VMAX July 07

[GrahamC230K]

Yesterday Maff and I went to VMAX.

Piston Heads regulars probably know all about this, but for those that don't, take a look here:

http://www.vmax15000bhp.com/

Basically, Bruntingthorpe proving ground, rolling start exiting a bend onto just under 1.5 miles of straight before you have to brake.

There was a w211 E55, an SL55 and an ML63 there. Oh and an SL600 I missed by the look of the list.

The results posted on PH so far:

LeonS RUF RT12------------------------207mph
Markbe SL600--------------------------195mph
MOD 500 993TT-------------------------195mph
Toby C,GT-----------------------------193mph
ThatPhilBrettguy Ford GT--------------190mph
etlprws (Peter) 996 Turbo S Cabrio----189mph
LeonS 993 RTurbo----------------------187mph
Craig Bruce 996 Turbo S Cabrio--------187mph
Bluesatin 996 Turbo X50---------------187mph
Derestrictor M6-----------------------186mph
R1_JON 996 GT2------------------------186mph
Akki SL55-----------------------------184mph
SpeedFreakDave 996 GT2----------------184mph
Derestrictor B5-----------------------180mph
Viperbl Audi RS4 B5 Saloon------------180mph
Davidbut F430-------------------------179mph
Kennyboy 993tt------------------------177mph
Ultima69 Porsche GT3------------------177mph
S3am 996 GT3 mk2----------------------176mph
Luckyp Ultima GTR --------------------176mph
Twerlie Noble M12---------------------175mph
Dave - B5 Audi RS4--------------------174mph
CrisisJez Monaro VXR------------------174mph
Maff - Aston Martin DB9 Volante-------174mph
Harryoz - Aston Martin Vanquish-------174mph
Zorba - Audi RS4----------------------172mph
Erik997 997C2S------------------------172mph
Stevebez E55--------------------------172mph
Jeremyc 996 GT3 Mk1-------------------171mph
Adam 997C2S Aerokit-------------------171mph
Flying Trotter 997C2S-----------------170mph
BrendonJ - Ferrari 355 Spider---------169mph
Grizz -Black rs6 AVANT ---------------169mph
911addict - Porsche 964 turbo---------168mph
CraigW-Audi RS6-----------------------166mph
Zorba - Audi RS4 (with 4 people)------166mph
agtlaw 996C2--------------------------163mph
**** Dastardly Z3Mcoupe---------------163mph
GrahamC230K - Audi S4-----------------163mph
anniesdad Cayman S--------------------163mph
Nastywej ML63 ------------------------161mph
Snuffy - Noble M12-GTO3---------------160mph
Maff - Aston Martin V8 Roadster-------160mph
Maff - Nissan 300ZX-------------------159mph
Uncle Bulgaria - TVR Griffit 500--------156mph
Marshy - Audi S4----------------------156mph
Mechsympathy - MG ZTT ----------------156mph (ltd)
Muncher Boxster-----------------------150mph


I was mighty pleased with my 163mph. That's no weight reduction, spare wheel, litre of oil, air compressor, laptop, cameras, tripods, general stuff for a day out etc etc all in the boot, 3/4 tank of fuel and a passenger.

GPS shows 160mph due to the lag, actual time done by laser.

Some vids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNcDyZRmaOY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xngNZyUEg0E


I'm sure Maff has something to add.

EDIT: Forgot to say our own GregE240 helps organise this and his SL500 is very nice. When I find a host for my images I'll share a few pics.

 

[pammy]

Not surprised you're pleased with that result! Impressive

 

[GrahamC230K]

Just a few pics.....

The car to beat should anyone think they have something to step up to the mark:

The ML3 on the straight

Greg's SL500

 

[splang]

Is that a stock SL500 ?

 

[GregE240]

What a lovely pic! Thanks Graham. Lovely to meet you at last mate. Sorry we didn't get time for a good chat....er, you were mostly in your car doing runs!!! As you said you were enjoying it, I'm certain there will be a next time...

Grahams S4 was lovely, and clocked 160+ all day.

The SL performed its usual trick of impressing all passengers, and drivers - I let Craig's brother (organiser) have a drive of it as he owns a superb R107....he liked it a lot.

161 on the day. Indicated 163 - my neighbour took a picture of it - as soon as I've got it I'll post it up.

A great day - still sunburnt!!

Splang - yes, 326hp as its a '90 and never had cats on it. Plenty of horses though

Cheers
Greg

 

[BTB 500]

326hp as its a '90 and never had cats on it. Plenty of horses though

Fine looking car!

Later ones with cats were 320 bhp (that's what the '97 brochure says, anyway!).

 

[BTB 500]

161 on the day. Indicated 163

Forgot to ask - is it derestricted, or is the 155 limiter a bit 'generous'?

 

[GregE240]

Forgot to ask - is it derestricted, or is the 155 limiter a bit 'generous'?

Its not been delimited, so I think the limiter is either a bit generous, or non existent! There is a rev limiter, which I've hit before at Bruntingthorpe, but its so gentle, you could drive the car all day on it.

Whats so amazing about it is the feel of the car. It just feels so solid at those sort of speeds.

 

[stats007]

Some vids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNcDyZRmaOY

Did you keep your foot flat on the accelerator changing gear?

 

[BTB 500]

Its not been delimited, so I think the limiter is either a bit generous, or non existent! There is a rev limiter, which I've hit before at Bruntingthorpe, but its so gentle, you could drive the car all day on it.

Whats so amazing about it is the feel of the car. It just feels so solid at those sort of speeds.

Sound good - I must give my SL a proper run one day!

PS did you put the hard top on specially? That must be more aerodynamic than the hood (seem to remember the overall height of the car is less with the hard top, for a start).

 

[GregE240]

Hard top hasn't come off yet <blush> I've got so much stuff in my garage at the moment I've simply not got room for it. I've got a good excuse...we're moving house..

You are right though....its about 2mph sans roof.

 

[Carrotchomper]

"Zorba - Audi RS4 (with 4 people)------166mph" Fair play.

 

[glojo]

I was mighty pleased with my 163mph. That's no weight reduction, spare wheel, litre of oil, air compressor, laptop, cameras, tripods, general stuff for a day out etc etc all in the boot, 3/4 tank of fuel and a passenger..

What a pity you couldn't leave the passenger guarding all the excess for just one of your runs. Nice turn of speed though and thanks for sharing the day.

John

 

[GrahamC230K]

What a pity you couldn't leave the passenger guarding all the excess for just one of your runs. Nice turn of speed though and thanks for sharing the day.

John

It was my intention to do some solo runs and my brother prompted me part through the day. However I liked having the extra eyes in the car considering we were running in pairs and there was a bend to negotiate - possibly with one car on the inside and line another on outside line.

I think if there were a few more mph to be squeazed out of the day it would have been from a better exit speed of the bottom bend,.

I commented on the load of the car as I find it quite impressive more than excusing it being any quicker, although it inevitably makes a difference.

Did you keep your foot flat on the accelerator changing gear?

I was lifting off, but not much hence the flick of the revs you see in the video. Can't say I planned it, just driving as I would normally if I was nailing through the gears.

The only thing I concentrated on technique wise was to make sure I didn't rev too high before my gear changes (for the peak bhp of the car). I was possibly about 200rpm late loking at the vid, but close enough.

If I go again I'd actually like to experiment exiting the corner in 4th and riding the torque rather than 3rd as I did this time.

The first few runs were 160mph then a 162 then we hit 163 time after time from what I recall. The consistency was interesting I expected a little more variation.

 

[splang]

Splang - yes, 326hp as its a '90 and never had cats on it. Plenty of horses though

Cheers
Greg

She's a beaut!

 

[Silestanix]

Graham, your S4 seems to have Alot of grunt...fair play!

Looks like everyone enjoyed themselves...nice one.

 

[stats007]

The first few runs were 160mph then a 162 then we hit 163 time after time from what I recall. The consistency was interesting I expected a little more variation.

VMax measurements in limited distance by nature are more consistant - your acceleration past 130mph tails off dramatically so you're always fighting for the last few mph towards the cars natural limit.

 

[GrahamC230K]

Latest results for the last event:

http://www.vmax15000bhp.com/results.htm

 

[stats007]

Was Maff a little miffed that a standard 500SL beat him?!

 

[GrahamC230K]

Was Maff a little miffed that a standard 500SL beat him?!

Don't think so. Mr. Cool as usual!

Having previouly put a cat amoungst the pigeons getting speeds in the CL65 only the RUFs had previosuly managed, I don't think he had anything to prove.

I am still really amazed at the SL500 though. I was amazed it previously managing 150mph (previous VMAX). I suppose looking at the BHP/weight of the car it probably isn't so differnt to the S4 apart from most likely having less torque, but I somehow doubted a MB V8 of that age to still be producing the full beans.

I have a great deal of respect for the car as a result.