How quick would you be 'round the track ?

Brother Michael · February 14th, 2007, 02:03 PM

Right, very simple. I have been thinking for some time now, how fast could I drive a reasonably priced car 'rounf the Top Gear track. I used the good old Liana for the imagenary car, because we have yet to see the Lacetti's whole capability. The weather shall be normal, sunny day. Not too hot, not too cold and a dry track, so there's no play on that.

First I had to find the rough section where I would come.

Stig, Mansell and Button went in 1.44.something, so we can forget that. Ellen McArthur, Simon Covell, J.K. and others did the lap in about 1.46-1.47 and I'd estimate the average times were something like 1.52'ish.

Now I don't have any track experience and have had my license only for about 16 months. But I have also been practising car handling at the limit on empty parking lots an so on and that results in that I have a fairly good car control for my age. Note this has nothing to do with being a good driver in traffic, I'm not trying to say that.

So I came to a conclusion that I think that I would do the lap in 1.50.00. I am quite sure I'd quite fast because of my practising and I am rrrrreally competetive. But my lack of experience of going very fast and especially right on the limit would add a couple of seconds. I would like to believe that I could do something like a 1.48.00 but I'm trying to be realistic here.

So, what about you guys ? And do not dare to tell me you haven't given this any thought. I Know you have. You are not normal, if you haven't

GraemeH · February 14th, 2007, 02:12 PM

I've thought about it before. Look at the level of car enthusiasm in the people near the top; Top Gear doesn't choose its guests based on who cares or knows about cars or driving.. There are driving enthusiasts like JK not in the top few, then people that apparently weren't big drivers like Ellen McArthur and Simon Cowell (i know he owns plenty of fast cars but he said himself he likes being driven not driving). So i'm not sure most of us (being enthusiasts of fast cars and driving fast) wouldn't get near the top.

I'd say the best driver on this forum, whoever it is, would get the top spot. It makes sense when you think about the average driving ability of the celebrities vs the average driving ability of hardcore car and driving enthusiasts.

Red_Bull · February 14th, 2007, 02:37 PM

Well I'm pretty good on the playstation, so I'm sure I can match The Stig's time...or not.

I doubt that driving in a parking lot would help very much tbh. You surely wouldn't be able to build up enough speed to really actually go around a corner at the sorts of limits that they hit on the track. Yes, I did say 'surely'...I dont know what sort of carparks you have to practice in though. if you do...full credit! images/smilies/tongue.gif

I voted 1:49-1:52. I dont drive a manual car and I've never driven a Suzuki Liana or the Lacetti, or a front wheel drive car for that matter. Nor do I have any experience on a proper racetrack (unfortunately). It'd take me a while to adjust to it.

HondaF1 · February 14th, 2007, 03:05 PM

I voted 1:46 or faster. I'd be able to do it in 59 seconds. I'd wheel out one of my Honda's!! images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Donington · February 14th, 2007, 03:07 PM

I won't lie. I'd be crap.

eroy2 · February 14th, 2007, 03:12 PM

Well I have a little track experience and am joining an exotic car club this spring. I'd say 1:49 to 1:52 would be reasonable. The biggest thing is smoothness that I found. I've been taught by a racing car driver (with motorcycle championships) and smoothness is the key. I've driven both rear and front wheel drive and automatic and manual and I can safely say that car control is good, but smoothness is better. Knowing proper weight transfer is the key as well as driving line. I've seen a few cars go traipsing through the grass near corners cause they were too jerky with steering, throttle or brake.

Under normal track speeds and conditions you corner at anywhere from 70-110 kph so unless you clip apexes in your neighbourhood at twice the speed limit, you need actual track experience to feel the same. My first time was in a Viper SRT-10 (as a passenger of course) and what a feeling! Actually doing good would be hard but practice would definately help (especially with the Stig coaching you).

My 2 cents anyway.

Deanodriver · February 14th, 2007, 03:25 PM

I'd say I'd be about 1.51 or so. I'm not gonna be optimistic and say I'd get in the 1.40's.

At least, I'd like to be better than the blind man. images/smilies/smile.gif

Goose+ · February 14th, 2007, 04:00 PM

I went for the fasted despite having never driven a car, but I think I would be quick images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Narcolepsy · February 14th, 2007, 04:03 PM

I'm a petrolhead and I talk big - but after an accident and a couple near misses I became captain cautious. I think I'm too careful to be that seriously fast. I think mid 1.50s.

Danny Tran · February 14th, 2007, 04:08 PM

You have to consier that the F1 drivers' laptimes as well as the Stig's were pretty much near perfect.

ruuman · February 14th, 2007, 04:47 PM

I'm not voting as I haven't got a flippin clue. I've done an off-road driving course (no use), a rally driving course (hum...), a ton of karting (erm ok..) and a track day (thats more like it)

My mates think I drive like a manic, but after that track day at brands hatch I realised I knew nothing about track driving. It's completely different to a car park and the road. When your brakes catch fire and your tires melt you know your on a track.

I'd hope I'd be average or above, but who knows. hopefully one day I'll find out.

Mercury · February 14th, 2007, 04:57 PM

Well I have some experience at carting (2 season, both 2nd place @*$&%@^#*$&$) and as it turns out most of the other people are slower then me... I dunno, I voted 1:47-1:49 cause who knows what it's like on a proper race track with a proper size car, never did that. but at the essence of driving (carting) I'm pretty quick.

Blind_Io · February 14th, 2007, 05:27 PM

Having never taken a car to a track, I have no idea. I think I have the principles down but my skill is yet unproven.

Peter3hg · February 14th, 2007, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TopGearFan+

I went for the fasted despite having never driven a car, but I think I would be quick images/smilies/biggrin.gif

I doubt it mate. With no driving experience you probably couldn't beat Whitely.

I haven't the slightest clue so I am not going to vote.

Zwaplat · February 14th, 2007, 06:37 PM

Well, normally I'd be cocky and say I would get round at 1.48-1.50.
But I'm in an honest mood today, so here goes why I voted 1.55 or slower:
-I've only been driving cars for about two years now
-no track experience
-I've only driven diesels so far (yeah I know, begone devil, blahblah)
-I've never driven a right-hand drive car

Although I would hope to beat Jonathan Ross. Having the same first name and things like that...

Soundsession · February 14th, 2007, 06:44 PM

Well, I surely voted 1:46 or faster images/smilies/wink.gif

But when I took a minute to reconsider, I wasn't so sure anymore...

My racing experience is limited to the racing simulation Live For Speed.
There I normally am about 3-4 seconds slower than the fastest racers out there.
But only after a lot of practice. So without knowing the track inside out, I revise my result and go for a more reasonable 1:48...

maxorido · February 14th, 2007, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Michael

Now I don't have any track experience and have had my license only for about 16 months. But I have also been practising car handling at the limit on empty parking lots an so on and that results in that I have a fairly good car control for my age. Note this has nothing to do with being a good driver in traffic, I'm not trying to say that.

How can you be "at the limit" in an empty parking lot? Also, how are you so sure of you car control abilities?

Anyways, considering I have alot of track expeience, in openwheel race cars and street cars. I also drive karts regularly, and practice drifting in my street car, I imagine i'd do better then all of those relatively inexperienced celebrities. I like to think i'd hit a 1:45-146. The limits of that car aren't high, and i've had experience in full blown race cars.

Brother Michael · February 14th, 2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxorido

How can you be "at the limit" in an empty parking lot? Also, how are you so sure of you car control abilities?

Ok, "at the limit" is a bit overkill to say, couldn't think of a better expression. What I mean is things like what will happen if you suddenly decide to do a full lock at X km/h
or how easy/difficult it'll be to accelerate to X km/h, full stop and accelerate again as quickly as possible. Those kind of things.

Of course I can not be 100% sure of my abilities, and I said "for my age". What I meant was I roughly know what the car will do when pushing it and now it is winter here I have been taking the ESP off on purpoes on smaller roads to know what it does etc. None of my mates even consider doing anything like that.

Now I'm not trying to bash you're opinion, you do have a fair point. Just trying to explain what I meant by saying I have better car controlling abilities than the average driver here.

JudgeB · February 14th, 2007, 07:38 PM

Around 1.50 probably. Maybe slower. images/smilies/smile.gif

civickiller302 · February 14th, 2007, 08:08 PM

I would hope i could do it in less than 1.50.... maybe...

View Poll Results: How fast eould you be ?
1.46.90 or faster	44	22.80%
1.47.00-1.49.00	56	29.02%
1.49.10-1.52.00	46	23.83%
1.52.10-1.54.90	18	9.33%
1.55.00 or slower	29	15.03%
Voters: 193. You must log in to vote in this poll

February 14th, 2007, 02:03 PM	#1
Brother Michael Joined: Jan 29th, 2007 Last Online: 10:49 PM Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 479 Car: Coming soon Rep Power: 21	How quick would you be 'round the track ? Right, very simple. I have been thinking for some time now, how fast could I drive a reasonably priced car 'rounf the Top Gear track. I used the good old Liana for the imagenary car, because we have yet to see the Lacetti's whole capability. The weather shall be normal, sunny day. Not too hot, not too cold and a dry track, so there's no play on that. First I had to find the rough section where I would come. Stig, Mansell and Button went in 1.44.something, so we can forget that. Ellen McArthur, Simon Covell, J.K. and others did the lap in about 1.46-1.47 and I'd estimate the average times were something like 1.52'ish. Now I don't have any track experience and have had my license only for about 16 months. But I have also been practising car handling at the limit on empty parking lots an so on and that results in that I have a fairly good car control for my age. Note this has nothing to do with being a good driver in traffic, I'm not trying to say that. So I came to a conclusion that I think that I would do the lap in 1.50.00. I am quite sure I'd quite fast because of my practising and I am rrrrreally competetive. But my lack of experience of going very fast and especially right on the limit would add a couple of seconds. I would like to believe that I could do something like a 1.48.00 but I'm trying to be realistic here. So, what about you guys ? And do not dare to tell me you haven't given this any thought. I Know you have. You are not normal, if you haven't __________________ -Every man dies, not every man really lives- Braveheart

February 14th, 2007, 02:12 PM	#2
GraemeH Joined: Apr 19th, 2005 Last Online: 01:11 AM Location: Scotland, UK Posts: 1,867 Car: Toyota Corolla. Rawrr. LFS Status: Rep Power: 21	I've thought about it before. Look at the level of car enthusiasm in the people near the top; Top Gear doesn't choose its guests based on who cares or knows about cars or driving.. There are driving enthusiasts like JK not in the top few, then people that apparently weren't big drivers like Ellen McArthur and Simon Cowell (i know he owns plenty of fast cars but he said himself he likes being driven not driving). So i'm not sure most of us (being enthusiasts of fast cars and driving fast) wouldn't get near the top. I'd say the best driver on this forum, whoever it is, would get the top spot. It makes sense when you think about the average driving ability of the celebrities vs the average driving ability of hardcore car and driving enthusiasts. __________________

February 14th, 2007, 02:37 PM	#3
Red_Bull Joined: Jan 11th, 2007 Last Online: 04:27 PM Location: Adelaide, Australia Age: 21 Posts: 2,526 Car: Holden Commodore VS Rep Power: 37	Well I'm pretty good on the playstation, so I'm sure I can match The Stig's time...or not. I doubt that driving in a parking lot would help very much tbh. You surely wouldn't be able to build up enough speed to really actually go around a corner at the sorts of limits that they hit on the track. Yes, I did say 'surely'...I dont know what sort of carparks you have to practice in though. if you do...full credit! I voted 1:49-1:52. I dont drive a manual car and I've never driven a Suzuki Liana or the Lacetti, or a front wheel drive car for that matter. Nor do I have any experience on a proper racetrack (unfortunately). It'd take me a while to adjust to it. __________________ Join the F1 social group here! Last edited by Red_Bull; February 14th, 2007 at 02:42 PM..

February 14th, 2007, 03:05 PM	#4
HondaF1 Aussie Bastard Joined: Dec 8th, 2006 Last Online: May 12th, 2008 Location: SCOTLAND Age: 26 Posts: 4,205 Car: First Aberdeen Bus Network Rep Power: 17	I voted 1:46 or faster. I'd be able to do it in 59 seconds. I'd wheel out one of my Honda's!! __________________ I am the Honda F1 team's number one fan.... and number 2, and number 3, and 4....

February 14th, 2007, 03:07 PM	#5
Donington Joined: Jan 26th, 2007 Last Online: 10:45 PM Location: London, Englandshire Posts: 2,774 Car: Peugeot 106 Rep Power: 44	I won't lie. I'd be crap. __________________

February 14th, 2007, 03:12 PM	#6
eroy2 Joined: Mar 17th, 2005 Last Online: 10:35 PM Location: Alberta Canada Age: 30 Posts: 35 Car: '99 miata Tan lthr on Black Rep Power: 0	Well I have a little track experience and am joining an exotic car club this spring. I'd say 1:49 to 1:52 would be reasonable. The biggest thing is smoothness that I found. I've been taught by a racing car driver (with motorcycle championships) and smoothness is the key. I've driven both rear and front wheel drive and automatic and manual and I can safely say that car control is good, but smoothness is better. Knowing proper weight transfer is the key as well as driving line. I've seen a few cars go traipsing through the grass near corners cause they were too jerky with steering, throttle or brake. Under normal track speeds and conditions you corner at anywhere from 70-110 kph so unless you clip apexes in your neighbourhood at twice the speed limit, you need actual track experience to feel the same. My first time was in a Viper SRT-10 (as a passenger of course) and what a feeling! Actually doing good would be hard but practice would definately help (especially with the Stig coaching you). My 2 cents anyway.

February 14th, 2007, 03:25 PM	#7
Deanodriver @ .au Joined: Oct 2nd, 2005 Last Online: November 11th, 2008 Location: Geelong, Victoria, Australia Age: 24 Posts: 557 Car: 1993 Ford Telstar Rep Power: 13	I'd say I'd be about 1.51 or so. I'm not gonna be optimistic and say I'd get in the 1.40's. At least, I'd like to be better than the blind man. __________________ Fear the almighty Telstar (aka: Mazda 626 hit with an ugly stick). Still young at 223,000km...

February 14th, 2007, 04:00 PM	#8
Goose+ Previously Known As TopGearFan+ Joined: Oct 11th, 2006 Last Online: 11:53 AM Location: England Age: 18 Posts: 755 Rep Power: 0	I went for the fasted despite having never driven a car, but I think I would be quick

February 14th, 2007, 04:03 PM	#9
Narcolepsy Joined: Sep 17th, 2006 Last Online: October 28th, 2008 Location: Philadelphia, USA Posts: 557 Rep Power: 9	I'm a petrolhead and I talk big - but after an accident and a couple near misses I became captain cautious. I think I'm too careful to be that seriously fast. I think mid 1.50s. __________________ 05 Subaru Legacy 2.5 GT 94 Mercedes-Benz C280 (Retired.....by a tree)

February 14th, 2007, 04:08 PM	#10
Danny Tran Joined: Dec 20th, 2004 Last Online: 08:13 PM Location: Montreal, Canadaland Age: 26 Posts: 775 Rep Power: 17	You have to consier that the F1 drivers' laptimes as well as the Stig's were pretty much near perfect. __________________ If I were a caravannist, with a family to feed and a modest income, I'd probably buy a Kia. No, come to think of it, I wouldn't. If I were a caravannist, with a family to feed and a modest income, what I'd actually do is kill myself.

February 14th, 2007, 04:47 PM	#11
ruuman Joined: Sep 16th, 2004 Last Online: Yesterday Location: surrey, UK Age: 28 Posts: 620 Car: Range Rover, Defender 90, Suzuki DL-650 Rep Power: 17	I'm not voting as I haven't got a flippin clue. I've done an off-road driving course (no use), a rally driving course (hum...), a ton of karting (erm ok..) and a track day (thats more like it) My mates think I drive like a manic, but after that track day at brands hatch I realised I knew nothing about track driving. It's completely different to a car park and the road. When your brakes catch fire and your tires melt you know your on a track. I'd hope I'd be average or above, but who knows. hopefully one day I'll find out.

February 14th, 2007, 04:57 PM	#12
Mercury Joined: Dec 3rd, 2005 Last Online: 08:37 PM Location: Jerusalem ,Israel Age: 26 Posts: 773 Car: Peugeot 206 XS 1.6L Rep Power: 21	Well I have some experience at carting (2 season, both 2nd place @$&%@^#$&$) and as it turns out most of the other people are slower then me... I dunno, I voted 1:47-1:49 cause who knows what it's like on a proper race track with a proper size car, never did that. but at the essence of driving (carting) I'm pretty quick. __________________ You utter pirate! - Mr. James May "If you were going to analy rape one of the top gear hosts, Richard would be the top of everyone's list" - Jonathan Ross "Then there’s the pronunciation issue. Jagwarr, Teeyoda, Neesarn, Hundy, Mitsuboosi, BM Dubya, V Dubya – it’s all completely mangled. " - J.Clarkson

February 14th, 2007, 05:27 PM	#13
Blind_Io Dispenses buckshot medication for all undead patients. Joined: Apr 5th, 2006 Last Online: 10:39 PM Location: Richmond, California, USA Age: 27 Posts: 8,849 Car: 2004 Honda Civic Coupe 2000 VFR800 Interceptor Rep Power: 112	Having never taken a car to a track, I have no idea. I think I have the principles down but my skill is yet unproven. __________________ Life is like riding, you have to keep your balance to keep moving. Deacon of Dirt, Head of North American Anti-Environmental Inquisition (Left Coast Division). founder of The Church of Gear's Two Wheeled Sect. Zombie Slayer, Extraordinaire. Reasonable rates, inquire within.

February 14th, 2007, 06:37 PM	#15
Zwaplat Joined: Feb 14th, 2007 Last Online: September 10th, 2008 Location: Belgium Posts: 56 Rep Power: 0	Well, normally I'd be cocky and say I would get round at 1.48-1.50. But I'm in an honest mood today, so here goes why I voted 1.55 or slower: -I've only been driving cars for about two years now -no track experience -I've only driven diesels so far (yeah I know, begone devil, blahblah) -I've never driven a right-hand drive car Although I would hope to beat Jonathan Ross. Having the same first name and things like that...

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February 14th, 2007, 06:44 PM	#16
Soundsession Joined: May 28th, 2005 Last Online: 01:55 PM Location: South Germany Posts: 89 LFS Status: Rep Power: 15	Well, I surely voted 1:46 or faster But when I took a minute to reconsider, I wasn't so sure anymore... My racing experience is limited to the racing simulation Live For Speed. There I normally am about 3-4 seconds slower than the fastest racers out there. But only after a lot of practice. So without knowing the track inside out, I revise my result and go for a more reasonable 1:48...

February 14th, 2007, 07:38 PM	#19
JudgeB Joined: Feb 14th, 2007 Last Online: February 14th, 2007 Location: Finland Posts: 2 Car: Citroën C5 Rep Power: 0	Around 1.50 probably. Maybe slower.

February 14th, 2007, 08:08 PM	#20
civickiller302 Joined: Feb 14th, 2007 Last Online: February 19th, 2007 Location: Chicago, USA Posts: 2 Car: 1995 Ford Mustang GT Rep Power: 0	I would hope i could do it in less than 1.50.... maybe... __________________ Car: 1995 Ford Mustang GT Convertible Engine: 5.0 Liter (302 CID) V8 Mods: A/C Eliminator, K&N Filter, Single-Chamber Mufflers..... not too much.. yet..

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