Most liked posts in thread: Ground pounder.....

Cool video, but just to be clear, neither of those cars actually won Lemans. The C6 only won its class.

I am glad to see that those cars are not just garage queens, and they get some track time.

CD

 

Nice video. Thanks for posting. One thing about watching Le Mans, you definitely know when the Corvettes go by, even with your eyes closed. That was a beautiful Norton behind the guy too. One of my favorites. I had a couple BSA's and a Triumph, but always lusted after the Snortin' Norton.

 

I've photographed a handful of ALMS races, and the Vettes are distinct. The Audi TDIs were almost silent. The Ferraris sang. The most ear piercing cars were the normally aspirated Porsche 911s. Standing right next to the track, even with earplugs, those cars hurt. The old Panoz LMP cars had a similar rumble to the Vettes.

CD

 

Yes, those are loud and have an ear piercing pitch, too.

Of course, nothing beats a top-fuel dragster for both rumble and pain. I'm not into drag racing, but I'll never forget my first time watching a top-fuel race live.

CD

 

I always loved the SpeedSource RX8's, god they sounded great!

 

Agreed, being at a top-fuel race is a very memorable event.

 

I thought Corvette won the overall Le Mans in 2001 but I stand corrected. It was the Rolex 24 hours at Daytona.

 

Yep, I was there. Had a great time even though the weather sucked. Overall at Daytona is not too shabby either.

 

I would have liked to see Petit Lemans become a full 24-hour race. Road Atlanta is a better track than the road-val track at Daytona for endurance racing, IMO.

CD

 

Yes, you need to go to a top-fuel drag race. I've never gone back, but I will never regret going that one time. Watching on on TV is nothing even slightly close to the real thing. Close up, it is a mind-altering experience.

I've also been to drag boat races... meh. I've also been to an unlimited hydroplane race... much better on TV because you can't get close to the boats, and I was on my boat to watch it. They made us stay way too far away to see anything.

CD

 

Top Fuel, Funny Cars, either one is a physical assault on the senses. When they put the hammer down you can feel the sound/concussion wave slap you in the chest. Last time I was at the strip for Test and Tune Day I was in my C4 Corvette (slightly modified w/~400 HP) and got paired up with a car that was a Corvette in name only. Basically a rail with a thin fiberglass shell that bore a passing resemblance to a '63 Sting Ray. That thing was so loud and shook my car so much that the only way I knew my car was running was to check the tach.
If you've never seen the big boys race, it's definitely worth doing at least once.

 

I worked with a guy who was a big drag fan. He said the same thing, they suck the air right out of you if you're close to one.

 

When I was stationed in California Pomona Speedway hosted a career day for the local high schools showcasing wares and promoting places like UTI. Schumacher's Top Fuel Rail was there and they did a demonstration of an engine teardown right in front of the bleachers. It was pretty amazing to see 5 - 6 bodies working in one small area with no collisions. Any who, once they had it assembled they started it up and set the clutch. I have seen enough drag racing on TV and have been to quite a few "local" events so I knew what was coming, I just never expected the sound/concussion to be so violent. Definitely a weird sensation.