live4speed
Skid pad tests and numbers of g's pulled in a skid pad test are not definitive, they test a car driven at a certain speed round a certain corner or circle. I've seen it a few times where the car has broken loose and they've kept that speed but the back end's come out, same for slalom speeds. It doesn't count if the cars lost grip and slides yet some magazines will still use thoes results a R&T is one of them.
The way they test them, is by doing a lap around a set-diameter circle, and timing it. If a car gets around the circle in a faster time, it has a better skidpad number. And, even if the rear breaks loose, if they can hold it through the full lap, all the better. Faster around the pad is faster. Same goes for the slalom. Set a distance, time it, and get your speed.
And, as I said, yes, these are only static numbers and measurements. But, they give you a very good base point and idea of what a car is capable of. At no point in either of my previous posts did I say the Viper was the greatest road car ever. Just simply that it has huge potential and can be very, VERY fast around a track. I've raced against a couple on multiple occasions here in auto-x races, and at some open track days. They are not to be underestimated.
Just because a couple of British TV shows bag on the car, that doesn't mean anything to me. Nothing against those shows, but I've yet to ever see an episode where the non-British car won anything. 5th and TG are fun to watch, but come on. Have you ever seen either of those shows say they like anything American???? What did you think they'd say about it???
And, the lap times at the TG track are all well and good being that its same track and same driver. But,without testing same cars on same days in same conditions, direct comparison is kind of moot. Yes, it shows potential of a car. But, as everyone knows, unless its direct and equal competition, the numbers are just good for show. Didn't we all learn anything in the "Z06 'Ring" thread???
Again, I'm not trying to knock the Enzo here. But, just because a couple of, albeit funny and entertaining, British TV shows say the American car sucks around the track, that means little to me. I've seen first hand what Vipers can do, and its nothing to be sorry for. Like I said, its not the greatest car ever, far from it. But, the car is a very potent machine. Look past the TV and you'll see this.
If you want a good look at what they are capable of, check out the "
One Lap of America" sometime. Its a big race here in the states every year where teams drive their car from track to track for a week and a half or so. Then, at each track, they compete for fast laps. So, not only do you need to have a fast car. But, it has to be reliable enough to last the whole time at the track, AND to be driven the entire time to all the events. From 2000-2002, a Viper won the whole competition, and since then, there has been a Viper in the top 3 every year. This is a great show of what the cars can do. With a top notch driver, under heavy competition, they perform very well.
Stock for stock, sure an Enzo will dominate a Viper all day. But, I've seen Vipers with upwards of 700hp at the track. And, regardless of how well you think they handle, they are absolute monsters. Give it 1000hp, and I don't know many cars that could keep up.
Hilg
