Track days

[Vezna31]

Anyone here ever go to track days? Nothing like a day of legal speeding!! I actually run a group called Leadfoot Adventures with a friend. We do have a day at Laguna Seca on Jan 31. Unfortunately, we are making this our last event. There are many people in the industry which has more than soured any fun in doing events. If anyone is iterested in running the event, please go here: MotorsportReg.com : Register > Jan 31st '07 Leadfoot Adventures at Laguna Seca!

So, what tracks have some of you gone to? My favorite is probably Buttonwillow, a very fast course. We did it last August and it was a blast.

EDIT...Post # 100...Woo-hoo!!

[bjurasz]

Nothing in my S2000 yet. I have been on Hallett (Oklahoma), a wonderful natural terrain road course. Hope to get back on it this year. Its more of a handling track. Straights aren't necessarily long and the turns are a bit tight. Also Texas World Speedway in College Station, Tx. Been on their 12-turn 1.8 mile course in a Corvette, and their 2.9 mile circuit in an 80cc shifter kart. That track rewards horsepower over handling so I will be interested in how my lap times compare to the Vette.

I would love to do Laguna Seca and Mid-Ohio but those are a bit of a drive and I can't tow the S'.

Legal speed is a rush!

[Scott]

Yep, I help host semi-annual track days at Gainesville Raceway. I've also ran at open lapping days at Sebring Raceway and Ocala Grand Prix.

I'm hoping to do Road Atlanta sometime this year.

[gomarlins3]

I have done SOW twice- once each way and Buttonwillow once. None since I moved here, but am hoping to make Miller Park this year and maybe Portland and Fernley.

[Vezna31]

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

I have done SOW twice- once each way and Buttonwillow once. None since I moved here, but am hoping to make Miller Park this year and maybe Portland and Fernley.

Leadfoot was to have 4 dates at Buttonwillow this year and 1 or 2 at Streets but we will be cancelling them on Feb 1. Streets is a tough little course.

[pecetrn]

why are you cancelling the dates at buttonwillow?

[s2000isu]

ive gone to atco a quarter mile track a bunch of times with my other car. Ive never gone down that track fast though lol

[Vezna31]

Originally Posted by pecetrn

why are you cancelling the dates at buttonwillow?

It's a tremendously long story. But to make it short, I've lost all desire to organize track events due to the people and other organizations I've had to deal with.

[freescopesdad]

I'm doing a repeat of Got Guts At Thunderhill with the Sacramento Miata Club on Monday, April 23, 2007. They are a good group, and welcome all kinds of cars. I sold my Miata last month and bought a new 2007 S2K, and they still love me...heck, they made me their webmaster. Anyway, all the info is at Got Guts At Thunderhill II.

Ron

[Kitikithakis]

I had gotten a pass to Texas Motor Speedway for Christmas for the Drive along program. I went a couple of weeks ago and learned that there really is more to it than just goin fast, turnin left and pitting at the right time. I was in the #24 Dupont (Jeff Gordon) chevy. I had an instructor with me but, baseline, I drove that bad boy for 8 laps at over 150 miles per hour. My brother was driving Dale Jrs car. The first 2 laps were to get use to the tracks timing and then it was on. We were'nt allowed to pass but my instructor let me pas a few times due to "slower" traffic. OMG was that a total blast. We got a vid with in car, photos and the experience for $150. I wanna go again ....LOL. I was amazed to feel the car basically turning itsself into the turns. The instructor told me that the car was actually pushing just a bit and showed me where the push was happening. It was awesome to really experience it. I've driven fast on the roads but nothing like this. If ya ever get the chance I suggest givin it a whirl. You wont regret it.

[Vezna31]

I did a short 1/4 oval track in a 450 HP Nascar style car at Willow Springs. I think I did 50 laps in about 15 minutes. Not a whole lot of speed because of the shortness of the track, but I know exactly what you're talking about how the car really wants to turn left all the time.

[freescopesdad]

Hey guys, we're about 2 months out and the registrations are starting to roll in. Don't be caught without a slot with your name and number on it. At least send me an email at freescopesdad@comcast.net if you plan to be there on April 23rd. Thanks.

Ron

[Vezna31]

I'm heading out to Buttonwillow later today and driving the track all day tomorrow with Checkered Flag Racing Association. They seem like a really good group. I'll give everyone a full report with pictures and video when I get back on Saturday.

Their prices are pretty unbelievable. First off, they are a non-profit organization, so their prices are lower than anybody else out there and secondly (and the best), they give a lot of track time. I registered late so it cost me more, but had I registered a little earlier, I would have gotten five 30 minutes sessions for $175. And if you buy their yearly membership ($45), it would have been only $155 for 2 1/2 hours of track time. The price they charged for Laguna Seca back in March was $195 for members and $215 for normal registration. That's $65 cheaper than what Leadfoot charged for their January day and about $100 less than Speedventures and NASA charges.

[gomarlins3]

Do you have a link to their website? I need more track time and if they have any wothin 8 hours of driving, I might go.

Reno-Fernley coming up June 23-24th with T.E.A.M. Racing ~ Track Events, Alotta Miatas! . Reno-Fernley in June ~ 4.1 Mile Track!!! - S2000 Club of America Forums

[Vezna31]

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

Do you have a link to their website? I need more track time and if they have any wothin 8 hours of driving, I might go.

Reno-Fernley coming up June 23-24th with T.E.A.M. Racing ~ Track Events, Alotta Miatas! . Reno-Fernley in June ~ 4.1 Mile Track!!! - S2000 Club of America Forums

Checkered Flag Racing Association

They'll smoke Trackmasters prices too.

[gomarlins3]

The only date that works for me is when they are having their 'Business lunch'.

[Vezna31]

I got back late last night from an eventful couple of days. The 3.5 hour drive was great. We left late and hit no traffic in LA (if you can imagine that!!). I got off the freeway at 10:30 and that's when it started...I had a horrible noise coming from the left rear wheel. It would only do it certain times, like deceleration and it sound as if something was rubbing or something with every revolution of the wheel.

So, after checking in, I went across the street and parked under a bright light and pulled the wheel. I wanted to pull the caliper off and check the pads (looked ok from visible inspection), but preceded to round the bolt trying to loosen it. After being unsuccessful, I put the tire back on and would wait to see how it felt on the track after some heavy braking. To my delight it felt fine and by the end of my second 30 minute session, the noise was gone completely....and then I came in from the 3rd session to hearing some tremendous squealing. Upon a visual, my front pads were gone. I thought I may have been metal on metal, because I felt like I experienced some fade in my last lap or 2. After taking off the wheel, I saw I had a millimeter of pad left and the squealers were touching the rotors. I had no emergency pads with me (dumbass!), so I ordered pads from a local store and they delivered them to the track in an hour ( ). They were crappy replacements, but I just needed something on there for the 255 mile ride home. Here's a video:

Putfile - Chasing and catching and 911 Carrera S

[gomarlins3]

I ran my front pads done to metal on metal at Buttonwillow. They were so low that the "BRAKE" light was on even though the emergency brake wasn't. I learned that the light comes on as a warning that your pads are BEYOND low. I had to drive home on my e-brake and downshifting. Luckily I didn't go out for my last session. I realized I had a problem during the drive home.

[dewayne]

I've run Summit Point 6 times. 4 on the main track and 2x on Shenandoah.

I'm seriously considering some R-compound tires on my '03. Anyone with experience?

[Vezna31]

Originally Posted by dewayne

I've run Summit Point 6 times. 4 on the main track and 2x on Shenandoah.

I'm seriously considering some R-compound tires on my '03. Anyone with experience?

Toyo RA-1's. Very sticky!

[Vezna31]

Just 6 weeks away from running Sears Point with Checkered Flag Racing on Nov 18. I got an incredible deal at $175 for the day. Larry Martinez (Larmoe) from S2KCA is going with me. I'll be driving up that Friday night to Perry's, doing a little wine tour on Saturday with some other area S2K's, and driving the track on Sunday. I'm going to have my video camera all set up to record my track sessions. I am psyched! I have a brand new set of racing brakes to put on and the car has been running great from the regular mountain runs.

The last time I went to Sears Point, it kicked my ass. I had a terrible day, spinning once and almost spinning a second time in a very high speed section. That was very early in my track driving career, so I am eager to see how much better I have gotten in the last 2.5 years. I'll post videos when I get back

[chazdawg35]

HEY DUDE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE VIDEO !

[Vezna31]

Originally Posted by chazdawg35

HEY DUDE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE VIDEO !

Maybe I jinxed myself about how great the car is running. Since that post a month ago, I need about $1500 or so in maintenance to get it to track standards. In just the last week, I think my right rear shock has gone bad (108k miles) because it creaks over bumps and pulling into driveways and when my fat ass gets out of the car.

Maintenance due:
Oil and filter change
Tranny fluid change
Rear Diff fluid change
Brake fluid & clutch fluid change
Front & Rear shocks
Wheel alignment
New windshield

[Vezna31]

Wow...what a weekend. I was a prime example of Murphy's Law this weekend. We could go wrong DID go wrong!

I trailered the S 9 hours up to Infineon Raceway. After being on the freeway for such a long time with no problem, I am sitting at a traffic light waiting to turn left into the track paddock. The light turns green and I hear a "Thump, thump" when I pressed the gas. I looked in the rear view mirror and my freakin car became unstrapped and rolled right off the back of the trailer onto a major road.

The drop off the back was knee-high. It caught my front bumper and ripped it in half right in the middle along the bottom.

After thoroughly checking out the suspension, test driving acceleration and braking, we were convinced nothing was broken, bent, or out of alignment (incredibly).

I had 3 great sessions on the track. When I was pulling away to start my 4th session, I heard a clunk, clunk coming from either the clutch or tranny. I pulled back in and decided to call it a day and not risk throwing parts all over the track.

Quick diagnosis from Honda was that my pressure plate was bad and the clutch kit needs to be replaced. They also think something is wrong with the tranny, but wouldn't know without taking it apart.

The good news is that if the place diagnosing the clutch and tranny will say all the damage was caused by the fall off the trailer instead or normal wear & tear, my insurance company will cover all the repairs with a comprehensive claim.

I do have some great videos though. My best time in the first session was a 2:08:30, second session was a 2:06:70, third session a 2:09:00. Another car oiled down over half the track in the groove, so I drove more conservative in the third session avoiding the oil dry.

Click here to watch S2000-Infineon-111807
Click here to watch S2000-Infineon-2-111807
Click here to watch S2000---Infineon-3---111807

I had a great save in the first session:
Click here to watch S2000---Great-Save

[DJJSR]

Pretty cool! I never got a chance to run that course at speed. I used to drag race there and we try not to make too many turns, just the return road at about 5 miles per hour.

[Vezna31]

It's a really fun track and really challenging. Most of my troubles came in Turn 8 and Turn 10 as far as speed and correct line. And by watching the video, I saw how I could do Turn 1 better and carry more speed approaching Turn 6.