Just wanted to see people's reactions:

This guy at work (maybe late 30's early 40's) just bought a 6.0 GTO. He says he'll race me on a road course and beat me. The wager is $1,000.

My mods:
Hallman MBC
Buschur Mass Air Pipe and filter kit
Dynoflash custom tune

Planned mods before race:
Buschur 3" TBE w/high flow cat

My inital reaction: RWD vs. AWD. No competition.

Do you guys think I'll have any problem's beating him? I'll be going out on the track for the first time this spring. I'll atleast get one track day in before the race. He, however, has not had any track experince at all.

I'd usually blow stuff like this off, but when some guy trash talks about the evo and shows no respect at all, I feel like I need to do the evo some justice.

 

I think you should take him if you can stay away from him on the straights, corners will be no problem, plus his car will weigh 4000 lbs with him in it.

 

ehh....rwd's have a slight advantage on handling..i think... esp on tight turns..youll have the advantage on the launch, but i think thats about it...he has no turbo lag and american cars are pretty easy to drive..the evo takes a lot more effort and perfection. i think its gonna be super close. i think itll come down to driving...

 

On a road cours with lots of curves you should win depending on your driving. Get the test pipe instead. On a 1/4 mile, i think he'll take you.

 

What road course would this be on? Gingerman?

 

the "GOAT" is horrible at cornering!!! youd eat him alive in the twisties!!!!! I ran one with 341rwhp and ate him alive when we launched. But judging by your mods, you may want to consider cams and another tune to win. They put down 340-350 rwhp stock.(400hp@ the fly at 4000lbs.)

 

How do rwd's have an advantage? Isn't that what AWD is about, handling? Maybe it's my lack of road racing knowledge, but I thought rwd's have the tendency to drift around corners.

 

I'm planning on going to a track day at Mid-Ohio, and a track day at Gingerman before the race. Gingerman would be where the race is at.

 

Throw in some cams just to be "safe"

 

The GTO is heavy, but not quite 4000lbs, I have an 05 GTO, and had it weighed at a CATZ scales, with full tank off gas, came right under 3700lbs, if I remeber correctly. (I'll have to check my receipt when I get home after work). Now if the driver weighs 300+ pounds lol! Anyway I use to have an 03 EVO, and I can tell you after driving both cars the GTO definitly has the power advantage (stock for stock, add even EVO's with some light mods), but the EVO is a handling machine! However that is my experience on back roads. I have never done any kind of road course, but I would be willing to bet you'll beat him.

 

The 6.0L GTO runs a 13.3 @ 108 with 400Hp, it seems all the weight gives more traction, but slows it down compared to a Ram-Air TA with 320hp and runs a 13.6 @ 109

 

you are correct.

 

How wrong you are, the Evo is one of the most FORGIVING cars i have ever pushed the limits with, Yes the GTO doesn't have turbo lag, but on a road course your more in the power band than ever. As for the RWD vs. AWD...on a open road course i will take the AWD, an autoX or a tight track i'll take a RWD. This is where the AWD shines, the road course!!

 

What road course will let two inexperienced drivers race?

It's funny that when it comes to drag racing everyone agrees that if the machines are at all close "it's a driver's race," but when it comes to a road course it's all about the car. A good driver in an Escort will hand you your behind on a road course.

But just as a point of reference, in a nearly stock (Buschur TBE) '03 I lapped a first year GTO in under 15 minutes at Nelson (and that included waiting for point-bys). I'm sure the 6.0s are better, but...

Dave

 

you should be able to beat him without a doubt....IMO