Just wanted to share some pictures and my experience with my 2017 Grand Sport at our local track here in Ontario.
This car continues to impress me. I've always loved driving and pushing my cars to the limit (or as far as my ability will let me). Even with the Mustang I thoroughly enjoyed going to track days.
Personally, I've never been a fan of the drag strip; I found that just as things start to get fun, they come to an abrupt end. I found a lot more pleasure in lapping, racing against the clock and racing against yourself.
My Mustang was a low, loud, mean machine on the track. The lack of the IRS really kept me on my toes when it came to cornering the car at 170km on turn one at Cayuga, Toronto Motorsports Park. Its an entry level track, low-mid technical that stretches approximately 3km. Much like most, I learned to take it slow around the track on my first few track days. The best I could do on a street tire (Pilot Super Sports) and stock brakes was 1:30 and up....whether I went fast or slow, I loved every moment of it. Didn't care much for racing on the streets, light to light, highway pulls in traffic, etc. I just didn't want to suffer the consequences of getting booked or importantly, hurting someone in the process.
When I took my Grand Sport to the track for the first time I took it easy. The car felt much more responsive. I went from what felt like a boat (Mustang) in handling to one of the best handling cars available to the public. The stopping power was far greater than my 4-piston Brembo equipped Mustang, stopping earlier allowed me to exit the corners at a higher rate of speed though it still didn't compare to the hard biting, car flipping, hard-stopping Z07 Ceramic Brake kits equipped at the Ron Fellows track. No regrets here though, the Z07 is far too much coin to maintain and keep up to us track enthusiasts.
I performed better and was averaging the same numbers 1:28/1:30. Improvement was improvement. I found myself struggling with traction control continually kicking in and limiting throttle quite a bit. Putting the Vette in Sport 1 (Driving mode track > Press down twice > Move over thrice to Sport 1). I felt like I was driving a different car now, it just kept pulling; I was able to corner a lot faster now without throttle being limited.
I was the first to arrive at the track and the last one to leave, two tanks of gas were consumed. Was there for the whole day and loved every minute of it. The car just kept going which is more than I could say about one of the Z06s at Ron Fellows after 2 laps. AC didn't shut off, no "Reduced Engine Power" messages popping up on the dash. I even managed to get away with 40 minute lapping sessions before I felt a bit of play on the brakes.
I best time I managed to run was a 1:23; Significant improvement but can still get better with practice. 1:18-1:20 would be the end game for me and then move on to a more technical/faster track (Mosport AKA Canadian Tire Motorsports Track)
Although I miss the volume of my Mustang I could never go back or even look back it after driving my 17' Grand Sport. There is just such a connection that feels above and beyond just tires between road and car. Responsive and nimble is the best way to describe this car.
Now its time to lighten the wallet by getting some new tires and some Carbotech pads. The lapping event had a photographer onsite so I got her to hook me up with a couple of shots:
This car continues to impress me. I've always loved driving and pushing my cars to the limit (or as far as my ability will let me). Even with the Mustang I thoroughly enjoyed going to track days.
Personally, I've never been a fan of the drag strip; I found that just as things start to get fun, they come to an abrupt end. I found a lot more pleasure in lapping, racing against the clock and racing against yourself.
My Mustang was a low, loud, mean machine on the track. The lack of the IRS really kept me on my toes when it came to cornering the car at 170km on turn one at Cayuga, Toronto Motorsports Park. Its an entry level track, low-mid technical that stretches approximately 3km. Much like most, I learned to take it slow around the track on my first few track days. The best I could do on a street tire (Pilot Super Sports) and stock brakes was 1:30 and up....whether I went fast or slow, I loved every moment of it. Didn't care much for racing on the streets, light to light, highway pulls in traffic, etc. I just didn't want to suffer the consequences of getting booked or importantly, hurting someone in the process.
When I took my Grand Sport to the track for the first time I took it easy. The car felt much more responsive. I went from what felt like a boat (Mustang) in handling to one of the best handling cars available to the public. The stopping power was far greater than my 4-piston Brembo equipped Mustang, stopping earlier allowed me to exit the corners at a higher rate of speed though it still didn't compare to the hard biting, car flipping, hard-stopping Z07 Ceramic Brake kits equipped at the Ron Fellows track. No regrets here though, the Z07 is far too much coin to maintain and keep up to us track enthusiasts.
I performed better and was averaging the same numbers 1:28/1:30. Improvement was improvement. I found myself struggling with traction control continually kicking in and limiting throttle quite a bit. Putting the Vette in Sport 1 (Driving mode track > Press down twice > Move over thrice to Sport 1). I felt like I was driving a different car now, it just kept pulling; I was able to corner a lot faster now without throttle being limited.
I was the first to arrive at the track and the last one to leave, two tanks of gas were consumed. Was there for the whole day and loved every minute of it. The car just kept going which is more than I could say about one of the Z06s at Ron Fellows after 2 laps. AC didn't shut off, no "Reduced Engine Power" messages popping up on the dash. I even managed to get away with 40 minute lapping sessions before I felt a bit of play on the brakes.
I best time I managed to run was a 1:23; Significant improvement but can still get better with practice. 1:18-1:20 would be the end game for me and then move on to a more technical/faster track (Mosport AKA Canadian Tire Motorsports Track)
Although I miss the volume of my Mustang I could never go back or even look back it after driving my 17' Grand Sport. There is just such a connection that feels above and beyond just tires between road and car. Responsive and nimble is the best way to describe this car.
Now its time to lighten the wallet by getting some new tires and some Carbotech pads. The lapping event had a photographer onsite so I got her to hook me up with a couple of shots:
