Tracking your V12V . . .
Discussion
I'm considering bringing my V12V to the track this summer. I'm wondering how many of you have tracked your V12V and whether you have had any problems. I'm also wondering about how the rotors, brake pads, tires, and other "consumables" hold up to the abuse of the track. Thanks for your help!
Watching with interest.
My colleagues (F10 M5, R8 and RS3 owners) are egging me on to join them on a track day with my DB9 around Donnington Park in June. I'm still saying no despite knowing I will absolutely love the experience because of the possible wear/tear on the car. The ~£700 difference between taking my car (£350 total) and hiring a Caterham (£1000 total) is probably worthwhile given cost of consumables (brakes, tyres, clutch wear to name but a few) - as well as the possibility of my DB9 'never being the same again' (and not being able to figure out quite why).
My colleagues (F10 M5, R8 and RS3 owners) are egging me on to join them on a track day with my DB9 around Donnington Park in June. I'm still saying no despite knowing I will absolutely love the experience because of the possible wear/tear on the car. The ~£700 difference between taking my car (£350 total) and hiring a Caterham (£1000 total) is probably worthwhile given cost of consumables (brakes, tyres, clutch wear to name but a few) - as well as the possibility of my DB9 'never being the same again' (and not being able to figure out quite why).
I am going to SPA in September with AM on-track. They hire you tyres for £240.00 for the day, so that I don't ruin mine 
. The brakes will obviously be fine as they are built for this very purpose on a V12V. In fairness other than the tyres getting worn out, I would have no issues on track with a V12V as the brake fade will not be an issue. Obviously you will be taking life out of the pads and I understand that they are £750 for the front pads, so don't do too many!!!!
As for the rest of the car unless you are thrashing it within an inch of its life every lap, then I dont see a problem.
. The brakes will obviously be fine as they are built for this very purpose on a V12V. In fairness other than the tyres getting worn out, I would have no issues on track with a V12V as the brake fade will not be an issue. Obviously you will be taking life out of the pads and I understand that they are £750 for the front pads, so don't do too many!!!!As for the rest of the car unless you are thrashing it within an inch of its life every lap, then I dont see a problem.
I was expecting the question re: the track. It's a pretty long track with lots of space between turns, so it shouldn't be too bad on the brakes. I also thought that the CCMs should hold up well, although Clarkson managed to cook the Aventador's brakes, at least temporarily.
Love the idea of borrowing someone else's tires for the day(!), although I suspect my track doesn't offer this service. I will inquire about this.
In all likelihood, I wouldn't spend a full day flogging the car at the track. I'd just like to experience the car at full chat on a closed course at least once. Before I do even that though, I want to know if there are any known pitfalls I needed to be aware of.
It's a pretty long track with lots of space between turns, so it shouldn't be too bad on the brakes. I also thought that the CCMs should hold up well, although Clarkson managed to cook the Aventador's brakes, at least temporarily.Love the idea of borrowing someone else's tires for the day(!), although I suspect my track doesn't offer this service. I will inquire about this.
In all likelihood, I wouldn't spend a full day flogging the car at the track. I'd just like to experience the car at full chat on a closed course at least once. Before I do even that though, I want to know if there are any known pitfalls I needed to be aware of.
johng39 said:
I am going to SPA in September with AM on-track. They hire you tyres for £240.00 for the day, so that I don't ruin mine . The brakes will obviously be fine as they are built for this very purpose on a V12V. In fairness other than the tyres getting worn out, I would have no issues on track with a V12V as the brake fade will not be an issue. Obviously you will be taking life out of the pads and I understand that they are £750 for the front pads, so don't do too many!!!!
As for the rest of the car unless you are thrashing it within an inch of its life every lap, then I dont see a problem.
Interesting how does the "tyre hire" work? Do they swap a set of wheels?. The brakes will obviously be fine as they are built for this very purpose on a V12V. In fairness other than the tyres getting worn out, I would have no issues on track with a V12V as the brake fade will not be an issue. Obviously you will be taking life out of the pads and I understand that they are £750 for the front pads, so don't do too many!!!!As for the rest of the car unless you are thrashing it within an inch of its life every lap, then I dont see a problem.
Keep out the gravel or you will need ALOT more Chipex
mikey k said:
Interesting how does the "tyre hire" work? Do they swap a set of wheels?
Keep out the gravel or you will need ALOT more Chipex
Yep, they take a set of wheels and tyres and you turn up 30 mins early and they get swapped. They get swapped back at the end of the day too Keep out the gravel or you will need ALOT more Chipex
I will not be painting the front until AFTER SPA.
From last time I asked, they actually did not provide any loan tyres for the V12V - maybe that has changed.
I have had my car around Silverstone on an AM track day and whilst the tyre wear is significant (but not more than what I would consider normal for a spirited track day) you don't have to write off a set a tyres in order to have fun on the day. The brakes are a revelation on track with no fading what so ever. As a result the V12V performs excellently on track as the balance and the grip on the Pirelli Corsas is fantastic. Just bring a suitcase of cash in order to pay for the petrol that goes into the V12V. It is very thirsty when driven fast.
This was however not my experience with my previous DB9 on track. It was nice to try but not a great experience. Whilst grip and poise is fine, the car is too heavy for a track and the brakes will soon begin to fade to the point where you can't brake any more. This was also on Silverstone (which is a quite heavy breaking circuit so others might be better). Also the tiptronic gearbox will start to get very hot. I had no problems with reliability or quality of the car it is just that it is a grand tourer and not a track day weapon so the trip to and from Silverstone was more enjoyable than the time spent on the track.
I have had my car around Silverstone on an AM track day and whilst the tyre wear is significant (but not more than what I would consider normal for a spirited track day) you don't have to write off a set a tyres in order to have fun on the day. The brakes are a revelation on track with no fading what so ever. As a result the V12V performs excellently on track as the balance and the grip on the Pirelli Corsas is fantastic. Just bring a suitcase of cash in order to pay for the petrol that goes into the V12V. It is very thirsty when driven fast.
This was however not my experience with my previous DB9 on track. It was nice to try but not a great experience. Whilst grip and poise is fine, the car is too heavy for a track and the brakes will soon begin to fade to the point where you can't brake any more. This was also on Silverstone (which is a quite heavy breaking circuit so others might be better). Also the tiptronic gearbox will start to get very hot. I had no problems with reliability or quality of the car it is just that it is a grand tourer and not a track day weapon so the trip to and from Silverstone was more enjoyable than the time spent on the track.
clorenzen said:
I have had my car around Silverstone on an AM track day and whilst the tyre wear is significant (but not more than what I would consider normal for a spirited track day) you don't have to write off a set a tyres in order to have fun on the day. The brakes are a revelation on track with no fading what so ever. As a result the V12V performs excellently on track as the balance and the grip on the Pirelli Corsas is fantastic. Just bring a suitcase of cash in order to pay for the petrol that goes into the V12V. It is very thirsty when driven fast.
Thanks, good to know. Anyone else taken his/her V12V to the track? Surprised more haven't tried it. clorenzen said:
From last time I asked, they actually did not provide any loan tyres for the V12V - maybe that has changed.
I have had my car around Silverstone on an AM track day and whilst the tyre wear is significant (but not more than what I would consider normal for a spirited track day) you don't have to write off a set a tyres in order to have fun on the day. The brakes are a revelation on track with no fading what so ever. As a result the V12V performs excellently on track as the balance and the grip on the Pirelli Corsas is fantastic. Just bring a suitcase of cash in order to pay for the petrol that goes into the V12V. It is very thirsty when driven fast.
This was however not my experience with my previous DB9 on track. It was nice to try but not a great experience. Whilst grip and poise is fine, the car is too heavy for a track and the brakes will soon begin to fade to the point where you can't brake any more. This was also on Silverstone (which is a quite heavy breaking circuit so others might be better). Also the tiptronic gearbox will start to get very hot. I had no problems with reliability or quality of the car it is just that it is a grand tourer and not a track day weapon so the trip to and from Silverstone was more enjoyable than the time spent on the track.
what was tyre wear like ? I find it surprisngly good on the bridgestones on the V8S on track, but assume the Pirellis are not quite as hard wearing ? I have had my car around Silverstone on an AM track day and whilst the tyre wear is significant (but not more than what I would consider normal for a spirited track day) you don't have to write off a set a tyres in order to have fun on the day. The brakes are a revelation on track with no fading what so ever. As a result the V12V performs excellently on track as the balance and the grip on the Pirelli Corsas is fantastic. Just bring a suitcase of cash in order to pay for the petrol that goes into the V12V. It is very thirsty when driven fast.
This was however not my experience with my previous DB9 on track. It was nice to try but not a great experience. Whilst grip and poise is fine, the car is too heavy for a track and the brakes will soon begin to fade to the point where you can't brake any more. This was also on Silverstone (which is a quite heavy breaking circuit so others might be better). Also the tiptronic gearbox will start to get very hot. I had no problems with reliability or quality of the car it is just that it is a grand tourer and not a track day weapon so the trip to and from Silverstone was more enjoyable than the time spent on the track.
clorenzen said:
the car is too heavy for a track and the brakes will soon begin to fade to the point where you can't brake any more. This was also on Silverstone (which is a quite heavy breaking circuit so others might be better). Also the tiptronic gearbox will start to get very hot. I had no problems with reliability or quality of the car it is just that it is a grand tourer and not a track day weapon so the trip to and from Silverstone was more enjoyable than the time spent on the track.
Pah, you're doing it wrong Nice set of 6 pot brakes, some switchable suspension, a manual gearbox and shear plates with directional venting to cool the gearbox. I'd put my Bamford Rose DB9 against a V12V any day and I'll near-as-dammit keep up
yeti said:
Pah, you're doing it wrong Nice set of 6 pot brakes, some switchable suspension, a manual gearbox and shear plates with directional venting to cool the gearbox.
I'd put my Bamford Rose DB9 against a V12V any day and I'll near-as-dammit keep up
Pah, manual gearbox on a track.. You fool! Nice set of 6 pot brakes, some switchable suspension, a manual gearbox and shear plates with directional venting to cool the gearbox. I'd put my Bamford Rose DB9 against a V12V any day and I'll near-as-dammit keep up
I've discovered cars are boring on a track (not that mine would ever go near one), it's all about bikes!! so much more fun, and cheaper!
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