I've just seen a vid on youtube of a guy driving round Cadwell park like a complete pillock in a 500bhp car that scared me sh1tless AND got me thinking... I'm looking at a fairly high power Zed later today (estimated around 450 I guess maybe more.. dyno to prove 409 I believe) and realised that the most powerful car that I've driven/owned to date was at around 300 (scoob I'm afraid to say)...

 

Now I'm fairly sensible and will obviously be taking it very easy if I decide to buy it, it has Race Logic etc. but this got me thinking that actually I don't know how to drive a car that powerful... (well at least not properly) and if I'm on the road I need to know that I can control it!

 

Now as it'll be a road car mainly with a few track days thrown in what advice would you guys give... If I go for it I'm going to do and airfield day with instruction but that won't be for a month or so.

 

Basically I think I'm a bit scared... or am I being stupid?

 

Any advice welcome...

 

Thanks

 

Paul

Only stamp on the pedal when you're in a straight line for starters!

Got it...:p Any more?

Basically I think I'm a bit scared... or am I being stupid?

 

I think being scared is a very sensible state of mind in this instance. It should prevent you from being stupid.

 

ChrisC's advice is good, and the corollary is: "only stamp on the anchor if you're going in a straight line, too". While the brakes and suspension should have been uprated to go with the power, it's unlikely you'll be rolling on slicks, so the tyres could catch you out.

 

Above all, don't behave like a chav!! :)

 

Chris

Take it to a track and pay for 1-on-1 tuition with a driving/racing instructor on how to control your car at speed.

 

Will see if I can find a link for you

This kind of thing http://www.drivertuition.com/

 

Dont know if that place is any good or not, do some research and find out for yourself, but that will be your best bet. tuition from someone who knows what they are doing sat right next to you in a safe environment.

Thanks for the advice guys... I'm thinking about seeing if brands hatch has anything to offer in the way of tuition... It's just around the corner from me...

The one thing I've found to be tricky is driving in the wet.

When you've a lot of power it's very easy indeed to get it moving sideways when overtaking something. You go to pull out and with only a dab on the pedal it twitches when you are not expecting it.

The Racelogic TC will control all this for you though. Just don't go turning it off on your test drive as it will basically stop you from doing anything silly!

If it's got the variable slip option then even better - you can start to turn it down and get used to controlling the power without too much risk of it spinning off suddenly.

Best thing I ever fitted to mine.

Pretty safe in the dry though unless you act like a tit!

Cheers for that Chris... I'm Happy for the Owner to drive me in it tbh.. I've had two Zeds so know what they're like to drive and as it's a members car I'm going to see I'm happy they won't be holding anything back... I imagine that I won't turn the traction of at all!!!!

 

I hope this is the car for me.....!

You just have to bear in mind the grip will be different to that of a 4wd subaru for a start, and the throttle is variable not an on/off switch! cadwell isn't the best track in the UK for throwing around a large car, its very tight and best left to bikes/ caterhams etc!

How about Bruntingthorp testing ground near Leicester,it has a very wide test track, you pay by the hour I think, and has plenty of space should you get it wrong, plus it has a 2 mile straight.

 

Paul