Karl on Cars - GT School: Learning How to Drive Ford's Supercar

GT School: Learning How to Drive Ford's Supercar

I spent most of yesterday at Willow Springs driving the Ford GT at "The GT School."

It was quite the experience and one that justifies an in-depth blog -- though I'll just throw out this teaser for now. Look for more information in an upcoming Ford GT long-term blog, and suffice to say I'm more impressed with Ford's supercar than I was 48 hours ago. I drove it 100 miles to the track, drove it (very fast) on the track, and then drove it 100 miles home. No mechanical complications, just shrinking lap times and lots of fun.

Not sure you could do that with every modern supercar...

Posted by Karl Mar 12, 2008 7:00 am

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Categories: Ford

Comments

estreka - Mar 12, 2008 7:49 am (#1 Total: 8)

subarctic north - Great Falls, MT

Did you clock the laps? I've never run Willow Springs, but I have a decent idea.

How is the GT, btw? Does it let you know when it's about to break free? Does it feel postured? Does the seat hug?

editor_karl - Mar 12, 2008 8:07 am (#2 Total: 8)

L.A. CA United States of America

I clocked laps and did a 137.0 as my best. The car should be able to pull 130.0 if you're a superstar behind the wheel, but given:

A. My level of experience driving the car on the track, and
B. My galactic desire to NOT call my insurance company

I was quite happy with those times. Going into turn 8 at 120 mph, and holding it, is pretty intense. Of course the car felt fine and seemed to want more (it should easily hold 130 through that turn).

The GT gives plenty of warning before it gets away from you, even on street tires (very rare for a mid-engine car). But I put on Hoosier DOT slicks before hitting the track. Those up the car's lateral stick and give it even MORE progressive feedback behavior at the limit.

Basically, the car never stepped out on me all day, which tells you how far under its limits I was. For me to be driving like such a wimp, in my own car, a car that transported me 200 miles to and from the track in total comfort, and still pull 137s around Willow is pretty amazing IMO.

F&@$ing awesome car!

iskch - Mar 12, 2008 8:43 am (#3 Total: 8)

Karl, you have fun!! I really like the idea of having a nice road track close to my area but unfortunately the closes one is about 150 miles away and they are not open regularly. Other than that little oval dirt tracks :(

Your blog remind me the test drive of the ZO6 last week. Triple digits speed no problem but I prefer a better secure place like a race track than a regular two lane country road. Yep, even the highway patrol guy new what I was doing and he just smiled and wave me bye. :))

SubyTrojan - Mar 12, 2008 10:01 am (#4 Total: 8)

Santa Monica, CA, USA

I can't wait to read more about your day at Big Willow, Karl! :o) I'm planning to go to Buttonwillow on March 29th and the Streets of Willow Springs on April 18th (that'll serve as my community service...hehehe).

deagle13 - Mar 12, 2008 10:15 am (#5 Total: 8)

Great time Karl - anything sub 1:40 on big Willow is excellent for a non-professonal driver!

So how do your rocker panels look after driving on slicks all day?

rick8365 - Mar 12, 2008 10:29 am (#6 Total: 8)

"F&@$ing awesome car!"

AGREED! (and I've only stood next to them!)

I'm looking forward to a full accounting - with more photos....SOON!

gdeangeli - Mar 12, 2008 11:31 am (#7 Total: 8)

It's easy to forget how great looking that car really is. Me and I'm sure the general majority of us here are very jealous!

Can't wait for the full post on this day, seemed like it was quite the adventure.

editor_karl - Mar 12, 2008 12:18 pm (#8 Total: 8)

L.A. CA United States of America

"So how do your rocker panels look after driving on slicks all day?"

Like I took it offroading in the L.A. tar pits. I'm going to hit a high-pressure car wash later today and do a full detail this weekend.

It was weird to be following another GT and see a huge chunk of rubber go "SPLAT!" on the windshield. It was like when you hit a really big bug...but I knew it wasn't a bug.