Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

Thanks for the info John, I'd be curious about the insurance.

I'm spending half of my "mod fund" on suspension components, so I'm looking forward to many track days next year. I did decide to go with a "street" coilover rather than something more track-oriented but that seemed practical on a daily driver.

If working with the BIRPerformance staff is pleasant then they'll be seeing a lot more of me.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

Well the guy who was with us went off roading 3 times the day we went and wasn't mad/upset with us. He was still willing to help us out later.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

I learned some painful lessons about pushing my limits when I was into motorcycles. I'll just be looking to have fun and stay out of the way.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

Here is the info on track insurance:

http://hpdeinsuranceprogram.com

Gary at BIR gave me this guys info. They are all great guys and share a passion for racing. Look at the credentials of the instructors and you know you are in good hands. They are there to ride with you and give you pointers.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

Looks like it only covers specific events. Rates are the same whether 1 day or 3. I suppose it'd be a good deal if you were going to one of the listed events and it was a whole weekend.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

Yea but you will notice it covers about all non-competitive events including the BIR driving school events.

The is an event at mid america which is $350 to race all weekend. Thinking about going to that aswell.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

I see it there now but I swear BIR wasn't listed the first time that I visited the web site. I'll skip it this time since I intend to take it easy but next year with some experience, tire & suspension upgrades...going up there for a 2-3 day weekend would make the insurance a no-brainer.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

I will probably also. Will be there with a diff car and hope to take it a bit easier. Please remind me in the middle of the day.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

Wow! Very tempting.

I'd love to just try it out with either of my cars. (08 Mitsu Eclipse GT or the 09 Honda Fit Sport)

4G is auto with sportronic (I know, I wish I got a manual). Fit is manual but it's still in the break-in period (just barely out of 1000miles).

7:30a is early and that means I have to be up there Fri night.

Hmmmm. Do I do it now or wait another time?

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

I might know a few viper guys going and we can get 10% off if we can get 5 people. So far is is John, possibly 2 viper guys and me. You don't need a race car to have fun so either would work. Might be easier in the auto so you don't need to worry about shifting the first time out. Let me know if you would like to do it. It was a blast when we went.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

My Evo broke 1k miles on the way to the cook out today. What is the recommended break in on that car?

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

Break-in period for the Honda Fit from what the dealer and some people have said is around 5000 miles.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

I will try and recruit a couple of friends. One has a Viper and the other has a GTO.

I am interested and just trying to see if I can pull it off. Very good chance I will.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

^^^ Really.... I have a viper and know someone with a GTO. The GTO kid is named Jeff.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

LOL! different names.

So, how do we get the better pricing on this one for this weekend?

I'm still interested.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

It would probably be best if everyone who is interested send me a pm. If I get enough people to get the discount, I will send program director at BIR an email to see if we can just give him our names or see if we need to prepay.

James

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

Thanks John and James for the heads up on this one.

I had a blast. And of course found out that there is so much for me to learn to drive better. :-) I am hooked.

I finally decided to go on Friday at noon and drove up to Brainerd that night and stayed at a Super8 motel. The drive up was heavy traffic but did take hwy 10 to 371 so I avoided the 94/Rogers slow down. I still hit some slow traffic but it wasn't too bad.

Driving your own car is the way to go unless you really want to drive their spec car. I think driving your own car makes it much more fun and way cheaper.

Funny how the drive home felt slower (expected) and also how I look at the turns with a different view and wanted to take a better line (turn-in/apex) but would require me to use all the lanes. HA HA!

I can't remember my instructors last name... Jim ????? Really good instructor and after 2 track sessions let me go on my own. He also had me take a passenger to help her understand how to take the proper turn-in and apex. Nice to have the cones there to let you know that.

Fun times!

And got to meet mlomker and swifty too.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

Definitly a good time. Wish some of my in-car vids turned out better though. Cant see much of what is infront of you, just trees and walls flying by on the side. Must have had a smudge or something.

Saw swifty and Rau's crew, meet Mlomker, his brother, and white_4gGT there. Couldn't find the MAP guys though.

I was able to go the whole day without a sliding off the track so that was definitly a plus. Late in the day my upper raditor hose seperated though. Only lost 1.5 inches of hose so I cut it straight and put it back on.

Was a supercharged C5 vette there I really wanted to run... Maybe next time. I was able to get around a Porsche GT3 and catch another corvette though.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

Here's a short video of one of my laps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk0NOFb9UtY

Sped it up so it doesn't get to ho hum.

Set up for the camera was... Samsung L73 (not L71 as the video stated). Light and small, takes very good videos, will use as much free space on the SD card. Also had it set up on a tripod in the back seat with those tie down straps. Had the instructor check it and he approved.

Re: BIR September 5th.....
 

Something that happened while we were there was a video crew for WCCO. Maybe one of us will make it on TV. I guess the show comes on Saturday nights at about 11 - Life to the Max or something like that.

They interviewed some people and the anchor person took a spec car. Would be nice if we see clips of our cars make it on the show.