Vantage Roadster on track
Discussion
Hiya
Quite unexpectedly I about to become the proud owner of an 07 Vantage Roadster. This will be my very first Aston ! I was going to get a 996 GT2 but everything changed...
The thing is, that i just got back into track days last year - not seriously mind you but GRRC events and nice stuff like that. I used my Elise Sport190 for that stuff (great on the track - hard work off the track).
Since i will now be saying bye bye to the Lotus - the Vantage will need to be my track toy too.
What do i have to do to it to make track worthy?
i have learned that chassis (and tyres) is (are) much more important than torque and power on the track. 40 more HP doesn't make the difference that cup tyres seem to (or good driving does for that matter).
So what do you guys do to stop being eaten for lunch my the Porsches (which is what I used to have)?
Quite unexpectedly I about to become the proud owner of an 07 Vantage Roadster. This will be my very first Aston ! I was going to get a 996 GT2 but everything changed...
The thing is, that i just got back into track days last year - not seriously mind you but GRRC events and nice stuff like that. I used my Elise Sport190 for that stuff (great on the track - hard work off the track).
Since i will now be saying bye bye to the Lotus - the Vantage will need to be my track toy too.
What do i have to do to it to make track worthy?
i have learned that chassis (and tyres) is (are) much more important than torque and power on the track. 40 more HP doesn't make the difference that cup tyres seem to (or good driving does for that matter).
So what do you guys do to stop being eaten for lunch my the Porsches (which is what I used to have)?
Would have to say coming from GT3 to a Vantage, its night and day performance on track......
But you have to look at the Vantage in a different light. Yes Pork will be quicker, but there is a bit more theatre / prestige with the Aston. (I still miss the GT3 tho' but had it for 5+ years and wanted a change, however I will go back to one at somepoint)
If you want to start getting it track prepped have a chat with David Appleby Engineering, they have run the junior Aston Martin GT4 team for a few years so know a lot about track preparation etc. Speak with James as he is the one normally in the race suit and bum in seat.
But you have to look at the Vantage in a different light. Yes Pork will be quicker, but there is a bit more theatre / prestige with the Aston. (I still miss the GT3 tho' but had it for 5+ years and wanted a change, however I will go back to one at somepoint)
If you want to start getting it track prepped have a chat with David Appleby Engineering, they have run the junior Aston Martin GT4 team for a few years so know a lot about track preparation etc. Speak with James as he is the one normally in the race suit and bum in seat.
Alexe911 said:
Hiya
Quite unexpectedly I about to become the proud owner of an 07 Vantage Roadster. This will be my very first Aston ! I was going to get a 996 GT2 but everything changed...
The thing is, that i just got back into track days last year - not seriously mind you but GRRC events and nice stuff like that. I used my Elise Sport190 for that stuff (great on the track - hard work off the track).
Since i will now be saying bye bye to the Lotus - the Vantage will need to be my track toy too.
What do i have to do to it to make track worthy?
i have learned that chassis (and tyres) is (are) much more important than torque and power on the track. 40 more HP doesn't make the difference that cup tyres seem to (or good driving does for that matter).
So what do you guys do to stop being eaten for lunch my the Porsches (which is what I used to have)?
Welcome to Astons and Aston roadsters Quite unexpectedly I about to become the proud owner of an 07 Vantage Roadster. This will be my very first Aston ! I was going to get a 996 GT2 but everything changed...
The thing is, that i just got back into track days last year - not seriously mind you but GRRC events and nice stuff like that. I used my Elise Sport190 for that stuff (great on the track - hard work off the track).
Since i will now be saying bye bye to the Lotus - the Vantage will need to be my track toy too.
What do i have to do to it to make track worthy?
i have learned that chassis (and tyres) is (are) much more important than torque and power on the track. 40 more HP doesn't make the difference that cup tyres seem to (or good driving does for that matter).
So what do you guys do to stop being eaten for lunch my the Porsches (which is what I used to have)?
I used to track my supercharged S2000 a fair bit, that was 600 kg lighter than my Vantage roadster.
Coming from an Elise and nearly buying a GT2 the Vantage is going to disappoint on the track.
It is heavy (~1800kg) and under braked
The other factor is the cost of consumables and repair (compared to an Elise)
IMHO Get the geo done, get your name down on Y100's Aston track day and see how you fair at Rockingham
Then decide whether you want to start messing with brakes, suspension and the rest of it
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=135...
OH and Vantage roadsters much prefer this
Jockland 469_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
French Loop 1993_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
French Loop 2076_resize by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Thanks - great pix
I had a 996 Turbo with x73 suspension and GT3 front lower arms. it was a rocket pure and simple not great in terms of 'feel' on the track but very quick until it coke fit;s brakes. The lotus shows a clean pair of tailpipes to Ferrari 360s but I just can't bond with it. Oh and as I have had to restore mine it's just eaten cash !
That said there is something special about 'doing' a semi light weight 'E' a round the outside at Lavant. The Elise scares the b-jesus out of me at high speed though. I can't get anywhere near 10/10th in it (self preservation comes into it) also girls are usually not as fearless as boys (IMHO).
I'm not willing to invest the kind of money to turn into a 4.7 GT4 car but you know dampers, geo, front brakes, exhaust, remap.
then I might be able to keep up with the porsches.
I had a 996 Turbo with x73 suspension and GT3 front lower arms. it was a rocket pure and simple not great in terms of 'feel' on the track but very quick until it coke fit;s brakes. The lotus shows a clean pair of tailpipes to Ferrari 360s but I just can't bond with it. Oh and as I have had to restore mine it's just eaten cash !
That said there is something special about 'doing' a semi light weight 'E' a round the outside at Lavant. The Elise scares the b-jesus out of me at high speed though. I can't get anywhere near 10/10th in it (self preservation comes into it) also girls are usually not as fearless as boys (IMHO).
I'm not willing to invest the kind of money to turn into a 4.7 GT4 car but you know dampers, geo, front brakes, exhaust, remap.
then I might be able to keep up with the porsches.
Alexe911 said:
I'm not willing to invest the kind of money to turn into a 4.7 GT4 car but you know dampers, geo, front brakes, exhaust, remap.
In that case your list is about rightOn the exhaust forget the back box, do the headers and sports cats for power (back box with these will make it too noisy for most tracks and not give any power gains)
Like I said earlier, get yourself on Y100's Rockingham day on 21st March
A good opportunity to see how it is as a factory set up, see a load of modified ones and ask loads of questions.
Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 19th February 13:09
Hope to meet you at RockinghamI will I will I will get pix up as soon as I have the keys !
I am being sold the car by a male friend of mine who has finally conceded that a vantage roadster is in fact a girls car...that and he never drives it because he works away and so gets to pick up normal aston servicing bills (which i am guessing are about as bad as 911 turbo bills) but none of the fun of actually driving the blessed beast.
Oh BTW, when i had my 911 turbo, I used to find that a full day on the track would make the tyres go a funny blue-ish colour and shagga all the tread blocks. Using 'cup' type tyres saved me a fortune in the end.
Do you track folks use trofeo or cups or whatever? i have toyo 888s on my lotus - it takes a few laps to get some heat into them (which isn't very nice) but once they are nice and hot the car is great. I NEVER drive the lotus in the rain because:
1. the roof is crappy unlike the vantage
2. there is no grip and i have already had to replace one set of seat cushions.
I am being sold the car by a male friend of mine who has finally conceded that a vantage roadster is in fact a girls car...that and he never drives it because he works away and so gets to pick up normal aston servicing bills (which i am guessing are about as bad as 911 turbo bills) but none of the fun of actually driving the blessed beast.
Oh BTW, when i had my 911 turbo, I used to find that a full day on the track would make the tyres go a funny blue-ish colour and shagga all the tread blocks. Using 'cup' type tyres saved me a fortune in the end.
Do you track folks use trofeo or cups or whatever? i have toyo 888s on my lotus - it takes a few laps to get some heat into them (which isn't very nice) but once they are nice and hot the car is great. I NEVER drive the lotus in the rain because:
1. the roof is crappy unlike the vantage
2. there is no grip and i have already had to replace one set of seat cushions.
On a V8V, I would say uprated brake pads. I have had a long pedal more than once on track, but that does depend on the track and the way it is driven.
My V12V was fantastic on track mainly because there is no brake fade, whereas it is possible in a V8V and it is very un-nerving when it does happen. I would suggest perhaps a steady out lap, 3 fast laps, cool down lap and then you will probably preserve the brakes better. They are great fun on track and well balanced for a heavy car, but they are a heavy car....
My V12V was fantastic on track mainly because there is no brake fade, whereas it is possible in a V8V and it is very un-nerving when it does happen. I would suggest perhaps a steady out lap, 3 fast laps, cool down lap and then you will probably preserve the brakes better. They are great fun on track and well balanced for a heavy car, but they are a heavy car....
Cockernee said:
On a V8V, I would say uprated brake pads. I have had a long pedal more than once on track, but that does depend on the track and the way it is driven.
My V12V was fantastic on track mainly because there is no brake fade, whereas it is possible in a V8V and it is very un-nerving when it does happen. I would suggest perhaps a steady out lap, 3 fast laps, cool down lap and then you will probably preserve the brakes better. They are great fun on track and well balanced for a heavy car, but they are a heavy car....
+1 Mr Cockernee knows best My V12V was fantastic on track mainly because there is no brake fade, whereas it is possible in a V8V and it is very un-nerving when it does happen. I would suggest perhaps a steady out lap, 3 fast laps, cool down lap and then you will probably preserve the brakes better. They are great fun on track and well balanced for a heavy car, but they are a heavy car....
My V8 brakes got a little rumbly and soft on track, uprated pads would certainly help - or just braking less... the Vantage is huge fun on track right out of the box. Alexe911 said:
The pads are Pagids as standard aren't they - so what do you upgrade to ?
PFs or something even more exotic?
Also can you fit later vantage 'S' front discs ? does that even help ?
PF certainly, but you are best to speak with an independent garage of repute to advise.PFs or something even more exotic?
Also can you fit later vantage 'S' front discs ? does that even help ?
bigger discs or calipers will always work better, but ultimately a different pad material more suited to higher temps will suffice for spirited driving, it is all about friction material and heat dissipation..... I am no expert and what I do know would bore you anyway
Don't go for a race spec pad as the squeal will probably be worse and low temperature braking will also scare you. A fast road pad like a PF or as I say, take advice from an expert, not a forum member who thinks he knows what he is talking about.
MollyGTi said:
Alexe911 said:
I am being sold the car by a male friend of mine who has finally conceded that a vantage roadster is in fact a girls car
...and it was going so well! Now you've gone & offended all the roadster drivers! (I'm not aware of any female ones so yes - all of them 
)
I'll fix that at Rockingham with Jonny mikey k said:
MollyGTi said:
Alexe911 said:
I am being sold the car by a male friend of mine who has finally conceded that a vantage roadster is in fact a girls car
...and it was going so well! Now you've gone & offended all the roadster drivers! (I'm not aware of any female ones so yes - all of them ) I'll fix that at Rockingham with Jonny 
That made me chuckle, maybe a wig instead of one of the numerous hats Mikey? 
Gettoff said:
mikey k said:
MollyGTi said:
Alexe911 said:
I am being sold the car by a male friend of mine who has finally conceded that a vantage roadster is in fact a girls car
...and it was going so well! Now you've gone & offended all the roadster drivers! (I'm not aware of any female ones so yes - all of them ) I'll fix that at Rockingham with Jonny That made me chuckle, maybe a wig instead of one of the numerous hats Mikey? you need the usual
spare set of wheels with sticky tyres
upgrade suspension to switchable with stiffer springs or cope with firm stuff on the road
RS29 pads instead of OE RS4-2-2
harnesses to hold you in the seat better.....
otherwise it handles a track day quite well, you would be surprised at how little some of the cars are changed that run in endurance events....
spare set of wheels with sticky tyres
upgrade suspension to switchable with stiffer springs or cope with firm stuff on the road
RS29 pads instead of OE RS4-2-2
harnesses to hold you in the seat better.....
otherwise it handles a track day quite well, you would be surprised at how little some of the cars are changed that run in endurance events....
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