[TheRealJA105]

Originally Posted by SFV1LE

I agree with a lot of what you say here and clearly you have a lot of track experience and skill so I respect that. I spend some time at the track, just got back from 3 fun days at Buttonwillow 4/2-4/4. I want to point out that you do often see clear indicators of superior power on a circuit when you pull through a turn with a tightly spaced pack of similar advanced drivers in "fairly" matched cars (GT3s, ZLEs, Corvettes, GT 350s) opening up onto a nice long straight.

My descriptions and POV here are based on experience in advanced HPDE groups running very fast laps at CA tracks, ie Buttonwillow CW13 with drivers ranging 1:50-1:57.

Assuming a long enough straight and everyone is a good driver who goes WOT asap, the significantly more powerful cars can/will pass or create a widening big gap, sometimes in a dominant fashion (like a modded ZLE with +200 WHP). But often they will lose that advantage to more skilled drivers in the next turn. If the high power car driver can also turn and brake equally or better, that gap will keep growing.

The guy in the 765 LT at Buttonwillow this weekend had such a power and tech advantage over everyone (except the 2 GT2 RSs) that exiting turns from the back of a group he passed every GT3RS, Z06, ZLE, etc with ease. He was not the best driver :-) The 765LT is so advanced and fast it also makes a good driver a hero in turns.

On a side note, after 13 track days in my ZLE, the brakes seem to be a secret weapon vs other very capable sports cars. I run Ferodo DS 1.11 pads and Brembo HTC 64 fluid and with this combo I can brake later, often catching lighter cars with more nimble handling.

You're absolutely correct, but you're also referencing a big power and or technology/supercar gap vs Callaway claiming 100 (ZL1) and 180 (SS) crank hp over stock and not delivering on their numbers. I bet if he switched cars with his buddies he would still run faster laps than them and it would still seem like he was pulling away on corner exit.