What should it beat?

[danhutton]

I bit boy racer I know, but what should my 4.0HC be able to see off (straight road with no twisty bits!) I seem to be having problems with some cars I thought I would have seen in the rear view!

[jsr]

Do you mean Traffic Light GP or Motorway races?
Might be easier to ask what it can't beat.

I've had my 4.0 for a month now and no-one has beat me off the lights. Not that i really try - it has great traction.

If you're trying to leave cars when already moving, you'll need to work the gears properly, use all the revs. Then there shouldn't be much that will stay with you.

[jsr]

Or just let them by and remember that you're in a TVR

[simpo two]

The key is to get the power down fast in first and second. My technique, which is open to be shot down by others, is thus:
Take the handbrake off. If you're on a hill, hold the button in and hold the handbrake on by - er - hand.
Just before the lights are due to change, bring the clutch up to just below biting point. Bring the rpm up to 3500-4000rpm.
The *moment* the light changes, release the clutch quickly - but don't just dump it or you'l spin the rear wheels too much. Too slow and it will slip, which is bad too!
If you get the clutch bit right, the car will take off like a rocket with minimal wheelspin. As soon as the power is down without wheelspin, floor the accelerator. When the rpm hits 6,000, change into second. Floor the accelerator. When the rpm hits 6,000, change into third, etc.
The 4.0 is easier to launch than a 500 as it's less prone to wheelspin.
Let us know how you get on!

[simpo two]

Good point. I forgot fun has been banned.

[.Mark]

And how do you know you are beating them anyway?

Unless you actually arrange before hand you are going to 'race' and then stop and discuss how hard you both tried later you'll never know.

The other guy may be accelerating hard but not fully or change his mind, impossible to tell.
Suffice to say that in a 4.0 Chimaera you will blow most things in to the weeds other than bigger engined TVR's and expensive German 4x4 sports cars.

As Matt said, just enjoy it for what it is, you'll get greater respect and more admiring glances pootling around showing restraint.

That's not to say I never give it , what's the term Matt, 'Johhny Large Potatoes' (???) now and again you understand



>> Edited by .Mark on Wednesday 3rd December 08:34

[jonnyb]

It should beat most cars. You may loose out to a scooby or an Evo, but then the person behind the wheel isnt actualy driving the car anyway. It will beat most Porkers (boxters anyway) and all BMWs, Mercs (except the SLR), Audis (except the new 3.6 V6 TT). if your up against a Lambo or a Ferrari forget it. Also you have to bear in mind the conditions. On a warm and sticky straight road there is not much that will beat it. On a wet or icy road a 1.0 corsa will give you a run for your money, you carnt beat it if your in the hedge.

My advise would be if your having problems get on a few track days, and enjoy it how it should be driven (very very fast)

[joospeed]

Your chim will be pretty good at the stright line thing , but any well driven current breed of hot hatch will leave you for dead on country roads ...

[shnozz]

an egg

[shadowninja]

shnozz said:

an egg

presumably not in a zonda.

[anonymous-user]

Mate at work has an "unbadged" Audi A3 - Hiding beneath the covers is a fully rebuilt engine runing some serious boost. Around 350+hp on the engine dyno. Matched to 4wd system makes it hard to keep up with. On the runway, current score is the Audi leads my Griff 2:1

You never know sometimes!

[M@H]

Better to win by not playing if you're unsure as to what you are up against...

a well driven TT Quatro for example will probably make you look silly once you've got some cambers and corners involved.

heres some more input: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?p=2&f=8&t=9049&h=0&

Cheers
Matt.

[p7ulg]

mungo said:

I think you shouldn't worry what you can and cannot beat and simply enjoy your sportscar for what it is

Totally agree with you

[wedgie]

joospeed said:

any well driven current breed of hot hatch will leave you for dead on country roads ...

Bollox - it all depends on how good your driving is, and how good your nerves are when the back end starts to develop a mind of its own

[simpo two]

I should add that the technique is only used to its full at places like Duxford and Bentwaters. On real roads the fact it's a Griffith is usually sufficient

[raceboy]

wedgie said:

joospeed said: any well driven current breed of hot hatch will leave you for dead on country roads ... Bollox - it all depends on how good your driving is, and how good your nerves are when the back end starts to develop a mind of its own

I be tempted to agree with Jools (sort of) on this, I do a journey along a windy 'A' road quite often and sometimes just for fun and if the conditions are right I can do it in a similar time in the 10 year old 1.4 Clio as I can do in the Chimaera, the only time the Chimaera will be quicker is if I get stuck behind something and need to overtake, which in the Clio requires 1/2 a mile of planning but in the TVR the gap can be alot smaller
At the end of the day most modern cars will crack 100mph which is twice the speed limit on the road I mentioned and in the road conditions we've got until spring a 'spirited' driven hatchback will not be far behind, you'll leave him for dead on a quick straight acceleration bit, but then you'll get stuck behind Doris on the way to the shops in her Micra and you'll look in your mirror and Hot Hatch boy is on your bootlid

[shnozz]

fair point there from Raceboy - i can maintain the same speed in the mondeo on most roads as i can in the chim (although chim accelerates to that speed in a quarter of the time) . The difference is that in the chim i can overtake in a split second, so passing traffic is a doddle. Rarely overtake in the Mondeo as unless there is a clear mile of straight in front of you, it is simply not a safe move.

[raceboy]

mungo said:

.....My Leon Cupra R is far quicker than any TVR....

And I thought it was only BMW's that were quicker, or is that Tuscans I get confused

[RichardD]

joospeed said:

Your chim will be pretty good at the stright line thing , but any well driven current breed of hot hatch will leave you for dead on country roads ...

Out of interest would you like to explain why, as in technical terms?

I'd estimate:-

Suspension more suited to the roads? (where TVR suspension would be better on a track?) Heavier cars with less relative unsprung weight are better on bumpy roads?

A nose heavy hatchback puts so much weight on the front tyres (which do all the work) that they generate lots of tyye heat - and hence grip?

It's Can be easier / safer to get the power down with front wheel drive?

Anyhow, back to the original plot -

Enjoy:-

V8 rumble
Looks
Character
The roof off (when appropriate(
Having something still British

..and ignore the Yingyangeurobox computer controlled appliances that occasionally may try to annoy you!

[shnozz]

your fiat turbo is faster than a zonda blah blah blah

your big bad wedge was faster than Bluebird and noisier than concorde IIRC. The Caterham could beat sports bikes...

Next local track day, £50 says my bog standard non HC Chimaera will post a better time. Deal?