NE Track Day/Autocross/Racing Reports

[snid]

Cone marks usually come out very easily. Especially since I just put 4 coats of wax on recently.

Here's a little video... it seems as though google video's quality has gone down significantly since last fall. I'm encoding my videos the same way I did before, but the end result is pretty bad.

Green Mountain Piston Cup - Google Video

[GBMINI]

I've never going to be a track guy - I was scared just watching the speed you approached some of those cones

[jwardell]

Ouch. Cones can still be vicious, especially on a cold day...I've seen them shatter plastic trim.

I don't quite understand google video. Normally it is small and low-quality, but sometimes I see videos on there larger and much better quality. Perhaps if a video is popular enough it automatically recodes it to a higher quality?

[GadgetGav]

OK... I need to get back on the track. I've done two ADSS and one track dat with SCDA at NHIS.
SCDA is expensive, but I'm nery nervous about having to do flag duty with BMWCCA events. Besides, hanging out in the pits is part of the fun isn't it..?
Anyone have plans to go to a track day event that still has space to register..?
Has anyone been to COM events..? The SCCV one looks like it might be fun, but I'm worried the go kart track doesn't have much space to make mistakes...
I'd love to go to Mt Tremblant, but that makes for an expensive event once travel & hotel are added in...

Suggestions? Thoughts? Advice? Thanks!

[snid]

Gavin,

SCDA is expensive...

BMWCCA at NHIS would be my suggestion. Don't worry about the flagging. You'll be at a station with at least one other person, if not two. Flagging is really simple. Somebody screws up, yellow flag + radio communication. The more they screw up, the harder you wave the flag. Then, you just do what the person on the other end of the radio tells you to. And you still get plenty of time to hang out in the pits.

I'd guess most (if not all) the track days still have openings. But that's a guess. I'm trying to decide between Calabogie again with COM (since 4 other Vermonters are headed to that, and I have at least a little experience on that track) and the Boston BMWCCA event at NHIS on May 24. I'm leaning towards NHIS because...

For me, COM is the most stressful of the groups to run with. There are people there who take things very very seriously (competitively) and I feel like I have to be extra careful not to mess up their event. Even though it's just as much my event. And COM has more "stuff" you have to do during the event and to prepare your car. Since COM's prices have gone up a bit, BWMCCA has actually become cheaper than COM for many events, and price used to be the big selling point for COM.

Tremblant? Tough, tough track with a fair amount of risk involved. I don't think I'd recommend that for day 2. High speeds (100+ mph), fast turns (90-100+ mph in a turn), elevation changes (in turns), not a lot of run off room, the bridge, etc, etc. The only worse choice I can think of around here for a second event would be Calabogie. They are both awesome tracks, just not ones that I'd recommend early in one's track driving experiences. Definitely later on, though.

The SCCV event? Yes, the track is small (3/4 mile), but there's not that much to run into. And the speeds don't get that fast. Of course there are always risks, but the SCCV event is pretty safe. One car at a time helps with that. It will be your fault if something goes wrong, there's no way you can get caught up in someone else's mistake. We did finally put a car into the swamp last year, but it takes quite a bit of doing for that to happen, and there was no real damage to the car after its trip. So, ummm, don't let the safety issue turn you away from the SCCV / SLMP event. Disclaimer: I'm on the board of SCCV as events coordinator, so I'm biased.

Short answer: Say you want to go to NHIS with Boston BMWCCA May 24, then I'll have to register for that event too. Perhaps split a room at the Red Roof Inn in Loudon?

[blalor]

I just postponed my Nürburgring trip for this year. I'm looking forward to making up for that with some track days. Great, now I've gotta re-plan my summer. *sigh*

I'm impressed you got a car into the swamp at SLMP. Was the Stig's fat American cousin driving?

[GadgetGav]

You're probably right Jason - Tremblant is a bit too advanced for me at the moment. I just like the idea of driving on a 'real' track and LRP always books out quickly (and is probably too advanced too).
I hadn't really heard of COM before, but it sounds like they're not for me either...

I doubt I can do an event on May 24th, but I'll check my calendar at work tomorrow. Maybe one of their events later in the year though... July looks possible...

[snid]

Quote: Originally Posted by GadgetGav (original)

I just like the idea of driving on a 'real' track and LRP always books out quickly (and is probably too advanced too).

Then you want to go to Watkins Glen!

Lime Rock, while it may have some history, is a pretty boring track. It's basically a right hand oval with a left turn thrown in for the heck of it. The facilities / paddock are pretty crappy. You spend the day hanging out in a gravel parking lot. The pavement on the track is pretty bad.

Watkins Glen has just as much history (I think), great infield facilities (garages), a much more interesting track layout, better pavement, and it's cheaper.

Yes, WGI is a fast track, and there's tons of armco lining the track. But other than that, it sounds like the winner for you, Gav.

[yellowmininy]

Another vote for Watkins Glen from here. I'm about 70 miles in the wrong direction from Watkins Glen but know the area well, if anyone is coming this way.

[GadgetGav]

Thanks for the tips. I'll have to look for the combination of BMWCCA, Watkins Glen and a gap in my calendar..!
I'll also have to re-join BMWCCA..!

[jwardell]

I'm still rattling around the idea of doing a day too, at least one of the $95 cca ones. It will have to be later in the summer to fit into my schedule.

[snid]

I think Josh and track days is like Gavin and MINI events in general.

[LePew]

I agree with Jason on this. COMs is not the best place for a newbie; too many "competitive" drivers there. BMWCCA and SCDA are better suited for learning.
I can't make the NHIS event in May; might try for the one in July. Will definitely be there with the White Mountain chapter in August.

My next event is at Lime Rock with the Audi Club June 7&8. Not cheap ($500!), simple track, but it was all I could find on a Friday/Sat/Sun to fit my work schedule until summer.

I've also been trying to scope CCA events at Watkins Glen for a while. The April and May schools filled up rapidly. I did sign up for a July 10&11 HPDE at Watkins Glen with the Delware Valley Chapter. $375 for two days plus dinner; not a bad deal. See DelVal BMW CCA

Genesse Valley has several events at Watkins Glen this summer: Genesee Valley CCA
May 12&13 are full
Aug 29&30 open
Sep 29&30 open
I'll probably try for one of the August or September events.

Virginia International (VIR) is a bit longer ride (8-9 hours) but hands down the best track within hollering distance (short of heading west out to Mid-Ohio, Putnam Park, or beyond.) Gobs of grassy run off room. Something like 17 turns. And there is a small group of MINI enthusiasts in the VIrginia/NC area who frequent the track. Gotta get back there too.....

[GadgetGav]

Quote: Originally Posted by snid (original)

I think Josh and track days is like Gavin and MINI events in general.

Oi!

[snid]

I just signed up for the Boston chapter NHIS event on the 24th. It currently says "85 Applied, 74 Accepted". You'd think by now I'd know how many people one of these events holds, so I'd know how good a chance I have of having my registration accepted. It does sound like it's pretty full already.

I guess this means I'm passing on the COM / Calabogie event on the 28/29th since money doesn't grow on trees.