Martin S.

seems a little spendy for me. You can do a test day at Willow Springs for $225 a day the first time ($50 annual fee) and $150 a day thereafter for the rest of that calender year.

Unless you have a Cargraphics cooler, your car isn't going to last more than about 20 minutes before you peg the oil temp guage.

Unless of course this is a Traquest event and Todd provides his usual cadre of fine instructors . All of the aforementioned IMHO, of course. <img src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" border="0" alt="[bigbye]" />

H20NOO

Martin,

How about a full day at Thunderhill, the best kept secret on the west coast for $155.

<a href="http://www.speedventures.net" target="_blank">www.speedventures.net</a>

I'd love to see you and a few other Rennlisters there! I'll be there on the Thursday session. You'll get 2.5 hours + of track time.

Matt

Martin S.

Kim writes, "...How about high speed cooler fan always running instead of the aux. cooler?"

I tried this at Fontana, probably not as hot as Thunderhill in July, it helped...but the car still got hot, and I have the auxillary Turbo S cooler installed.. You'll be able to run, but running the car for 30 minutes in the Sac Valley heat in July will be a challenge.

"Where does the Cargraphics cooler get located? Front bumper? I don't see a lot of room under this car as it is."

The Cargraphics cooler from Gert at hrrp://www.carnewal.com It mounts directly in front of the air conditioning condenser on the left side of the car. It will double your oil cooling capacity. According to popular legend amongst Cargraphic cooler owners, if you are waiting in line to get back on the track, just turn on the air conditioner. The fan pulls air across both units, and voila, instant cool down for both you and the oil.

You can probably get by without the oil cooler...be certain to have the high speed fan running...assuming it is running correctly now, no resistor problems, not to worry...it will be coming on soon enough.

New rubber is always nice...especially if you have dedicated track rubber and wheels, and a buddy to haul your tires up. Running on tired street rubber may not be the most fun. And what if you have tire trouble with the old rubber, getting home may be a challenge.

As far as getting hot physically, there is always the Cool Shirt...it directs cool water around yoyr upper torso..it looks to be a sweet deal. You have a great time...Todd runs a fantastic event.

H20NOO

Kim,

If you haven't done so already, you might consider removing the engine undertray and running without it. I did that last summer and the oil temp gauge seemed to run a bit cooler. I haven't replaced it since.

P.S. - The Thunderhill days are June 20/21. It won't be TOO hot by then... I hope!

Matt

ZCAT3

I guess I started this - the $450 is for a full day DE with RoadOne racing. The instructors we had in the past were excellent. I have a Cargraphics IC and a Turbo S aux oil cooler. I am told this will do fine even at ambient temps of 100 degrees - won't know for sure until I try it though. The car has run very cool at speed thus far.

Martin - I am curious about the open track days. Does Laguna Sec do this as well (or any other track close to the Bay Area)? Do you need a special certification to attend, or can ayone do this? How crowded is the track? What safety measures are required? Sorry for all the questions, but the price sure is appealing.

H20NOO

Kim,

No problem on the roll bar...

<a href="http://www.cuberootconsulting.com/photos/photos.php?RollID=pictures%2FHobbies%2Fcar%2Flpr_autox&FrameID=110-1046_IMG" target="_blank">LPR AutoX</a>

I think we're going to have a nice spring-like day at Thunderhill on the 20th. Temps in the mid 70's...

ZCAT3

I wonder if open track driving negates standard car insurance? I know that my CSAA policy covers me at DEs (I asked them about this) but that was due to the fact that it is a class.

Kim - I looked at that link and it seems like a lot of cars on the track at once - 25 per group, plus people will be allowed to go in both groups if they are experienced enough. That means there could be 40 or more cars on the track at once.

SundayDriver

[quote]Originally posted by ZCAT3:
<strong>I have a Cargraphics IC and a Turbo S aux oil cooler. I am told this will do fine even at ambient temps of 100 degrees - won't know for sure until I try it though. The car has run very cool at speed thus far.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I had a TT ~500HP with larger Intercooler and Turbo S oil cooler. Ran it once at Buttonwillow with 105 deg ambient temp. While the oil temp ran pretty high, it never hit, or got dangerously close to the red zone. The driver, on the other hand, needed to cool off after ~5 laps at speed. I suspect your car will be fine, temp wise.

Martin S.

Bill wrote, "Martin - I am curious about the open track days. Does Laguna Sec do this as well (or any other track close to the Bay Area)? Do you need a special certification to attend, or can ayone do this? How crowded is the track? What safety measures are required? Sorry for all the questions, but the price sure is appealing."

I don't know about Laguna Seca...Bill, if you would, find out for us. When I went for my Test Session, my intent was to warm up for a POC drivers test I was to have the next day...They really didn't ask for any permits, licenses, etc...this was wierd.

The track was not crowded...and you can drive until you run out of gas, tires, or energy. There are no corner workers out, and no passing rules in place...watch your mirrors. This is far less intimidating than it sounds. The drivers out testing are serious drivers...I was the one they had to worry about.

There is no ambulance at the track...ambulance service is about 5 minutes away, a fire truck is also available if needed. Race gas is available if needed.

During the day,I got in 50 to 60 laps, more than enough, as I was re-learning the track in a car with 100+ more HP (282 VS 175 in the old SC) , and I had not driven this track in 9 years. By the end of the day, I had it together to the point where I re-qualified for my POC Time Trial Permit, what a relief.

You need to call the track in advance and see what days are available...it is a super good time.