Motor Trend Oct 08 "Handling Test" Laguna Seca & R Pobst

[MichaelP]

If you haven't seen it, those looking for further affirmation of their R8 choice mihgt want to take a look at the October 2008 Motor Trend "Handling Test" article in which the magazine takes 10 current cars, including the Audi R8, the new Nissan GT-R, Porsche 911 Turbo, BMW M3 and Viper ACR to Laguna Seca with Randy Pobst & a host of data logging equipment to pick "the best handling" car of the group. Parts of the article can also be found on line a www.motortrend.com The R8 doesn't turn the fastest lap time, then again the Mazda Rx8 doesn't either, that honor goes to the Dodge ACR. Then again, the ACR only finishes 7th overall out of 10 on the subjective handling score.
.......................Laguna Seca Subjective
........................ Laptime........Ranking by R Pobst
1. Viper ACR ......1:35.117...........7th
2. Nissan GTR.....1:40.453...........5th
3. Audi R8******1:40.920...........1st
4. P 997 turbo.....1:42.507..........4th
5. BMW M3.........1:42.964..........2nd
6. Ford GT500KR..1:44.716.........10th
7. Mitsu EVO.......1.47.713..........6th
8. Chev Cobalt.....1:47.751.........9th
9. Mazda Rx8.......1:50.418.........3rd
10 BMW Mini S......1:51.977.........8th

Interesting read. Personally Would have loved to have seen the Chevrolet Corvette, Lotus Elise and Cayman S in the test mix as well.
For example from the CaymanClub site, there are times running from 1:46 to 1:44 posted for Cayman S' at the Laguna Seca track. See
http://www.caymanclub.net/cayman-com...-location.html

[R84ME]

I like the wrap up..."the R8 will make a race car driver smile"!

That's first place in my book...

[MichaelP]

And just for completeness purposes, in 2007 MotorTrend ran a similar Ultimate handling test, also at the Laguna Seca track, this time however using Max "the Ax" Angelelli as the pro driver. For comparison purposes, the 10 cars selected that year included the Porsche 997 GT3, the Cayman "S" and Corvette C6 Z06. In no particular order for 2007 the car, Max Agenelli's laptime, Average Speed for the lap and "peak latteral g" recorded for the lap:

BMW 335i 1.49.038 73.9 1.32
Lotus Exige S 1.45.818 76.1 1.54
Porsche Cayman S 1.47.577 74.9 1.43
Porsche 997 GT3 1.39.517 81.0 1.69
Corvette C6 Z06 1.40.919 79.8 1.57
MazdaSpeed3 1.50.375 73.0 1.31
Honda Civic Si 1.54.990 70.1 1.55
Mini S JC works 1.51.733 72.1 1.28
Mitsu Evo IX MR 1.47.926 74.7 1.36
Honda 2000 1.50.738 72.8 1.40

I find it interesting the Porsche GT3 in Max's hands achieved only a slightly faster laptime than Randy's 2008 R8 lap, and that presumably would have been done on the GT3's OEM tire (at least in the US), the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup. Although that said, it should be noted that Max, not a regular Porsche 911 driver did say that "... even with all his experience, he probably only probed 85% to 90% of this car's astounding limits, and he opined that its behaviour probably becomes unpredictable at the limits - especially under power. When asked whether a Cayman with the same engine, brakes, and tires wouldn't be better still, he fretted about its less ridge chasis ....."

So, I guess one could argue Randy, who spends a lot of time in the Porsche, might have been able to shave another 2-3 seconds off Max's time, ..... but then again so could a set of Michelin Sport Cup (or comperable Pirelli Corso etc) tires on the R8 have shaved another 3-4 seconds of the Audi's Laguna Seca times.

[Dan1]

So, I guess one could argue Randy, who spends a lot of time in the Porsche, might have been able to shave another 2-3 seconds off Max's time, ..... but then again so could a set of Michelin Sport Cup (or comperable Pirelli Corso etc) tires on the R8 have shaved another 3-4 seconds of the Audi's Laguna Seca times.

Was that test in the June 2007 Issue??

If so you will need to continue guessing at possible lap times.

As the track was repaved in June 2007.
Grinding started on May 21 2007and the paving completed on June 7th 2007.

The test, to be in a June issue would have been done prior to the repaving. I guess.