Thunderhill Raceway Willows CA What Driving Mode - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

98on20s · 05-08-2014, 11:04 PM

Going to Thunderhill Raceway in Willows CA this weekend with Audi Club. Never driven on a track before or raced my car. I hardly drive it has 3,900 miles on it. What driving mode would you suggest for track use?

What's your suggestions??

z28lt1 · 05-09-2014, 06:49 AM

As I haven't been on track yet with the ZL1, my info is all second hand-- but if you've never been on track before in any car, you'll want to start in PTM2 and move up as you get more comfortable and familiar with the track and car. Obviously, see how comfortable you feel as you go, but for the first day, I might stick to PTM2 and PTM3, where active handling is still on and can assist in certain circumstances where the car isn't going where you want it to (although remember there are no miracles here, and can't save every situation). Once you get to PTM4, you are on your own for straights and corner entry through mid corner, and PTM is only assisting with throttle application on corner exit.

Most people for their first day will be working on understanding proper driving lines and techniques, and don't need to worry about the little extra speed they'll get in the other PTM modes.

Good luck, have fun and be safe. Please post your experiences afterwards, I'm sure you'll be hooked.

mmarx82 · 05-09-2014, 07:20 AM

Start in PTM3, It's sport mode with all the nannies on. As you get more comfortable and have learned the lines then move up the modes.

kaamacat · 05-09-2014, 07:23 AM

I'd suggest PTM3.... You're steering and suspension are in a SPORT mode now which you will feel immediately but you still have stability/power management on which will keep you safe from oversteer (tail out) situations and such. I think that in PTM1/2 you will have a bit too much instability on turns... just a bit too soft.

(Note: In any of the PTM1-5 modes power management is still in their watching, not quite as much as you head up the line but even in PTM5 power will be cut if needed)

Nor Cal ZL1 · 05-09-2014, 09:18 AM

PTM3 is where I would start. If the Audi group provides instruction take advantage of that to learn the braking points and lines. There are a couple of places on the track where elevation changes require you to point the car towards landmarks to keep you online. You want to have your instructor point those out as well. Let us know how it goes.

05-08-2014, 11:04 PM	#1
98on20s Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Sonoma Posts: 61	Thunderhill Raceway Willows CA What Driving Mode Going to Thunderhill Raceway in Willows CA this weekend with Audi Club. Never driven on a track before or raced my car. I hardly drive it has 3,900 miles on it. What driving mode would you suggest for track use? What's your suggestions??

05-09-2014, 07:20 AM	#3
mmarx82 Drives: '12 ZL1 #1609 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,762	Start in PTM3, It's sport mode with all the nannies on. As you get more comfortable and have learned the lines then move up the modes. __________________ Life is too short to drive cars that suck. My build Thread

05-09-2014, 07:23 AM	#4
kaamacat Drives: 2018 ZL1/1LE Red Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 321	I'd suggest PTM3.... You're steering and suspension are in a SPORT mode now which you will feel immediately but you still have stability/power management on which will keep you safe from oversteer (tail out) situations and such. I think that in PTM1/2 you will have a bit too much instability on turns... just a bit too soft. (Note: In any of the PTM1-5 modes power management is still in their watching, not quite as much as you head up the line but even in PTM5 power will be cut if needed) __________________ BobR 2018 ZL1 1LE (Red) - New Dec 2017 2015 ViperGT (Gunmetal w/Red stripes) 2013 ZR1 Anniversary 2014 ZL1 - BrightYellow, 6sp 2011 Porsche GT3RS - White w/red graphics 2009 Porsche C2S 2001 Ferrari 360

05-09-2014, 06:49 AM	#2
z28lt1 Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 288	As I haven't been on track yet with the ZL1, my info is all second hand-- but if you've never been on track before in any car, you'll want to start in PTM2 and move up as you get more comfortable and familiar with the track and car. Obviously, see how comfortable you feel as you go, but for the first day, I might stick to PTM2 and PTM3, where active handling is still on and can assist in certain circumstances where the car isn't going where you want it to (although remember there are no miracles here, and can't save every situation). Once you get to PTM4, you are on your own for straights and corner entry through mid corner, and PTM is only assisting with throttle application on corner exit. Most people for their first day will be working on understanding proper driving lines and techniques, and don't need to worry about the little extra speed they'll get in the other PTM modes. Good luck, have fun and be safe. Please post your experiences afterwards, I'm sure you'll be hooked.

05-09-2014, 09:18 AM	#5
Nor Cal ZL1 Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,825	PTM3 is where I would start. If the Audi group provides instruction take advantage of that to learn the braking points and lines. There are a couple of places on the track where elevation changes require you to point the car towards landmarks to keep you online. You want to have your instructor point those out as well. Let us know how it goes.