R8 V10: HPDE event ?'s

[thebishman]

Anyone take their V10 to the road course for HPDE events?

If so, are there any issues running the car for 25 minutes, especially in regards to over-heating issues, etc.

How does it handle? Any extreme 'twitchiness' when pushing the car, especially with ESP turned off?

How do the brakes hold up?

Any thoughts appreciated as I'm looking at potentially getting one, and while I know that the car is supposed to be a great DD, I would like to be able to enjoy driving it at 7/10ths a couple of weekends per year without any major issues.

Bish

[SteveR]

There are many members here with much more experience than me. Until they chime in, after 2 event on stock tires the limiting factor is the tires. They will start to overheat after about 15 min. With R compounds you can probably overheat the brakes. I have not heard of any problems with the car/engine.

They car is very stable at speed. No problems there, but I have not tried ESP off yet.

[exhilR8]

Ditto on the tires being the limiting factor. I track my V10 twice a month. Temps stay good for a long time, over 30 minutes, and I've never gotten above the 3/4 mark on my oil temp, and I keep the revs between 5000 and 8500 the whole time without letting up

With ESP on, you can go to 11/10ths and get used to 4 wheel drifts very very comfortably, at some expense in tires, but with amazing predictability and forgiveness. It's the most amazing driving experience I've had. Brakes are amazing too. And this car is also my DD.

With ESP off, you can get faster lap times, and the experience is not twitchy at all; the car simply settles more quicly and gently after a slide. To see what I mean, look at this small section of video between 30 and 31 seconds, where I accelerate too hard out of an apex with ESP off, and you'll see how gentle it is when the car restabilizes:

http://www.youtube.com/user/ExhilR8ng#p/u/6/69QS3VaHGWY

No question, this car is the best DD and track attacker all in one. You will totally love it.

[gazza1]

What a great write up exhilR8.

Great to hear your oil temp stayed stable as the one and only time I took the spyder on the track the oil temp went very close to the red.

In my V8 coupe it would always sit on 3/4 and never move further.

Thoughts were the more confined engine space or the oil in the engine(maybe crap?)

What oil do you use?

[emayer]

I've tracked the v8 and v10 versions extensively and you'll find this an extremely stable and forgiving platform.

As mentioned, the tires can be a limiting factor, but the annoying problem I encountered were brake and rotor wear. I suspect cooling for the brakes could be better. I upgraded to Pagid yellows/ SRF fluid which greatly improved durability and fade resistance. Still, you need to watch pad wear closely. For tires, watch those pressures and bleed as needed to keep in the mid 30's hot.

No major issues with cooling, but let the car run a bit after coming off track and raise the hatch once parked. (standard stuff).

Have fun! The car is amazing....

[exhilR8]

I'm using the stock oil provided by the dealer under the Audi Care arrangement here in the states, can't recall what it is. I can look it up if you like. Maybe diffferent oil would make a difference for you.

It sounds like you are getting odd temp increases, so I'd keep looking for other possible causes too. Interested to hear you impressions of the differences in handling between the spyder and the Coupe.

[thebishman]

This is all great info; please keep it coming as it's sounding very encouraging!!

I have been 'tracking' my cars for almost 17 years now so have already checked into a set of OZ Ultraleggeras for the car running either Toyo R888s or Hoosier R6s.

My dilemma at the moment is this: 2011 R8 V10 versus 2009 GT2. I am having one hell of a time trying to decide! Help!! lol

Bish

[gazza1]

I'm using the stock oil provided by the dealer under the Audi Care arrangement here in the states, can't recall what it is. I can look it up if you like. Maybe diffferent oil would make a difference for you.

It sounds like you are getting odd temp increases, so I'd keep looking for other possible causes too. Interested to hear you impressions of the differences in handling between the spyder and the Coupe.

The oil in the spyder is Audi Supplied but in the coupe I always used Castrol Sport.

Temps were hot on the day at around 30C but water stayed very stable.

As for a comparison between my old V8 coupe and the spyder..well I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the spyder did feel.

Under hard braking it was not quite as stable with the back shuffling around a bit and on a high G corner I could feel a bit more push at the back but nothing concerning.

Ran on Michelin Cups.

All in all a really nice drive.

The V10 was definitely a much more pronounced difference on the track and just reinforced how good and sweet a engine it really is ..even without a ecu mod.

[mngolfer]

Nice video Brad. Your driving has improved significantly. Way to go.

[RXBG]

mothertucker is the best guy to ask-

but- remember that personal experience/driving style will dictate the responses that you read since everyone who responds drives their car differently. like any car in general the tires get hot and psi goes up but you simply let out air. this is track 101 stuff.

If so, are there any issues running the car for 25 minutes, especially in regards to over-heating issues, etc?

---some people have noticed mod high oil temps. in my case i had this happen specifically because i redlined the engine multiple times in one very aggressive stint. mind the redline and you should be fine. i don't think there is a need to change stock oil.

How does it handle? Any extreme 'twitchiness' when pushing the car, especially with ESP turned off?

---LOL at this question being asked about the Audi R8.

How do the brakes hold up?

---well. very well. never had an issue with my V8 or V10. changing braking fluid can make the brakes grabby. i think this is overdone. unless you go to the track bimonthly you should leave the braking system well enough alone. if you are a novice the car has been set up for you perfectly by the factory. once you feel the stock set up is holding YOU back then consider changing brakes, tires, etc... you need the stock tires to communicate and remain forgiving at the limit yet be daily drivable and in the rain. unless you are an advanced driver with experience about what to do when the car breaks loose you shouldn't even consider turing off esp or putting comp tires on.

Any thoughts appreciated as I'm looking at potentially getting one, and while I know that the car is supposed to be a great DD, I would like to be able to enjoy driving it at 7/10ths a couple of weekends per year without any major issues

--this says it all. leave it stock for Q6 month track events.