ATL's first track day in the Superleggera. Review, video and pics!
#1
ATL's first track day in the Superleggera. Review, video and pics!
I’ve been up for the last couple nights replaying this day in my mind. The sound, the speed, the lateral G’s, the acceleration, and the pure adrenaline rush was beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. I have gained a lot of respect for the Superleggera after this weekend. Any car can go fast in a straight line but the track really unleashes its full potential. There is so much performance in this car begging to be unleashed I can’t help but feel like it’s bored sitting on a freeway in rush hour traffic. Kind of like Kobe Bryant playing basketball in high school--going directly into the NBA was long overdue. So being a considerate bull owner, I finally let him loose on the track and for the first time he felt right at home.
For my very first track day I decided to bring the Super G out to Talladega Grand Prix Raceway. It’s a good place for someone like me to get started. For you hardcore track guys I’m sure you can relate to your first time out on the track. For those of you that have never been, you owe it to yourself at least one time to give it a shot. Even if you’re not an adrenaline junkie or a speed demon you will enjoy it.
The Super G belongs on the track. I have to admit I was a little nervous bringing an exotic to the track, but after a couple of test laps I had no problem putting the gas pedal to the floor. The car stays planted no matter what you do to it and in terms of acceleration and torque it just keeps pulling, I was pushing about 120 down the straights but the car was begging for more. In each and every turn the AWD instilled so much confidence I found myself going into each one faster and faster. Being that it was my first time out there I wasn’t willing to push it to the max. I was probably at 80% of it’s potential if that. My track buddy, a seasoned track veteran of 10 years gave me some words of wisdom before we went out on my first run “There are no winners on track day, just losers. Don’t be a loser.” The last thing I wanted was to end up on wreckedexotics.com.
Over the course of the day, I ran 5 sessions at about 15 laps each. I was happy with my lap times, but I couldn’t help but feel like I could do better. On the video I did about 1:15 but I know I can shave off a few seconds. I’m told this reaction is normal “oh yeah, I wasn’t pushing it that hard anyway, I could have done way better.” I have to give credit to the car, it really makes you look like you know exactly what you’re doing. Plain and simple, everything works the way it should, no rattling, no shaking, always enough torque, grip, it was perfect. It’s beautiful when a machine performs exactly the way you want it to, I really think the car is flawless. I even let my [cop] friend take it out during one of the sessions and it absolutely made his day.
My track buddy had an HD camera setup and we mounted it next to the engine compartment. Some of the sound quality was lost when I uploaded it to Vimeo but you get the idea. It’s sheer bliss. To me the sound alone justifies the price of the car. It is worth every penny. I threw in a couple extra downshifts just for you guys. With the sound of 10 cylinders screaming behind me (windows down of course) I couldn’t help but crack a smile each time. There really isn’t anything more liberating than pushing a Lamborghini down a straightaway at wide open throttle in a controlled environment. No cops (except for the one riding shotgun), no deer, no distractions. Nothing but absolute freedom.
On a sentimental note, exactly 8 years ago to this very day I left college and drove down to LA in my little Nissan Sentra to start my career. I was inspired then, and I'm even more inspired now. I’m humbled by the opportunity to own such a fine automobile and to be able to share my experience with you.
After today I have a soft spot for Lamborghinis that become garage queens and only see occasional action on weekends or date nights. That is just cruel. I’m going to start a Save-the-Bulls charity. I will connect volunteer drivers with neglected Lambos and give them an opportunity to experience the good life. What do you think?
Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera on the track on Vimeo
For my very first track day I decided to bring the Super G out to Talladega Grand Prix Raceway. It’s a good place for someone like me to get started. For you hardcore track guys I’m sure you can relate to your first time out on the track. For those of you that have never been, you owe it to yourself at least one time to give it a shot. Even if you’re not an adrenaline junkie or a speed demon you will enjoy it.
The Super G belongs on the track. I have to admit I was a little nervous bringing an exotic to the track, but after a couple of test laps I had no problem putting the gas pedal to the floor. The car stays planted no matter what you do to it and in terms of acceleration and torque it just keeps pulling, I was pushing about 120 down the straights but the car was begging for more. In each and every turn the AWD instilled so much confidence I found myself going into each one faster and faster. Being that it was my first time out there I wasn’t willing to push it to the max. I was probably at 80% of it’s potential if that. My track buddy, a seasoned track veteran of 10 years gave me some words of wisdom before we went out on my first run “There are no winners on track day, just losers. Don’t be a loser.” The last thing I wanted was to end up on wreckedexotics.com.
Over the course of the day, I ran 5 sessions at about 15 laps each. I was happy with my lap times, but I couldn’t help but feel like I could do better. On the video I did about 1:15 but I know I can shave off a few seconds. I’m told this reaction is normal “oh yeah, I wasn’t pushing it that hard anyway, I could have done way better.” I have to give credit to the car, it really makes you look like you know exactly what you’re doing. Plain and simple, everything works the way it should, no rattling, no shaking, always enough torque, grip, it was perfect. It’s beautiful when a machine performs exactly the way you want it to, I really think the car is flawless. I even let my [cop] friend take it out during one of the sessions and it absolutely made his day.
My track buddy had an HD camera setup and we mounted it next to the engine compartment. Some of the sound quality was lost when I uploaded it to Vimeo but you get the idea. It’s sheer bliss. To me the sound alone justifies the price of the car. It is worth every penny. I threw in a couple extra downshifts just for you guys. With the sound of 10 cylinders screaming behind me (windows down of course) I couldn’t help but crack a smile each time. There really isn’t anything more liberating than pushing a Lamborghini down a straightaway at wide open throttle in a controlled environment. No cops (except for the one riding shotgun), no deer, no distractions. Nothing but absolute freedom.
On a sentimental note, exactly 8 years ago to this very day I left college and drove down to LA in my little Nissan Sentra to start my career. I was inspired then, and I'm even more inspired now. I’m humbled by the opportunity to own such a fine automobile and to be able to share my experience with you.
After today I have a soft spot for Lamborghinis that become garage queens and only see occasional action on weekends or date nights. That is just cruel. I’m going to start a Save-the-Bulls charity. I will connect volunteer drivers with neglected Lambos and give them an opportunity to experience the good life. What do you think?
Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera on the track on Vimeo
Last edited by ATL; 11-30-2009 at 02:49 PM.
#5
I have a video of that too, let's see if I can upload it without losing too much quality.
#9
Glad you had fun!!!!!!
I would have been there........IF you had of told me about it sooner than the afternoon of the day before.
I took my buddy up to the mountains on Fri and we had a blast. He just bought a Z06 and was getting the feel of it.
I would have been there........IF you had of told me about it sooner than the afternoon of the day before.
I took my buddy up to the mountains on Fri and we had a blast. He just bought a Z06 and was getting the feel of it.