212 MPH IN A PISTA | Page 2 | FerrariChat

212 MPH IN A PISTA

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by FordGTDriver, Jan 20, 2020.

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  1. Pis7a2020

    Pis7a2020 Formula Junior

    Dec 17, 2019
    665
    I’ve never been able to hit that in my 2RS. I guess I need a longer straight ;)


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    Borrow’d Mine likes this.
  2. mdrums

    mdrums Formula 3

    Jun 11, 2006
    2,172
    Tampa FL
    Most awesome review...I read every word, just ask my wife who kept trying to talk to me...lol
     
  3. Solid State

    Solid State F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Feb 4, 2014
    9,582
    Full Name:
    Maximus Decimus Meridius
    From the Ferrari website, top speed for Pista is greater than 211. Spoken differently, a stock Pista all out should exceed 211 mph.
     
    Jo Sta7 likes this.
  4. FordGTDriver

    FordGTDriver Formula Junior

    Jun 9, 2007
    423
    Gentlemen, thank you for the kind words. I suppose that if my post has relieved the boredom of another day at the office, or maybe even inspired enthusiasm for the great hobby we all enjoy, I’m happy to hear it.

    To answer a few questions:

    Q: What timing system was used?

    A: Tag Heuer Professional (Olympic Skiing, Indy 500, etc.)

    Q: Could the Pista have gone faster than 212.6 mph?

    A: Yes, I think so. Launch (PS) would almost certainly have improved my time. Letting the computer do the shifting may have helped also. However, if you run the math on final gear ratio and max rpm of the Pista, it appears the rev limited top speed is 215 mph. So, one experimental run at 2.7 miles with a rounded result of 213 mph is not too shabby.

    Q: How did it feel at 212?
    A: Stable and safe. I certainly did not detect any aeodynamic lift, which is a no-brainer, given that the S-duct and the pronounced rear spoiler increase downforce signifantly. In my mind, this makes the Pista all the more special: its not really designed for all out, straight line speed; lower speed track use is its forte. That the incredible Turbo Ferrari V8 can push it to these speeds is all the more testament to its engineering. I’ m sure that a derivation of the Pista, using the stock Pista engine, would run a much higher speed if Ferrari wanted to design a body and gear ratio for that purpose.

    Q: Would folding in the mirrors make the car go faster?
    A: Unkonwn. Aero stuff is a black art. Lots of the guys will remove mirrors for all out speed attempts. Folding them in may or may not have helped.

    • One other observation: Top speed runs are impacted quite profoundly by ambient conditons; air temp, altitude, wind speed, wind direction, air density, etc. Some days are super helpful to big speeds, some are not. Thus, its quite difficult to makes valid comparisons from car to car as to top speed. I’ve seen wind speed and direction take 10mph off a run were all other conditons were about equal. My take-away from the event was that Ferrari built a gem of car in the Pista, and its top speed, on that particular day, with this particular driver, was cause for some very nerdy celebration. Just call me Walter Mitty :)
     
  5. Ced357

    Ced357 Karting

    Jul 19, 2015
    124
    Parkland FL
    I was there and believe the owner said the car had a tune and down pipes. Still an amazing feat with that giant wing.
     
    Jo Sta7 likes this.
  6. Jo Sta7

    Jo Sta7 F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed

    Oct 13, 2015
    4,896
    Scottsdale/Pittsburgh
    Full Name:
    Jon
    oh I didn’t know that. Thank you for the info.
     
  7. redsled

    redsled Rookie

    Jan 6, 2013
    17
    PA
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Very cool, and even well-written!
     
  8. ross

    ross Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 25, 2002
    36,208
    houston/geneva
    Full Name:
    Ross
    thank you for this write up.
    made my day
     
  9. manta22

    manta22 Karting

    Jun 6, 2011
    52
    Tucson, AZ
    Full Name:
    Neil P. Albaugh
    Have you been to Bonneville Speed Week yet?
     
  10. Leko

    Leko Rookie

    May 19, 2018
    14
    Frederick, MD
    Full Name:
    Craig Bare
    Nice post mate. Cheers!
     
  11. albkid

    albkid Formula Junior

    Jul 1, 2016
    318
    Full Name:
    Jim
    My wife and I were in a new NSX one morning, on a ruler straight road on the NC Outer Banks. The macadam was utterly smooth. A NC trooper in the opposite lane approached and passed us without incident. After he was a dot in the rear view mirror, I said, "Here we go," and the accelerator went to the floor. As the vehicle increased in speed, we both felt the car hunker down as the effects of the aerodynamics came into play. Cool, very cool.

    At about 140 mph, I gave in to sanity and lifted, even though we were not at the vehicle limit.

    It's a story I love to tell, generally over some beers at a backyard event. Most folks don 't believe we got to that speed, but my wife and I know the truth.

    I would not risk such a thing today, but I have the memory and its PRICELESS.

    Congratulations to the OP on breaking 200mph.
     
  12. Frank Bellrose

    Aug 3, 2019
    5
    Ouray CO
    Full Name:
    Frank Bellrose
     
  13. Frank Bellrose

    Aug 3, 2019
    5
    Ouray CO
    Full Name:
    Frank Bellrose
    Sometimes you can reach top end and not know it, believe it or not. In 1976, after rebuilding the engine (timing chain issue) in my Dino 206 (s/n 00364), I took the car out for a test drive. It was lightly raining at the time, but I was enjoying the performance of nicely tuned Webers, when I noticed that the wiper blade arms had lifted off the windscreen. That is when I looked at the speedometer and multiplied the kmh reading by 0.6. I was at top speed, over 140 mph, and did not realize it. The Dino was one fine, well balanced car.
     
  14. kbaillie

    kbaillie Karting

    Nov 4, 2009
    115
    Amazing post, and congrats on the result! Let us know when the adrenaline wears off... ;)
     
  15. SamRo

    SamRo Rookie

    Dec 17, 2018
    26
    Enjoyed this, thank you. Not sure I am brave enough but very cool to hear about it!
     
  16. Juli

    Juli Formula Junior

    Jul 6, 2014
    313
    Germany
    Full Name:
    Julian
    Great story, thank you! ;)
     
  17. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,574
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    What a fun story! Thanks for sharing it.

    How much did the event cost and how do I register for the next one? If you don’t wanna make that public you can pm me.
     
  18. Gh21631

    Gh21631 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2011
    8,325
    East
    Just curious what tire pressures you were running and what were they after the run.
     
  19. Gh21631

    Gh21631 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2011
    8,325
    East
    You need more room than your driveway. :)
     
    Pis7a2020 likes this.
  20. virendra

    virendra Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 14, 2008
    230
    Hong Kong
    Full Name:
    virendra anand
    Top Notch writeup.
     
  21. SGM

    SGM F1 Rookie
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Sep 27, 2006
    2,790
    Northern VA
    Full Name:
    Steve
    Wow, awesome write up!
     
  22. Twosherpaz

    Twosherpaz Formula Junior

    Feb 25, 2014
    889
    Thermal, CA
    Full Name:
    Private
    tekaefixe, Boomhauer and Jo Sta7 like this.
  23. PT-Aus

    PT-Aus Rookie

    Jan 18, 2019
    3
    Australia
    Full Name:
    Paul Tee
    A great achievement and terrific write up, thanks for sharing.
     
  24. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 19, 2001
    22,574
    The Brickyard
    Full Name:
    The Bad Guy
    Never mind found the info.
     
  25. Pis7a2020

    Pis7a2020 Formula Junior

    Dec 17, 2019
    665
    Hahahahahahahah!


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