Track Daze: 14 & 15 November (Full and Grand Courses)!
11-21-2011, 08:11 PM
#23
"AlohaC5" Senior Member
Thread Starter
I enjoy VIR, Summit Point, Watkins Glen, NJ Motorsports Park and BeaveRun - it's time to check out Road Atlanta. We just need to decide if we're doing a NASA or Chin Motorsports event there based on their schedules. What do you recommend so we can meet up?
Last edited by Gray Ghost GS; 11-21-2011 at 09:11 PM.
11-22-2011, 09:33 AM
#24
Drifting
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Georgia
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Khoi, I am definitely coming out to Road Atlanta next year. I enjoy VIR, Summit Point, Watkins Glen, NJ Motorsports Park and BeaveRun - it's time to check out Road Atlanta. We just need to decide if we're doing a NASA or Chin Motorsports event there based on their schedules. What do you recommend so we can meet up?
I enjoy VIR, Summit Point, Watkins Glen, NJ Motorsports Park and BeaveRun - it's time to check out Road Atlanta. We just need to decide if we're doing a NASA or Chin Motorsports event there based on their schedules. What do you recommend so we can meet up?)I'll probably do less quantity and more quality next year - meaning go outside the SE and visit new tracks. Mid-O for instance. For the rest of the year, I have RA in Dec and maybe NOLA New Years. Sunny side up bro...
11-22-2011, 10:02 AM
#25
"AlohaC5" Senior Member
Thread Starter
11-23-2011, 08:19 AM
#26
I almost went to this but had been dealing with noise issues that I wanted cleared out before taking the car to the track.
When I was reviewing their site I read something about new people not being able to run racing compound tires. Would the pilot sport cups or r888s be considered by them as racing compounds (I know some people call them r compound despite the fact that they arent real racing tires)
as far as them requiring an instructor for your first few runs - is this a situation where Im going to have to let someone drive my car, and are these experienced older folks or young kids in college doing the "instructing?" Im not too comfortable letting anyone drive my car - but just thinking of letting some 18 year old in a 240sx drive my car (just because they went to more trackdaze events than I did) gives me a mini heart attack every time it pops in my head...
last question - where is a good place to find time trials and rallies/hillclimbs in the va/nc/md/wv area? It seems like the west coast is the only place they do those kinds of events (timed runs on closed off sections of country roads)...
thanks!
When I was reviewing their site I read something about new people not being able to run racing compound tires. Would the pilot sport cups or r888s be considered by them as racing compounds (I know some people call them r compound despite the fact that they arent real racing tires)
as far as them requiring an instructor for your first few runs - is this a situation where Im going to have to let someone drive my car, and are these experienced older folks or young kids in college doing the "instructing?" Im not too comfortable letting anyone drive my car - but just thinking of letting some 18 year old in a 240sx drive my car (just because they went to more trackdaze events than I did) gives me a mini heart attack every time it pops in my head...
last question - where is a good place to find time trials and rallies/hillclimbs in the va/nc/md/wv area? It seems like the west coast is the only place they do those kinds of events (timed runs on closed off sections of country roads)...
thanks!
11-23-2011, 10:06 AM
#27
"AlohaC5" Senior Member
Thread Starter
el es tu, No club will place an instructor behind the steering wheel of your car unless you ask that instructor to drive your car; even then, many will decline because they don't want to be liable for any problems. Instruction is provided in the classroom and from the passenger seat. There are many clubs offering HPDE and Time Trials, e.g., National Auto Sport Association (NASA), Chin Motorsports, Trackdaze, SVT Cobra Mustang Club, Audi Club, THSCC, 10/10ths Motorsports, etc.
I'm not familiar with local "rallies/hillclimbs", but I'm sure there are forums that can provide local information for those types of events. If you're new to HPDE, you definitely want to use good street tires and avoid R compounds in HPDE 1 so you can learn 'car control' and hear the tires talk to you in the turns as you get faster. NASA and most other clubs have Instructor Clinics to ensure students receive safe and knowledgeable instructors vs. guys and gals with "just more track time".
Come on out and join us next year! I also track my '09 Mustang GT and prepared a "Guide for HPDE Beginners" that I hope you find helpful. Mike
I'm not familiar with local "rallies/hillclimbs", but I'm sure there are forums that can provide local information for those types of events. If you're new to HPDE, you definitely want to use good street tires and avoid R compounds in HPDE 1 so you can learn 'car control' and hear the tires talk to you in the turns as you get faster. NASA and most other clubs have Instructor Clinics to ensure students receive safe and knowledgeable instructors vs. guys and gals with "just more track time".
Come on out and join us next year! I also track my '09 Mustang GT and prepared a "Guide for HPDE Beginners" that I hope you find helpful. Mike
11-23-2011, 10:22 AM
#28
Supporting Vendor
I almost went to this but had been dealing with noise issues that I wanted cleared out before taking the car to the track.
When I was reviewing their site I read something about new people not being able to run racing compound tires. Would the pilot sport cups or r888s be considered by them as racing compounds (I know some people call them r compound despite the fact that they arent real racing tires)
as far as them requiring an instructor for your first few runs - is this a situation where Im going to have to let someone drive my car, and are these experienced older folks or young kids in college doing the "instructing?" Im not too comfortable letting anyone drive my car - but just thinking of letting some 18 year old in a 240sx drive my car (just because they went to more trackdaze events than I did) gives me a mini heart attack every time it pops in my head...
last question - where is a good place to find time trials and rallies/hillclimbs in the va/nc/md/wv area? It seems like the west coast is the only place they do those kinds of events (timed runs on closed off sections of country roads)...
thanks!
When I was reviewing their site I read something about new people not being able to run racing compound tires. Would the pilot sport cups or r888s be considered by them as racing compounds (I know some people call them r compound despite the fact that they arent real racing tires)
as far as them requiring an instructor for your first few runs - is this a situation where Im going to have to let someone drive my car, and are these experienced older folks or young kids in college doing the "instructing?" Im not too comfortable letting anyone drive my car - but just thinking of letting some 18 year old in a 240sx drive my car (just because they went to more trackdaze events than I did) gives me a mini heart attack every time it pops in my head...
last question - where is a good place to find time trials and rallies/hillclimbs in the va/nc/md/wv area? It seems like the west coast is the only place they do those kinds of events (timed runs on closed off sections of country roads)...
thanks!
11-23-2011, 11:46 AM
#29
Thanks for the information. It clears up a lot of the concerns I had!
While I dont have documented information on my experience, is there a way to show my skill level and get skipped to at least an intermediate group?
While I dont have documented information on my experience, is there a way to show my skill level and get skipped to at least an intermediate group?
11-23-2011, 11:50 AM
#30
"AlohaC5" Senior Member
Thread Starter
Last edited by Gray Ghost GS; 11-23-2011 at 11:54 AM.
11-23-2011, 12:35 PM
#31
All clubs require an instructor "check ride" if you're new to the club or HPDE to verify your driving skills before moving you to HPDE 2 or solo. NASA provides their drivers with a "Driver Log Book" so you can document your experience, lessons learned and instructor comments. You would be amazed at how many people "think" they know how to drive on a road course, and are quickly humbled by much faster drivers in much slower cars. You don't want to be this guy! LOL
I know what you mean by everyone thinking they can drive. Its as if the dmv gives licenses out like candy (as long as you know the rules and pay the fees, youre allowed to drive regardless of your ability to control the vehicle). I like the idea of the logbooks it really lets you go back and see where you were and where you are going.
thanks again!
Last edited by el es tu; 11-23-2011 at 12:41 PM.
11-24-2011, 11:58 AM
#32
Le Mans Master
Just as a point to the slower car better driver scenario:
I instructed a student for a session at Road Atl last weekend.
He was driving a Volkswagon Rabbit with stock tires, automatic transmission.
Was gridded in front of a Viper, Corvette and a few other fast cars.
His comment "I'm going to get passed by everyone", nope, not if I can get you to keep it moving on the turns (thats what I was thinking), "We'll see" was my comment.
After observing for half a lap, I figured out he knew where he was going and just needed a little confidence on the turns and some small corrections to 5 and 7 because of the nature of his car. He got on it and followed my directions very well. We caught up to traffic twice and lost a little momentum at those points, otherwise He was staying ahead of the faster "straight" cars, they'd catch him at the end of a straight, but by turn 5 he was several seconds ahead. He did fantastic with the car he had, and by executing fairly well he was able to keep those fast cars behind him. We had a blast and I'll bet that grin isn't off his face yet!
Just remember "They are ALL momentum cars"!
I instructed a student for a session at Road Atl last weekend.
He was driving a Volkswagon Rabbit with stock tires, automatic transmission.
Was gridded in front of a Viper, Corvette and a few other fast cars.
His comment "I'm going to get passed by everyone", nope, not if I can get you to keep it moving on the turns (thats what I was thinking), "We'll see" was my comment.
After observing for half a lap, I figured out he knew where he was going and just needed a little confidence on the turns and some small corrections to 5 and 7 because of the nature of his car. He got on it and followed my directions very well. We caught up to traffic twice and lost a little momentum at those points, otherwise He was staying ahead of the faster "straight" cars, they'd catch him at the end of a straight, but by turn 5 he was several seconds ahead. He did fantastic with the car he had, and by executing fairly well he was able to keep those fast cars behind him. We had a blast and I'll bet that grin isn't off his face yet!
Just remember "They are ALL momentum cars"!
11-24-2011, 12:15 PM
#33
"AlohaC5" Senior Member
Thread Starter
http://www.facebook.com/v/1386765982129
Exactly. This video is a few years old, but it's me in my old '93 Celica GT chasing a Corvette C6 around the Summit Point Shenandoah Circuit. I added some text for humor... nothing beats seat time and good instruction!
Exactly. This video is a few years old, but it's me in my old '93 Celica GT chasing a Corvette C6 around the Summit Point Shenandoah Circuit. I added some text for humor... nothing beats seat time and good instruction!
