Gear ratios

[Wazza]

Originally Posted by LJ47

Greg
Yes change gear into 5th down the straight their is nothing wrong with a short shift if it sets up the next corner and makes it easier for you. After all we are all hobbyists not professional drivers. When I was at QR earlier this year I tried 2nd through to 4th with 4th bouncing on the limiter. Helpfully next year with the new motor and a little more power could be the same might even have to grab 5th down the straight and do a down shift into 1. What I am trying to point out is sometimes its better doing what works for you.

LJ....

Can I PLEASE be there when you grab 1st ...after givin it loads in 5th down the straight.

Woooooeeeee....

That's gonna make an awesome sight!!!!

Just Jokes...I know what you meant.

[LJ47]

Originally Posted by Wazza

LJ....

Can I PLEASE be there when you grab 1st ...after givin it loads in 5th down the straight.

Woooooeeeee....

That's gonna make an awesome sight!!!!

Just Jokes...I know what you meant.

Would make a lot off smoke hay Wazza 1st gear in turn 1 at QR

[ERA2076]

I run a T56 in an 03 Cobra. The T56 can be a mean #$%. We put an exhaust, cold air, & a tuner and were hitting the rev limiter in 4th on the front straight at Portland International before the braking zone for turn 1. I had to use 5th to get to the braking zone. The braking Zone is 450 ft to the turn in point and turn 1 requires 2nd gear. It took some practice and some decent brakes to get from 5th to 2nd.

This vid showed the way.

Ayrton Senna's Heel-and-toe - YouTube.

I practiced in a 4cyl Wrangler, wearing hiking boots, on the street for a month before I tried it on the track. I was not at all sure I could do it at speed. I figured I would give it one go to see if I could. With proper driving shoes, it is an absolute joy.

T56 is now my friend.

I would never put one in a Cobra roadster.

[750hp]

I've never seen that Senna video before. Wasn't he giving the throttle some aggressive stabs before hitting the apex!

[ERA2076]

I think he is looking for early grip and or trying to help rotate the car. The ass steps out and he has to get out of it for just a period of time.

chr

[ERA2076]

Notice the steering wheel - there are some pretty big counter steer corrections that coincide with the throttle dancing.

A beautiful thing to watch. I wish he was still with us.

chr

[scottj]

If that is a production car it's probably a little tight on entry. He could be using throttle to take away lateral grip from the rear and cause the car to rotate.

The technique look similar to how we drive the sprint car... On our sprint car we set it up to be tight early in the feature and have the setup come in as the track slicks off. Until the track slicks off we turn it with blips of throttle. After the track slicks off it will rotate without throttle.

[sambo]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I took the Cobra for its first spirited drive on Sunday up through the hills around Healesville and Toolangi. Lots of winding mountain roads with unposted speed limits, which means up to 100km/h where safety allows.

I've driven this circuit a dozen times in a well sorted 2.0L turbo FWD. I didn't push the Cobra too hard but I'm really surprised at the amount of grip and cornering ability. Power and braking ability was never in doubt. Just need to sort out some rubbing on the front guards when cornering and over over uneven surfaces.

Onto the gears... I reckon I'll leave it alone for now. Plenty of pickup in third from about 60km/h right up to the speed limit. Fourth gear should see me well over 200km/h on the track.

[gjkrv8]

Sambo, I am suprised I didnt see you. I went for a cruise through Coldstream. cheers Gregg