Sunday, November 8, 2015

Exe Crew Track Weekend - Winton Motor Raceway

13th September 2015

Tyres
16 Nov 2013 - 265/35R18 soft compound front and rear
13 Sep 2015 - 285/30R18 soft compound front, 295/30R18 soft compound rear

Lap Times
Session 1 - 2:03.6250 1:46.5164 1:41.8287 1:41.2527 1:41.0750 1:40.7558 

Session 2 - 1:52.5244 1:40.2061 1:39.7192 1:39.8056 1:39.3367 1:39.9099 1:40.4675 

Session 3 - 1:51.7730 1:41.4177 5:05.6592 1:49.0832 1:40.6979 1:39.5129 1:39.8428 1:40.2188

Session 4 - 1:54.4926 1:40.3771 1:48.3954

For some reason my final session wasn't recorded. I matched my personal best time from almost 2 years ago. The wider tyres appear to help with corner speeds significantly. I just need to keep working on top speeds on the long sections. However, it was good to see some consistent sub-1:40 laps, which was not something I managed to do 2 years ago.


A corner speed comparison reveals higher speeds on most corners.

16 Nov 2013


13 Sep 2015

Video of the 1:39.34 lap.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Lamborghini - Sant' Agata Bolognese, Italy

With our time drawing to a close in Modena, our final car museum and factory visit was to Lamborghini.



When we walked in, we were greeted by three Aventadors. The red one was the newly released Aventador LP750-4 SV (Superveloce).


The SV gets some extra power, different wheels, more aggressive bumpers and a rear wing.




We started the visit with a tour of the factory, where they currently build the Aventador and Huracan. Unfortunately, there was a workers strike that day and the production line was not operating. It was still good to see the cars in various stages of assembly. Once again, no photography was permitted inside the factory.

Back in the museum, the ground floor is filled with classic Lamborghinis.


This seems out of place, but the LM002 is a Lamborghini.


One of the best looking, sleekest, well proportioned cars in my opinion is the Miura.



And who can go past the Diablo with its Nissan 300ZX (Z32) headlights?


Of all the classic Lambos, the Countach is probably the most unmistakeable.


There's also plenty of engine porn...



...and a place to take a load off while admiring everything.


Upstairs, we found the more modern models, starting with the insane all carbon Sesto Elemento.



Murcielago LP670-4 SV


Police Gallardo


The ultra rare Veneno Roadster


Huracan LP620-2 Super Trofeo



The Miura Concept


Reventon


And with that, our car journey drew to a close, but we have vowed to return to Europe one day.


Click here to see all the photos from Museo Lamborghini.

Monday, September 21, 2015

Ferrari - Maranello, Italy

Next stop in the car tour of Europe is again Ferrari, but this time in the company's current home - Maranello. This is where Ferrari has been based since 1943. The Ferrari Museum has been set up within walking distance of the factory that produces all the cars.


Compared to Museo Enzo Ferrari, this museum focuses mainly on Ferrari's racing history and model development, with many race cars on display.


As soon as you enter, you are greeted with an acknowledgement to the current Ferrari Formula 1 drivers, as well as support for Michael Schumacher's recovery.


The foyer area also demonstrates the evolution of wind tunnel models...


... as well as some obligatory engine porn.



As you enter the museum, you are presented with notable early race cars, all the way to the Formula 1 models of the modern era.










Next, there's a room of very special concepts and road-going models.






The Ferrari TheFerrari...


The first (and probably only) FXXK that I've seen in real life.



Moving on, we entered a room containing classics...





... as well as the awesome F40 LM.



To throw a spanner in the works, here's Ferrari's oddity - the FF.



The memorabilia was interesting and fascinating too, from steering wheels to under-bodies and diffusers.






Finally, there is a hall of legends that celebrates Ferrari's Formula 1 victories and the drivers that achieved those wins. All the championship winning cars are lined up.


And there's a trophy cabinet with the helmets of Formula 1 champions.






More pictures can be seen here.

We also went on a "tour of the factory and Fiorano test track". The reason I have used quotation marks is because this tour consisted of a bus ride around the grounds of the factory and around the outside of the track, and not actually on the track. This tour was completely unlike other car factory tours where you are guided and shown the manufacturing process. Ferrari are so secretive that the tour was as good as standing outside the factory fence and looking in. In my opinion, this tour is not worth the money. Just enjoy the Ferrari museums.