I'll address the strangeness of this video once: it took a long time to make this video - an 8 hour, very hot day. I thought I would get 10 laps, which turned into 3 when I got There. I spoke with the organizers and track workers, who all knew what I was doing (allegedly). You saw the starter lady communicating with someone on radio and giving me the all clear so I expected a clear track. Because of the position of the cage and banner I couldn't see the truck on the banking until the very last minute, which was super sketch. I probably should have just gone in, but I was so annoyed and thought I might not get another go, and the whole day would be wasted, I decided to stay out and finish the video and try to be careful. When I went back in, the organizers yelled at us, despite their obvious error, not mine. It was highly unprofessional of the track crew on several levels, but at least I got my video and we know (mostly) what it's like to drive this race car. And now everyone gets to see whose fault those fuck ups are, because they clearly weren't mine. I appreciate the owner of the car, Brad, letting me get a taste, but I won't be returning to that track any time soon.
Bet you the cones and pace trucks were there so you couldn't go balls to the wall with their babied championship winning track car. Also the car was detuned and rev limiter was lowered on purpose for the same reason;)
What a shitshow to be honest. The car's rev limiter was fucked and the track wasn't even prepared before they let you have a go at it. Still I guess like you said, beggars can't be choosers. ;/
Honestly after seeing the 1st truck on the track , I would have come in and asked them wtf, while there had the guys fix the seat. sketch is an understatement
don't know why people complain about the opening adds, its not like the complainers pay Matt for doing this show, but they will watch it for free everytime...damn ignorant unappreciative people.
Alrighty - I have never commented on RU-vid, ever, and honestly Never really thought I'd care to. However, to be critical of an individual like Matt here when he makes consistently high quality videos (the pedal camera is a fantastic new addition), despite some out-of-his-control happenings is totally asinine. I will for one say that due to my helpless addiction to all things cars, like many of us here no doubt share, I watch and will continue to watch basically every single video Matt uploads. No one else really does perspective driving - the Motor Trend guys are good, and Jonny, Carlos and Jason are great hosts, but Matt does all of this on his own initiative - quite like these videos. he found something he likes. Furthermore, critiquing him for advertising some products that are actually pretty cool (as opposed to say....dog fur brushes..or lady parts products) is also silly...the money for these sorts of undertakings does not simply appear out of mid air. Matt, I'm some guy you don't know, but dude keep it up. You've still got a huge fan base, people just talk crap just to get a reaction. You have something very unique here, and your restraint to get pissed as crap at poor organization...or random people dragging logs across the road when you're piloting a land rocket with air conditioning for our viewing pleasure, is commendable.
Absolutely love the way the older modular motors and windsor motors sound. Love the way the new coyotes sound as well, especially in the upper RPM range but the old modular motors had such an incredible sound.
Man, it seems like communication about what was going on at the track just didn't happen. Glad everything went smoothly and no one got hurt. Car is awesome. Thanks for sharing, Matt.
That truck and cone shit is unacceptable. I would be down right furious if that was me so props to you for keeping your composure. The cone thing is forgivable but its beyond me why they had service trucks ON THE RACING LINE the same time someone is trying to race around a track in car he's never driven a track he hasn't been on for 2 years.....The least they could have done was fixed the cone lol. That lady who gave you the go-ahead needs to have her headset checked.....SHEESH!
Martin Quin however this would be a 2001 cobra that was built for grand am and it has some terminator body parts. Honestly it couldn't have had the terminator engine since that engine was kept a secret till literally a month before the terminator was shown off.
I would have graciously thanked the owner, and then promptly chewed out the track crew about the safety of their track...two unknown pace trucks that weren't known about by the driver...and cones all throughout the track...that track didn't appear to be walked prior to matt's track time. Big safety factor....awesome car though, regardless of the fact that it had a few issues.
Now that I've got a sick pair of DILLON OPTICS, I think a sweet cup of coffee and a nice cigar would go well with my new shades. Anyone know where I can get those two things?
I live in philly and Ive been to Holts and Ashtons. They are really REALLY top notch cigar shop/bar. Highly recommend. Also got a pair of dillon optics after my okays went bust. They really are amazing lenses.
Kudos for staying out and getting some race car footage Matt. But, the communications team responsible for track safety need to be fired. I have never seen such incompetence by race-track officials.
Fucked track, cool car. I will say, I looked into Piloti shoes a while back when Matt mentioned them, and picked up a pair of their more dressy style ones so they wouldn't look out of place going to the office. Man, they are really nice and worth the money. Super soft leather, snug fit, nice rounded heal. Some people complain about Matt's little adverts, but at least they all seem to be good quality products as the shoes certainly were!
The owner picked up this winning race car for $15k?! Sounds like a steal to me, when you're getting a prepped car with IRS and a unique high-revving V8.
Truth is you have to drive aware for most track use. Track day, organized event, etc. A true clear track with spotters and cameras and coms with the driver are uncommon for us mere enthusiasts. This was a good reminder for all how diligent one must be. Yes I do track days in a 911 as well as race a vintage Formula Ford. Our clubs rule #1 is "if in doubt, DON'T". Following that rule the thing to have done was back out of the throttle and off pace make your way back to the paddock to find out WTF was going on. Staying out was in bad form. It put others at risk, not just Matt. Use your head next time. We have more than enough content without you jeopardizing yourself and others. Admit your actions were inadvisable and apologize to the SVRA.
I think you got punked on this one. Either that or there's a major failure to communicate. The lady with headphones even looked confused like "are we about to kill this guy? OK go!"
i remember seeing this car race at daytona in 03 when it was terminator powered, there was an in car shot from the car behind it and it was boiling the tires going up onto the banks and pulling away from the car with a camera! all i could think was "thats badass!!" still wish i could find that clip.
HA HA that was the funniest thing I've ever seen on a track!!!! Props to you for keeping it together and staying in character while driving a car you were not used to!
Excellent video. Good commentary laced with humor. Great. And only 15K for that great vehicle. As you said, 'what a neat experience!' It's a shame that some viewers can't make comments without resorting to vulgarity and criticism.
That was really cool man, love seeing these Mustangs ripping it up, done up right. That was a littlleee sketch with the truck out there, maybe more than sketch. You did the right thing staying out there and ripping it up, because fuck it, when are you ever going to get another chance to have that car and a track 'mostly' to yourself?
Awesome video. But you know something, as much as I absolutely love your content Matt, this was pretty dangerous. I know i'll get shit on in the comments but fuck it. This isn't even really about the tracks crew which was already a red flag. But rather there is no support crew at that track (by the looks of it) to help you if you fuck up (not likely I know). What makes tracks remotely safe these days are EMS and FIRE crew on hand at a moments notice. But they cost money and add considerable expense to track days. I, personally, would never race on a track without their presence. I bring this up because if you look around on youtube you may find some examples of tracks where the crews are COMPLETELY unprepared. Watching race cars burn to the ground with their drivers stuck in them is heart breaking. This track and its organizers really need to give their heads a shake. I understand the scope of the opportunity. Most of us won't get to race on any track, let alone that one. But realize there is more danger there than simply track crew on it doing work while people are trying to use it. The people who allowed this are incompetent and peoples lives could have been on the line. At the end of the day we all want to have fun, but everyone also wants to go home and see their family. I don't think you did anything wrong though, Matt. The track officials are responsible here. This is their venue and it was out of control. I hope nobody gets hurt there because people would be fucking scrambling to figure out what to do by the looks of it. How they would handle a race car fire in the middle of the track, let alone a rollover w/driver entrapment + injury.... freaks me the fuck out.
Great vid Matt...I am looking to start racing at my track only 2 miles away and 100 bucks for an 8 hour session. Have A Miata but am more inclined to an o2 or3 Mustang to run. I have never raced but feel I can pick it up easily. I have drag racing small block cheving and motor crossing since I was 7. Liked the the footwork portions and talking through the gearing and cofnering, apex and etc.. I always talk myself thru turns, blips , whoops and shifts while dirt riding on my bike... keeps me focused. I will look for more advice and vids from you. Gman
Why didn't you just pull in and hand back the keys? Loose seat, trucks all over, vibrations, sounds like lots of indicators that it just wasn't right. You have plenty of other good content.
Because Matts not a diva. Yet. This is the world of internet videos, you don't know when the opportunity will present itself again, all the other logistics were in place and ready and you don't have an unlimited budget. You do the best you can with what you have and hope for the best. Once he saw the obstacles, he knew to watch for them and he did the best he could and the viewer got to hear and see the subject of the video, an alleged 2002 vintage racing Cobra. That's the goal. They accomplished it. Nuff said.
B. Smart It's not a diva issue, it's a safety issue. Track worker trucks could also mean track workers on the ground. The cones are small shit, but just in case one of the workers is an idiot, why risk running him over.
Joel Davison because honestly, this video took like 8 hours to make, I knew I was only getting three laps, and I wanted SOMETHING out of it. I didn't want to throw away the whole day.
I think this track supplies racers with men shooting bows and arrows at the drivers as well we just didn't see them today cause there is no racing happening.
Thanks for the explanation. That video made my blood boil. I was yelling profanities at the screen as you came around that turn and approached that truck. Must have been frustrating but you played it off better than I could have. That was so dangerous and it was all down to poor communication among track staff. BTW...wouldn't be surprised if you get an apology from the venue after they see the video.
Appreciate the video...but extremely dangerous situation with safety workers on track. The right thing to do would have been to pull in pit lane and check with the starter. Not good!
