What ive learned from this thread is that Peloton needs to be commended for his restless battle against those who doubt.

A relentless flag bearer for the Mclaren brand. Not only on this forum but all over the net.

 

I've been observing this thread for several days and certainly it has been entertaining and informative. Funny thing is, I can see both sides of the arguments and many have made valid points. So I'm still not entirely sure what my feelings on this are. But I do have a few observations.

I agree with Erik, because McLaren (or any other manufacturer) are under no obligation to provide performance statistics of any kind, be they 'Ring times or 0-60, to anyone. However, I also side with La Artist, because the enthusiast public has just as much a right to be annoyed that they have not in this case. I really want to know what it did. But I don't need to know.

These types of stats merely serve to show where a given car sits in the performance pantheon, and to provide only a rough framework of what it would be like to drive. Ethusiasts like us eat this stuff up. Manufacturers that focus on performance cars tend to dole this stuff out like candy on Halloween, so when one doesn't, we're just not sure what to make of it.

To the point, it's a bit odd for McLaren to declare that 'Ring times do not matter, in the same breath as they tell us they achieved their goal of a sub-seven minute time. So do they care or not?

It's true that there is not a standardized format for a 'Ring time and that alone prevents it from being a true measuring stick (Car and Driver is trying to establish a benchmark with its Lightning Lap, with rigorous attention focused on cars in production trim, but ultimately VIR is not as storied as the 'Ring). But 'Ring times should not be dismissed solely because there are variables present in track condition, weather, or driver talent.

These variables exist for all performance metrics, but we all have no problem accepting these numbers as reported. Notice even that these stats will vary among who's testing the vehicle. In any case one might never equal such stats. Launch techniques used for 0-60 times for example might be too abusive for the typical owner (at least before flappy paddles most exotic owners weren't going to sidestep the clutch), but that's what it sometimes takes to achieve the results.

Furthermore I don't see any reason to dismiss a lap time, at any track by any driver, simply because "we couldn't get the time X driver did". So what? I think it's generally accepted that for a given performance statistic you're looking at the best result achieved in the best of the available circumstances. I want to know the ultimate best time possible in the car, by a guy who knows how to properly use it, not what a typical hack like me could do. What's the fun in that?

It might be interesting to note that the NHRA will not declare a specific fastest elapsed time or top speed as an official record, unless it is backed up by another such time or speed within one percent of the run in question, at the same event. In the old days this was to account for possible errors in the timing equipment, but still it removes any chance of some type of anamoly establishing a record that is suspect. If you can do it, prove it. So the fact that the 918's drivers all put lap times together in the same tight cluster kind of validates that number.

Still though, I do find it strange that one wouldn't at least etch the P1's number permanently into the car's legacy.

 

Walliser NEVER boasted about a sub 7min time unlike a certain buffoon from Woking :0P
At the end who has an OFFICIAL time eh, marko

 

'we have kept our word' a little shout out to RONNO i think :0P

 

Peloton only has short term memory

 

I can bet you have OBAMACARE

 

Must have run out of fuel then, cause no time was released ;0)
The SECRET TIME better have been lower than 6:47........FINAL optimized spec of the 918 rumored [ ;0) ] to have another 10 or more seconds better than their record time of 6:57 when they go back next year. REPEATABLE with any customer car. Could this be the reason McLaren has been mum eh.
Hmmmmmmmm the plot thickens

 

Hey WHITE997ttRS, isn't it enough already? Almost all of your posts are to bash what you don't like or care for. How about start contributing in a positive fashion around here on the cars you do like. Give it a shot.

 

See picture thread. I did comment positively on the P1's curb appeal. Alright I'll back off

 

Go boss man......