What makes a good track day
09-13-2002, 06:21 PM
#1
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Join Date: May 2001
Location: United Kingdom
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What makes a good track day
Apart from the weather, the track and the speed of your car, what do listers look for when they consider signing up for a track day. I've heard Todd's days at Tracquest are highly regarded, why?
What makes them special?
You'll note I live in the UK so I'm not looking to compete with any of the US Listers.
Any advice would be most welcome.
What makes them special?
You'll note I live in the UK so I'm not looking to compete with any of the US Listers.
Any advice would be most welcome.
09-13-2002, 08:08 PM
#2
Race Director
Well,
Here is what makes a good potential track day
1) Cost .... Competitive Rates aroud here its $100-125 per day (no school just open track)
2) Track Time (here typical 4-20 min sessions)
3) Track ... (Big plus for cool track/ neg for poor ones. Neutral for middle of the road)
4) Safety aspects of track & organization (ie how the handle damage, driving style of group, run group speeds, # of cars on track)
4) People... Who is going to be running, Friends???
5) Weather (Never been on track in the rain, does not rain much out here but heat in the summer is an issue)
6) General atmosphere. Bunch of cool cars and cool people or boring cars and A-holes...
One of my most fun non-track aspects of track events is getting to see everyone elses hardware up close and watch it on the track. Really cool!
7)Proximity to other events (Dates, one week before/after other track events)
Here is what makes a good potential track day
1) Cost .... Competitive Rates aroud here its $100-125 per day (no school just open track)
2) Track Time (here typical 4-20 min sessions)
3) Track ... (Big plus for cool track/ neg for poor ones. Neutral for middle of the road)
4) Safety aspects of track & organization (ie how the handle damage, driving style of group, run group speeds, # of cars on track)
4) People... Who is going to be running, Friends???
5) Weather (Never been on track in the rain, does not rain much out here but heat in the summer is an issue)
6) General atmosphere. Bunch of cool cars and cool people or boring cars and A-holes...
One of my most fun non-track aspects of track events is getting to see everyone elses hardware up close and watch it on the track. Really cool!
7)Proximity to other events (Dates, one week before/after other track events)
09-13-2002, 10:40 PM
#3
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I agree with what Silver Bullet and M758 have to say.
The only other thing I can add is to bring it home in one piece. For me, that's a big deal.
As my buddy and I start each day at the track, we always say, "Go fast. Brake late. And don't f*** up"
Jim
The only other thing I can add is to bring it home in one piece. For me, that's a big deal.
As my buddy and I start each day at the track, we always say, "Go fast. Brake late. And don't f*** up"
Jim
09-16-2002, 03:39 PM
#4
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
If you can drive it on the trailer, you've had a good weekend. Just like that old saw about landings. I realize, though, it's not the sort of answer you're looking for. 
Cost and time on track, sure those are relevant, but tend to be less important than you think. I'd think more important factors are who's available to instruct - more experience the better - and where you're driving... you might be looking for a nice safe track with virtually no risk of damaging your car if you go off... OTOH, you might be looking for a really challenging or well-known/well-regarded track, to test yourself! I'm guessing that you're more likely looking for the former, clean track with plenty of runoff.
The advice my friends always gave me my first season was "Go nuts, take chances!" <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />
Cost and time on track, sure those are relevant, but tend to be less important than you think. I'd think more important factors are who's available to instruct - more experience the better - and where you're driving... you might be looking for a nice safe track with virtually no risk of damaging your car if you go off... OTOH, you might be looking for a really challenging or well-known/well-regarded track, to test yourself! I'm guessing that you're more likely looking for the former, clean track with plenty of runoff.
The advice my friends always gave me my first season was "Go nuts, take chances!" <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />
09-16-2002, 05:55 PM
#5
Race Director
[quote]Originally posted by Jim Bell:
<strong>I agree with what Silver Bullet and M758 have to say.
The only other thing I can add is to bring it home in one piece. For me, that's a big deal.
As my buddy and I start each day at the track, we always say, "Go fast. Brake late. And don't f*** up"
Jim</strong><hr></blockquote>
My Motto for every track/Race event
"1)Be Safe, 2) Have Fun, 3)Go Faster!"
In that order
<strong>I agree with what Silver Bullet and M758 have to say.
The only other thing I can add is to bring it home in one piece. For me, that's a big deal.
As my buddy and I start each day at the track, we always say, "Go fast. Brake late. And don't f*** up"
Jim</strong><hr></blockquote>
My Motto for every track/Race event
"1)Be Safe, 2) Have Fun, 3)Go Faster!"
In that order
09-16-2002, 06:45 PM
#6
I agree with M758 for the 3 points, for myself I would also add the fact that on the way home you redo your runs in your head and think "I made a mistake here, there I can go faster, I need to try this next time..." and then a big smile!
Jan
97 C2S
Jan
97 C2S
