USNA12

So during my search for the perfect 997.2 GTS or Turbo, I have been thinking long and hard if I want to get into skydiving as my next hobby or car track days. I understand car track days are expensive due to the rubber(more expensive if you don't use rubber, all you dads know this ) but just wanted some feedback on guys that do motorcycle track days as well.


For a reference, I am a mid level Intermediate Group rider with all the groups I ride with, and do about 10-15+ motorcycle track days a year. I might as well buy Pirelli stock at the rate I buy tires for my 3 bikes.


Will I get close to the thrill of motorcycle track days?

Tom@TPC Racing

Yes. But a different kind of thrill. Regardless of type of vehicle the "rabbit chase" and self improvement is always a thrill. The focuses on track driving a car is of course a lot different on a bike. I find that coming from track riding instinctively have better vision and smoother inputs...in a car there's more margin for error.

USNA12

that's true, I remember when I went to Vegas before this deployment I went to a race track and rented a McLaren 570S, Huracan, and 458. Other than spinning out that damn Lamborghini twice, I was running laps in the sub 2 minutes while most people were running in the high 2s. It was fun, but I don't know, I guess something about your knee touching the pavement and your face inches from the ground adds an extra bit of danger?


Also I have wrecked going about 110mph at Jennings GP in Florida, that wasn't the most fun, bike and I both survived and made it back to the track the next day with some wrenching while I was icing my neck and back.
On car track days how many cars are on the course at a time?

Tom@TPC Racing

That depends on the organizing party and the size of the track. Some are packed to the max capacity allowed by the particular track. There are private events that have less cars.

ltcjmramos

USNA12, see email on my HALO experience.

As Tom notes, track day participation count varies widely. I've been in private days ($$$$) where there are 15-20 cars total, 5 out at a time, 8-10 sessions for the day. I think the more usual is 100-120 cars broken into four run classes (Beginner to Racer), four 20-min sessions for the day with a fifth session at days end time permitting.

Also, as I've recommended to anyone contemplating tracking, do several if not a season of autocrosses to get a real feel for the car.

PGas32

I was also a mid-level intermediate rider before switching over to cars (had an 899 Panigale). As was mentioned above, a big part of the thrill comes from the self-improvement aspect of it. My track car has just a little more power than my bike and weights 6 times as much, but I wouldn't say I'm having any less fun out there.

The other big thing for me was safety - I never wrecked on a street bike, but have plenty of times on a dirt bike. I figure the best case scenario is a low-side where your bike gets banged up. The worst case is a high-side where you're all but guaranteed a broken wrist and broken collar bone, with the list of injuries only going up from there. I can be pretty banged up and still work my office job, but if you happen to be a helicopter pilot, for example, you may not have that luxury. Just something to think about (dad-mode just kicked in, sorry! )

But to answer your actual question - car track days are exponentially more expense than bikes. Every single wear item costs way more for a car than it does for a bike...to think I used to cringe over having to buy a $200 rear tire!

DC911S

You want a real thrill....get a real race license for WERA or SSC for bike racing. Real racing, not a silly track day. Done both.....do real racing.

USNA12

That's why I am getting rid of the Panigale and moving to a R6. I cant control the Panigale and I need to learn how to carry more speed through corners. I figured a year or two on the R6 with some time with Cornerspin for dirt track skills, and then going to CCS if I am "winning" Advanced class track days.


Fine. Ill take the car to the track. Or at least very least a few autocross days to get a feel for it.


Also I cant check gmail, but I will look up the HALO email when I get that luxury back.

ltcjmramos

PM sent

DC911S

With a rookie race license I don't think WERA or CCS will allow you to race a liter bike in your first season unless to totally kick rear. But it's possible I'm wrong on that.

motopix

I do not get nearly the same thrill in a car as a bike so I may go to a car TD once every few years.

And in a car, at least when you start out, there is a an instructor with you. That instructor can make or break your TD experience.

My first car TD was in a miata and my instructor was a spec miata racer and it was a fantastic experience. The second TD it was just some dude with a lot of TDs under his belt who became an instructor and for various reasons he ruined that TD for me.

DC911S

You seem to be in the know with car services in Na Va in McLean...ever use Dentmasters?

motopix

I assume that's to me...no I don't know anything about them. If you need PDR I can give you a contact.

Buddhamonk

I do track days on a zx6r (usually go with the expert group) and plan on doing new racer school and novice races next year. I also have a 500hp LS6 drift car for drifting which is fun but not as fun as riding on track

I contemplated taking my 997 on the track but I don't think it would be as fun as racing my motorcycle. It also would be much more expensive

Group B (intermediate) track day riding is fun but once you go at group A/racing pace it's a whole new level of fun. IMO, more fun than any car can provide

USNA12

So stick to the track days on the bike is what I am gathering. Good to know. Helping me decide between a GTS(if the right one ever pops up) and spending a little more money on a Turbo since the chances of them going to a track is slight.