Recent Comments:
New AMG Safety and Medical cars stand guard at every F1 race this season {Autoblog}
Mar 7th 2008 2:00PM This is a great example of just how other-worldly the performance of modern F1 cars are. Something we would consider an "high performance" road car like the SL63 AMG needs extensive modifications just to be able to slowly lead a pack of F1 cars around the track under a yellow flag. The F1 cars are barely going fast enough to keep their tires warm, meanwhile the safety car is pushing 90-95%. Insane.
Pics Aplenty: Aston Martin serious about V12 Vantage RS {Autoblog}
Dec 12th 2007 12:39PM They make a big fuss about weight reduction, but 3,527lbs is only ~70lbs lighter than stock and is pretty porky for a "race-inspired" car. Compare to Z06, GT3, or F430 Scuderia that all manage to come in closer to 3,000lbs
New 'Ring record: BMW M3 CSL laps in 7:22.8 seconds {Autoblog}
Nov 20th 2007 4:31PM Probably had some impact - the SMG probably saves around 0.05 secs/shift over a competent race driver with a clutch, which over 150 upshifts (a guesstimate) translates into ~7-8 seconds of lost time at full throttle. How much actual laptime difference that makes depends on average speeds, acceleration rates etc
New 'Ring record: BMW M3 CSL laps in 7:22.8 seconds {Autoblog}
Nov 20th 2007 4:23PM The #1 difference - the BMW on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup R (race compound) tires vs the stock Zonda on streetable Michelin Pilot Sport 2's. The stock zonda tires allow ~1.05g of cornering force vs. ~1.5g for the BMW's R-compounds. This alone accounts for at least 20 seconds. No real comparison here.
New 'Ring record: BMW M3 CSL laps in 7:22.8 seconds {Autoblog}
Nov 20th 2007 4:01PM Agreed - the stats say the BMW was on R-compound tires (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup Rs) which can account for most of the difference. Also consider the stated HP is rear-wheel (add 10-15% for flywheel comparison with the zonda) and that the M3 was HEAVILY modified in other ways - completely new suspension and subframe, much wider tires (265/295), revised aero, huge brakes... basically a barely-streetable race car
