[jaymsu]

I finally had a chance to go out on track (Gingerman in MI) with Camaro6.
I DID bring my GoPro but forgot to charge it, so couldn't get any video except very poor video from my wife's cell phone.

Anyway,,, my car is bone stock, down to brake pads and tires - track duct installed and ATE DOT4 fluid in the system.

Here is what I think.

* Overall: Car felt heavy but I'm coming from Corvette, so I expected it to feel that way, since it's about 500 lbs heavier and taller. That being said, Chassis was very responsive, and nimble.
Comparing lap times with C6 Z51:
C6 I was running same track 1:42.74.
Camaro6 w/ F1 RFT, my best lap yesterday was 1:45.80
I think I can improve about 1-1.5 sec with same setup. (still learning this car, and this was my season opener, so I was little rusty) With same tires as C6 on this car, I think I'll shave about 2-3 sec. So,,,, I believe Camaro6 can run roughly same lap times as or better than C6 Z51.
Overall, I had great fun with Camaro6 on track.


* Stock RF Tires: Performed better than expected. Again, I'm used to Hoosier or Conti slicks, or extreme performance tires like Hankook RS3s, so obviously these F1s didn't have that much of grip but it was sticky enough to enjoy the track. These being RF tires, sidewalls are very stiff, and I had to re-calibrate myself to stiffer sidewall but once I got used to it, these were enjoyable.
One problem I had with these tires were, they were getting greasy and lost grip on last session of the day when ambient temp went up. It was only about 78 deg. so I don't know it would get worse during real summer time.


* Brakes: As we all know, initial bite isn't good with these stock pads, but they stopped pretty decent. I wouldn't compare them to DTC or XP pads, but I think it stops as well as EBC Yellowstuff. The track I went yesterday is very harsh on brake so I was worried that I might not have enough pad left to come home after full day. It still has plenty left. (judging by how much was used yesterday, I think I can get about 3-4 more days of track day out of it)
Caliper worked good and I think the track ducts did what they were supposed to. Had no issue with brakes at all.


* Track mode: On street, steering felt too heavy in track mode, but on track, steering weight felt just right. Honestly I can't tell much about Mag ride. Again, I'm naturally comparing it to Bilstein on my C6, so since it wasn't a big disappointment, I think it was pretty good.
NPP sounded pretty nice at WOT I guess. Couple of guys came over and asked what exhaust I had, and they were surprised when I told them they were stock.


Sorry for long story, but I wanted to share an average-Joe's opinion of this car on track, not the pro drivers' for magazines.

[SSDan]

GM and all the car mags talk about how track ready this car is in stock form. It's good to read that you agree.

[Imp]

Did you change out the brake fluid, or did you run the stock stuff?

--kC

[jaymsu]

Originally Posted by Imp

Did you change out the brake fluid, or did you run the stock stuff?

--kC

I had ATE DOT4 in.

[jaymsu]

Originally Posted by SSDan

GM and all the car mags talk about how track ready this car is in stock form. It's good to read that you agree.

Yes, I agree this car is track ready right out of box. Fun car to run on track with little upgrade (like tires and brakes....? )

[mbar]

Thank you for a great post
If you ran you Corvette with race pads, I believe that being 4 seconds away with the Camaro you can definitely beat the corvette time.

Note: the owners manual recommend replacing the rear diff fluid after the first track day.... up to you

[jaymsu]

Originally Posted by mbar

Thank you for a great post
If you ran you Corvette with race pads, I believe that being 4 seconds away with the Camaro you can definitely beat the corvette time.

Note: the owners manual recommend replacing the rear diff fluid after the first track day.... up to you

Thanks for reminder about rear diff fluid. Forgot about that.
I'll do it as they recommend, so there is no dispute about warranty, if I ever need it.

[Mountain]

I had a lot of friends out there with 3 Balls Racing this weekend. I was stuck at Waterford with out Lemons car though (race next weekend at Gingerman). I would've loved to see the 6th Gen out there - especially coming from a Mustang background.

[Thor142]

Thanks for the input! Always keeping my eyes open for actual track reviews from actual track rats on these cars.

[bpang1234]

This was a really good post...thanks for doing it OP!

[jaymsu]

Originally Posted by Mountain

I had a lot of friends out there with 3 Balls Racing this weekend. I was stuck at Waterford with out Lemons car though (race next weekend at Gingerman). I would've loved to see the 6th Gen out there - especially coming from a Mustang background.

Weather was great in South Haven last Saturday. (unlike most of 3 balls event at Gingerman. )
I'll be out at Grattan on 5/28 with 3 balls again, so if you come out to Grattan, please come by and say Hi.
Which car would you be driving if you come to Grattan?

Originally Posted by Thor142

Thanks for the input! Always keeping my eyes open for actual track reviews from actual track rats on these cars.

Originally Posted by bpang1234

This was a really good post...thanks for doing it OP!

I was also looking for actual owners' opinion on these cars on track, but couldn't find much, so I decided to post what my experience was like.
Glad you guys like it.

[Mountain]

Originally Posted by jaymsu

Weather was great in South Haven last Saturday. (unlike most of 3 balls event at Gingerman. )
I'll be out at Grattan on 5/28 with 3 balls again, so if you come out to Grattan, please come by and say Hi.
Which car would you be driving if you come to Grattan?






I was also looking for actual owners' opinion on these cars on track, but couldn't find much, so I decided to post what my experience was like.
Glad you guys like it.

Sure thing! I'll either have a multi-colored 91 Jetta or white 12 Mustang GT. I'm not sure when I'll be doing my next track day (two Lemons weekends between now and mid-May). I'd like to do the 3 Balls Mid Ohio event.

I'm also glad you posted your review. I'd like to get a 6th Gen and compete in SCCA Solo FS (nationally) and do a few track days with the thing in the future.

[kropscamaro16]

i tracked my old car with upgraded suspensions stock pads/rotors and upgrades lines and fluid and better tires/lighter wheels and it was a blast! i want to take it out bone stock but no run flats lol

[JoeP@TeamBeckyD]

Wow Jay those are great times!!

I'll certainly follow you when we get to
the track. You'll have to drop down a
group to run with me-LOL

Great write up - thanks for the input.


Becky