Topic: Starting Out - Tips?

[Julie]

Okay, so I'm thinking of trying out some activities, like lapping (which I guess means trying to go around a track in the fastest time possible? - without racing someone - I don't wanna race people).

Anyone have any tips - driving schools, clubs, etc.?  I'm a total n00b.  I did see Giant Dwarf auto-cross once though!

I guess my biggest question is INSURANCE.  Do I need to call my insurance company to buy some special kind of insurance? 

I guess I'll need a helmet too.  And do I need to set-up my car in any special way?  Both the 335i and TSX are currently on performance summer's.

Thanks for any and all replies! 

[rrocket]

The lapping days sometimes include some instruction.  If not, a "veteran" would be more than happy to go for a couple of laps in the car with you to give you some pointers.  I would say for now, just do lapping.  In the future, if you are interested in racing, then do a school.

 Basically, just drive your car as you would on the street...but at a slightly elevated pace.  The idea is to drive as fast as you feel comfortable, and nothing more.  Remember...it's a LAPPING session, and not a race.

Insurance is an iffy thing.  Not sure how to answer that one.

Sure..get a helmet.  Open face, full face.  Whatever you like.  You don't have to spend $$$$ on it, since for lapping days helmets aren't even mandatory.  But I suggest one anyways.  Tires?  It's entirely possible to wear down your tires some during a lapping session (depending on how aggressive you are).  I'd say for your first lapping session ,your street tires will do fine.  But if this is to become a more serious pursuit, another set of wheels with performance tires should be considered.  Also consider having an extra set of brake pads handy if you plan on doing this with regular frequency.

Lapping sessions are fun.  I look at them as how fast you'd like really drive on the street, but can't.

[Careener]

Hi Julie
A friend and I are going to Cayuga for Monday lapping + instruction in August. Let me know if you're interested..and we won't be flying around in a BMW either so you'll pass at least one car ;-)

[Vmango]

Julie:


I too have looked into this a little bit. I don't think you can insure your car. Therefore, if anything happens to it while you're at the track you're SOL.

You don't need to buy anything for your car. Of course, you could make some mods that would improve your car for the track. Better tires, brakes, roll cage, rims etc.

You can run your car just as it's set up now, however. I would also suggest saving some money for the hobby. Depending on how hard (or long) you're running you may have to replace your brakes, oil, and tires after a track session or two. Other things like a clutch, etc., may go as well. Be prepared.


The only thing keeping me from the track is the inability to have a 5-10-15K track fund.  


The other choice would be to run the track at a school for a weekend (probably your wise choice) or buy something specifically for the track - like a late model Miata or so (or 2004 ZO6 - my goal)    

Autocross is probably the safest option - all you'll really need to replace are you tires. The strip is good too, but that doesn't seem your style.

I've only gone to the dragstrip a couple of times with my old Cobalt SS.

[rrocket]

I have a couple of friend who've gone to this racing school and they were really impressed with it..

http://www.midohio.com/School

[mmret]

I doubt you'll find insurance coverage for anything less than an arm and a leg.

That said, perhaps you could get umbrella liability insurance. I'm sure everyone at the track has to sign waivers those probably only indemnify the track operator, not other motorists, from being sued. You don't want some clown suing you. Perhaps with umbrella insurance at least you'll only be out the car.

Umbrella liability insurance might actually not be a bad idea in general....this is a lawsuit happy society.

[initial_D]

I will suggest a pair of driving gloves (for sweaty hands from all the excitement), along with a good comfortable helmet.

[Julie]

The lapping days sometimes include some instruction.  If not, a "veteran" would be more than happy to go for a couple of laps in the car with you to give you some pointers.  I would say for now, just do lapping.  In the future, if you are interested in racing, then do a school.

 Basically, just drive your car as you would on the street...but at a slightly elevated pace.  The idea is to drive as fast as you feel comfortable, and nothing more.  Remember...it's a LAPPING session, and not a race.

Insurance is an iffy thing.  Not sure how to answer that one.

Sure..get a helmet.  Open face, full face.  Whatever you like.  You don't have to spend $$$$ on it, since for lapping days helmets aren't even mandatory.  But I suggest one anyways.  Tires?  It's entirely possible to wear down your tires some during a lapping session (depending on how aggressive you are).  I'd say for your first lapping session ,your street tires will do fine.  But if this is to become a more serious pursuit, another set of wheels with performance tires should be considered.  Also consider having an extra set of brake pads handy if you plan on doing this with regular frequency.

Lapping sessions are fun.  I look at them as how fast you'd like really drive on the street, but can't.

Thanks R.  This is helpful overview.  I'm very glad lapping is:

"Basically, just drive your car as you would on the street...but at a slightly elevated pace.  The idea is to drive as fast as you feel comfortable, and nothing more.  Remember...it's a LAPPING session, and not a race."

Because that's what I really like.

[Julie]

Hi Julie
A friend and I are going to Cayuga for Monday lapping + instruction in August. Let me know if you're interested..and we won't be flying around in a BMW either so you'll pass at least one car ;-)

I'd loved to go, but when in August?  I'm on call for a good chunk of it and, because of summer vacations, am also covering for someone else, so I likely won't be able to get a Monday off...   

[Julie]

Julie:


I too have looked into this a little bit. I don't think you can insure your car. Therefore, if anything happens to it while you're at the track you're SOL.

You don't need to buy anything for your car. Of course, you could make some mods that would improve your car for the track. Better tires, brakes, roll cage, rims etc.

You can run your car just as it's set up now, however. I would also suggest saving some money for the hobby. Depending on how hard (or long) you're running you may have to replace your brakes, oil, and tires after a track session or two. Other things like a clutch, etc., may go as well. Be prepared.


The only thing keeping me from the track is the inability to have a 5-10-15K track fund.  


The other choice would be to run the track at a school for a weekend (probably your wise choice) or buy something specifically for the track - like a late model Miata or so (or 2004 ZO6 - my goal)    

Autocross is probably the safest option - all you'll really need to replace are you tires. The strip is good too, but that doesn't seem your style.

I've only gone to the dragstrip a couple of times with my old Cobalt SS.

You know, a used Miata sounds like an interesting idea...  it would also get me back into manual transmissions (my first car was a manual).  WHen you say late model Miata, you mean a NC generation (rather than a NA/NB one)?

So, autocross is easier on the car, huh?  Interesting...

Yeah, drag racing isn't my style.  I really like trying to perfect technique (like driving smoothly, nailing corners, etc.)

Thanks for this overview. 

[Julie]

I doubt you'll find insurance coverage for anything less than an arm and a leg.

That said, perhaps you could get umbrella liability insurance. I'm sure everyone at the track has to sign waivers those probably only indemnify the track operator, not other motorists, from being sued. You don't want some clown suing you. Perhaps with umbrella insurance at least you'll only be out the car.

Umbrella liability insurance might actually not be a bad idea in general....this is a lawsuit happy society.

What is umbrella insurance?

******************************************

By the way, sorry for the multiple posts Wing.  For some reason, I have technical difficulty with the answer box in the CTC Forum when responses go beyond a certain limit...

[airbalancer]

have you had a look here http://crm.bmw.ca/drivertraining/dt_main.asp?lang=en

[mmret]

I doubt you'll find insurance coverage for anything less than an arm and a leg.

That said, perhaps you could get umbrella liability insurance. I'm sure everyone at the track has to sign waivers those probably only indemnify the track operator, not other motorists, from being sued. You don't want some clown suing you. Perhaps with umbrella insurance at least you'll only be out the car.

Umbrella liability insurance might actually not be a bad idea in general....this is a lawsuit happy society.

What is umbrella insurance?

******************************************

By the way, sorry for the multiple posts Wing.  For some reason, I have technical difficulty with the answer box in the CTC Forum when responses go beyond a certain limit...

I am by no means an expert, but basically if you take car insurance for example, they will cover you from getting sued if you hit someone while driving. There are of course limits: coverage doesn't extend beyond $2mil and as discussed here you likely will not be covered if you hit someone while on the track and he just happens to be a partner at (insert favorite Toronto law firm here) and suffers a debilitating injury.

Umbrella insurance, however, covers you for everything. So if your car accident settlement comes out to $2.5mil, the first $2m gets paid by MelocheMonnex or whoever and the next $500k comes out of Umbrella. Or if you smack said law firm partner on the track then Umbrella pays for that. I'd assume it doesn't cover anything you get sued for while conducting criminal activity. But tracking your car is not criminal and that guy wouldn't be suing you in criminal court. Lawyers correct me if I am wrong.

Basically its "over and above" catch all insurance. I wonder if it works for medical liability as well? But in any case you're probably loaded for bear on malpractise insurance already.

[Vmango]

I'm not sure how much "easier" on the car it is.....based on the slower speeds I would think things would wear down less quickly.

The Miata just came to mind being a MT, RWD, and balanced chassis. I would imagine it would be a car one could get into fairly cheaply. I actually can't think of a better car to "learn the trade" in. Seems like a great start if one can't afford a "more serious" track day toy (or have the balls to take their DD under payments).

In a few years a used 2.0T Genesis Coupe would be a FANTASTIC car to start out with (Hi Bob).

Anyway, back to your situation. I would be feelin' REAL nervous about taking my relatively new 335 out on the track, but if you're only looking at doing some lighter lapping it's probably no big deal. There's just a potential for some high costs there (as I'm sure you're aware).

On the topic of 335 - I beat the crap out of a good friend's 335 sedan a couple of weeks ago. Nice ride!

He had runflats - not sure if you do but I'd take those off for the track!  

[Julie]

have you had a look here http://crm.bmw.ca/drivertraining/dt_main.asp?lang=en

Yeah, but it's sold out for this summer.  I am going to try and start their training series next year.

[TopGun]

You know, a used Miata sounds like an interesting idea...  it would also get me back into manual transmissions (my first car was a manual).  WHen you say late model Miata, you mean a NC generation (rather than a NA/NB one)?
.....

I saw a '90 or so Miata for sale on Lakeshore in Burlington on Sunday...looked nice!

Maybe we can get a CanadianDriver Miata or something?  Heck, people buy shares in airplanes all the time...why not a track car?  I'll sell shares in my RX-8 and we can use that!  Let's start at 25% shares for...um...$10,000 each.  

I'd be into learning more about this...IF I can get my steering fixed by then!

[Julie]

I'm not sure how much "easier" on the car it is.....based on the slower speeds I would think things would wear down less quickly.

The Miata just came to mind being a MT, RWD, and balanced chassis. I would imagine it would be a car one could get into fairly cheaply. I actually can't think of a better car to "learn the trade" in. Seems like a great start if one can't afford a "more serious" track day toy (or have the balls to take their DD under payments).

In a few years a used 2.0T Genesis Coupe would be a FANTASTIC car to start out with (Hi Bob).

Anyway, back to your situation. I would be feelin' REAL nervous about taking my relatively new 335 out on the track, but if you're only looking at doing some lighter lapping it's probably no big deal. There's just a potential for some high costs there (as I'm sure you're aware).

On the topic of 335 - I beat the crap out of a good friend's 335 sedan a couple of weeks ago. Nice ride!

He had runflats - not sure if you do but I'd take those off for the track!  

Yeah, especially with no insurance, I don't think I'm taking the 335i....

Miata sounds interesting...  I'm actually thinking early model one, since they're the lightest (as well as being the cheapest).

We should do a CTC get together at a track event, lapping or auto-cross.  Some of us can participate, others can spectate.  But we can all hang out!  

[Julie]

You know, a used Miata sounds like an interesting idea...  it would also get me back into manual transmissions (my first car was a manual).  WHen you say late model Miata, you mean a NC generation (rather than a NA/NB one)?
.....

I saw a '90 or so Miata for sale on Lakeshore in Burlington on Sunday...looked nice!

Maybe we can get a CanadianDriver Miata or something?  Heck, people buy shares in airplanes all the time...why not a track car?  I'll sell shares in my RX-8 and we can use that!  Let's start at 25% shares for...um...$10,000 each.  

I'd be into learning more about this...IF I can get my steering fixed by then!

Let's start a CTC (aka CanadianDriver) tradition.  Let's do a get together and rent a track or something.  If we're a bunch of newbies, we can go reeeal slow or something, hehe.....

[Julie]

I doubt you'll find insurance coverage for anything less than an arm and a leg.

That said, perhaps you could get umbrella liability insurance. I'm sure everyone at the track has to sign waivers those probably only indemnify the track operator, not other motorists, from being sued. You don't want some clown suing you. Perhaps with umbrella insurance at least you'll only be out the car.

Umbrella liability insurance might actually not be a bad idea in general....this is a lawsuit happy society.

What is umbrella insurance?

******************************************

By the way, sorry for the multiple posts Wing.  For some reason, I have technical difficulty with the answer box in the CTC Forum when responses go beyond a certain limit...

I am by no means an expert, but basically if you take car insurance for example, they will cover you from getting sued if you hit someone while driving. There are of course limits: coverage doesn't extend beyond $2mil and as discussed here you likely will not be covered if you hit someone while on the track and he just happens to be a partner at (insert favorite Toronto law firm here) and suffers a debilitating injury.

Umbrella insurance, however, covers you for everything. So if your car accident settlement comes out to $2.5mil, the first $2m gets paid by MelocheMonnex or whoever and the next $500k comes out of Umbrella. Or if you smack said law firm partner on the track then Umbrella pays for that. I'd assume it doesn't cover anything you get sued for while conducting criminal activity. But tracking your car is not criminal and that guy wouldn't be suing you in criminal court. Lawyers correct me if I am wrong.

Basically its "over and above" catch all insurance. I wonder if it works for medical liability as well? But in any case you're probably loaded for bear on malpractise insurance already.

Thanks, I'll look into this. 

[TopGun]

Let's start a CTC (aka CanadianDriver) tradition.  Let's do a get together and rent a track or something.  If we're a bunch of newbies, we can go reeeal slow or something, hehe.....

I have an RX-8...and I have to some very inefficient self-shifting...so I'll be slow regardless.