SVTP Exclusive : SVT's Shelby GT500 Mustang Nürburgring Lap
For the first time anywhere see SVT's Trinity powered 2013-14 GT500 running a full test lap at The Nürburgring.http://www.svtperformance.com/forum...-shelby-gt500-mustang-takes-nuerburgring.htmlhttp://www.svtperformance.com/forum...-shelby-gt500-mustang-takes-nuerburgring.htmlhttp://www.svtperformance.com/forum...-shelby-gt500-mustang-takes-nuerburgring.html
<iframe width="960" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5hiSgO7Jq3I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
For the first time anywhere see SVT's Trinity powered 2013-14 GT500 running a full test lap at The Nürburgring.http://www.svtperformance.com/forum...-shelby-gt500-mustang-takes-nuerburgring.htmlhttp://www.svtperformance.com/forum...-shelby-gt500-mustang-takes-nuerburgring.htmlhttp://www.svtperformance.com/forum...-shelby-gt500-mustang-takes-nuerburgring.html
<iframe width="960" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5hiSgO7Jq3I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Ever stumble across something that you're not sure you're supposed to have? Well that's the situation I recently found myself in. A few weeks ago I sent a request to Ford for some footage of the 2013-14 (we're not sure which, not that it makes a difference) SVT Shelby GT500 testing at various tracks. I had planned on putting together a little montage video of the baddest Mustang produced to date. SVT and Ford has always been very accommodating with our media and information requests, and this was no different. However, once the thumb-drive arrived things got really interesting.
Mixed in with the various clips from the various tracks was one that stood out; a full all-out test lap from The Nürburgring. As far as I know, Ford has not released any official 'Ring lap times or footage for the GT500. I have a feeling that this video file may have been included erroneously, but Ford did say I could use everything on the drive. So that leads us to the video above.
I trimmed a little off each end of the file and added a timer. I based the starting and ending points from conversations I've had with various "'Ring-Run Experts". It appears that most timed laps begin at the exit of pit row and ends at the first white stripe after the gantry. That description may sound a bit vague, but it'll all become clear once you watch the video.
By my rough calculations, which are no replacement for proper vBox data, the 2013-14 GT500 ran its 'Ring lap in a bit less than 7:40. Not only is that very impressive; but it also bests the SVT's chief rival, the Chevy Camaro ZL1's 7:41. In fact; it's just a few tics behind GM's purpose-built stripped-out track-car , the Camaro Z/28 and its 7:37.5. However, this is where things get very interesting. While there's really no such thing as an "official" lap time at The Nürburgring, if GM was trying to use the same starting and ending points as most it appears that Chevy may have fudged their numbers ever-so-slightly.
In doing my research on the timing points I took a frame by frame look at GM's Camaro videos. I noticed that with the ZL1 they appeared to start the clock ~6 frames late, but with the Z/28 they stopped the clock ~11 frames early. Both of these instances shaved less than 0.5 seconds off the lap time. Still, I thought it was worth noting. However; as I stated before; producing manufacturer backed 'Ring times is not an exact science, nor are my video based calculations:
As you can see here, the lap timer for the Z/28 has ended.
However, the "official" ending point is the white line that can be seen in the smaller video at the lower right.
The Z/28 actually crosses the line ~11 frames later, which is nearly 4/10ths of a second later than Chevy's "official" time would indicate.
For the Camaro ZL1 Chevy appears to have started the timer a bit late. I would have started it at this point, just as the car passed the guardrail on the right.
However, as you can see here the car has passed the rail and the clock has not yet started.
The ZL1's lap timer doesn't actually start until ~6 frames after the front of the car passes the rail. That would equate to about 2/10ths of a second.
However, the "official" ending point is the white line that can be seen in the smaller video at the lower right.
The Z/28 actually crosses the line ~11 frames later, which is nearly 4/10ths of a second later than Chevy's "official" time would indicate.
For the Camaro ZL1 Chevy appears to have started the timer a bit late. I would have started it at this point, just as the car passed the guardrail on the right.
However, as you can see here the car has passed the rail and the clock has not yet started.
The ZL1's lap timer doesn't actually start until ~6 frames after the front of the car passes the rail. That would equate to about 2/10ths of a second.
Granted, none of those observations entirely conclusive. Still, they are interesting. Just for fun though, I decided to produce these two videos as well (both Chevy videos start and end at their respective "official" times):
This first one is a split-screen view of the 2013 SVT GT500 and the Chevy Camaro ZL1 running at the 'Ring.
<iframe width="960" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hYWCnRWiqt8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The second video is the Shelby running split-screen with the 2014 Camaro Z/28.
<iframe width="960" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jbAgWjQWvS8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<iframe width="960" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hYWCnRWiqt8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The second video is the Shelby running split-screen with the 2014 Camaro Z/28.
<iframe width="960" height="720" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jbAgWjQWvS8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
-SID297 :beer:
