What's your experience with track racing events?

[IA 5HO]

Hello everyone.  I thought I would ask for some opinions on track days you've been too.  My girlfriend got me a performance driving package for the holidays and I am debating if this is something I want to do or not.  Now note that I've never been to the track or drag strip before and this is a whole new thing to me. 

Event website:
http://www.cloud9living.com/minneapolis/high-performance-driving

And also like what do I need to do in preparation or anything I should be taking going into it.

So if you guys have anything that can help me get rid of these butterflies in my stomach I have that would be great!

Thanks!

 

[SHOnUup]

My wife almost got me one of these driving experiences for xmas also, but it was for driving in a super sports car provided by them. Looks and sounds like a blast. I have never had a car on a road course, but sounds fun. I wouldn't worry much, just explain that you haven't done this before and take it easy to warm up.

If using own car, I'd suggest newer brake pads and solid tread for the tires.

Rich

 

[BiGMaC]

Gave one to my youngest son for Christmas.  3 hours at Phx Internat'l Raceway, Car is an actual NASCAR race car NASCAR equipped and legal.  It includes instruction in and out of the car, but several were available.  I bought this one because he gets 12 laps alone on the track in the car (they called it a "time trial"). I'l report back after he uses it and hopefully with some pics and video.

 

[markssho]

My wife got me one for Christmas a few years ago. It was a few laps in a Lambo or Ferrari. I called and scheduled my few laps. Then they contacted me with a date change and offered to double my laps for the trouble. It was awesome!

 

[SHOnUup]

Gave one to my youngest son for Christmas.  3 hours at Phx Internat'l Raceway, Car is an actual NASCAR race car NASCAR equipped and legal.  It includes instruction in and out of the car, but several were available.  I bought this one because he gets 12 laps alone on the track in the car (they called it a "time trial"). I'l report back after he uses it and hopefully with some pics and video.

Great gift!!!

Rich

 

[SHOnUup]

My wife got me one for Christmas a few years ago. It was a few laps in a Lambo or Ferrari. I called and scheduled my few laps. Then they contacted me with a date change and offered to double my laps for the trouble. It was awesome!

Lucky fella...any top speed mark?

Rich

 

[IA 5HO]

Thanks for the feedback guys.  The only thing for me though is that I would be driving my SHO around the track.  It says with 8-12 people only allowed on the track at a a time though.  I just worry about something happening and what I have to do for preperations for the car to be ready.  I am at 35000 miles now and have the 30k stuff done except new brake fluid. I assume I should do that before track day.  For tires I've got OEM MXM4's all seasons with only 12000 miles on them right now.  So hopefully that should still be good.  Otherwise I just worry about crashing or something like that since obviously insurance won't cover something like that and the car is my DD.  That is maybe most of my worries.

 

[ZSHO]

Lucky guys,that must be awesome,reminds me of that episode of Counting cars,when they get to drive the Ferrari out for a few laps each,cooool. 8) 8) 8)

 

[BiGMaC]

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale is just around the corner... they always have the opportunity to drive exotics. on a track... Drove  a Lambo LP 550 (0-100 in 3 sec and street legal production) and a Maserati Quattroporte last year... one of our local Ford dealers has actually opened a Masi dealership.  Fun... Starts next week!
So if they come to a town near you check them out... cheap fun!

 

[ZSHO]

Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale is just around the corner... they always have the opportunity to drive exotics. on a track... Drove  a Lambo LP 550 (0-100 in 3 sec and street legal production) and a Maserati Quattroporte last year... one of our local Ford dealers has actually opened a Masi dealership.  Fun... Starts next week!
So if they come to a town near you check them out... cheap fun!

I must say honestly in general you are well respected around this forum and others,and to hear you gave your son a 3 hour Nascar track time is heart warming,and truly you must be a standup guy,god bless.

 

[281Thunder]

I know ONLYA6 did some track time in his '13 at Summit Point (local to here)...think he even had some videos on youtube. Don't think he comes around here much anymore though.

The highlight of my track time was doing the Ariel Atom experience a few years back at VIR.

 

[staged_sho]

Sounds like a blast.  I'd love to road race.  Luckily you've a 2013 model with the tranny cooler.  Hot lapping my car at the drag strip and I've seen temps cross over 200° mark, so I'll doubt I'll be doing anything like that in my 2011.  Definitely do the brake fluid.

I wonder if getting a set of Eagle F1 Supercars (they are $177 @ tirerack) would be worth the purchase to save your Michelin's from the abuse as they are your DD all seasons. 

 

[donky4444]

I would love to take my car to a road course event but with the brakes on the 2011 even with the EBC upgrade I just don't think it would be a great experience.  If I ever did the Wilwood brake kit I would do it in a heartbeat.  I have done laps in a Ferrari 458 and a Lambo Gallardo at Gingerman Raceway in South Haven MI with Xtreme Xperience and that was a blast.  Great learning experience and fun to beat on somebody's super car.

 

[QuickSilver]

Thanks for the feedback guys.  The only thing for me though is that I would be driving my SHO around the track.  It says with 8-12 people only allowed on the track at a a time though.  I just worry about something happening and what I have to do for preperations for the car to be ready.  I am at 35000 miles now and have the 30k stuff done except new brake fluid. I assume I should do that before track day.  For tires I've got OEM MXM4's all seasons with only 12000 miles on them right now.  So hopefully that should still be good.  Otherwise I just worry about crashing or something like that since obviously insurance won't cover something like that and the car is my DD.  That is maybe most of my worries.

You're more likely to get into an accident on the way to the track than have something happen ON the track.  I'm not sure how much actual track time comes with your package but it will be over all too quickly.  Most of the groups I run with (SpeedVentures, West Coast Racing, tracktime, extreme speed etc) break the groups up by experience level so if it's your first time you'll have an instructor which helps immensely!  Wear comfortable clothes and soft soled shoes(might be a good excuse to buy an Ebay set of driving shoes,  Piloti's are best but there are $25. pairs as well. you'll be how surprised how flexible they are and how thin the soles are, you need to 'feel' the pedals and what the car is doing thru them) chew some gum because your mouth will be parchment dry from the adrenalin rush and move the seat forward an inch or so over your usual driving position.  You don't wanting to be fighting to hold your body still by 'strangling' the steering wheel so if there is a way to lock the seatbelt on the SHO's (I have an Ex Sport so don't know) Lock the belt as tight as you can get it with the seat back then move it way forward to your seat driving postion to really tighten it.  This helps a bunch on track in a street belted car.  Have fun, catch the roadrace bug like I did when I did the One Lap Of  America back in '95. Been doing it ever since :thumbsup: Most fun you can have with your clothes on )

 

[SHOnUup]

^^^Awesome sounding advice right there.

Makes me want to do it even more now!

Rich

 

[IA 5HO]

Thanks for the feedback guys.  The only thing for me though is that I would be driving my SHO around the track.  It says with 8-12 people only allowed on the track at a a time though.  I just worry about something happening and what I have to do for preperations for the car to be ready.  I am at 35000 miles now and have the 30k stuff done except new brake fluid. I assume I should do that before track day.  For tires I've got OEM MXM4's all seasons with only 12000 miles on them right now.  So hopefully that should still be good.  Otherwise I just worry about crashing or something like that since obviously insurance won't cover something like that and the car is my DD.  That is maybe most of my worries.

You're more likely to get into an accident on the way to the track than have something happen ON the track.  I'm not sure how much actual track time comes with your package but it will be over all too quickly.  Most of the groups I run with (SpeedVentures, West Coast Racing, tracktime, extreme speed etc) break the groups up by experience level so if it's your first time you'll have an instructor which helps immensely!  Wear comfortable clothes and soft soled shoes(might be a good excuse to buy an Ebay set of driving shoes,  Piloti's are best but there are $25. pairs as well. you'll be how surprised how flexible they are and how thin the soles are, you need to 'feel' the pedals and what the car is doing thru them) chew some gum because your mouth will be parchment dry from the adrenalin rush and move the seat forward an inch or so over your usual driving position.  You don't wanting to be fighting to hold your body still by 'strangling' the steering wheel so if there is a way to lock the seatbelt on the SHO's (I have an Ex Sport so don't know) Lock the belt as tight as you can get it with the seat back then move it way forward to your seat driving postion to really tighten it.  This helps a bunch on track in a street belted car.  Have fun, catch the roadrace bug like I did when I did the One Lap Of  America back in '95. Been doing it ever since :thumbsup: Most fun you can have with your clothes on )

Thanks so much for the feedback QuickSilver!  This helps easy my woes quite a bit.  At this point I'm 95% sure I'll do it since I only have a week left to return it for a refund.  I just gotta find a GoPro or set up my phone or tablet to record it.  :drive:

Sounds like a blast.  I'd love to road race.  Luckily you've a 2013 model with the tranny cooler.  Hot lapping my car at the drag strip and I've seen temps cross over 200° mark, so I'll doubt I'll be doing anything like that in my 2011.  Definitely do the brake fluid.

I wonder if getting a set of Eagle F1 Supercars (they are $177 @ tirerack) would be worth the purchase to save your Michelin's from the abuse as they are your DD all seasons. 

Will for sure have to get the brake fluid done.  Might think about DOT4 just for this reason.  And on the F1's, I'm not sure I can justify getting a new set of tires just for this.  I don't want to be swapping rubber every season as well.  And at a price tag of $177 that is more than 1/2 the cost of my Primacy MXM4's and I don't think I'd burn through 1/2 the tread on my tires in one track day.

Thanks again everyone for the feedback!  You all rock! :thankyou: