You have been given a free day to drive the Virginia International Raceway (long track). For those unfamiliar, here it is (click to embiggen):
You have been given a whole Fall day to drive a half-dozen cars of your choice, from the list below, from dawn till dusk (about 7.30pm) around this 3.5-mile track, and you’ll have the place all to yourself. The weather forecast is for clear and sunny skies, with perhaps a brief shower at midday, clearing after about an hour. Temperatures will be in the mid-50s (11C to15C, for those of the Celsius persuasion).
You will be limited to up to twenty (20) laps for each car; three warm-up laps (no faster than 50mph) to get the oil temperatures up and for familiarization, and the rest at whatever speed you wish. Individual lap times can be kept for comparative purposes.
Mechanical service will be available at any time (so assume no breakdowns), and fresh tires will be provided as needed.
The cars from which you must make your choices are from the following list, and *note well* you may pick only one car from each group:
Group A (“Roaring 20s”)
Car #1: 2009 Wiesmann GT MF5 Roadster (go here if you’re unfamiliar)
Car #2: 2015 Maserati GT:
Car #3: 2015 Corvette Z06
Car #4: 2015 Ferrari California T
Everyone made their (one) choice? then on to
Group B (“Naughty Nineties”)
Car #1: 1995 BMW 840i
Car #2: 1995 Honda/Acura NSX
Car #3: 1995 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R
Car #4: 1995 Aston Martin DB7
Now for the next choice, from
Group C (“Aching Eighties”)
Car #1: 1985 Lotus Esprit Turbo
Car #2: 1985 De Tomaso Pantera GT5-S
Car #3: 1987 Buick Grand National GNX
Car #4: 1985 Lancia Delta S4 Group B
Next, it’s time for
Group D (“Savage Seventies”)
Car #1: 1975 Jensen Interceptor III
Car #2: 1975 Ferrari 365 Berlinetta Boxer
Car #3: 1975 BMW 3.0 CSL (E9)
Car #4: 1978 Ford Mustang Cobra
All done? Move on to
Group E (“Sexy Sixties”)
Car #1: 1965 Alfa Romeo TZ2 Zagato
Car #2: 1967 Bizzarrini P538
Car #3: 1961 Ferrari 250 GTI Lusso
Car #4: 1967 Iso Grifo 350 GL
And your final choice comes from
Group F (“Fabulous Fifties”)
Car #1: 1955 Ford T-bird
Car #2: 1955 Maserati 450 S
Car #3: 1956 Porsche 356 A
Car #4: 1955 Fiat 8V Zagato
There you have it: six cars from six different decades.
Enjoy the drive.
My choices from the list
Group A – 2015 Maserati GT
Group B – 1995 Honda/Acura NSX
Group C – 1987 Buick Grand National GNX
Group D – 1978 Ford Mustang Cobra
Group E – 1965 Alfa Romeo TZ2 Zagato
Group F – 1955 Maserati 450 S
My Favorite of all of these choices would be the classic Acura NSX.
A ~ #2 MASERATI GT
B ~ #3 MUSTANG SVT Cobra R
C ~ #1 LOTUS ESPRIT Turbo
D ~ #2 FERRARI BERLINETTA Boxer
E ~ #1 ALFA ROMEO ZAGATO
F ~ #3 PORSCHE 356 A
No particular reason for my choices, I know enough about my driving skills to know I would not be setting the track on fire and I don’t have the skills to really push any of these beauties hard through the corners but I would have a great day going around and round learning about each vehicle.
A Track day at VIR? Count me in!!! One of the few eastern tracks that I’ve never been on.
First I’d want to do this in reverse order. Slower car’s first. Next, some of these cars are not going to be able to complete a full 20 lap session, so they will need to be brought in to “rest” between runs. ( and i’m not sure I’m ready for a 20 lap stint in the faster cars either. good thing there’s a lunch break. It’s going to be a long Day!)
Group F. #2 the Maserati – but note that the Porsche shown in the photo is a Speedster (but the wheels are all wrong , so something is up with that car.) and NOT a 356A.
Group E. The Bizzarrini over that alfa ( the others are GT’s ) — It’s so rare, i’ll never get a chance to even see that model , let alone drive one.
Group D. — Easy choice – The CSL over the two ” Comfy Cruisers” and a Tarted up Fox Body Mustang ?? Really??
Group C – The Lotus — but beware – if you are taller than 5′ 11′ you will not fit in the Lotus. But if I can tear up the inner dirt access roads instead of the track, i’d choose the Group B Lancia.
Group B – Much as I’d want to drive the 840i, I’d have to choose the NSX. Always pick the Midengined car for a track day given a choice.
Group A – the Z06 – and cross my fingers that it actually completes the full 20 lap session before it expires.
Group A – #3 Z06 Corvette – A brutal car on the track, sliding and wrestling all the way around. Big fun. Need at least two brake changes.
Group B – #2 NSX – A lovely piece of engineering.
Group C – #4 Lancia Gpe B – OMFG what a ride it would be.
Group D – Meh. If forced to choose then #3 Beemer. Could hit the drive through and have lunch, except there are no cupholders.
Group E – #3 Ferrari – If only to feel what it’s like to thrash a couple million bucks around while longing for a GT-40.
Group F – #2 The Maser – Hell, it might even make a whole lap before it breaks down. Let’s see.
For no particular rational.
A-2
B-4
C-1 (by a hair over the Lancia)
D-1
E-1
F-3
All these car pics brings just one question to this long-time reader: Where da wimmin at?
You don’t want women screaming at you all day to slow down.
what about helping out some of the poor unemployed F-1 Pit girls?
I don’t think I want to drive any of them very much apart from the Jensen Interceptor III, (to see what it was like), I’ve driven a Porsche 356A, (great for zooming through heavy traffic. All the rest, too low, (oh! my aching knees!). I just like leisurely, taking my time, driving. I also drove a Ferrari, (I ferget which one), I thoroughly hated it.
You’ve predicted, more or less, next week’s Difficult Choices…
Can we have a quiz on Motorcycle/Sidecar combinations, driving through London traffic, ultimate destination Crystal Palace?
No.
Group A – the Corvette
B – NSX
C – Lancia, just for S&G
D – BMW 3.0 CSL
E – Alfa Romeo CZ2
F – Maserati 450
Though I will say that, for the 1960s, my first choice would really be the Shelby Cobra 427, or Ford GT40. Sadly, those weren’t on your list.
A – Ferrari California T
B- Acura NSX
C- Pantera GT5S
D- BMW 3.0 CSL
E- Alfa TZ2
F- Maserati 450S
A beautiful concept overall, with the added benefit that you don’t have to be on the ragged edge, but you have the benefit of a pleasant “Sunday” drive on a country road, with no oncoming traffic.
Ironically, I know a guy who does auto testing there. Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering…with a specialty in aeroelastics. AKA flutter (which can lead to rapid catastrophic failures).
My picks:
Group A: Maserati. Is convertible! Is Italian! Is fun! Having said that, the others are all good choices. This is a group where I’d take any of them home.
Group B: Aston Martin. Another legendary car.
Group C: Lotus Esprit.
Group D: Hard choice, but I think I’d go with the Jensen.
Group E: Ferarri
Group F: Porsche all the way.
A Ferrari
B Aston
C Lotus
D Jensen (good enough for Royalty, good enough for me. And I mean Farrah Fawcett, not Princess Anne)
E Alfa
F Maserati
Oh, and a driver. Preferably nekkid.