Here with a friend who is testing a LMP3 car. Lots of big dollar cars here.
BTW, the guy that owns all three of those cars, he's on track with his GT3 spec Lambo right now.
Hrmmm....paganis are hot
I never had much interest in Pagani until the episode of Harry's Garage in which I fell in love.
Chin track days always bring out the big boys.
It was fun being out on track with this guy last summer. :) I have no idea how they get the crew guy out after he drives it into the top bay of the trailer -- maybe has to ride in it all the way home?
Serious hardware.
Several years ago, I did a track event at Sebring in a Subaru and was similarly outgunned.
I remember checking my mirrors before Turn 17 and seeing just a wall of GT3 Porsches with one Ferrari mixed in. They were all past me by the time we got to start/finish.
But then it rained. A lot.
So I went out just after the rain stopped and picked off a few. "Not so tough now, are we...?"
Personally I love a "busy" track day -- with lots and lots of participants. I realized a few years ago, though, that there are people who pay a premium to have a less crowded event.
ZOO (Forum Supporter) said:Personally I love a "busy" track day -- with lots and lots of participants. I realized a few years ago, though, that there are people who pay a premium to have a less crowded event.
It depends on your goals. If you're looking to develop the car or driving (as distinct from racing) skills then a clear track is usually more conducive to that, if you're just there to drive and have fun then you may want lots of company.
There were a lot of fast cars out that day. too bad there were alot of cars off track and black flags.
In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :
I learned a long time ago that I would never be "fast" . . . or scouted. So it's mostly about time with friends and future friends for me.
In reply to codrus (Forum Supporter) :
I actually beg to differ. I feel that driving skill is directly related to race skill. Being able to predict and adapt to the unforeseen that you don't have control of translates far beyond mere car control. And a develop that skill set you need a crowded busy track. Now, of course, it does increase the risk of property damage.
Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:I actually beg to differ. I feel that driving skill is directly related to race skill. Being able to predict and adapt to the unforeseen that you don't have control of translates far beyond mere car control. And a develop that skill set you need a crowded busy track. Now, of course, it does increase the risk of property damage.
There are lots of skills involved in driving the car on the track that have nothing to do with traffic (proper brake and throttle techniques, for example) and are much easier to work on and turn into muscle memory when you don't have to devote as much of your attention to other cars.
In reply to codrus and Captdownshift:
IMHO, both are true. When working on basic skills, a crowded track can be a detriment, but once you reach an intermediate level you can learn a lot in traffic. Following a faster driver can be very helpful.
One of my favorite memories from tracking motorcycles was going out in a session behind a friend, who was of about the same skill level. We always had fun on track because we were pretty evenly matched. In this particular session, we were going really fast, but I hung in there because I knew I could follow him and ran my fastest laps to that point in my riding development. Turns out it was a local carded AMA racer who had jumped on my friend's bike... I didn't look closely at his leathers! The result was a breakthrough in my riding that led to even further improvements. I never would have gotten there riding on an empty track.
Even today, I find the motivation of a "chase" can help me to break through barriers I'm having trouble with on track.
Rodan said:In reply to codrus and Captdownshift:
IMHO, both are true. When working on basic skills, a crowded track can be a detriment, but once you reach an intermediate level you can learn a lot in traffic. Following a faster driver can be very helpful.
One of my favorite memories from tracking motorcycles was going out in a session behind a friend, who was of about the same skill level. We always had fun on track because we were pretty evenly matched. In this particular session, we were going really fast, but I hung in there because I knew I could follow him and ran my fastest laps to that point in my riding development. Turns out it was a local carded AMA racer who had jumped on my friend's bike... I didn't look closely at his leathers! The result was a breakthrough in my riding that led to even further improvements. I never would have gotten there riding on an empty track.
Even today, I find the motivation of a "chase" can help me to break through barriers I'm having trouble with on track.
This definitely resonates with me. I think I've learned the most in lead/follow situations. Which actually relates directly to Racerfink. I had jumped into the Forza 6 GRM Spec Honda league and after a few weeks had been schooled up on car setup and how to drive the cars and really utilize the setup. I went from at best mid pack to consistently fighting in the top 3 spots. Thanks Fink!
Rodan said:In reply to codrus and Captdownshift:
IMHO, both are true. When working on basic skills, a crowded track can be a detriment, but once you reach an intermediate level you can learn a lot in traffic. Following a faster driver can be very helpful.
One of my favorite memories from tracking motorcycles was going out in a session behind a friend, who was of about the same skill level. We always had fun on track because we were pretty evenly matched. In this particular session, we were going really fast, but I hung in there because I knew I could follow him and ran my fastest laps to that point in my riding development. Turns out it was a local carded AMA racer who had jumped on my friend's bike... I didn't look closely at his leathers! The result was a breakthrough in my riding that led to even further improvements. I never would have gotten there riding on an empty track.
Even today, I find the motivation of a "chase" can help me to break through barriers I'm having trouble with on track.
I have the opposite side of this story. As previously mentioned, I am not "fast" -- quick and safe, for sure, but inclined towards caution. My friends always joke that I don't try hard enough to keep a fast pace. One time, one of said friends caught me in his Corvette, and I decided to play and make him work for the pass. We had a blast for five laps or so, and then I waved him by. Only to discover it was an entirely different black ZO6 . . .
Cat and mouse chases are great fun, and I've learned a lot from them, too. Especially the part about being sure to drive your own car and line, and not blindly follow the car you are chasing.
Oops.
David S. Wallens said:But then it rained. A lot.
So I went out just after the rain stopped and picked off a few. "Not so tough now, are we...?"
Haha! A Subaru who looked like a happy lab splashing in puddles and me in a E36 M3 box 1.6 Miata did that at Buttonwillow one time when the skies opened up. Fun to be the fast one on track for a little while.
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