Natsuki's AVR500-R looks a bit like Nissan's mild-mannered GT-R GT3, but on the track, it feels more like the Nissan GT-R from hell...or heaven, depending in your perspective. It's almost as fast as a Le Mans Prototype (190+ mph on each of the three straights) but as gentle as a kitten and it purrs like a lion. It's not free, but it's a lot less expensive than a Schuco toy car and it's as professionally done as any Kunos product. Ten-lap race race setup @ 90% boost, because a) at full beans it was using too much fuel--the default 30 liters won't get you more than about 7 laps @ Road America--and b) it was getting a little ragged at max boost, so IIWY I'd save the last 10% for push-to-pass opportunities.
Why I test at Elkhart Lake. 1. It doesn't have any stupidly slow hairpins or chicanes, which interfere with repeatability...at least the way I drive. Spa would be ideal for testing if it weren't for that ugly, contorted chicane at the end of the lap. 2. The Carousel. Unlike the Nordschleife's Karusel (tight and lumpy), RA's Carousel is the closest thing you'll find to a high-speed, steady-state skid pad (or 'pan' as they call it in Blighty). It will give you an indication of absolute grip, with numbers you can compare, car-to-car and setup-to-setup (anything below 100 mph = pokey; anything over = speedy). 3. The Kink. The scariest turn in North America. Little cars will barely notice it, but big cars will make or break a decent lap-time depending on whether your setup will allow you to take it flat out. Or not.
Why I test at Elkhart Lake. 1. It doesn't have any stupidly slow hairpins or chicanes, which interfere with repeatability...at least the way I drive. Spa would be ideal for testing if it weren't for that ugly, contorted chicane at the end of the lap. 2. The Carousel. Unlike the Nordschleife's Karusel (tight and lumpy), RA's Carousel is the closest thing you'll find to a high-speed, steady-state skid pad (or 'pan' as they call it in Blighty). It will give you an indication of absolute grip, with numbers you can compare, car-to-car and setup-to-setup (anything below 100 mph = pokey; anything over = speedy). 3. The Kink. The scariest turn in North America. Little cars will barely notice it, but big cars will make or break a decent lap-time depending on whether your setup will allow you to take it flat out. Or not.
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