RE: GT40 at Goodwood: Time For Tea?

[Rayhoop]

Wow, that is some amazing levels of driver input and skill!

Question though - I'm not dissing the car, but is it normal for a GT40 to require that level of input? Or was that a result of extremely old rubber plus rain etc???

[phast]

non stop, absolutely mesmerising, very unhinged... impressed to say the least.

[pthelazyjourno]

Ollieb7 said:

I wonder how many present F1 stars can do that...

Brill!!!!

I'd imagine any of them.

Whether they *would* is another thing.

[j90gta]

Was the car running crossplies and were they racing on diesel spilt on ice? Amazing car control. How many bravery pills had he taken?

[RINGMEISTER]

If I was a bird I would definately be putting out after viewing that performance! Not a drive aid or dual clutch automated manual in sight and all the better for it, thank you sir.

[BBS-LM]

That some bloody good driving right there, love it.

[nightflight]

I thought I was watching Roger Clark in a Mk1 Escort for a moment. Bloody brilliant.

[Lordbenny]

Shirley, that car must be able to be set up to handle better in those conditions? Although I'm sure it's owner must know a thing or to about handling? I can't imagine any one being able to do a muli-hour stint at Le Mans in a car that drove like that especially on tyres that are not as good as the ones used at a 2013 Revival!

Out of interest....are modern tyres i.e. Track day/modern slicks/wet weather tyres allowed on classic racers? I cant imagine that the rules that state that modern clothing/helmets must be worn but original tread pattern/compound tyres must be used or am I wrong?

[RacingPete]

Lordbenny said:

Shirley, that car must be able to be set up to handle better in those conditions? Although I'm sure it's owner must know a thing or to about handling? I can't imagine any one being able to do a muli-hour stint at Le Mans in a car that drove like that especially on tyres that are not as good as the ones used at a 2013 Revival!

Out of interest....are modern tyres i.e. Track day/modern slicks/wet weather tyres allowed on classic racers? I cant imagine that the rules that state that modern clothing/helmets must be worn but original tread pattern/compound tyres must be used or am I wrong?

Nope - they use specially made racing tires from the vintage era... like these

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/700x16-r5-dun...

[Arun_D]

A great video made even better by being able to see Kenny's face of steely composure in the rearview mirror. Top stuff.

[Zod]

That is terrifying! The car just looks as if it is trying to shoot itself off the track all the time. You get an impression that it has almost no grip.

[Greg348]

I was at Brands last week, and Adrian was there testing as well. Ive not seen a GT40 on live on track, it was dry then, but still impressive!

[GingerWizard]

No micky mouse bullst there, he left it all on the track; utterly amazing car control!

[smilo996]

No traction control. Each move of the right foot is met by frantic steering movements. Amazing.

[toppstuff]

Rayhoop said:

Wow, that is some amazing levels of driver input and skill!

Question though - I'm not dissing the car, but is it normal for a GT40 to require that level of input? Or was that a result of extremely old rubber plus rain etc???

It is quite normal for a car from that era in the rain.

Old cars can be very very fast. And they lack mechanical grip, even discounting the fact it was raining.

Consider that in the 1930's there were Mercedes GP cars capable of 220mph. They had narrower tyres than a Focus. Imagine taming that monster round Donington in the British GP.

Historic racing is the coolest thing there is when it comes to motorsport.

[priley]

It's like a bar of soap on a wet floor! He certainly doesn't hesitate putting the power down either. Impressive stuff.

[Gorbyrev]

Surely worthy of "A Dab of Oppo" t-shirt from the Pistonheads shop!

[Bebee]

I guessing that all that power sliding is to keep the tyres warm on a damp track prior to a bend.

[Lordbenny]

RacingPete said:

Nope - they use specially made racing tires from the vintage era... like these

http://www.longstonetyres.co.uk/page/700x16-r5-dun...

I've seen that company advertising in Motor Sport/Octane.

As I said, seems mighty odd that a near 200mph 60's GT40 is still made to run old compound/tread patterns when much safer modern tyres are available. I'm all for 'keeping it real' but when it comes to safety I dont think any compromises should be made.

[Arbs]

Just out of curiosity, is it a manual or auto? I don't see him changing gear, unless the shifter is on the right hand side. I would have thought GT40s would be manual!