Track events

Scott and I spent the weekend with the National Auto Sport Association at Roebling Road. Scott ran in the race group, while I did the HPDE track event. While my group contained mostly later cars, there was a Lotus 7 clone and early-ish 911 out there. So, any interest in running track events in a classic? What does it take to get more people involved?

Hey David I run my 70 Firebird as you saw up at PBI last fall at a NASA HPDE.

I think there's a need to spread the word to owners about what is and isn't needed to get out on track in entry level HPDE type groups. There's a lot of folks that think you NEED a roll bar/cage, or NEED a firesuit, or NEED special tires etc. Another thing is that unless they read magazines or visit forums like this they may not even be aware that regular cars are allowed on race tracks.

Another reason may be that owners don't think their cars are fast enough or they don't want to push their car to it's (or their own) limits. While there's always faster cars there's no reason not to have a blast learning to become a better driver while getting to have fun with the car in a safe environment where you can't get a ticket. So what if you don't have the fastest car, or don't want to run "full out" just give a point by and keep having fun!

Everyone likes pics so here's one from my first track day at Lime Rock Park.

In reply to David S. Wallens:

While I've been stalled for a couple years, I'm planning on building my TVR for track events. I used to do quite a few of them, but life has gotten in the way for the past few years. I'm hoping to do more of it hopefully next year. I always wanted to race, but after seeing my friends get into and out of it, I think track events are a better way to go for me. I'll get my competitive juices satisfied with autocrossing.

In reply to Rad_Capz:

Wow, nice T/A!!! Back in the late 70's I had a '71 formula 400 with those same side pipes! It's the only car other than a Vette or a Cobra that could pull them off, IMHO. Can you provide any engine/drivetrain info?

In reply to Rad_Capz: I thought one had to have all the safety gear, suit, helmet...to attend ANY NASA event. I passed up going to Lime Rock thinking the above....It would have been great to get back on the revised, repaved course. . I raced formula ford there when the track was really rough. And if you missed the apex at the bottom of the downhill turn by 6 inches, well, as they say, "when you spin both feet in." Funny, didn't slow by rearward movement to the outer catch fence. Thankfully, never smacked it. It's such a fun course to drive. Thanks for the info. Thanks for the info

In reply to flyinlow:

I've been pounding the pro touring / G-machine guys the past few years trying to get them to get their cars on track for a little exercise. They're finally getting a bunch of guys to start showing up and it's catching on fast.

When I first found out I could take a regular car out on track out with just a helmet to get started I was thrilled! I was a Kart kid with a quarter midget and always dreamed of being able to take a car around Lime Rock where my dad had taken me to watch races in the 60's. I found out about "track days" on the internet in the late 90's and knew what I had to do! I found a group that ran there, the SCDA combined with the PDA, and found out I could run with them in an entry level "beginner" type class where I'd get classroom and in car instruction. Perfect!

The SCDA has combvined with NASA to offer HPDE track days at Lime Rock if you're near there. You need a car that would pass safety inspection for regular street use (battery secure, good brakes,stock seatbelts, etc.) and a helmet, long sleeve shirt, long pants etc. Convertibles are required to have a rollbar that passes the broomstick test or a factory bar. Rollbar can be "bolt in" for those who don't want to weld. Here's a link to HPDE info http://www.nasaproracing.com/hpde/index.html

If you held a competition license years ago they might move you up quick to run solo once they check you out on track to be sure you know what you're doing but they'll probably stick you in HPDE 1 to start if you haven't been on track in over 3 years.

The new track is smooth! I didn't really like the new rumble strips though. I was there right after they redid the track and spent time in one of the instructor cars from the Skip school as a passenger during an open wheel school corporate event. I missed the weightless feel at the crest of the hill but I understand the safety issue that was involved.

Here's my car at Sebring, I moved south.

In reply to bravenrace: Thanks! Glad ya like the car. I run a mildly built 400 with a road race pan, MSD, Performer/Speed Demon, hooked to a T-350 (going to swap in a Keisler 5 speed when I can afford it) and a 10 bolt 8.5 "corporate" rear with Moser axles and using the tapered bearing style axles to give more support to the axle flanges for cornering since I've been running DOT R 315's. Baer brakes is the next upgrade, been running a stock style setup with Porterfield stuff but I cook a set of rotors on a track weekend.

I decided a couple years ago to do some serious safety upgrades since I was going to more track days as well as Top Speed races and the occasional drag strip. So here's a link to the safety upgrades thread about the installation of fire systems, cage etc. if you're interested. http://www.pro-touring.com/forum/showthread.php?t=48151

In reply to Rad_Capz:

Is the suspension modified?

Yes, Hotchkis springs, sways, tie rod ends and their Bilsteins. Global West Del-A-Lums in upper and lower control arms. Subframe connectors and poly body mounts (switching to solids). Front frame rails connected behind the splash pan by a bracket which also allows the front tow hook.

I usually get questioned about the automatic on track so..... It's got a stock stall convertor to keep heat down. B&M kit gives quicker shifts, again keeping heat down. I run a B&M Supercooler plus the stock cooler in the radiator and use a B&M Quicksilver shifter so I can bang through the gears and ratchet into lower ones on road tracks. I use Amsoil fluid. With the 2.41 rear I actualy use 1st gear on some tracks in slow corners. I also have a 3.73 rear I use for drags and other stuff. I know it'll be 3 grand to do the trans swap to a manual 5sp so it'll be quite a while before I can afford it. Meanwhile the 2 rears gives me more flexibility for different types of events, I'm not trying to win anythying, just have fun with the car.

The NECC runs several track events a year. Low pressure, "run what ya brung", super amounts of track time for the money.

Just about anything is welcome, but they love to have other vintage stuff running with the Corvairs.

http://www.corvair.org/chapters/necc/

The problems I see it are two-fold. For example, when I was involved with FLU (Fiat Lancia Unlimited) there was interest in doing track events. The reason we didn't is because open cars must have some rollover protection, most of our vintage roadster owners don't have or want roll bars, and the bulk of our club members have roadsters. So there was never enough people to make it affordable or get any real interest.

The other complaint I've heard is that older small bore cars simply are outgunned on the track by most of the equipment at a typical HPDE. It just becomes tiresome pointing by every Corvette, Evo, etc when your piloting something with less than 100hp.

I've been to a couple Corvair Council events, (Autocross, not open track.) and they were great. Low key, down to earth folks enjoying their cars; what more could you want?

I agree with Bravenrace for the most part. I really enjoy being out on track and want to race, but wheel-to-wheel road racing simply isn't an option for me right now. HPDE offers 80% of the fun for 20% of the cost.

I still enjoy competition, though, so when I feel the need to "beat" somebody, Autocross is a great way to test myself.

That's why I like the "fast autocross" of a track day... I don't have the time to develop into a good enough driver to run wheel to wheel (IMO seat time is critical for getting consistent enough to run with others) and have never much cared for the "wait all day" for three 60 second autocross runs... but I love running fast around the track and challenging myself at my pace. I don't care -that- much for the competition portion, but it is cool to see how your times compared at the end of the day... and to pick out the quicker drivers with inferior cars to see what you can learn from them. (Power masks a lot of bad habits, but great times in a slow car is a sign of a good driver...)

MSCC runs similar events in the midwest (like at Blackhawk)... a little less track time for similar money, but a lot more events.