JUST RAN MY FIRST DE TRACK DAY AND JUST HAD TO SHOUT ABOUT IT!
09-17-2011, 01:25 PM
#1
Pro
Thread Starter
JUST RAN MY FIRST DE TRACK DAY AND JUST HAD TO SHOUT ABOUT IT!
Everyone on this site should do one! Holy crap I can't put into words the thrill,fun,excitement, and even a little fear. I've never even been to a track before except to watch the pros, I (at this point) have no intention to race or anything.
I come with a background of some mild American heavy metal, and Rabbit GTI in other words my 928 is the most Badass thing I've ever owned. I've driven my car at speeds up to 150 mph on the highway strickly point and shoot straight line runs and some 'easy twisties'. So I got my car all sorted out and as perfect as I can and signed up for friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: 12 turns 1.6 mile course using a bit of the NASCAR track. I figured my car is 25 years old, and I've been tearing into some intimate places in the motor with only 150 miles of street driving since so I trailered the car down. I had good advice from a bunch of guys here: no track insurance needed. I jumped through the various hoops and off I went. Track Day! Being a total newbie I show up early (didn't want to miss a thing) in fact I'm the first guy at the track. After standing around for a while everyone else showed up and we did a couple of meetings and tech inspection and the track went hot. As a car guy I love to gawk at lovely machines, my neck hurts from looking at 'em all. There were 911's of every generation and shape,Caymens,Boxters,951s,two 914s (one was a 3.2l), one Panamera, one Carrera GT (everyone drooled),two brand new Boss 302s track only, three Lotus Elise, a dozen BMWs, and aNissan GT-R. Mine was the only 928. There were full-on race cars and a few beat up mostly stock rigs and brand new GT3-RS and 997 Turbo's. The sound was unbelievable and the smells were heavenly. If you smelled the combination of burning rubber, brakes, clutch, fluids, and hot metal on the highway you'd think there was a horrible wreck. Here it's just business as usual. My instructor is a fantastic guy, Joe Thrift he had a '90 GT in the past (now he's got a Subie WRX) so he's familiar with 928s. He's very personable and was quick to scold and praise, never did he make me feel like an idiot. He corrected my many shortcomings and maintained a steady stream of reassurance. My first session I drove like an old lady after Joe drove for two laps, I let anyone who got close pass. It was thrilling and a little scary. The second session I went a bit harder and actually passed a couple cars, I felt much more comfortable. For the first two I just left my auto in third and focused on the track and traffic. At the third session I was totally into it, rock and roll, yeehaa, lets go.. I decide to drive in second/ as a triptronic, wow the car came alive. The super charger was unbelievable and I started to tangle with more powerful cars, Oh My God What Fun. The last session was incredible, I found it amazing how far I'd come in such a brief period.From a nervous nelly, to trying to thoughtfully negotiate the track repeating the correct lines and hammering along the way. I'm still a total newbie but I'm learning. My instructor was like Jimminy Cricket the voice of reason in my ear always feeding me with just enough input keep me right. He never let me get into a situation above my skill level but was gently pushing me onward at the same time. I had a couple of times where I went a little too hard and she broke loose a bit, unnerving but also important to know : how far can you push it.
If I had to pick the most important or impressive points of the day I would say: 1)I have never pushed any car as hard, I never fully appreciated how capable the 928 is, it was magical. 2) My instructor gave me the confidence to push it safely, he kept me from hurting myself. 3) The guys who go to these events are generous and ready to help with anything from tools,parts,directions, or advice. 4) Just because a guy has a more expensive or powerful car doesn't mean a thing. A better driver will almost always win. 5) I was a bit intimidated by the guys in the race coveralls and race cars, then I figured out that all of them started out just like I did.
In a nutshell I'd have to say " Best day ever!"
I come with a background of some mild American heavy metal, and Rabbit GTI in other words my 928 is the most Badass thing I've ever owned. I've driven my car at speeds up to 150 mph on the highway strickly point and shoot straight line runs and some 'easy twisties'. So I got my car all sorted out and as perfect as I can and signed up for friday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway: 12 turns 1.6 mile course using a bit of the NASCAR track. I figured my car is 25 years old, and I've been tearing into some intimate places in the motor with only 150 miles of street driving since so I trailered the car down. I had good advice from a bunch of guys here: no track insurance needed. I jumped through the various hoops and off I went. Track Day! Being a total newbie I show up early (didn't want to miss a thing) in fact I'm the first guy at the track. After standing around for a while everyone else showed up and we did a couple of meetings and tech inspection and the track went hot. As a car guy I love to gawk at lovely machines, my neck hurts from looking at 'em all. There were 911's of every generation and shape,Caymens,Boxters,951s,two 914s (one was a 3.2l), one Panamera, one Carrera GT (everyone drooled),two brand new Boss 302s track only, three Lotus Elise, a dozen BMWs, and aNissan GT-R. Mine was the only 928. There were full-on race cars and a few beat up mostly stock rigs and brand new GT3-RS and 997 Turbo's. The sound was unbelievable and the smells were heavenly. If you smelled the combination of burning rubber, brakes, clutch, fluids, and hot metal on the highway you'd think there was a horrible wreck. Here it's just business as usual. My instructor is a fantastic guy, Joe Thrift he had a '90 GT in the past (now he's got a Subie WRX) so he's familiar with 928s. He's very personable and was quick to scold and praise, never did he make me feel like an idiot. He corrected my many shortcomings and maintained a steady stream of reassurance. My first session I drove like an old lady after Joe drove for two laps, I let anyone who got close pass. It was thrilling and a little scary. The second session I went a bit harder and actually passed a couple cars, I felt much more comfortable. For the first two I just left my auto in third and focused on the track and traffic. At the third session I was totally into it, rock and roll, yeehaa, lets go.. I decide to drive in second/ as a triptronic, wow the car came alive. The super charger was unbelievable and I started to tangle with more powerful cars, Oh My God What Fun. The last session was incredible, I found it amazing how far I'd come in such a brief period.From a nervous nelly, to trying to thoughtfully negotiate the track repeating the correct lines and hammering along the way. I'm still a total newbie but I'm learning. My instructor was like Jimminy Cricket the voice of reason in my ear always feeding me with just enough input keep me right. He never let me get into a situation above my skill level but was gently pushing me onward at the same time. I had a couple of times where I went a little too hard and she broke loose a bit, unnerving but also important to know : how far can you push it.
If I had to pick the most important or impressive points of the day I would say: 1)I have never pushed any car as hard, I never fully appreciated how capable the 928 is, it was magical. 2) My instructor gave me the confidence to push it safely, he kept me from hurting myself. 3) The guys who go to these events are generous and ready to help with anything from tools,parts,directions, or advice. 4) Just because a guy has a more expensive or powerful car doesn't mean a thing. A better driver will almost always win. 5) I was a bit intimidated by the guys in the race coveralls and race cars, then I figured out that all of them started out just like I did.
In a nutshell I'd have to say " Best day ever!"
09-17-2011, 01:29 PM
#2
Congrats, you have the bug now. 
09-17-2011, 03:03 PM
#4
Race Director
welcome to TRACK CRACK....its addictive......but you something EVERY 928 owner must do at least once.....its the only way you truely can appreciate what these cars can do!
09-17-2011, 03:47 PM
#5
Drifting
Glad you liked it. See nothing to worry about. And Joe Thrift was my first instructor back in 2002. His GT was quite nice. He used to drive it fom Maine to Watkins for our event.
See how much more fun your car is than you thought it was.....
See how much more fun your car is than you thought it was.....
09-17-2011, 04:52 PM
#6
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Yes I get to see my new students realize what they have been missing all their life......It still amazes me how few 928 owners are willing to try a track day.
You get to see and appreciate what Porsche designed these cars to do ! and it is not just looking good in a parking lot or garage. Good on you for getting out there !
You get to see and appreciate what Porsche designed these cars to do ! and it is not just looking good in a parking lot or garage. Good on you for getting out there !
09-17-2011, 05:10 PM
#7
Pro
Thread Starter
Just one more lap... man... I need it bad.. I am already looking for the next one. One of the things that really impressed me was the lack of ego. I had my 25 year old inexpensive car parked next to a brand new 997 turbo. The guy was fantastic, asked about my car, I asked about his car then we talked about turns and the track and different experiences. The cars were not that important it was the event and the people. Absolutely every 928 owner NEEDS to track it! You have no idea what these things can do! Push it into the corners so hard your neck hurts and it just goes. God I wish I had a sunroof delete option.
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09-17-2011, 05:26 PM
#8
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Yes the headroom is limited when you have a helmet on....but Race seats help since they mount lower have less padding and then 5 point harness and then But you make an excellent point about it makes little difference how old or how fast the car is ....EVERYONE is out there to HAVE FUN !
But you make an excellent point about it makes little difference how old or how fast the car is ....EVERYONE is out there to HAVE FUN !
09-17-2011, 10:44 PM
#13
Nordschleife Master
Hoping the new job works out well and I will be able to get the race car back up and running and maybe even do some more races, but at the very least a bunch of track days! Welcome to the 928 track club! They are so much fun on track!
Glad your event went well and that you had a 928 owning instructor! I think it makes a difference!
Glad your event went well and that you had a 928 owning instructor! I think it makes a difference!
09-18-2011, 11:31 AM
#14
Burning Brakes
Join Date: May 2001
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I had none other than J. Bailey as my first DE instructor. Jefferson circuit at Summit Point in the rain in my 84 AT. I've done a few more days since then including the 80 5spd at t-hill early this year, and yeah... these beasts are just amazing at high speed, complete over kill on the street.
09-18-2011, 12:07 PM
#15
Rennlist Member
Brian,
I was infected about 10 years ago, and still have a great time every time I'm on a track. Now - you need to get registered for an even greater thrill - driving on the classic - original Formula One track in the US - Watkins Glen. The Niagara region is running a DE there in October (as I recall, it's 8th and 9th). They run a good event, it is moderately attended, so you'll not have this 3.6 mile 12 turn track full of cars. Lots of elevation changes, great fun corners, and a place where the torque of a 928 really pays off (relatively steep uphill back straight with some good curves). Hope to see you there - I'm in the black S4, number 829.
I've known Joe Thrift for about 10 years as well - was my instructor on my first visit to Lime Rock. Joe has lots of experience at "the Glen".
Gary Knox
928 Owners Club charter member and current treasurer
PS: The finger lakes area is beautiful all year round, but especially in the early fall
I was infected about 10 years ago, and still have a great time every time I'm on a track. Now - you need to get registered for an even greater thrill - driving on the classic - original Formula One track in the US - Watkins Glen. The Niagara region is running a DE there in October (as I recall, it's 8th and 9th). They run a good event, it is moderately attended, so you'll not have this 3.6 mile 12 turn track full of cars. Lots of elevation changes, great fun corners, and a place where the torque of a 928 really pays off (relatively steep uphill back straight with some good curves). Hope to see you there - I'm in the black S4, number 829.
I've known Joe Thrift for about 10 years as well - was my instructor on my first visit to Lime Rock. Joe has lots of experience at "the Glen".
Gary Knox
928 Owners Club charter member and current treasurer
PS: The finger lakes area is beautiful all year round, but especially in the early fall