THSCC Forums

Graham,

As an intermediate student, I can very much remember my first few track experiences and appreciate a writeup like yours. I believe the way you attacked your first school was very positive, wise, and safe. Most people don't go on track the first time with a Z06, and I think you did it the right way.

As for those considering your first school, many valid points have been raised here. Regardless of whether your car is paid for, worth $3K or $33K, you have to be comfortable with the decision to take the car on track. Don't confuse being comfortable with your decision with the butterflies before your first event. It's still a huge rush for me after 3 years of events. Those who know me well will tell you I'm a pretty cautious person, and the fact that I do HPDEs is kind of an odd fit. I prefer to look at it another way: If the pseudo cautious/nervous guy can go on track, anyone can.

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Tom Freeman
'98 M3/4/5 | '93 Spec3 325i | '12 TSX sport wagon | '03 Tahoe
Team Silver Bullets '91 240SX

Thanks for the info...hadn't heard of those guys yet!

If / when I get ready to do an HPDE, of course I would prefer to do it with THSCC. However, there are 5 events: 2 this year were the Rock which I will NOT do, 2 were VIR which is kind of far from me these days, and 1 is Roebling (my preference). As hard as it is to imagine, I may have something going on that one weekend, hence my NASA comment.

Charlie

Yeas, Mapquest has had that wrong for many years. At least they have the correct configuration.

Graham, congrats on your first event. Roebling is a GREAT 1st track as all the turns are long, open and for the most part easy to see all the way through. It teaches patience and smoothness. Good job!

For anyone else thinking of running a track event but afraid of wrecking the car, well, I can understand that. But, except for mechanical issues the only folks who wrinkle up their cars, at least at our events, are those who drove a bit harder then the car would take. And that is pretty rare.

If you go into a track event with the right attitude: have fun, learn something, enjoy the performance your car will give you, then you will leave with a smile and an addiction to the track.

Mark Vitacco and crew put together a great track program. I'm not sure you can beat it for what it gives you: a lot of time on track, excellent in car instruction, class room time to discuss issues and ask questions and did I mention lots of time on track? Heck even the price is darned reasonable!

Your in car instructor, probably a member of our club, will make sure you leave the event with a smile and a car in the same shape as when you arrived. They don't want to come to a fast stop any more than you do!

So, come on out to one of our events. I believe I saw that November's Rockingham event is sold out but we will have another event in February so plenty of time to prep the car (Graham got most of the prep listed in his post. I'd add new brake pads and an extra set just in case!), buy the Snell 2005 helmet and come out and join us!!

Ron

For a beginner/intermediate student, I would have ZERO concerns at Rockingham. There is no rule requiring 10/10ths driving in the banking. The banking is indeed intimidating, but it's much slower than, say, CMS.

120+ mph in a banked CMS turn feels A WHOLE LOT SCARIER than 90-100 mph at the Rock.....

You can futher "de-risk" HPDE events by getting insurance to cover
collision damage. We have a link to a company that caters to HPDE on the Track FAQ. Even if your insurance company covers the damage-like
mine did- it will prevent you having to pay the hefty "at fault claim"
penalty for 3 years.

_________________
Mark Vitacco
THSCC TT Chairman
mvitacco@bellsouth.net

LOL... it's all perspective... I'm coming to VIR Full (and probably to VIR North) from New Hampshire.

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Diane (Hall) Bundas
1992 Spec Miata #48 - 1997 Chevy Tahoe - 2007 Honda Civic Coupe