I've got a 2012 V12 Vantage, love the car but want to experience it on track.

I've got 11 years of SCCA racing experience, a National Comp license, many class wins, a Southeast Division championship, and experience racing and tracking a Lotus Esprit, a Lotus T-70, various Spec Miatas, a 260z, a TR8, an M5 and an M6.

The car certainly seems fully track capable. I've located a company that will provide insurance for $600 for a day at VIR (I'm a club member there)?

Anyone track their V12 (or v8) Vantage? Anything to watch out for? Recommended cold tire pressures? Overfill the oil sump by 1/2 quart?

Thanks!

 

Did you try the search function? Below are some links to some of the many posts here on this topic.

I never ended up tracking my V12V and haven't tracked my V12VS yet; hopefully to change this year. I would anticipate the V12s to be far more likely to power oversteer, and probably more prone to understeer on turn in, based on road manners, but I imagine the superior tires will go some way to countering the latter.

Part of my hesitation in tracking the V12 is the brakes. The CCMs are amazing on the road, and I don't doubt they will resist fade better on a circuit, but these are heavy cars, everything has its limit, and replacing CCMs is a daunting idea from a financial perspective. I don't know anyone who is serious about tracking (especially the 911 guys) who runs CCMs.

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ed-driver.html

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...periences.html

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...urability.html

 

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...our-aston.html

 

Jeff take the plunge!! I am a Lotus guy like you and raced in LotusCupUSA for 5 years, though in an Elise, Exige and 211. I've raced in SCCA for one year in SRF's as well. I've also tracked my old M6 as well - felt like a boat! You've got a lot of lap times under your belt so have no fear!

Oh regarding track insurance, when I used to do time trials in LotusCup, I bought one years worth of track insurance. I don't buy it anymore on regular HPDE days...not sure if it's worth it.

 

Plastique, how hard a workout did you give the brakes, and how did they fare? Can't recall if you ran a V8V on track before or not - if you did, any comparison notes?

 

Haven't had the opportunity to track a V8V. Best car to compare to in terms of handling is a Lotus...though the weights of the cars are so different - the Elise being exceptionally light affording it much more direct handling and feedback. However, the Vantage is no slouch and the steering input felt 1:1. The power makes up for it with probably a similar power to weight ratio.
The CCB's on my V12VS feel better to me than both my 16M or even my CGT (both have ceramics as well). The pedal response is immediate and extremely responsive.

 

This is good to hear. I agree re: pedal feel - they put CCM's from a lot of other manufacturers to shame.

 

I haven't driven a V12V or V12VS. But I've driven a DBS and F430, and the DBS's CCMs blew the Ferrari's out of the water. Pretty impressive how good AML's CCMs are.

 

Astons have fantastic brake feel and steering feel. Even at cold street temps the carbon brakes work like a charm.