Nick M Posted February 4, 2003 Posted February 4, 2003 Much bearding the night before (well, not that much, but fixing a couple of broken bits like the battery strap...) and an early start to get there for 8.00am Got the usual funny looks from people wondering "what the f**k is that ?!!" Got to the circuit, signed on and then straight into the classroom. Turns out the chief instructor blokey is a Brit who seemed to know what he was talking about. Classroom session was really just a glorified briefing but was good for people who hadn't driven on track before. There were a load of Corvette drivers there (they organise time trials or sprints for them) and they were warned about not being SLJs (Straight Line Junkies, i.e. hit the straights and clog it, even though there might be a quicker car behind !! ) and that small nimble cars would be all over them like a cheap suit through the twisty bits.... The track was a long straight with a twisty backfield section and the only overtaking allowed was down the straight so it was a pain if you got stuck behind a Corbarge. Anyway, first session I had instructor blokey with me. Bit of a pain because he couldn't hear me and I couldn't hear him so instructions revolved around him waving his hands and me wondering what the hell he was on about !!! Anyway, after a few laps he hopped out and I had a few laps to play and generally get back into the swing of things. Incidentally, the 6"x15" Compomotive MO wheels are up for sale - they're too f**king heaving and they genuinely upset the handling of the car. They're nothing like as goonable as the 13" wheels because you've got all this extra mass to get spinning. Don't like them anymore. Anyway, after that it was back in the classroom for another hour or so (pretty yawntastic with stuff about braking and cornering) and then we got to go out on our own. Took it easy on the whole but that was mainly because I kept getting stuck behind SLJs who didn't think the funny little blue car would be very quick in a straight line... Bit more waiting around so did some checking over the car - not that it needed it. Oil was fine (maxed at 108 degrees C and water didn't seem to go over 92, and this was on a hot day - it was into the low eighties so about 25 C plus), gearbox had blown a bit of oil out the breather but then I had poured a little bit in there the night before, and the tyres weren't *too* chewed up (at this stage....). Third session was a lot quieter but still one or two SLJs. p******** a couple of them off down the straight by letting them go and then hanging onto their coat tails all the way down the straight and was right behind them through all the twisty bits. Backing off a bit usually resulted in another one trying to get past but eventually I had some clear track and off I went. Concentrating on my lines and generally driving at about 90% was fun - got into a nice flowing rhythm without it being tiring and got to have fun with a couple of other quickish cars. Back in for another longish wait for the final session which was combined with the regular trackday group (I'd been in the "student" group prior to this) and had the chance to play with a race prepped Focus, Porker 944 and a Mazda RX7, all of which were running on slicks or v. sticky tyres and my TDFs ("Track Day Fodder", aka Yokohama A520s) by this stage were looking a bit second hand !! Still, had fun, apart from some muppet (who I was actually overtaking down the straight and had got alongside) trying to outbrake me into a corner at the end of the straight. Not wanting to get told off on my first event I had to let him go but it did annoy me because it just wasn't necessary Anyway, overall it was a good day. Nice crowd of people organising it and the other drivers were really friendly. Lots of people wandering over to look at the car and I had a wander around taking a few piccies and chatting with people. One bloke came up to me at the end of the day and said "that thing's got some get up and go hasn't it !! " !! He said he seen small sportscars like this before but they hadn't really been that quick but he said he'd been really surprised by the Westy. So, that's at least one Corvette owner who might look in his mirrors in the future.... Track time was limited but then, when they're running races as well as allowing road cars out on track it wasn't that surprising. Future events will be cheaper so value for money wise it was OK ($175 for 4 sessions plus the classroom based instruction. Normal trackdays (5 sessions) will be $125). and when they start running events at tracks nearer to me it will be great. Next one is in a month and on a twistier track that suits small cars with good handling so that should be good fun. Might also have some sticky tyres by then too..... Quote
Westfields Rock On Posted February 4, 2003 Posted February 4, 2003 nicely p*** off those yanks. gets some sickies and waste some 'stangs Quote
Bob Green Posted February 4, 2003 Posted February 4, 2003 Hi Nick We can all be Don Garlits but the corners are where it counts. Get to know the circuits, fine tune the set up and you will blow them away (in particular the SLJ's) as easy as eating a slice of Uncle Sam's apple pie! Good luck. Kind regards Bob Quote
Nick M Posted February 4, 2003 Author Posted February 4, 2003 A couple of piccies.... And finally, a rather non-standard Mazda MX5 !! Quote
stu999 Posted February 4, 2003 Posted February 4, 2003 Sheesh. Weather looks fab and hes got the ****** roof up.... Quote
Nick M Posted February 4, 2003 Author Posted February 4, 2003 Actually I was the only "convertible" allowed to run with the roof down, on the basis that I simply didn't have one !! It's a safety thing apparently - stops arms and things flailing about quite so much ! And yes, the weather is bleedin' marvelous !! Except I may not be so smug when it's 110 degrees during the summer months (note - this is a "sunburnt" smiley !! ) Quote
Mark Stanton Posted February 5, 2003 Posted February 5, 2003 Nice lookin' mobile tent as well - Minny Winny Quote
rdalong Posted February 13, 2003 Posted February 13, 2003 Hi, Where about in the states was this??? Plus, any suggestions how I can find out about track days and locations in the US? Thanks for any help. Ric Megablade in Nebraska (but later in Chicago) Quote
Nick M Posted February 13, 2003 Author Posted February 13, 2003 It was in Phoenix, Arizona. Check out NASA and SCCA web-sites - look for the local area websites and you should find some information on events running in your neck of the woods. Also have a look for local race circuits near you and give them a call. They quite often have the contact details for organisations running track days at their circuit. Quote
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