First real drive.... 800hp on a wet racetrack

[750hp]

After reading all the comments about the recent accidents involving Cobras, it might seem like I'm stirring the pot a little by posting my first driving impressions of my new car.

I LOVE IT!!!

Prior to taking my Cobra out to the local roadrace venue on Wednesday, I had driven the car precisely 30 yards - enough to verify that the transmission was functioning correctly and that there were no fluid leaks.

The day arrived, and the nasty looking storm clouds were doing nothing for my confidence. After all the horror stories about the unsuitability of Cobras as high powered "race cars", I was hesitant about taking the car out on a wet track. The main purpose of the day was to bed in the brakes, heat cycle the billet transmission components and differential gears, and generally go through a complete systems check of the vehicle.

Rather than go on in endless detail about the day spent at the track, suffice to say that by slowly but steadily increasing braking pressures and throttle use, I was able to get a good feel for the way the car reacts to different scenarios.

I had a chance to get a feel for what happens when I hit a 3" deep puddle of water at various speeds. I know how the car responds when I lift off the gas mid corner. I know which way the way is most inclined to slide when it loses traction at various speeds.

I now have a true appreciation of the performace that the car is capable of. For example, once the track had dried fully, on a wide open back straight, my Motec datalogging shows that I went from 79% throttle position to 91% at 141mph, and the tires started spinning. Would I try this on a public street? No way in the world!!!!! Will this knowledge and experience make me treat the throttle pedal with a large amount of respect ? You betcha!

The best thing is that I had the chance to do all of this on a racetrack without worrying about other traffic / police / guardrails / light poles / traffic lights etc. I can only agree with other member's sentiments about getting some track time to get a feel for your car. I KNOW that I'm not anywhere near the level of an experienced racer, but I'd like to think that a large scoop of common sense along with a sound knowledge of the mechanics of my car will hopefully prove to be a good enough combination to keep me out of trouble.

Oh, and maybe the proprietary Bob Putnam "pillow under the gas pedal" might help on the odd occasion

[Ron61]

Craig,

You are not stirring the pot. What you did is what all new Cobra owners should do. You went out to a safe place and then instead of trying to set a track record you got used to your car at slower speeds until you started to feel comfortable with trying it at higher speeds and for that you are to be commended. Your post should be read and used as an example of how to take your first drive in your car and with the power you have it would have been disastrous for some people who want to go right down town and show their buddies what they can do. I have always spend at least a couple of weeks in any car that I get, wheather it is a new street car or a performance car off on a track or private roads easing into them and finding out just what they do in different situations. No taking people for rides until I know the car and all of its quirks completely. I am looking forward to hearing just how well your lap times are when you get that monster completely sorted out and you are in control of it.

Ron

[Back in Black]

And have learned that even though I could drive her much faster on the street, (with the resulting breaking of traction everywhere ) it would result in tickets, (reversing the thumbs up attitude so far from all the local cops) and maybe damage to my car, and much worse, possibly injury to someone. I actually learned this lesson many years ago on high powered motorcycles. (buddies being badly hurt, etc...) There are very few places left in America where one can "roll it on" for more than a few seconds without endangering others. Besides, it displays much more class to cruise at a moderate pace. You can have a little fun without getting crazy. Ask most lady passengers and they will agree