Watching your video from Watkins was really eye opening. I will resort to cheating when I am fast enough to upshift into fifth going up the esses rather than at the top. Or is that the cheating thing, must be gearing.

 

I really was just kidding. Some do find it's just not for them.

 

The advice you have already been given is excellent.
I began DE's about 15 months ago. At this point I have about 30 days on track.

The best advice I ever got was:

0. Track driving is NOTHING like street driving. Be prepared for a difficult first day.

1. Get a helmet that fits and a good pair of fireproof gloves. (I ordered 4 helmets online from helmetcity.com to try on, sent the rest back). Buy the best you can afford.

2. Get as much seat time as your time/budget will allow in the first 1-2 years. Take the time to learn the basics of technique and terminology. Watch online videos before you go to track. Add one new track a year.

3. If you discover you have begun to "smoke from the crack pipe" then: a) set your annual budget, b) buy some driving shoes and c) set your schedule.

3a. Whatever you do, don't change the budget.

4. When the P-car gets too expensive to track (tires, parts, repairs, insurance) then ....and this is when it starts to get really crazy and you have to have a gentle convo with the spouse...find a less expensive car for track (Miata is what I did) and use the P-car for date night.

5. Build relationships with your track community. Remember you can learn something from everyone.

6. Gather data on the cheap ($500 range) at first: get a track-dedicated 64gig iPhone and a RAM mount and buy the Harry's Laptimer Petrolhead app. If you discover that you love track driving and want to continue, then upgrade to an AIM Solo or other system ($1700 +).

 

Best advice I can offer is to pick your track friends carefully. Some of us are crazy.
And make sure some of those friends are experienced; you will benefit from some hard-earned and expensive lessons.

 

That's great advice. Moving from a 997 C4S after a few addiction inducing events to a stock 99 Boxster was the best thing I did for my driving early on. I then slowly built that car up to a full SPB as my driving progressed. While a 200 Hp Boxster doesn't really qualify as a momentum car, it teaches you the importance of everything other than high straight line speeds.

 

I found your blog on learning Road Atlanta fascinating, and well written! Kudos for persevering.

Agreed!

Video is most important. What you did will not be what you remember you did. After that, the best $399 you can spend is on an AiM Solo!

^^This^^

 

I only have seven track days under my belt and LOVE it. I'm renting Roebling Road Raceway on my own now and splitting it with friends...I may never go back to big events

I'd really like to try a coach. Cory Friedman, Autometrics, is in town, I may ask him about coaching.

I practiced heel and toe, really split toe for me, rev matching on the street and it helped a lot. Was successful (certainly not perfect) doing it on the track on the first lap and found it is easier at higher RPMs.

My son practices on the street too...he got a "Careless Driving" ticket a couple weeks ago...reason, "I could hear your car from the other side of the highway, you know you attract a lot of attention in that car." Really? I'll be in court tomorrow, but I digress...

I'm having a blast and plan to hit VIR this fall.

 

Cory is an exceptional resource! You'd enjoy your time together.

 

Wow, I have another far more sedate hobby where I'm the expert and am involved in a similar forum, but never have I seen such an outpouring of knowledge and experience that seems so on point. Thanks guys!!



Funny you mentioned Stable Energies in NJ 'cuz today I called Speed Sport Tuning of Danbury which is a local PCA approved tech shop that supports several racers to ask about an inspection and Chris the owner suggested Stable Energies as well. I am certain trying on as many helmets as possible is key to finding something comfortable and I'm equally certain a bad helmet could make my first day harder than it needs to be.

As to the other advice I promise I am as sponge-like as they come. I actually have thousands of hours instructing myself so I know how important it is to try to absorb what is being taught and go slowly at first plus after two decades of marriage and raising three teenagers I'm pretty sure whatever ego I used to have has been resoundingly beaten out of me by now Now I just wish there were more DEs at Limerock that fit my schedule!

Anyways, thanks again everybody!!

 

If it's not prohibitively far for you NJMP has a lot of PCA events this summer, check motorsportreg.

 

BUDGET????

Whatever you do, never add it up - that sort of thing can get you banned in these parts.

-Mike

 

Just curious, what is the appeal of gloves to a student? I wear them because I have to race with them and there will be some sharp edges in a race car if you wad it up and need to get out, but I much prefer the feel of driving without them.

 

• Bright color makes the hand easier to see for point bys and corner station waves.
• Better grip on steering wheel if it gets slippery with sweaty hands.
• Some level of protection if something really bad happens - you need your hands to get out.

I usually wear gloves, but there are times I go gloveless for exactly the reason you state - better driving feel and its just more comfortable.

-Mike

 

Peter: thanks for the kind words, much appreciate the support from someone who is one of the most respected voices in this field. Also, apologies for misquoting the price: The AiM Solo much more affordable than I had thought.

Hehe...Mike, it was a critical error in a moment of weakness...after the driveshaft on the race car broke (fortunately at the END of Chin event at RD Atlanta).

Agree that I prefer the feel of driving without gloves. I drive a race prepped spec car so hands are dinged up by the rough edges on exit and entry. In my prev track car, I was taught never to go out without my gloves because in a fire you need hands to exit the car. Mike's note on visibility: I was taught the same.

 

+1

I'd add: To best benefit from instruction take Skippy's racing school AFTER you've qualified for Solo driving with CVR (which could take approx one whole season). Take a skid-pad, car-control class with PCA (CVR) or any other org as soon as possible.

Sumitomo HTR or any other high-performance summer street tires to start -- nothing stickier. Try to "earn" every grip, suspension, or power upgrade by being able to comfortably straddle the limit with your current set-up.

Welcome to the club!