2009 is here and I'm ready to burn rubber, waste brake pad, and make racing noises

[bhrm]

This is the year I start.

My plans are to auto-x 2-3 times this year and one lapping event. I have very little experience, been on the Shannonville full track in an automatic heavy pig mk4 Jetta VR6 in heavy rain.

Here's my car's racing setup:
stock
stock tires with this summer as its last season

That is all.

What's everyone plan and outlook for 2009? Any events I should consider with my awesome racing setup?

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I want to hit up some Auto X's this year, just have no idea which ones to do. I want to do the 1 event ones not a series as I often have commitments on weekends.

I am way to scared for track days.

[condor888000]

I'm planning on doing every local event this year(should be 10), and am debating going to some of the CADL events in Montreal and maybe a couple of St Lac events depending on how the summer goes.

Hopefully. Can't wait for summer to get here. :bana2

[bhrm]

I want to hit up some Auto X's this year, just have no idea which ones to do. I want to do the 1 event ones not a series as I often have commitments on weekends.

I am way to scared for track days.

i've observed and rode shot gun at a few track days, biggest thing is going with a legit club with legit people and not a track day with rich kids who have nothing to lose and no clue what to do other than applying GranTurismo 4 skills into real world physics.

[Fuman]

i've observed and rode shot gun at a few track days, biggest thing is going with a legit club with legit people and not a track day with rich kids who have nothing to lose and no clue what to do other than applying GranTurismo 4 skills into real world physics.
BHRM is VERY VERY Correct. You are putting yourself in danger.
I went with my friend who said it is going to be very organized, not the case.
I almost crashed because of the difference in skill levels.

If you DO go to an event like BHRM mention, go to a track where it is level, so you can see ahead.

[Marsh]

Also if you go with an uninsured, unsanctioned group (as most of them these days are) then you somebody else gets hurt because of you then you'll be sued and you insurance will refuse to pay. You will be penniless for the rest of your life.

If you attend a lapping day hosted by a CASC/ASN sanctioned club then they will have insurance that covers ALL the participants for liabillity.

[MAZDA Kitten]

good to know!

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I'd still rather drive someone else's car around the track :)

Or get a track rat.

[bhrm]

Also if you go with an uninsured, unsanctioned group (as most of them these days are) then you somebody else gets hurt because of you then you'll be sued and you insurance will refuse to pay. You will be penniless for the rest of your life.

If you attend a lapping day hosted by a CASC/ASN sanctioned club then they will have insurance that covers ALL the participants for liabillity.

A good indicator is if the track even is $70 half day, $150 whole day....too cheap. Won't have on site ambulance/paramedic, fire, tow. Or rules.

I'm surprised tracks would let them but I guess money is money.

I'm more surprised nothing extremely bad happened yet knock on wood, but then tracks like shannonville and dunnville are relatively safe, less walls.

[Fobio]

A good indicator is if the track even is $70 half day, $150 whole day....too cheap. Won't have on site ambulance/paramedic, fire, tow. Or rules.

I'm surprised tracks would let them but I guess money is money.

I'm more surprised nothing extremely bad happened yet knock on wood, but then tracks like shannonville and dunnville are relatively safe, less walls.

so how much is safe enough?

There's a big difference between tracks like Dunnville and Mosport DDT, vs Shannonville and Cayuga, vs Mosport GP and Calabogie...

you have to be really stupid to wreck yourself at Dunnville and DDT, the track's top speeds are relatively low and chances of screwing up royally is also low, but not impossible!

Shannonville and Cayuga, with the long straights and sharp turns after the straights, it's possible to flip a car...

Mosport GP and Calabogie can kill you...

so unless you're going to Mosport GP on your first time out, I wouldn't classify a $150 track day @ DDT with TPC/Ian Law unsafe...but I wouldn't call a Mosport GP full day @ $150, w/ no instruction/safety crew a deal either...

From my experience, and I'm just out there to have fun, it's all about the ppl you're tracking with...I'm sure there's plenty of you's out there, that I wouldn't get on a track with even if you paid me...lol...

[bhrm]

when i say relatively say 'safe', relative to Mosport GP which can kill you at turn 3 (the downhill straight into a quick 90 degree left, tirewall there to welcome you)

[mleblond]

I'm planning on doing every local event this year(should be 10), and am debating going to some of the CADL events in Montreal and maybe a couple of St Lac events depending on how the summer goes.

Hopefully. Can't wait for summer to get here. :bana2

I take part of all 10 auto-x St-lac events. As for lapping I intend to do all 4-5 CSCS events at Cayuga.

[silvermist99]

going to try for a couple autocrosses & 1 or 2 lapping. Don't think I will have too much time avaliable this summer.

[condor888000]

I take part of all 10 auto-x St-lac events. As for lapping I intend to do all 4-5 CSCS events at Cayuga.

Do you know about how long the average course is there? Or how many runs you normally get?

Just trying to figure out if the 2.5hr drive one way is gonna be worth it.

[Fobio]

Do you know about how long the average course is there? Or how many runs you normally get?

Just trying to figure out if the 2.5hr drive one way is gonna be worth it.

what I find most frustrating and difficult about auto-x the relatively short-runs of about 1 min each, and limited number of runs for the day, at most 8...

[condor888000]

Yeah, but it's a lot cheaper and safer than lapping or Solo I.

[bhrm]

Yeah, but it's a lot cheaper and safer than lapping or Solo I.

Cheaper?

$20-30 for 8 minutes
or
$150-200 for full day 6-8 hours.

Safer yes unless you get hit in the eye with a pylon.

[Fobio]

Also, from experience, bigger tracks are better on your car for wear and tear than the smaller tracks...

I can kill a set of tires @ Dunnville in 1 day...

At Mosport GP, you get better mileage, less tire wear and better braking performance: wider turns, less braking to a near stop (30 - 40km/h), less accelerating from near stop and more time/track for your brakes to recover...

So at the end of the day, a $300 track day @ Mosport GP may end up costing you about as much overall as a $150 day @ Dunnville, all things being equal...but of course, it's the higher risk you have to deal with for the higher amount of fun...

Then again, we don't do this for money or the lack thereof... =)

[condor888000]

$20-30 for 8 minutes
or
$150-200 for full day 6-8 hours.

So ~10 times the price for a day....yeah, you get more seat time, but you have to put up a lot more initially. That's what I meant.

I'd love to get out on a track one day, but I simply don't have the sort of disposable income needed to track the car at this point in my life.

[bhrm]

Also, from experience, bigger tracks are better on your car for wear and tear than the smaller tracks...

I can kill a set of tires @ Dunnville in 1 day...

At Mosport GP, you get better mileage, less tire wear and better braking performance: wider turns, less braking to a near stop (30 - 40km/h), less accelerating from near stop and more time/track for your brakes to recover...

So at the end of the day, a $300 track day @ Mosport GP may end up costing you about as much overall as a $150 day @ Dunnville, all things being equal...but of course, it's the higher risk you have to deal with for the higher amount of fun...

Then again, we don't do this for money or the lack thereof... =)


Another way to put it is, before even thinking of Mosport GP, one must invest time and money to learn track handling.

However I would sooooo do Mosport GP in a small go kart though :)