Surf- I think the key is "well prepped." Imagine how disappointed you'd be if if you just purchased a GT-R and took it the track after reading the articles about the car, basically stating that it's the best auto come out since the model T, and the thing overheats 6 laps into the day? I'd expect some compomises since it's a street car first and a track car second (if that??). Given the reviews on the car, I did not expect to have to drive into the pits in Limp Home mode...
I've been exchanging emails this morning with a fellow track rat that drives a GT-R quite quickly. Apparently the tranny/engine oil heat is something many of the faster GT-R drivers are struggling with. As expected, there are aftermaket engine and tranny oil coolers out. Good news is the coolers work. Bad news is that they void the warranty (big surprise). There's also some space shuttle oil that absorbs less heat that many are using (I'd rather absorb the heat and then get rid of it through a cooler though) and they're using thicker oil as well...
Also, the car was plenty fast for the handful of laps it lasted. It just wasn't what I thought it would be after reading so much about it...
It simply will NOT turn the lap times my car will, but my car is no stocker. Make the needed tire, brake, suspension, and cooling upgrades to the GT-R and then it would be something worth driving on the track--and probably then could/would beat my car. My lotus has 3 out of 4 of those upgrades with the addition of more power as well...and power is something the GT-R doesn't really need...
TP
Edit: I'm not all down on the GT-R... Just stating some observations. I did mention the launch control, right
That is one thing the mags got very right!