BIR September 5th.....

john · 08-12-2009

I am going with James (slowbubblecar) and maybe some friends but I think they are all broke. They are having the driving school on Sept 4-6 (fri through sun). It is the perfect chance for those interested in road racing to give it a shot with the help of experienced instructors. We have only gone once and had a blast!

James setup a facebook link for anyone interested:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?ei...3830987&ref=mf

I know a lot of people are interested in doing this and thought I would share. There was an EVO MR last time and SHE was having a blast. I am guessing they will be there again. If you cannot make saturday, we may also be going on friday or sunday. It is that much fun.

Making a run down the drag strip is fun but I want to keep going when I hit the end of the track! It is nice to go as fast as you want and keep going. Didn't care about road racing until we tried it. If you can come you will love it.

-John

**Shane@DBPerformance** · 08-12-2009

Man, I need borrow an Evo.

**goodhart** · 08-12-2009

Do you know how much the school costs? Isn't it like $300 dollars or something?

slowbubblecar · 08-13-2009

It is $265 per day if you bring your own car but if we get 5 people, the cost will be $238.xx and 10 people would be $225.xx. If two people want to share the same car, it is only $100 more for the second person to drive also. We might go 2 days (Sat-Sun) but are planning on going to at least 1. I am guessing 1 day would be enough for most if anyone is interested.

They do have spec racers people can drive but the price is much higher ($295 for a 25 minute session).

The price isn't that bad if you consider what you get. The morning starts with a quick tour of the course and about 1hr of time learning about safety and driving. After that, you get assigned an instructor and he rides with you for a little while showing you the correct way to take turns. After he rides with you for a little bit, you are on your own. Friends are allowed to ride along which can be fun/scary depending on who is driving and the instructors are available to ride along all day if wanted. When we went, actual track time was roughty 10:30am-5:30pm with a break for lunch (also included in the price).

BTW, it wasn't stated above, but this event is on the short course (2.5 mile). Still plenty of room to take the 1st turn around 120mph though.

95tsi · 08-13-2009

IF I have any money by then, I'm in.

john · 08-13-2009

Cool. If you can go you won't regret it. I suppose if people just want to go for a ride around the course they could probably come later in the day... They have to approve a passenger for a beginnger driver. It was about half way through the day for us but combined we spun off the course 3 times

Matt D. · 08-13-2009

Knowing people there makes me more interested than just going on my own. Unfortunately I will be racing expensive toy cars that weekend at the Isanti County Fair, getting my ass kicked by factory sponsored drivers.

slowbubblecar · 08-13-2009

I thought the Isanti county fair was a few weeks ago. You talking about Nitro RC cars?

Matt D. · 08-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowbubblecar

I thought the Isanti county fair was a few weeks ago. You talking about Nitro RC cars?

Sorry, confused it with the race I'll be at next weekend in Duluth which is during their fair. I will be racing a 1/8 nitro buggy and a 1/10 electric truck. This race is at the Isanti Fair Grounds in Cambridge, the RC X Fest (formerly known as the RC X Games until ESPN threatened legal action last year). From Friday until Monday (Labor Day). http://www.fhfracing.com/X-Fest%20Sign%20Up.htm

/hijack

95tsi · 08-13-2009

I dont know how I forgot about this one, but I have my friends wedding in Marshall that weekend. I still plan on making my way up there for the road course sometime this summer. A good friend of mine has a free pass to go whenever he wants maybe he can hook me up for a discount sometime.

john · 08-13-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt D.

Sorry, confused it with the race I'll be at next weekend in Duluth which is during their fair. I will be racing a 1/8 nitro buggy and a 1/10 electric truck. This race is at the Isanti Fair Grounds in Cambridge, the RC X Fest (formerly known as the RC X Games until ESPN threatened legal action last year). From Friday until Monday (Labor Day). http://www.fhfracing.com/X-Fest%20Sign%20Up.htm

/hijack

I wasn't able to make it to the fair this year

I wish I had the time to get my Nitro car going. Have to remember how to operate the bastard.

**mlomker** · 08-14-2009

I'm already booked for the 5th--first thing I did after buying the Evo. Bought myself the package with 2 Spec sessions and bought my brother 4.

I'll be the red Evo driving slower than your grandmother. I know that I don't know how to drive, which is why I'm going. I'm hoping the instructors can get me started with some basic skills to practice.

john · 08-15-2009

So you are going on the 5th? You are going to be going in a spec car vs your own? Deffinitly run the evo, don't mess with the spec car. The spec cars will handle quite a bit different. I didn't drive one but was told it was like a go cart. The evo would be cheaper, a better learning experience, and more fun.

We have only gone once and are no where near good. I slid off the track twice, James did once. We were trying to drive the car beyond our means.

You will definitly get several good pointers, there will be people there all day to help you. We will be in either 1 or 2 vipers, I can take you for a ride but get in at your own risk

I will probably be going slower just trying to keep on the track. Don't worry about going slow, there are designated passing areas so you don't have to worry about someone trying to pass or being in the way.

**mlomker** · 08-15-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by john

Deffinitly run the evo, don't mess with the spec car. The spec cars will handle quite a bit different.

Well, it's only cheaper if you don't break your car.

No car insurance out on the track so driving the Spec car probably isn't a bad idea for the average Joe.

I paid for both my car and 2 spec sessions -- I think it was an $800 package deal. I decided I didn't want my brother driving my car, so I paid for Spec sessions for him to have some fun.

john · 08-17-2009

I am looking into track insurance. It used to be covered but isn't now (atleast by State Farm). Gary at BIR gave me the contact of a guy and I emailed him friday.

I am not and you shouldn't be worried about breaking the car. I am just worried about wrecking

**mlomker** · 08-17-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by john

I am just worried about wrecking

If I can't drive it home then it's broke.

turbotalon1g · 08-17-2009

Man i will be home that weekend, I want to get into this def. want to see how the cars are setup.

john · 08-17-2009

I found a company who does insure these events. I will have to post the link tomorrow. An instant quote was $183 for a car worth $28,000. I am probably going to get it this time.

Your car will have no problem making it home. It was meant to corner and brake hard. I typically go easy on the brakes though. I will coast a bit into a turn so I don't have to give the breaks hell. It has happened where people will boil their fluid (PS and brake) so I would give the brake and steering system a once over if you are unsure. I wouldn't worry in an EVO. Only issue we had was the PS cap coming off. They have tech people to help in case issues arrive.

**mlomker** · 08-19-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by john

I found a company who does insure these events.

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.

slowbubblecar · 08-19-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by mlomker

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.

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.