Yes, LaFerrari is really. really fast

Fabio Mancini/Flickr

From crappy to proper driving:  let's revisit with our favorite LaFerrari driver at Monza.

Fabio Mancini/Flickr

Monza runs a version of the Nürburgring tourist days, a casual track day where you just show up, pay and go.  Before anyone gets all bent out of shape, this is what you are watching, helmets are not required because only street cars are allowed.

Now, that first lap in the video, straight out of pit lane, casually driven  while dodging assorted econoboxes and having to essentially park in a number of places, is still as sub 2 minute lap.

That is incredibly fast.  A Ferrari Challenge EVO on slicks driven by one of the fastest Challenge drivers on the planet will do 1:50 in qualifying.  The LaFerrari, on street legal tires, driven casually in shirtsleeves chatting with a friend in the right seat and going slow in the parts of the lap is less than ten seconds slower?  

That's just sick, Track Day World Championship winner for sure.

Battle of the knobs: US vs UK

They both use the "elbow on window" driving technique for better cornering but who prevails,

Left Hand Drive?



or Right Hand Drive?

Some say, Porsche drivers wear fire suits...

...driving their street cars at track days you know, because race car. Many think it's really to protect them from the merciless internet flaming they will get for their videos.

This anonymous gentleman gets extra points for the "elbow on the window" style and for the sheer awesomeness of his grabbing the A pillar in order to pull the car back on track

Kudos Porsche Stability Management.

NOTE:  I don't know, nor do I care who the person driving in this clip is.  I wish him all the best in coming to term with his awesome GT2 in the future.  The video is preserved for, ahem... educational purpose.

Nine K and ready to race

Mclaren's latest entry for the road legal class of the Track Day World Championship, the P1, is ready to race.  

Battle is set to begin at the International Motor Show in Geneva in early March,  a production P1 will be presented to the public to counter  Ferrari's latest hyper car, the yet to be officially named F150.    Pagani might have something up his and carbon fiber sculpted  sleeve as well, should be one of the more interesting shows in years.

Mclaren is giving a first tease of the P1's instrument display,  we learn the car has either  nine forward gears or a 9K redline and an F1 style shift light display.  Activating "Race mode" will also configure the rear spoiler for best downforce and presumably set shocks, transmission and engine parameters to their most aggressive settings.

Street Legal: 2014 Radical RXC Coupé

As awesome a track toy as they are, the idea of a Radical being a "street legal car" is pretty amusing. Get a bike already if you are going to have to wear a full face helmet to go to the Hamptons in your SR3 SL.

But what is they put a roof on it? that becomes an entirely different proposition in our books. Towards the end of the video (via Sport Auto) you catch a glimpse of the upcoming Radical RXC Coupé.
With 650HP V8 power and real aero in something that weighs about as much as couple of toasters, aside from the fact that it will probably get stuck on the first bump you will find and then catch on fire, it very well may be the new boss for the Track Day World Championship!


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Lotus Exos T125 World Premiere: Lotus raises the stakes

The competition is fierce in the Track Day World Championship, Ferrari Fxx and 599XX, Pagani Zonda R, not to mention any number of British built barely legal contenders. Today Lotus raised the bar for the non-racing, track only market with the Exos T125 presented yesterday at Laguna Seca.

Our West Coast friend Rahul Nair, who attended the premiere and shot these videos and pictures, tells us the Cosworth powered Exos has a carbon fiber tub and a configuration inspired by current spec Formula 1 cars including carbon suspension and brakes but, as you see from the pictures, it rolls on a low profile tire similar to what F1 will likely move to after 2013.

The engine, a 3.5L V8, produces 650HP at 10,300 RPM (with a 10,800 "push to pass" option in case you find a Zonda R at your track day). The package is made more user friendly by allowing 4500 hours between engine rebuilds and a starter motor. No word if a UK only "street legal" kit will be offered but if so, it will be undoubtebly be hailed as "...actually quite comfortable"



Twenty five Exos are planned at a cool one million dollars apiece. The entry ticket will give the owner access to special track days and instruction from actual Formula 1 drivers in not just driving but also fitness. Think of it as the best gym class you even bought!

Huge gallery after the jump.
(thanks to Rahul Nair)






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