Valentino Balboni Shreds Own Lamborghini LP550-2 Tires Down to the Wires

Drifting is many things, but good on your tires it isn't. Anybody needing evidence should take a look at this video of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni edition being driven by Balboni himself.

Just after three minutes into the video, sparks can be seen flying off the 550-horsepower car's tires. The sparks were likely caused by steel belts exposed after a significant amount of rubber was shredded away.

The special edition Lambo, seen here in Verde Ithaca (green), uses a 5.2-liter V10 engine to push the 3,042 pound car to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is listed at 199 mph.

In the video, former Lamborghini head test driver Balboni showed an exhibition's audience what the car is capable of doing with the right person behind the wheel. Balboni worked for the company for over 40 years, and says that no man alive has driven more miles in a Lambo than him.

Limited to 250 units, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni retails for $219,800.

Source: teamspeed.com via jalopnik.com

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MTC

watched and fav 5 days ago

December 17, 2009 2:15 pm

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GTurbo

Another reason why the sparks were flying is because of the 4WD's electronic nanny fighting against VB's antics around the drift circuit. Mk2 Gallardo must be eagerly awaited as well as Murcielago's too. Bellissimo!

December 17, 2009 2:19 pm

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6 replies

BrianWCF

This car is rear wheel drive.

December 17, 2009 2:25 pm

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mightywhelk

I thought the VB was rear wheel drive as per his request not 4WD, therefore he's not fighting the 'nanny'.

December 17, 2009 2:29 pm

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termigni

4WD? it's rear wheel drive.

December 17, 2009 2:29 pm

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jerry05cod4

another guy who knows jack-shayt about cars

December 17, 2009 3:33 pm

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dbehmoaras

@GTurbo: It helps to be intelligent before attacking a company, because when you're wrong you're a complete fool. The reason why sparks were flying is explicitly described in the article.

December 17, 2009 5:05 pm

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McNamara68

also, i believe the traction control can be fully disengaged, this is not a merc we're talking about here

December 17, 2009 11:02 pm

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nederina

It looks like the electronic is fighting over the car's power balance. Guess their traction controls aren't as good as the Ferraris since they're relying on quattro but this. Wait, did I say quattro?

December 17, 2009 2:33 pm

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3 replies

radmeister

Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni. As the model states it's 550hp and 2wd. Also i dont think this car comes with traction control, and if it does i am sure it has an off switch which was pushed prior to attempting this.

December 17, 2009 4:39 pm

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dbehmoaras

@Nederina: Care to clarify? Because it's pretty clear that the traction control was turned completely off, especially considering who is driving it, a man of few who prefers a 6Speed clutch to a flappy and RWD to AWD, and applied his principles when developing the car. Don't you think? @Radmeister: I'm pretty sure it does come with traction control that can be turned off. Unlike in most cars, however, when you turn the traction control off in this, it is completely off, unlike in Benz and the like.

December 17, 2009 4:54 pm

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nederina

You might have a point there, just maybe he doesn't have enough space to slide it more. The car looked stiff in this video.

December 17, 2009 9:33 pm

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dmanero

To me that just seems like he's power sliding the lamb. But I wouldn't call this drifting. Great video either way.

December 17, 2009 2:42 pm

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4 replies

MTC

it's powersliding, not drift, so you're right

December 17, 2009 3:18 pm

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dmanero

MTC - are you try to start something. I just saying that compared to the drifting I've witnessed, what Valentino is doing is no were near drifting. there practically no angled slide. Now I know powersliding is a technice for drifting but, what I see is just late braking and early accelation in the corners.

December 17, 2009 4:30 pm

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Mikeado

He does appear to just be weight-shifting and stabbing the pedals, but then you wouldn't want to push your luck on a narrow circuit, especially in a (slightly) heavy MR car, because - correct me if I'm wrong - the weight balance is such that with a big handbrake or clutch-kick slide, the rear end could quite effortlessly overtake the front end.

December 18, 2009 7:02 am

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MTC

sorry for my bad English, I'm not starting anything

December 18, 2009 9:19 am

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Dolomight 74-86

He does some drifting related techniques like weight shifting. Anyway doriftoo!!!!!

December 17, 2009 3:20 pm

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loyo

I would have loved to see one of those tires burst when the car was entering a curve, just to watch the man prove his driving skills by not smashing the car against the wall... Ok maybe that's a bit rough

December 17, 2009 4:07 pm

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Mikeado

What a legend. Find me another manufacturer/test driver that drifts it's/his own car(s) into submission for the purposes of entertainment. Epic! Do tyres have steel belts in them? I never knew that. I know the sidewalls are strengthened somehow, but steel? Until I read that, I thought the tyres were burned down to the rims. Now that would be hardcore. Also, there may be some computer interference, because, according to Wikipedia: "The 'CORSA' ESP setting allows greater drift angles over regular models." So either he's got that on or he's a very controlled (and quite skilled) drifter.

December 18, 2009 6:54 am

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1 reply

jerry05cod4

"Until I read that, I thought the tyres were burned down to the rims." I really hope you were kidding with this statement... otherwise you have no reason of being here.

December 18, 2009 12:59 pm

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nice. what event is this?

December 19, 2009 7:00 am

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