the red 993 turbo, you can see my C55 in the background.

ree · 05-09-2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PC Valkyrie

REPOST???? This is the first time I've posted this experience.

If you look at pic #3 with the red 993 turbo, you can see my C55 in the background.

Yeah, I wanted to write "post", but I don't know why, but I didn't.

Maybe it's the sun, that confuses me.

drronh · 05-09-2008, 01:39 PM

It's great to see you are doing track days. There is a regular here with a C55. I was at Sebring last weekend with the Z06- here I am doing my Ron Fellows impersonation:

PC Valkyrie · 05-09-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just_me

I see you order a 135i. IS it going to replace the C55?

No. It will be a "fun" car. I bet that I'll be slower in the 135i than the C55 initially on a track. The C55 spoils me with its "smart" automatic transmission....I just have to worry about the racing line and braking/throttle zones. With the 135i, I'll be shifting on my own, which means lost time.....plus I have to learn proper heel and toe technique.....just like the "real" drivers out there.....LOL.

Centurion · 05-09-2008, 06:34 PM

I'm glad that you engaging what the vast majority of AMG drivers don't, which is taking their on a track. Guys need to take fully advantage of their high performance cars like this guy who really know how to enjoy a beast. This is how you try out a car for real:

BTW do you use up an entire set of tires every time you race??

Just_me · 05-10-2008, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PC Valkyrie

No. It will be a "fun" car. I bet that I'll be slower in the 135i than the C55 initially on a track. The C55 spoils me with its "smart" automatic transmission....I just have to worry about the racing line and braking/throttle zones. With the 135i, I'll be shifting on my own, which means lost time.....plus I have to learn proper heel and toe technique.....just like the "real" drivers out there.....LOL.

so you order a manual. Im glad you did

What colour did you choose and when is you getting the car?