[ds968]

I was invited by a close friend to test drive the new Ferrari 296 GTB  on the Sonoma racetrack !!  In about a month from now .  He had two VIP Ferrari invitations , sponsored by Nasdaq ( his connection to the event , he’s a big shot CFO ) and I’m the lucky other one !  The same guy who invited me to the Laguna Seca for the Ferrari Superfast and the Pista drive a few years ago, but that was on the side roads , not on the track .  

Exciting, but a few trepidations driving something that expensive and that fast .  Actually more concerned about the price tag, less so the speed .  

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[Waylander]

You have insurance, and only goes as fast as you push the loud pedal

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[Rap]

Regular car insurance doesn’t cover driving on tracks. There is insurance for that though.

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[ds968]

They ( NASDAQ , the sponsors )  cover the insurance,  and are also providing the invitees / drivers with a full release of any and all liability , as opposed to most other track events where you release them from liability . 

 

When I said I’m more concerned about the price of the car , I meant the embarrassment , and how badly I would feel about trashing a $ 350 K car … 

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[MCL968]

I spent a lot of time there when they had the old configuration, pre "infinion". Turn 11 was always the tough one because it was sharper than you thought, and it went right by the start finish line and everyone wanted to go crazy in front of the fans. Then turn 1 was in front of you and it was off into the infield.

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[ds968]

I’m not going to press my luck ..unfamiliar car, unfamiliar track, even after the first lap with a professional it’s not going to be enough to build my comfort level to where I’m going to push the car to test its limits , or my driving limits .  It’s not as if I’m doing timed runs, so I won’t take unnecessary chances ..just planning to have a little fun .

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[Rap]

Have fun be safe and take pics.

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[ds968]

My friend has a GoPro so we’ll use that to film . 

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[tejon007]

Cool, enjoy it!



Driving a hybrid mid-rear-engined (whatever that is), I'll bet it handles really well. Every mid-engined car I've ever owned or driven has reminded me where a sports car should have its engine...just my opinion. And it's a hybrid, so you're being environmentally conscious too.

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[ds968]

Agree.  Every sports car should be “mid engine”  for ideal balance .   I’ve never liked 6 cyl engines, no matter how many turbos they put on them and how fast they may be.   Frankly I prefer our 968 4 cyl engine to any 6 cyl N/A or turboed cat I’ve driven .  It’s just me perhaps but I hate the way the engine revs and don’t like the exhaust note either .   The new Porsches GT3RS manage to produce a decent sound but it’s still a far, far cry form V8s  IMO.   Even the V12s I have driven somehow could not compare with the feel and sound of a V8 .. they were too smooth.   I don’t like smooth, and most 6 cyl engines have no soul..IMO again. 

As for the environmental aspect of the hybrid .. I could not give a flying hoot about that, and it’s not as if I’m a coal and fracking guy, but this electric vehicles crap is so blown out of proportion, politicized and commercialized, I’m just ignoring most of it .. 

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[Waylander]

A V8 seems to beat in harmony with your soul, no other engine comes close, C63 AMG normally aspirated is one of the best sounds ever

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[tejon007]

...I was only teasing about you and the Ferrari being environmentally conscious because it's a hybrid. The car and your test drive should be about performance, which it is...

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[Cloud9...68]

Sonoma is a tricky track, with huge elevation changes, blind turns, and (not to scare you) but lots of walls as well.  I would recommend watching a lot of youtube videos to get yourself as familiar with the layout of the track as possible, so you won't have to spend time worrying about what's coming up ahead, and be more able to just enjoy the experience of driving, from what I've read, a true masterpiece of a car.

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[ds968]

I drove Laguna Seca once and thought that was a really tough , extremely challenging course , for many of the same reasons you mentioned about Sonoma , so good point about watching videos before taking the plunge .. 

 

I’m more of a high speed fanatic so driving a Bugatti Veyron , or a LaFerrari , or a Pagani, or a Koneigsegg, etc . on a NASCAR-like  oval track would be my cup of tea , but oh well, I’m sure this will be fun as well.. 

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[Rap]

Know anyone with a simulator?

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[tejon007]

"a NASCAR-like  oval track would be my cup of tea , but oh well, I’m sure this will be fun as well.."



My brother would definitely agree with you. Me, I prefer cars that make left AND right turns...

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[ds968]

Know anyone with a simulator?

That’s a great idea..I’m sure there must be some program / app which all the major race tracks in the US loaded in it .. 

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[ds968]

"a NASCAR-like  oval track would be my cup of tea , but oh well, I’m sure this will be fun as well.."



My brother would definitely agree with you. Me, I prefer cars that make left AND right turns...

 

True , but I’m talking about driving at a sustained 180- 200 mph , or even more,  Can only do that on an oval track with raised turns . 

 

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[MCL968]

A V8 seems to beat in harmony with your soul, no other engine comes close, C63 AMG normally aspirated is one of the best sounds ever

I have to say that the newer flat-plane crank Mustang V8s have a sound that is other-worldly. I have not been surprised and impressed by a modern car's sound in many years, but it seems that Ford got it right.

 

I do really like the sound of my 968 with the RS barn exhaust, although it tends to make me run higher revs in the parking structure at work. It's a great way to start and end the day.

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[Waylander]

Do I detect the rebel in there Matt



Think the standard exhaust is quite a nice restrained sound but not quiet



Quite like the sound of the Janspeed too

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