Topic: Starting Out - Tips?

[initial_D]

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!  

Yeah, you shoulda kept that Camry!! A Miata sounds like very good idea, and doubles as a SUNDday driver as well.

[Julie]

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.   

RX-8 - isn't that a Car and Driver multiple Top Ten winner? (winning for critical aspects like handling)?  It would be great to 'lap' that, I'm sure. 

[Julie]

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!  

Yeah, you shoulda kept that Camry!! A Miata sounds like very good idea, and doubles as a SUNDday driver as well.

   Yeah, I should have kept the Camry and put racing stripes on her.

I'm betting used Miata's are cheaper in the States...

[Julie]

Seriously, I'm going to ask Wing about renting a track or something...  he should know about that.  Rrocket, you know anything about renting a track?

EDIT:  For a CTC get together.  CTC (aka CanadianDriver) Track Day!   

[mmret]

Miata would be good. Heck almost anything is good when you're flogging it and its light.

[Vmango]

You can do it, Julie. From what I've seen (done some dreaming research in the past) it's not CRAZY expensive if you can get enough people (easier said than done).


If you get a Canadian Driver track day or meet and I'm there.

On the topic of meets Julie - you always seem motivated....there are quite a few of us here from KW. We should get one going and get Bob to take the pretty pictures  

[Julie]

If you get a Canadian Driver track day or meet and I'm there.

On the topic of meets Julie - you always seem motivated....there are quite a few of us here from KW. We should get one going and get Bob to take the pretty pictures  

What a great idea - the CanadianDriver Meet - KW Section!       I'll start a thread.

As for a Canadian Driver (far-reaching) track event/meet, I think that's do-able, if planned far enough and, as you said, enough people sign up.  I've e-mailed James.  We could start planning one for next year if enough people are interested...

[vdk]

I think it would be better for you if you go to an Autocross first. Even in lapping session things can get out of hand. And with a brand new Bimmer, I wouldn't want to hit the grass/sand.

[rrocket]

Seriously, I'm going to ask Wing about renting a track or something...  he should know about that.  Rrocket, you know anything about renting a track?

EDIT:  For a CTC get together.  CTC (aka CanadianDriver) Track Day!   

Yea..we've done it before.  A road track was $3000 US during the week.  A drag strip is about $150 hr.

[rrocket]

I think it would be better for you if you go to an Autocross first. Even in lapping session things can get out of hand. And with a brand new Bimmer, I wouldn't want to hit the grass/sand.

I disagree.  You're not even allowed to pass at the lapping session except for ONE designated area.  And the lapping sessions I've been to had a slow/noob group and a quicker group go out separately.  I've never seen any car/car crashes.  I have seen cars spin off the track on their own though with no damage.

[vdk]

I think it would be better for you if you go to an Autocross first. Even in lapping session things can get out of hand. And with a brand new Bimmer, I wouldn't want to hit the grass/sand.

I disagree.  You're not even allowed to pass at the lapping session except for ONE designated area.  And the lapping sessions I've been to had a slow/noob group and a quicker group go out separately.  I've never seen any car/car crashes.  I have seen cars spin off the track on their own though with no damage.

How do we disagree exactly? 

[Julie]

Thanks for all your input.

Thought about it and, Yup..... no insurance....... no 335i.

Think I'll start with those lessons first.  Then if I seem to be liking it as much as the 'pretend driving' I do with the PC simulator games, I will look at a (much) cheaper, used, light, very well handling, slick shifting manual vehicle (e.g. Miata).

[Snowman]

Looking forward to relocating to the GTA 

[Turbo Bob]

Personally I would never track a car without insurance, unless it was a cheap trackday toy.  Just too much risk IMHO.

It's not just you, there are muppets out on track too (depepnding on what type of event it is), but you rarely have the track all to yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7aigXYP8Mw

 

I wouldn't want to still be paying for a 335i that had been written off.

[rrocket]

Personally I would never track a car without insurance, unless it was a cheap trackday toy.  Just too much risk IMHO.

It's not just you, there are muppets out on track too (depepnding on what type of event it is), but you rarely have the track all to yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7aigXYP8Mw

 

I wouldn't want to still be paying for a 335i that had been written off.

I suppose so....but you have a better chance of being in a wreck on the street.  Every lap event I've seen has been VERY organized.


I guess while we're here...has anyone been to a truly BAD lapping event??

[Turbo Bob]

but you have a better chance of being in a wreck on the street. 

where you are insured... 

[Railton]

Does James insure the Honda "trailer queen"? I would imagine that the members of the Ottawa Motorsport Club (or any other for that matter) have some good practical advice regarding the subject of insurance and autocross.
Railton

[rrocket]

but you have a better chance of being in a wreck on the street. 

where you are insured... 

Yea...but if you get in a wreck on your own, or found to be driving in a "spirited" way, expect your car to be fixed, then expect to get dumped by your insurer, then sent to the Facility Insurance Rates...At that point, you'll wish you wrecked your car at the track without getting the insurance company involved...

[99 Silver]

I did a track day at Dunnville a couple of years ago with the Miata club and it was a blast.  The track is short and technical which keeps the speeds down. 

We had some instructors who did a chalkboard session, then drove us in groups around the track to show us the line.  We then broke off with an individual instructor who drove you in your own car to show you the line.  My instructor was Bill Brack (http://www.motorsportscentral.com/brack-interview.asp) who just looked like any old guy but is an amazing driver.  He put chalk on the sidewalls and we took off and he scared the hell out of me.  He was very smooth, but incredibly fast.  We came in and he adjusted the tire pressures and we were off again.  He said he got the car neutral and loved the turbo coming out of corners. 

I have never experienced anything like that before.  He said he was only driving at eight tenths because he didn't want to damage my tires too much.  Then I took the wheel and tried to replicate his performance with him as a passenger to no avail.  At the end I did a bunch of solo laps and really got a good feel of my car as it approached the limits.  It was an absolute blast! 

I thought it was very safe as they grouped us by speed, allowed no passing, and had large grassy run off areas.  You were black flagged and held off the track for 30 minutes for a spin or leaving the track.  The second mistake would end your track day.

You can see that Brack was a very successful racer in his time.  He was followed as Formula Atlantic champ by Gilles Villeneuve!

I don't know if Dunnville is still operating, but I highly recommend it as the speeds don't get too high.  I could not believe how much gas I burned in a couple of hours.  I put tape over my plates so I couldn't be identified in photos.

[rrocket]

I could not believe how much gas I burned in a couple of hours. 

Trying to push the gas pedal through the firewall will do that!