Track Day Video at Race City in the Mercedes E63

[Chris]

I had a chance to do my first track day out at Race City on Tuesday this week - one of the most fun days I've ever had.

Doug Nielsen (R28 on the boards here) was my instructor for my first few forays out onto the track and is such a great guy. After I convinced him I wasn't a total muppet behind the wheel I got to head out for some sessions on my own.

The E63 really surprised me on the track - I knew it was going to be a monster in a straight line, but it was really tossable around the corners and had amazing traction. I had it set to Sport + with the shocks at full stiffness and there was very little body roll.

The brakes were simply amazing. They repeatedly dragged me down from 220 km/h at the end of the straight with zero fade (although there were a few warning lights going off due to high temps).

I managed to get a bunch of footage (both in car and out) thanks to the generosity of Jeff (Silverstoned) letting me borrow his GoPro. The audio isn't the greatest inside the car with the wind noise and a bit of rattle from the camera's protective case, but still really happy with how it turned out.

This first video is me chasing a Nissan GTR. It was ridiculously fast through the turns and would pull away from me down the straights despite the 520hp in the '63. I knew they were fast cars, but until then I didn't realize just how quick they were.

This second video is just a short clip of my doing a fly-by on the straight. Loved the way the E sounds at WOT.

I have some more footage that I'm going to try and cut together this weekend and will post it up once I'm done. In the meantime, hope you enjoy the vids!

[GINCH]

Re: Track Day Video at Race City in the Mercedes E63

Nice vids chris!!! That 63 is a beast. Is it yours?

[Chris]

Re: Track Day Video at Race City in the Mercedes E63

I wish it was, Derek... It's my father's car. I managed to convince him to let me borrow it. I argued that it needed to be driven in anger at least once in its life

[R_Ethug]

Re: Track Day Video at Race City in the Mercedes E63

good job chris!

[asp gti]

Re: Track Day Video at Race City in the Mercedes E63

thats sick! when i get a new car i want to hit up one of these events, looks like a great time!

[BaggedGLI]

Re: Track Day Video at Race City in the Mercedes E63

thats sick! when i get a new car i want to hit up one of these events, looks like a great time!

Come on out to a revwerks one, even just to watch/ ride along, its free and we do like a cheap bbq for everyone.


Looks like fun Chris!

[RSS]

Re: Track Day Video at Race City in the Mercedes E63

looks good nice smooth lines!

Some ideas to run down that GTR next time.

Turn 1 just carry more speed its scary but until the car is in sliding across the track your not going fast enough not sure if you know your speeds but you should be able to do at least 120+ (Depends on handling of course)

Turn 2 the line that was i think shown to you is fine if your racing someone but not the fastest way thru carry more speed thru 1 and stay left on the exit then cut back hard towards the turn in for 3 which you hit very well unlike the GTR

Exit of 3 get on the gas and get on it hard carry the car to the outside of that little straight they put an extra piece of asphalt out there just for that purpose.

Turn 4 slower in faster out get the car pointed at the apex then jump on the gas let the car carry towards that curb on the outside if you hit it don't worry it pushes you back where you need to go (Don't go over it tho that ends badly)

Turn 5 hard to tell if the car was pushing very much but looks like turn 1 you can probably carry more speed

Turn 6 good turn in and line try and get back on the gas once the car has settled the car should want to push out at the apex (Like the GTR did on the second lap i think)

Turn 7-8-9 ignore first curb but smash curb 2 dead center passenger side wheels can even touch it then carry over the 3rd curb letting the car slide out towards the outside on exit (Depending on the track day they may not allow this)

Over the crest i actually use the same line but in the open wheel car as i can brake after the crest but in a road car other than maybe a Porsche GT2/3 you probably have to start braking going up the hill which defeats the purpose of that line (Extending the straight) try staying to the right going up the hill brake then crest the hill and get back on the gas making a wide smooth turn out of it.

The carousel was done well

Back on to the straight tho is where the most time was left on the track stay to the left as much as possible then turn in hard and late trying to make the car rotate (Hard to do if car has a push) then get on it hard and carry towards that outside curb make sure the car is pointed int eh rigth direction before getting on it. This is why the GTR seemed so much faster down the straight its all about the exit onto the straight.

Also just try different lines out there see where your car feels better it's not going to be the same for everyone and the track breaking up in places makes certain correct lines actually slower sometimes.

[Silverstoned]

Re: Track Day Video at Race City in the Mercedes E63

The audio isn't the greatest inside the car with the wind noise and a bit of rattle from the camera's protective case, but still really happy with how it turned out.

I should have loaned you the second back that has holes for better sound. It makes a big difference as the solid back muffles most of the sound but I thought it would be a better choice if you mounted it on the outside of the car. The noise you're hearing probably isn't from the camera rattling in the case, but the clip not fitting tight enough into the stick-on mount. I modified the mounts on my helmet with a little electrical tape so that there isn't any play and it eliminates squeaking/rattling noise.

[asp gti]

Re: Track Day Video at Race City in the Mercedes E63

Come on out to a revwerks one, even just to watch/ ride along, its free and we do like a cheap bbq for everyone.


Looks like fun Chris!

ya thats what im hoping to do, are there any more planned for this year? if all goes smoothly i might have something well suited for a track day in the close future

[Chris]

Re: Track Day Video at Race City in the Mercedes E63

Thanks for the input, RSS! I really want to get out there again and work on getting faster.

When is the next Revwerks track day? And where do I sign up!?

[asp gti]

Re: Track Day Video at Race City in the Mercedes E63

do they time your laps or is it not monitored?

[Chris]

Re: Track Day Video at Race City in the Mercedes E63

No timing - it's just for fun. But there are some apps that you can use to keep track of lap times. Might use one next time I'm out there.