IOM TT Lap time - could a car beat it?
Discussion
Having been watching the TT racing from the Isle of Man, I was wondering if a modern road car could equal the current lap record of 131.578mph?
The bikes are hitting over 190mph in places, so it would have to be a pretty quick car. I have seen the videos of Tony Pond managing 100mph in a Rover Vitesse - so would something like a Nissan GTR or a 997 GT3 RS manage 30mph faster today?
The bikes are hitting over 190mph in places, so it would have to be a pretty quick car. I have seen the videos of Tony Pond managing 100mph in a Rover Vitesse - so would something like a Nissan GTR or a 997 GT3 RS manage 30mph faster today?
dan19evans said:
i think a Radical SR8LM or a caterham r500 superlight would have a good punt at it 
Its the top speed though that might be a problem - neither would hit anything like 190mph.Also, parts of the TT course are pretty narrow and twisty - a car would not be able to straight-line them like a bike.......
I'd agree about the level of dedication needed to post a fast lap round the TT circuit on a bike (Or a car for that matter). These guys must cart their balls around in a wheelbarrow!
A mistake can, and does, lead to horrific consequences. In fact in these safety conscious times it's something of a miracle it is allowed to continue - long may it carry on!
A mistake can, and does, lead to horrific consequences. In fact in these safety conscious times it's something of a miracle it is allowed to continue - long may it carry on!
Taffer said:
Even if cars can go faster, I don't think it would be as impressive as what the guys on the bikes achieve - check out Guy Martin's lap with commentary for some great footage and quick-fire talk-through of the lap.
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVXc29ZgutI
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFUYIH2Ttzk
Mentalists!
He reckons he was hitting 207mph at one point!!!!!!!!!!!Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVXc29ZgutI
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFUYIH2Ttzk
Mentalists!
Absolutely astonishing.
Perhaps it is something the organisers could revisit soon? Tony Pond's 1990 attempt has never been beaten - perhaps now would be a good time to try to beat the bike record outright?
If a Rover Vitesse can average 100mph, then surely a modern car can equal 130mph? A diesel Insignia could probably get close to 100mph these days.
If a Rover Vitesse can average 100mph, then surely a modern car can equal 130mph? A diesel Insignia could probably get close to 100mph these days.
Japveesix said:
If you're talking about Elise/Exiges what about this chaps?
http://www.youtube.com/user/roninexige#p/u/4/sGHOY...
550rwhp, 0-120mph in 5.1 seconds (supposedly). Anyone think that would that be capable of 200mph with a couple of wings/aero modifications? (I'll admit to having no idea but I think it's a cool car )
Frank posts on here I believe! http://www.youtube.com/user/roninexige#p/u/4/sGHOY...
550rwhp, 0-120mph in 5.1 seconds (supposedly). Anyone think that would that be capable of 200mph with a couple of wings/aero modifications? (I'll admit to having no idea but I think it's a cool car
)ApexJimi said:
dom180 said:
Now, I love both bikes and cars, but in my opinion that is not a like-for-like comparison.Interesting in that in the Autocar vid with the GTR and Ducati, Steve Sutcliffe mentions that in the corners where a left/right or right/left direction change is needed that the car mullered the bike. This little titbit would considerably close the gap caused by the bike's superior acceleration on the straights, I would have thought.
Ultimately, until the TT authorities allow a few cars to have a go, we will never know. They can hardly cite safety as a reason not too, looking at the fatality stats over the years!
Ultimately, until the TT authorities allow a few cars to have a go, we will never know. They can hardly cite safety as a reason not too, looking at the fatality stats over the years!
Mazda Baiter said:
210aero said:
i've spoken to the guy who used to drive the 'Roads open' car, his opinion is he could do it in @105, as above 140 the car is verging on suicidal over the bumps. i doubt you'd find any car driver with a better knowledge of the circuit, probably a few with bigger balls tho'.
What car was the 'roads open car'?That Norma would do it, with the right gearing. Dont see how that climb is different to the TT course.
911stu said:
Delta s4 will do it. Plenty of power and down force ( huge wings in the groupe S guise ).
Heni Toivenen set a time around Estoril that would have qulified him on the second or third row of that years F1 grid (86 i think)
Just think how quick a 600 bhp WRC car would be with suspension brake and tyre advances over the delta!!
There is no actual proof, anywhere, that this ever happened. It is highly unlikely, and the most plausible explanation is that Mr T took a shortcut somewhere!Heni Toivenen set a time around Estoril that would have qulified him on the second or third row of that years F1 grid (86 i think)
Just think how quick a 600 bhp WRC car would be with suspension brake and tyre advances over the delta!!
Edited by 911stu on Thursday 10th June 00:10
Edited by 911stu on Thursday 10th June 00:13
Jonathan Palmer passengered with him around Estoril at night and in the rain, and thought the lap time would have put him in the front half of the then current GP field,(in wet conditions) but thats as far as this particular story goes!
Edited by Rollcage on Thursday 10th June 01:07
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