danwendling Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I just ordered a Callaway GS SC606 and am wondering about which way to learn HPDE/TT driving the fastest. 1. Use the car is stock form? 2. Upgrade the suspension (Eibach Coilovers) and some R888s? PS> I mean learn the fastest not necessarily drive the fastest, could be the same but perhaps not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKBITN Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I would go with #1 at first then tire's but not the 888's.Learn to drive the car as is.You'll learn the limit's faster that way than upgrading the car. Robert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obzezzed350 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 You will learn the limits of the car better in stock form....all you will need are a set of track brake pads and high temp fluid. Seat time is the best mod you can buy. Nice car! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmmotorsports Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 To learn the fastest you will need the help of a qualified coach....and there just so happens to be the best in the business here on the east coast: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheap_Thrills Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 (edited) Don't know anything about the Callaway corvette, so I did a quick google. Lets see if I understand... Eaton Supercharged to 600+ HP, and alot of interior/exterior dress up stuff, very nice car! If that's the case, I'd get some advice about a suspension & brake upgrade combo, not just coilovers and tires. That much power and no suspension/tire upgrade seems like a handful in beginner hands. But maybe the stock Corvette suspension is good enough, like I said, I don't know vettes. I'd at least get GOOD tires. I'm not a proponent of learning on poor gripping tires. Alot of folks say they're more forgiving by giving you clues to their slipping point, but in my experience, by then your usually in trouble anyway and have nothing left to get you out of it. Edited January 29, 2010 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheap_Thrills Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 To learn the fastest you will need the help of a qualified coach....and there just so happens to be the best in the business here on the east coast: wasn't he the winner of Speed Channel's Setup show? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obzezzed350 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Next time I travel out of Florida for an event, definitely have to get some coaching from Skeen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmmotorsports Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 To learn the fastest you will need the help of a qualified coach....and there just so happens to be the best in the business here on the east coast: wasn't he the winner of Speed Channel's Setup show? Should've been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor57 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I would like to know why people think you will learn more on stock suspension? While there may not be a benefit from upgrading all the suspension stuff right away, there is something to be said for learning in a car that is set up the way you are going to drive it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danwendling Posted January 29, 2010 Author Share Posted January 29, 2010 I had expected the responses would favor the modified car as it would provide more help in getting the novice through the course. Being a novice I think I will need all the help I can get. Keep the comments coming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucid Moments Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I'm going to say something you probably aren't going to want to hear, but it needs to be said. Start with a slower car. Learn to drive a slow car fast, then when you can really drive you move up to the fast car. If what you are really interested in doing is learning to drive that is the way to do it. If all you want to do is go out and have fun then go ahead and go out with the Calloway Vette. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbrew8991 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I would like to know why people think you will learn more on stock suspension? While there may not be a benefit from upgrading all the suspension stuff right away, there is something to be said for learning in a car that is set up the way you are going to drive it. generally aftermarket suspension makes the vehicle edgier / less forgiving and also increases the tendency for oversteer stock 'vettes are setup pretty well - just look at any C5 or C6 TTA 'vette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbrew8991 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I had expected the responses would favor the modified car as it would provide more help in getting the novice through the course. Being a novice I think I will need all the help I can get. Keep the comments coming. the other problem is that by expanding the envelope even farther it will take you much longer to get to where you can safely explore the edges. Especially on less-forgiving racier tires and less-forgiving racier suspension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor57 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I would have said start with a civic, but the dude already ordered the car.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbrew8991 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 people have learned in cars like that, but, it'll take a bit longer is all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drivinhardz06 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 If you are novice, you'll be learning "just being out there" as much as anything. Being aware of surroundings, learning to watch corner stands, learning track flow/line, etc. There's a lot to it, more than just the car. Learning a brand new expensive 600 hp car on top of that is just more stuff for the brain to process. Find you a high mile C5 for $8-9k and go bang around in that for awhile, sell it for a grand less when you are done. $$ well spent. It'll get you close to the feel of your vehicle dynamics while you learn the non car related ropes. I think there is something to be said for learning in a low(er) hp car, most folks do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmmotorsports Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 Something else to keep in mind, with NO offense intended, but you are YEARS behind in ability of what that car is capable of. Too many times people get out there with the fastest hotrod available, run a few weekends and then want to make it go faster when in reality, a capable, EXPERIENCED driver in a lesser car would be faster. Example: You take your new Callaway to Virginia International Raceway (VIR) and run an HPDE weekend. You get comfortable in your car and decide you wish to upgrade your car for more HP or as you said eibach springs or maybe R888's. You do another HPDE weekend @ VIR, even more comfortable still and you decide you need to upgrade your tune or pulley for even more HP. Now you do another HPDE weekend and feel that you are pushing your Callaway and really getting fast out there. Harsh reality: A driver like Mike Skeen or Danny Popp gets into your older BONE STOCK 2009 C6 and turns a faster lap than you just did on your final session after 3 HPDE weekends in twice the car. Sorry, but I feel you should leave your car the way it is and just get out there and have fun. Speed will come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obzezzed350 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 What is the rush to learn faster? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danwendling Posted January 29, 2010 Author Share Posted January 29, 2010 Thanks to all for the frank responses. It is what I wanted to hear. I will leave the Callaway as is, get a few HDPEs of experiences under the belt. .. Good question about why I want to learn fast. I knew that trying to learn in a car with 600+ hp is pushing the envelop of being reasonable. So the question real question is: "If I must learn to drive at HPDE events with the Callaway would my learning experience be better served by adding the suspension and tire upgrades?" Clear to me the answer is stay stock ! Thanks to all who responded. PS> Might even talk to my daughter about using her 08 Jetta for the first weekend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmmotorsports Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 PS> Might even talk to my daughter about using her 08 Jetta for the first weekend? Now THAT is an AWESOME idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jason Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 A professional driving school would be money well spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcmmotorsports Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 A professional driving school would be money well spent. or, as I said above: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbrew8991 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 and frankly with the attitude you're taking in I think you'll learn pretty well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sterling Doc Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 I agree with Ken - good attitude helps a lot. I've you've never been out on the track before, it'll be a great, exciting experience as well. Whatever car you take, take the time to learn the track - it's flow, it's nuances, where the corner workers are, etc. You'll miss all this stuff if you are going Banzaii from the start. A slower car gives you a bit more time to take this all in, if you can bear to leave that sweet ride at home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trevor57 Posted January 29, 2010 Share Posted January 29, 2010 At most DE's you'll spend most of your time going the same speed as a miata anyway, since you'll be waiting to pass in a designated zone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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