First track days in ZL1 1LE, Buttonwillow

SFV1LE · 04-02-2019, 11:14 AM

I know this was already proven many times, but my first track days in the ZL1 1LE have confirmed for me this car is capable of supercar times on very technical twisty tracks.

At Buttonwillow on just my second day ever tracking the car, after a 2 year absence from any track time, I was able to out-turn a good driver in a 675 LT. He would reel me in between turns, and passed me at the end of the front straight, but I was amazed by the grip and agility of this heavy car with 2 people running with the 3000 lb 675 w/driver only. I did a 1:57 on this lap, holding him off to hit my goal for my first ZL1 1LE track weekend. I drove a highly modded Evo X prior to the ZLE, so there's a lot to learn transitioning to this awesome car.

With a great driver (I’m not) and open track, the ZL1 1LE can do laps under 1:50 at Buttonwillow. The fastest car (other than the Audi R8 pro race team that showed up), was a very good driver in a genuine Pratt and Miller C5-R Le Mans car that did a 1:50 starting in position 1 (full open track). My instructor Jeff Cook did a 1:53 in my ZLE in traffic, w/a few passes, driving 8-9/10s due to it being my car. He already did a 1:50 at BW in his ZLE, on his first day there.

Scottyz · 04-02-2019, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFV1LE

I know this was already proven many times, but my first track days in the ZL1 1LE have confirmed for me this car is capable of supercar times on very technical twisty tracks.

At Buttonwillow on just my second day ever tracking the car, after a 2 year absence from any track time, I was able to out-turn a good driver in a 675 LT. He would reel me in between turns, and passed me at the end of the front straight, but I was amazed by the grip and agility of this heavy car with 2 people running with the 3000 lb 675 w/driver only. I did a 1:57 on this lap, holding him off to hit my goal for my first ZL1 1LE track weekend. I drove a highly modded Evo X prior to the ZLE, so there's a lot to learn transitioning to this awesome car.

With a great driver (I’m not) and open track, the ZL1 1LE can do laps under 1:50 at Buttonwillow. The fastest car (other than the Audi R8 pro race team that showed up), was a very good driver in a genuine Pratt and Miller C5-R Le Mans car that did a 1:50 starting in position 1 (full open track). My instructor Jeff Cook did a 1:53 in my ZLE in traffic, w/a few passes, driving 8-9/10s due to it being my car. He already did a 1:50 at BW in his ZLE, on his first day there.

You see.....I’m waiting for my ZLE to come in. And it’s posts like this that cause me to lose sleep. The wait is almost unbearable

MikeEM1 · 04-02-2019, 12:35 PM

Jeff is really fast. He should be able to hit that sub 50 with no traffic. Did Jeff not bring his car that day?
I'm guessing Speed Ventures from Sunday? I heard there was a ridiculous amount of cars signed up that day.
You guys should have came to Big Willow, it was empty this past Sunday.

kropscamaro16 · 04-02-2019, 01:03 PM

u should hit up fontana may 4-5 with us! trying to get a whole camaro group of us going!

SFV1LE · 04-02-2019, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeEM1

Jeff is really fast. He should be able to hit that sub 50 with no traffic. Did Jeff not bring his car that day?
I'm guessing Speed Ventures from Sunday? I heard there was a ridiculous amount of cars signed up that day.
You guys should have came to Big Willow, it was empty this past Sunday.

Yes it was Speed Ventures both Sat and Sun. No Jeff didn't bring his ZL1. It was one of the bigger groups I've seen there but not bad in the red group, and glad we went to BW for a few reasons...

We had some good cars to battle with in Red including the 675 LT, C5-R, ZR1, and a genuine LMP race car. Once I got a good time down we pre-gridded up front but I chose to stay in back on Saturday with TC on while I learned to drive this monster. On Sunday I started taking advantage of pre-grid.

When Jeff drove the car, we arrived late with the LMP and Jeff started behind him following for 1 lap until the guy warmed his slicks. When the LMP took off, it was less than 1 lap before Jeff passed him.

Also, big group of Tesla drivers together in 2 separate groups called Tesla Corsa. A few came out in the red group, including Randy Pobst who was there to give coaching to the Tesla group. I passed Randy Pobst driving a model 3 :-) We hung out with him later and talked cars for about 45 minutes, very fun to talk to.

SFV1LE · 04-02-2019, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kropscamaro16

u should hit up fontana may 4-5 with us! trying to get a whole camaro group of us going!

I will probably be at Fontana, love that place and it's close. There were a few ZL1s and at least 2 other 1LEs at BW.

kropscamaro16 · 04-02-2019, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFV1LE

I will probably be at Fontana, love that place and it's close. There were a few ZL1s and at least 2 other 1LEs at BW.

oh yea my buddy nick in the red zl1 was there sat/sun and oh nice where u located? im in huntington beach

SFV1LE · 04-02-2019, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kropscamaro16

oh yea my buddy nick in the red zl1 was there sat/sun and oh nice where u located? im in huntington beach

I'm in Sherman Oaks

kropscamaro16 · 04-02-2019, 04:53 PM

oh ok im a little closer but not too far...i want to go to chuckwalla and buttonwillow soon never been to either track yet but its a good drive lol

SFV1LE · 04-02-2019, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kropscamaro16

oh ok im a little closer but not too far...i want to go to chuckwalla and buttonwillow soon never been to either track yet but its a good drive lol

From Sherman Oaks, BW is less than 2 hours once traffic dies down. So maybe 3 hours for you if you leave after 8:30 on a Friday night or early Sat/Sun morning.

kropscamaro16 · 04-02-2019, 06:14 PM

oh thats not bad !

SoCal Smith · 04-02-2019, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kropscamaro16

u should hit up fontana may 4-5 with us! trying to get a whole camaro group of us going!

Is this with bimmer fest?

SFV1LE · 04-03-2019, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal Smith

Is this with bimmer fest?

Bimmer Fest is May 25-26, I'm avoiding that. Dozens of aggressive M3s on my ass all day is too stressful.

Stealth7 · 04-03-2019, 10:42 AM

Also in HB here--'18 A10. Have track time in cars and bikes before but not yet in the ZL1.

Like Big Willow and Auto Club Speedway > Buttonwillow, but Buttonwillow is good as well.

04-02-2019, 11:14 AM	#1
SFV1LE Drives: 2018 Hyper Blue ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: CA Posts: 1,360	First track days in ZL1 1LE, Buttonwillow I know this was already proven many times, but my first track days in the ZL1 1LE have confirmed for me this car is capable of supercar times on very technical twisty tracks. At Buttonwillow on just my second day ever tracking the car, after a 2 year absence from any track time, I was able to out-turn a good driver in a 675 LT. He would reel me in between turns, and passed me at the end of the front straight, but I was amazed by the grip and agility of this heavy car with 2 people running with the 3000 lb 675 w/driver only. I did a 1:57 on this lap, holding him off to hit my goal for my first ZL1 1LE track weekend. I drove a highly modded Evo X prior to the ZLE, so there's a lot to learn transitioning to this awesome car. With a great driver (I’m not) and open track, the ZL1 1LE can do laps under 1:50 at Buttonwillow. The fastest car (other than the Audi R8 pro race team that showed up), was a very good driver in a genuine Pratt and Miller C5-R Le Mans car that did a 1:50 starting in position 1 (full open track). My instructor Jeff Cook did a 1:53 in my ZLE in traffic, w/a few passes, driving 8-9/10s due to it being my car. He already did a 1:50 at BW in his ZLE, on his first day there.

04-02-2019, 12:35 PM	#3
MikeEM1 Drives: Tracks: 18' ZL1 1LE Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Irvine, CA --> ATX Posts: 141	Jeff is really fast. He should be able to hit that sub 50 with no traffic. Did Jeff not bring his car that day? I'm guessing Speed Ventures from Sunday? I heard there was a ridiculous amount of cars signed up that day. You guys should have came to Big Willow, it was empty this past Sunday. __________________ 18' ZL1 1LE Red Hot track toy Castrol SRF Ported TB/Rotofab dry intake AWE Track w/PLP APR GTC300 wing / Singular Endplates ASC Splitter / PA tunnels MFR Engineering Custom Diffuser Race Louvers Fender Vents APEX SM10 & ARC8 For sale: 2018 OEM ZL1 1LE Wing 12' Nissan GT-R SOLD

04-02-2019, 01:03 PM	#4
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 9,813	u should hit up fontana may 4-5 with us! trying to get a whole camaro group of us going! __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

04-02-2019, 04:53 PM	#9
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 9,813	oh ok im a little closer but not too far...i want to go to chuckwalla and buttonwillow soon never been to either track yet but its a good drive lol __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

04-02-2019, 06:14 PM	#11
kropscamaro16 Drives: 2016 1ss camaro Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: 909 Posts: 9,813	oh thats not bad ! __________________ 16 1SS NIGHTFALL GRAY METALLIC WITH NPP #BECAUSERACECAR #SAVETHEMANUALS

04-03-2019, 10:42 AM	#14
Stealth7 Drives: Gen V Viper GTS Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: SoCal Posts: 260	Also in HB here--'18 A10. Have track time in cars and bikes before but not yet in the ZL1. Like Big Willow and Auto Club Speedway > Buttonwillow, but Buttonwillow is good as well.

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