BIR September 5th.....

[mlomker]

I had a blast. I paid $800 for my own car and 2 sessions in the spec car for myself. I also paid for 4 spec-car sessions for my brother...I originally thought about letting him drive my car but realized that I'd be *way* too mad if he binned my car so I'd rather pay $1k.

One downside of only doing Spec cars is that they are single seat, so my brother really didn't have a clue about the line. I did a couple sessions in my car with Gary W(?) next to me (all of the instructors are awesome) and he had me hitting the line and the cones properly, so by the time I did the two Spec sessions in the afternoon I totally smoked the other Spec cars. They had my brother and I go together so that my sister-in-law could get some pictures of us but on the second lap I took him on the straight and never saw him again.

I disagree that using your own car is less expensive. The wear-and-tear on a personal vehicle (tires and much worse if you leave the track) is such that it's a false economy to think that Spec cars are more expensive. The stock tires on an Evo X are $880/set! The outside edges have lost half of their rubber in just two sessions. These tires would be smoked after a full day (the factory alignment is probably not so great for track days, either).

It was great to meet the Mitsustyle guys that were at the event. Glad to hear that John got his car patched up for the drive home.

[slowbubblecar]

Originally Posted by mlomker

I had a blast. I paid $800 for my own car and 2 sessions in the spec car for myself. I also paid for 4 spec-car sessions for my brother...I originally thought about letting him drive my car but realized that I'd be *way* too mad if he binned my car so I'd rather pay $1k.

One downside of only doing Spec cars is that they are single seat, so my brother really didn't have a clue about the line. I did a couple sessions in my car with Gary W(?) next to me (all of the instructors are awesome) and he had me hitting the line and the cones properly, so by the time I did the two Spec sessions in the afternoon I totally smoked the other Spec cars. They had my brother and I go together so that my sister-in-law could get some pictures of us but on the second lap I took him on the straight and never saw him again.

I disagree that using your own car is less expensive. The wear-and-tear on a personal vehicle (tires and much worse if you leave the track) is such that it's a false economy to think that Spec cars are more expensive. The stock tires on an Evo X are $880/set! The outside edges have lost half of their rubber in just two sessions. These tires would be smoked after a full day (the factory alignment is probably not so great for track days, either).

It was great to meet the Mitsustyle guys that were at the event. Glad to hear that John got his car patched up for the drive home.

Gald to see you had fun. I was suprised there were so many people there. What did you think about the spec cars? Everyone there seemed to enjoy them. They seemed to get in the way a little bit though. Kind of like the old mustang that was on the track. I lapped that car after passing it just 5 laps before. Hope to see you there again sometime.

[mlomker]

Originally Posted by slowbubblecar

What did you think about the spec cars? Everyone there seemed to enjoy them. They seemed to get in the way a little bit though.

I supposedly got one of the faster Spec cars (#84) but I think they mostly got in the way because they don't know the racing line.

I can imagine that someone with a bit of track experience might find them underpowered but as a 1st timer, I thought they were perfect. The suspensions are great and the power is modest enough that you can really mash on the throttle. There's something satisfying about driving a vehicle at 9/10ths.

The Evo was too much power (for a novice) and too little suspension in stock form...I unintentionally drifted out of one of the turns and it scared the crap out of me. lol.

[slowbubblecar]

Originally Posted by mlomker

The Evo was too much power (for a novice) and too little suspension in stock form...I unintentionally drifted out of one of the turns and it scared the crap out of me. lol.

I am sure you would get the hang of the car after a few times of going. I was only there one time before going the last time and was much more comfortable with how the car handles this time. My brother's car seemed to handle a little different, but was pretty close for the most part. Just look at how fast the instructors were taking the SUVs around the course. I bet the Lemans driver and the Indy car drivers could be at least as fast as either one of use driving those SUVs around the track if we were driving our own cars. Would be nice to see what one of them could do with my car but I am not sure I would want to ride along with. Would be one hell of a ride.

The nice thing about the course is the walls aren't close in many areas so there is minimal risk if you push it a little far.

Hope to see you there again sometime.

[white_4gGT]

Originally Posted by mlomker

I supposedly got one of the faster Spec cars (#84) but I think they mostly got in the way because they don't know the racing line.
....
The Evo was too much power (for a novice) and too little suspension in stock form...I unintentionally drifted out of one of the turns and it scared the crap out of me. lol.

What was the specs of their spec cars? I heard they could top out at 130 from what I remember. Don't know the whp and stuff.

I wish I could say something about too much power for my car. LOL. My car did pretty well considering it is a FWD and very heavy. I did have a lowered suspension set up and that helped in keeping me in without really having any scary events.

I know I saw the following get off the track... a porsche (couple of times - don't remember the turns), the indy grand prix car (turn 12 - 90deg left), and that lotus elise (turn 2-3). :-)

I was just happy that I stayed in the car. I would like to start tracking my lap times next time though and try and see if it improves along with the improvement with my driving.

I wish I could do it again this Monday but have other things going on.