peglegtom
Member
After purchasing my 2015 SHO PP last fall, I was looking forward to "tracking" it. In my area, there are multiple opportunities, but work interfered with many. I finally had the chance this last week at historic Road America in Elkhart Lake, WI. For those that do no know, this is a 4 mile road coarse with some very challenging corners, including turn 5 that is a 90+ degree tight corner at the end of the fastest straight and turn 11 (the Kink) that is the one of the fastest corners with guardrails on both sides adjacent to the road edges (go off here and it with both physically and monetarily hurt really bad).
I was placed in Group 2 (intermediate) because of my recent track day experience. For the best since I was learning to drive a new car. My previous experience on this track was with my Alfa Romeo 164Q, with various suspension modes, including Koni struts and Michelin 215-17 Pilot Sport tires. So I was used to running up cars in the corners, only to have them "walk" me down the straights (of which there are 3 at RA) and are the only passing zones for SCCA track days. My first session I went out second and let several cars pass in the designated zones (Miatas, Ferrarri's , and Corvettes mostly) since I was learning what the car would do. Felt good after the session, that I did the best with what I had (BFG Comp-2 AS tires) and normal stability control. My plan was to run 2 of the 4 sessions with standard stability control, and then if I felt comfortable, switch to "track mode."
For the second session, I left the pit first, and on the longer straights, could "walk" the cars behind me, even when I "pointed" them around to pass. Felt nice after my dayw in my Alfa. Unfortunately, after several laps, I felt a vibration. Assuming it was my less than optimal tires chunking and giving up, I continued on, since at the start of the day (not the start of the session), I had checked all of the wheel nut torques and they were higher than 100 ft-lbs. Unfortunately after several laps with this vibration I came into Turn 12 (Canada Corner) as normal and had the left front wheel leave the vehicle. Not the way I expected to end the day, and after having to be put on a flatbed to clear the track and another to have it taken to my repair guy near my home (thank you AAA), I ended up needing a new wheel, hub, and tire. FWITW, a new 20" Flower wheel lists at $832 on Ford's website. Was able to find a re-furbished wheel for $425 on eBay and my "******" BFG tire was $197 on Tire Rack. This does not include the new rotor and hub that my repair shoe will install.
So my track days are done for this year are done because my repairs took the money for additional track days. If you track any car, remember to check the lug nut torques prior to each session, and heed what the car is telling you. I learned a very expensive lesson, even at 69 years old and a history of racing.
But I did learn a lot. The Gen 4/5 SHO with PP is a capable track car, although it cannot compete with "real track day specials" such as a Honda Civic Type R, Corvette or Camero "high performance models" or exotics such as Ferrari's, M-B's, etc. It wil hold it's own against Cadillac CTS-V's or ATS-V's. So if you do track your show, remember what "class" you are running in!
I was placed in Group 2 (intermediate) because of my recent track day experience. For the best since I was learning to drive a new car. My previous experience on this track was with my Alfa Romeo 164Q, with various suspension modes, including Koni struts and Michelin 215-17 Pilot Sport tires. So I was used to running up cars in the corners, only to have them "walk" me down the straights (of which there are 3 at RA) and are the only passing zones for SCCA track days. My first session I went out second and let several cars pass in the designated zones (Miatas, Ferrarri's , and Corvettes mostly) since I was learning what the car would do. Felt good after the session, that I did the best with what I had (BFG Comp-2 AS tires) and normal stability control. My plan was to run 2 of the 4 sessions with standard stability control, and then if I felt comfortable, switch to "track mode."
For the second session, I left the pit first, and on the longer straights, could "walk" the cars behind me, even when I "pointed" them around to pass. Felt nice after my dayw in my Alfa. Unfortunately, after several laps, I felt a vibration. Assuming it was my less than optimal tires chunking and giving up, I continued on, since at the start of the day (not the start of the session), I had checked all of the wheel nut torques and they were higher than 100 ft-lbs. Unfortunately after several laps with this vibration I came into Turn 12 (Canada Corner) as normal and had the left front wheel leave the vehicle. Not the way I expected to end the day, and after having to be put on a flatbed to clear the track and another to have it taken to my repair guy near my home (thank you AAA), I ended up needing a new wheel, hub, and tire. FWITW, a new 20" Flower wheel lists at $832 on Ford's website. Was able to find a re-furbished wheel for $425 on eBay and my "******" BFG tire was $197 on Tire Rack. This does not include the new rotor and hub that my repair shoe will install.
So my track days are done for this year are done because my repairs took the money for additional track days. If you track any car, remember to check the lug nut torques prior to each session, and heed what the car is telling you. I learned a very expensive lesson, even at 69 years old and a history of racing.
But I did learn a lot. The Gen 4/5 SHO with PP is a capable track car, although it cannot compete with "real track day specials" such as a Honda Civic Type R, Corvette or Camero "high performance models" or exotics such as Ferrari's, M-B's, etc. It wil hold it's own against Cadillac CTS-V's or ATS-V's. So if you do track your show, remember what "class" you are running in!
