I realize that some people still have one more track day this season (tomorrow), but my second track season is over.
I just looked at my little notebook, and I was suprised at how few track days I have under my belt. It sure seems like I was out there more than I really was, especially last season. I only had 5 days at NHIS last season, 4 days at to go-kart track, and 4 autocrosses (not counting the MINI of Peabody thing and the BMW club skills school). It sure seemed like more than that.
This season, 1 day at Lime Rock, 2 at Tremblant, 2 at NHIS, 2 at Watkins Glen, 6 at the go-kart track, and 5 autocrosses (not counting the MINI of Peabody thing).
So, that makes a total of 12 days at "real" tracks, 10 at the kart track, 9 autocrosses, and 3 skills school days. I guess you really can measure how long brakes, tires, etc last in days / hours.
Counting only big track days, it doesn't seem like that many to me. But add up all the "closed course" events, and I'm at 34 days, which I guess really is a pretty good number.
I'm not sure what my plan will be for track time next season... perhaps much like this season and one event at each track. Possibly adding Mosport to the mix. Although I also like the idea of getting more time in at at least one track (most likely NHIS) so I can see if I can make improvements.
What's really disheartening is to compare my personal best times to the times from the COMSCC time trial events... I'm so far at the bottom of the heap with those folks.
I'm planning on building a website with my reports / videos / pictures from this season, and detailing any work I do on the car for next season. Somebody bug me to actually get it done.
Successes from this season:
- new tracks, and I didn't make a fool out of myself
- solo-ed at all tracks except Lime Rock
- much improved heel-toe shifting
- starting to play with trail braking
- had fun in the rain
- recovered from some medium speed mistakes (starting to spin at ~60mph)
- survived my first 2-wheels-off experience
Goals for next season:
- use the brakes less - go into the corners faster
- don't pay as much attention to the cars in my mirrors
- trail braking
- if I get really ambitous, left foot braking
