[YllwStgr]

I'll be brief here:

I took my awesome baby to the track this weekend and had a blast! I'm hooked... to say the least!

I left Friday night and headed to Texas Motorsport Ranch in Cresson, Texas. If any of you are familiar with TMR, you know this is the most difficult and technical track in Texas. Loads of turns, hills, etc. We had horrible weather the weekend before (ice storm) and freezing temperatures this weekend; however, that wasn't going to stop me. With the Clear Bra and C-Quartz Finest, my C7 still looks new (minus the tires which I wore down pretty well)... teehee!

My C7 handled like a dream!!! And no, I don't have a Z-51!!!! The Coupe handled amazingly well... better than I expected.

Track Day #1:
Saturday morning, I woke up to a wet track, fog, etc.
Run 1 - Ran in "track mode" and "automatic trans". It did fine and looked forward to the second run.
Run 2 - Disengaged "track mode", had a little dryer (but not dry) track in "automatic trans" mode. I don't recommend this, as the nose kept coming up and the back was more unstable.
Run 3 - Ran in "track mode" and "paddle shifted". This was my best run to this point. Taking it out of automatic and using the paddle shifters kept the nose down and engaged the car for the track.
Run 4 - Road conditions became better, ran in "track mode" and "paddle shifted"... best run of the day!!! Still damp track. Although I used the stock tires, driving in this mode and paddle shifting was key!

Track Day #2:
Sunday morning, I woke up to just below freezing temps, a little ice on the car, damp track.
Run 1 - Ran in "track mode" and "paddle shifted". Had a little bit of a rough run, as I don't have track tires and slipped a bit on some of the more intense turns but remained in total control.
Run 2 - Ran in "track mode" and "paddle shifted". Dryer track, picked up a great deal of speed this run and had a fantastic time, as I had memorized the track. Remained in total control.
Run 3 - Ran in "track mode" and "paddle shifted". Even dryer track, picked up even more speed, learned the racing lines and passed cars!!! Remained in total control, as the car really handled well.
Run 4 - Ran in "track mode" and "paddle shifted" (got to 5th gear on a straight away... about 120 mph) BEST run of the day, remained in total control, handled turns well, tires held up and hated to leave!

For the track, my shopping list consists of exhaust tips (so I can hear the throttle increase in speed) and track tires. Maintain Clear Bra and C-Quartz Finest. That's it!

This vehicle is outstanding! I was the first on this track with a C7 (to date). If you've never driven with Driver's Edge, I HIGHLY recommend this group! Those who I had the wonderful opportunity to meet were extremely nice. Several people ogled the car and commented how impressed they were as they watched how I handled her on the track. I heard many positive and encouraging comments. I had many female Vette drivers come up to me and tell me how happy they were to see me out there with her... being so new... and encouraged my return. I'll be back!

... anyone got a trailer for sale? lol

 

[YllwStgr]

 

[Chip]

Sounds like fun!

 

[Lipstic]

Awesome!!!!!!!!!! Did you take a course to learn to drive on the track? I ask because in my youth I did a little street racing but think I would like to take a course to improve my skills.

 

[JohnPDwyer]

Sounds like a blast! I have been looking for a place close by for when my car arrives. This seems to be exactly what I am looking for. Is there a website where I can get more info? I did a search and it came up with motorsportranch.com but it doesn't appear to be working.

Thanks!

 

[glen e]

very cool! can you expand on your comment about changing exhaust tips and making it louder?...did you get a hot tip from someone...?

 

[YllwStgr]

Awesome!!!!!!!!!! Did you take a course to learn to drive on the track? I ask because in my youth I did a little street racing but think I would like to take a course to improve my skills.

Hey Lipstic - If you sign up with Driver's Edge, they put an Instructor in the car with you the entire time. I had Chuck. He's an experienced Corvette Racer. Driver's Edge pairs you with Instructors who have experience driving vehicle(s) similar to your own (make). Chuck rode with me the entire time except during the Parades. There is also class time. Driver's Edge was THE way to go! Not only was I learning the vehicle, but also the track, so it was a little challenging at first... being a track newbie.... but I was a very FAST learner! You'd enjoy Driver's Edge or something similar.

 

[YllwStgr]

Sounds like a blast! I have been looking for a place close by for when my car arrives. This seems to be exactly what I am looking for. Is there a website where I can get more info? I did a search and it came up with motorsportranch.com but it doesn't appear to be working.

Thanks!

John, this track was AMAZING!!!! Although the most technical and difficult in Texas, I'm hooked on this track. It has 20 "named" turns. You have the web link correct. You may want to try it with a different browser. I use Explorer.

 

[mjw930]

The link is http://www.motorsportranch.com/ but their site is down at the moment.

 

[Lipstic]

Hey Lipstic - If you sign up with Driver's Edge, they put an Instructor in the car with you the entire time. I had Chuck. He's an experienced Corvette Racer. Driver's Edge pairs you with Instructors who have experiencing driving a vehicle similar to your own (make). Chuck rode with me the entire time except during the Parades. There is also class time. Driver's Edge was THE way to go! Not only was I learning the vehicle, but also the track, so it was a little challenging at first... being a track newbie.... but I was a very FAST learner! You'd enjoy Driver's Edge or something similar.

I'll check and see if Talladega or 5 Flags have a course...I pretty sure Talladega does. Thanks, sounds so much fun and soooo exciting!

 

[YllwStgr]

very cool! can you expand on your comment about changing exhaust tips and making it louder?...did you get a hot tip from someone...?

Glen E - With regard to exhaust tips, I didn't purchase the dual exhaust so my C7 is very quiet inside the cabin. I didn't want it loud, because I'm on the phone a great deal while driving. However, when I rode with my Instructor who races Vettes, he was unable to "hear" me increase on the throttle as I accelerated, although it was obvious I was increasing in speed. When tracking, exhaust tips should affect the volume of my exhaust tone. I think the larger the exhaust tip, the more volume for me (or my Instructor) to hear the acceleration. Thoughts?

 

[YllwStgr]

Check this out! Here's the link to The Driver's Edge group... The Drivers Edge

 

[YllwStgr]

Here are the Texas track layouts (scroll to bottom). There you'll see Motorsport Ranch in Cresson. https://www.thedriversedge.net/02_tracks.htm We did the 3.1 (16 turns with elevation change)...

 

[mjw930]

Sorry to say but you are pretty much SOL regarding exhaust sound. Exchanging the exhaust tips will do nothing for you. The stock exhaust is a muffler with 2 tail pipes split into 4 with the "tips" you see. The only way to get it louder is to replace the muffler and that will make it louder all the time. It's possible someone like Corsa will come out with a switchable system but expect to part will well over $2000 for that system. Too bad you didn't order the NPP from the get go.

 

[YllwStgr]

Sorry to say but you are pretty much SOL regarding exhaust sound. Exchanging the exhaust tips will do nothing for you. The stock exhaust is a muffler with 2 tail pipes split into 4 with the "tips" you see. The only way to get it louder is to replace the muffler and that will make it louder all the time. It's possible someone like Corsa will come out with a switchable system but expect to part will well over $2000 for that system. Too bad you didn't order the NPP from the get go.

Oh well, no worries. It was suggested by my Instructor. Although I'm hooked, I really don't want to mod the C7 too much, as I'm really enjoying her just the way she is!!!!! I don't want to change the muffler and make it louder permanently, as I enjoy the quieter interior. If I only purchased it for a track car, that would be a different story. The track is a fun second next to enjoying the ride in the City. Thank you for the post... very informative!

 

[1stcorvette]

Could you tell us if the stock tires were an issue at all due to the cold weather?
Thanks, Steve

 

[Chip]

Tina; Can you get your hands on a GO-PRO camera and shoot some on-track footage then post it on U-Tube? That would be a hoot! If you can, be sure to add some turn by turn color commentary! I'm smiling just thinking about the prospects of a project like this!

 

[NewVetteDriver]

Hi. Do you need a membership to drive the track? I checked out the website and it looks awesome. Might head out there for my bday next Monday! Need to learn how to drive this C7!

 

[elegant]

Congrats YllwStgr! Sounds like phenomenal fun. Good for you to go experience something like that, and now that you are hooked, do your have your deposit on the 2015 Z06?

 

[mjw930]

Hi. Do you need a membership to drive the track? I checked out the website and it looks awesome. Might head out there for my bday next Monday! Need to learn how to drive this C7!

There are 2 options, become a member of the club or attend a session sponsored by a company that is renting the facility. The Drivers Edge is a company that rents the track and holds the event, you pay them, they pay the track. I believe that's what Tina did.

If you want to join and have use of the track directly here's your options.

The fee structure of MotorSport Ranch is similar to that of a golf country club, except not as expensive. These fees consist of a one-time initiation fee, monthly dues, and a session fee for each half-hour run session.

The two levels of individual memberships available are Regular and Executive.

- Regular initiation fee: $3700 plus tax (one time only)
- Regular monthly dues: $90 plus tax
- Regular half-hour run session: $20
- Garage Rentals Rate (optional): $190 plus tax

- Executive initiation fee: $12,000 (one time only)
- Executive monthly dues: $70
- Executive half-hour run session: $15
- Garage Rentals Rate (optional): $165 plus tax

A family member can be added for 1/2 the initiation fee and 1/2 the monthly dues.

A corporate or group membership can be designed to meet specific needs.

Enclosed and lockable garages are available for those who wish to keep their car and/or tools at the ranch. Each garage measures approximately 12 feet by
25 feet and has electricity, and lights. The cost is $165.00 per month for executive members and $190 per month for regular members.

Additional Privileges of Executive Memberships:
Limit of 50 executive memberships only.

- Executive memberships are transferable (with 3% transfer fee).

- Executive members have session priority on normal club days.