After the disappointment of my car breaking on me, I figured I'd make the most of it and get a ride or two with the faster guys in Red Run group. Matt has told me to come hunt him down, so I did... Boy what a ride. Matt and Jim McNemar were in garages next to each other and we'd all been chatting about how fast everyone was and who was doing what... Matt told Jim he'd take it easy with me in the car, and at first I thought "maybe", but it didn't take long to realize that "for me", it was faster than I could imagine...

We headed out in his former GMG prepared GT2. The car has all the good stuff on it: Upgraded software/turbos, Motons, slicks, big brakes. This car is simply amazing... Jim's LG Motorsports prepared Z06 is a very good match, as it weighs about the same, and is making serious HP. We head out of the pits and start off at a moderate pace, trying to warm the tires. I'm 215# and that added weight in his car is a huge detriment to the handling of his car. Matt will struggle with this the whole session. This is something all you guys who have instructors in your passenger seat should pay attention to... When you get out there by yourself, you'll go much faster, so proceed with caution...

Matt's driving style is a tad more aggressive in the braking zones, and he is able to make up space on Jim in every braking zone. He also is able to pace with Jim's car (which is making more HP, but has more wind dragging downforce) on the back straight. Jim gets off several critical corners better than Matt, due to that downforce, but is easier on the brakes, which is where Matt catches back up.

Fortunately, I don't get car sick. If you do, do NOT get into the passenger seat with one of these guys... We ran a number of hot laps (2:05s) and I got out of the car sweating from the workout, and I was just a passenger... Matt is one of the most talented driver's I've ever had the pleasure of riding with. The pace that he and jim lapped at was simply amazing, and certainly humbling to a hack like me...

Did I learn much about my line? No. Things were happening so fast, and they're using such advanced lines, at such a high rate, that it's hard to focus. I grabbed the shoudler straps and held myself into the seat as best I could, and just soaked it in.

So you guys with the large Cupcar style wings, you might actually have issues with aero drag on your wing, and lose some top end steam. Not sure the answer to this, because the downforce I witnessed following Jim's car in the uphull esses was simply amazing. I guess it'll be like everything else tracking a car... Compromise here, take a little there!

Thanks Matt, for the ride. You are truly one fast dude!

Mike

 

Matts GT2 is probably one of the cleanest GT2 in existence. It was absolutely flawless when he purchased it.

From the sounds of it he should be in a cup car

Matt time to come run with us in Speed GT..



One of my favorite cars ever!!

 

Thanks Mike it was fun im glad you rode along... I guess we should have stepped it up for you some ! i Felt bad about your Car and was doing way to much talking to you to be pushing to hard. ! I looked Data after you got out of the car and felt a little even worse ... I was running 3 seconds a lap slower than the session before ... oh well next time we will drive a lil harder ( now i know you dont get Car sick)....

Jims car is one SICKLY fast car!!!!! and he drives the mess out of it!!!!!! I don't even want to tell you are entrance speeds into the Esses! and you notice there is no brake tap there! his cars downforce is perfect! ( somehow i need to fix that!) I know I run a pretty good pace but damn! I cant imagine when he gets more seat time in that car how fast he will be!

 

Yes it is time to go back to a cup, help me find a buyer for the Gt2 and i will be back in one!

still flawless and runs well with the 996 cups


and yes thinking of my next move!

 

I would love to ride in a Pcar who's driver can push it to his limits. Matt, weren't you selling this GT2 before? Anyway, if you're looking to sell now, just out of curiosity how much are you asking?

Edwin

 

If I could find a buyer for my 996TT, I'd buy Matt's car in a heartbeat... But I can't have two... I'd be divorced in record time.

Mike

 

its all fun i love the counter steer! under full power

 

im definitely getting a ride next yr with zone2 at VIR

 

I was lucky enough to run around Sebring FL as a passenger In the GT3 that came 4th in the One Lap of America race this year.
One of the entrants, Ian Stewart, was my instructor for my last DE; a very talented driver. They were tweaking the car the week before One Lap. OMG! what a rush, Ian was over 160 and still flat to the floor going into T17, the rest was just as hairy. Roller coasters had nothing on this, and he was just feeling out the car! I walked away numb.

 

Last month I PM'd Matt and he agreed to be my instructor at Zone 2......now I have to grab a few barf bags is sounds like from any airplane I go to and do a velcro mod on my own steering wheel if he gets me to go even 80% as fast as he is... Goal is to get harnesses set up by then....

Just kidding on the bags. I drive humbly, as smoothly as possible, do whatever the instructor says, and always stay within myself. I don't time my laps at all. No red haze....

But, he'll likely be able to teach me more given what he drives than any of my prior instructors (all GT3 owners....).

 

I'm thinking heavychevy would like jims car!

 

Man that thing is a beast... riding along with you, chasing him made my weekend. I know you won't say this yourself, and Jim is equally humble, but you two are probably in the top 1% of DE drivers in our region. I know of very few guys who are capable of what you two did out there with me observing.

Mike

 

I need some 1 on 1 training from Matt as well in my 2 haha.. Matt as I said before, I need to hitch a ride next time we meet up, you are in another realm in these cars, one I can only dream of :/

 

im on it Martin.... we will do!