Lightning Lap 2018 Results

[D_Eclipse9916]

There have been years where they've gotten rained out, or even had some mist during a lap.  So for example, I think a couple of the hot laps from last year had a bit of mist if you watch the video.

The way I look at it, is that this gives you a rough idea of the performance.  And because they publish what tire was used, you know which cars could be significantly faster, and which ones are giving just about all they've got.  You've still got the driver and track conditions variables though, but again it's just a ballpark measure.

So you know that the ZR1 is at least one of the top 5 fastest cars around VIR-Grand East, but chances are if the 720S had the same tires it would've been a few more seconds up the road.  Looking at historic times, some of the old cars would've gained several seconds with today's best rubber.

I'd love to see them trot out some of the old cars and see what they could do with the latest Cup 2 or Trofeo R's.  If Michelin or Pirelli were really smart, they'd offer to provide tires for every single car for this test as part of their marketing.

I feel like that could be a cool Lightning Lap follow up.  Here are the top 5 cars that WERENT on the Cup Sport 2 or Trofeo R and see what they did...

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This makes the Mustang extremely appealing based on it’s low price, performance, creature comforts, and tuning capabilities. I am seriously considering one as my next car against a C6

I hope you are not thinking the PP2.  Its $40k+ and the reason it is fast is because it's on Michelin Super Cup 2s (same tire as on the GT3s/supercars/C7 ZR1). Those same tires you won't be able to drive in winter or in rain.....  And once you take off the tires its just another Mustang with some small upgraded bits.  

Just a little FYI against the C6 though.  Those C6s were wearing far slower rubber than the Mustang and most new hardware.  Again why I want to throw out these stupid lightning test results.  A Michelin Super Sport (c6) against a Super Cup (mustang/supercars/C7 ZR1) is like wearing your boat shoes and racing someone with running shoes.

Even the GT350 is in SCCA AS against the C5 and C6 Z06s and is not considered competitive against them.  (SCCA AS dictates evreything stock but a sway bar change, even have to use the same size wheels!)  

Get the Mustang, but don't waste your money on the PP2 as it would be nigh useless for someone tracking their car (especially since it overheats the differential in 3 laps).

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Tires. Tires. Tires. They should change article to "Pointless Lap". There's no track in which the Vette beats that McLaren if they had the same tires. And a car should be DQ'd if it cannot make 5 hotlaps. I bet the BRZ beats the Kia Sled on lap 3.
I have to say I'm impressed by the Type R though considering it only priced itself out of being in the lowest class by $600.

Yeah you had to read into a bit but the McLaren was on the less sticky rubber.  Apparently its an option to be on the stickier Trofeo Rs and even the magazine summarized it would be more than a second faster, making it at least 1/2 a second faster than the Vette (and probably faster than that IMO).  171.7MPH on the FRONT STRAIGHT.  That's just mind boggling.

I just mean a 15’ish GT, no performance pack from factory. If I wanted to keep the car I’m sure there would be better routes to go down on the aftermarket side.

It’s appealing in it being a newer car, but other than that the C6 wins everywhere else...

Keep in mind the 2015-ish GTs were EXCEPTIONALLY slower.  Pony cars didn't really get anywhere competent for road work until the past 2 years.  The 2015 Z28 Camaro/GT350R aside since that was a factory built track car only.