I'm losing my track virginity...
 

As of Friday, July 20th. 2012, I am losing my virginity...:eek:

Track virginity, that is... :biggrin:


Location: Thunderhill raceway
Time: 6:30am to 5:30 pm

I am a complete track noob, but an old fart... This will be interesting!




I am unsure if I will able to provide track video, but I should be able to provide some pics afterwards, at a minimum.

My real objective is to gather tips and recommendations from track vets (young and old) regarding to what to expect on the track, what extra bits I should bring along, and whatever advice you can dispense... :smile:

Thunderhill is about 2 hours from my home and I am planning on driving the ti to the track and home again. Track will be dry and hot (forecast is for 97 degrees, with low humidity).

So, what should I bring, what should I leave behind, and what do you think of an old fart running around a racetrack in his ti? :confused:

Critiques, compliments, and comic relief is both welcomed and encouraged... :wink:

Wish me luck and good times! :smile:

OK well as far as being an old guy I too would like to run mine at the track one day..

I heard if you just relax and don't fight it...You will be fine.

Then your going to want to do it all the time......and you get called a "Track whor:yikes:

Park near someone with an enclosed trailer.
Make friends with those in big popup tents. :)
A friend of mind has a big fan to keep cool.


Store your gear in something that will protect it from wind and rain.

A lot of people use tarps.
I use a tent and throw all my stuff in there.
Then I don't have to worry about wind or rain.
Peace of mind.

For tools you really don't need to get carried away.
There are always people around to give you a hand.

Air gauge, torque wrench.
Oil
Lots of Water or Gatorade.
Windshield cleaner and paper towels.
Maybe work gloves.

If you are going to shoot video, it's a good idea to be able to view your hand movement as well as car position.

First time, don't get overwhelmed.

Be safe
Learn
Have fun

For me it was overwhelming at first.
Now I find it relaxing.

bf.c has a good track forum.

Sounds like fun James. Get out there and let your hair down! :)

Good luck! Don't overdrive the first time out, just be smooth. Take care of your equipment. Remember you still have to drive home.

Most of all have fun and don't get embarrased if you make a mistake.

Congrats James, I'm sure you'll have an awesome time. Sounds like you have the perfect mentality about it, not trying to go out and show off the first time. Just take it easy and remember to have fun.

Rubbin is racin and if you ain't first, you're last! :tongue:

Just don't be this guy. :)

i remember watching this, i don't know if its the computer voices or the pure idiocy of that guy but it always cracks me up,

as for track day advice all i can say is that smooth is fast

All of that seems like very solid advice! Thanks...

Hair? What Hair?

I expect no less from you Jesse! :tongue:

I suspect that I will be more worried about damaging the car than anything, so I will be cautious... I'll have an instructor with me, so that will help keep me smooth

It won't be the first time I get called that! :smile:


Thanks for the tips and smiles! See you all on the other side!

That is a great video!...Bust me up....

I like this version....This version has explicit langauge and suggestive material.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=ETmnennvBhM

I'm here to report that I survived in one piece and so did the ti. I'm also exhausted! Had a great time, and I wasn't even the oldest fart in the novice run group...

The ti performed flawlessly, put up with a good amount of my novice driving skills without complaint, and felt secure, solid and predictable. (I let my instructor drive it for a few laps (he's a Miata driver), and he was very complimentary of it's handling and overall performance for a street car.) Makes me feel like I made the right choices in suspension setup and engine.

I snapped a few crummy phone pics (not while driving!), but never got to fashion a video cam rig in the car ahead of time. One driver let me use his cam for a lap session, but the batteries died almost immediately. He will get me what video he has soon...

I did take some great pictures of the faster groups which I will upload soon and post.

I would recommend this experience to anyone, it was a blast!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8290/7...86f8b47bb7.jpg
IMAG0553 by wolfe94590, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8284/7...87338e8a25.jpg
IMAG0554 by wolfe94590, on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8154/7...29637eb258.jpg
IMAG0557 by wolfe94590, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7126/7...1aa7d5c82d.jpg
IMAG0558 by wolfe94590, on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7109/7...772226a2_c.jpg

And "second is just the first loser":biggrin:

Glad to hear that you had a great day and the car handled your track time. I'm jealous!