***HouStook Meet/Greet/Eat and DRIVE***
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 1
From: Austin, Texas
Driver's Edge Open Track @ Hallet 9/15-16
Folks: this is a great club, with top-notch instruction and leadership. I've been involved with it throughout this year and will be instructing the next three events (yes, I am an S2000 owner and long-time open track driver). We have three events coming up: Hallet, Texas World Speedway, and Motorsport Ranch.
What is an Open Track?
An Open track event is just what the name implies - a roadrace course that is wide open for you to drive. You will be able to drive it to the level of your ability:
- Beginners get instructors assigned to them for the weekend - so you'll learn how to safely and quickly drive the track, as well as the fundamentals of handling and driving in this kind of "traffic". Instructors are very experienced people with many years of roadracing. There are two levels of beginner groups, depending on experience.
- Advanced drivers (with significant prior experience at this type of event) will be assigned to one of two "upper" groups depending on experience level (not car type).
In either case, you'll have 8 25-minute sessions on the track over the weekend!
Our chief instructor is one of the most experienced chief instructors in the country, and the program is very carefully designed to work for all types of cars. Unlike some brand-specific clubs you won't be artificially forced to lines around the track specific to only their biased cars. This is a "multi-denominational" organization and the diversity of skill and perspective will benefit you far more than a brand-specific club. You'll get great experience, you'll have a great time, and you'll meet a lot of other drivers.
This type of event is for serious drivers and their serious cars, it's not for poseurs or hotdogs. Handling is more important than horsepower. Brakes are crucial (and believe me, going thru turn 1 at TWS at 142 MPH in 5th requires both handling and excellent brakes!). You and your car needs to be in top-notch condition.
Cars must pass a detailed tech inspection. You'll have a from in advance to be filled out and signed by an auto inspection or repair shop. Obviously, for this type of event you can't have cords showing in your tires. Your engine must be in excellent shape. You'll want to carefully look the amount of brake pad you have. Nothing can be loose or shakey, you'll want to check over the entire car yourself in advance as well. There are lots more details, see the site or drop a note here to discuss (this forum has lots of excellent disussion on this topic).
Given the heat, you'll also want to watch out for yourself - bring plenty of fluids to drink and get plenty of sleep both nights. A helmet will be required, either one of your own (with a specific level of certification), or a loaner.
If you haven't done one of these before, you'll find this is one of the most exciting "car" events you can possibly do. All kinds of cars will be present - you'll see everything from A to Z (just a few years ago I was present when a trailer pulled up with an F40 and an F50 inside - unfortunately they didn't need an instructor!).
Each of the three tracks we are doing over the remainder of this year are significantly different from each other. Each has it's own unique attributes and lessons to be learned. You'll also find events like this at other tracks around the country. As you advance in this hobby, you will also advance to unbelievable weekends at exotic tracks like Watkins Glen or Road Atlanta! Many of the people in attendance are also SCCA members and advance into competition with that group!
If you can't drive in this event, you can still get involved by volunteering to man a corner station (using flags to control the cars, and in communication with the tower to handle other safety conditions). You may even want to come out to just watch, listen, and learn so that you can attend a later event when you feel ready.
Hallett Newly Renovated!
Introducing 10 turns of the newly repaved & renovated 1.8 miles Hallett Motor Racing Circuit. Blind corners and rolling hills with elevation changes of more than 80 feet make Hallett one of the most challenging race courses you
What is an Open Track?
An Open track event is just what the name implies - a roadrace course that is wide open for you to drive. You will be able to drive it to the level of your ability:
- Beginners get instructors assigned to them for the weekend - so you'll learn how to safely and quickly drive the track, as well as the fundamentals of handling and driving in this kind of "traffic". Instructors are very experienced people with many years of roadracing. There are two levels of beginner groups, depending on experience.
- Advanced drivers (with significant prior experience at this type of event) will be assigned to one of two "upper" groups depending on experience level (not car type).
In either case, you'll have 8 25-minute sessions on the track over the weekend!
Our chief instructor is one of the most experienced chief instructors in the country, and the program is very carefully designed to work for all types of cars. Unlike some brand-specific clubs you won't be artificially forced to lines around the track specific to only their biased cars. This is a "multi-denominational" organization and the diversity of skill and perspective will benefit you far more than a brand-specific club. You'll get great experience, you'll have a great time, and you'll meet a lot of other drivers.
This type of event is for serious drivers and their serious cars, it's not for poseurs or hotdogs. Handling is more important than horsepower. Brakes are crucial (and believe me, going thru turn 1 at TWS at 142 MPH in 5th requires both handling and excellent brakes!). You and your car needs to be in top-notch condition.
Cars must pass a detailed tech inspection. You'll have a from in advance to be filled out and signed by an auto inspection or repair shop. Obviously, for this type of event you can't have cords showing in your tires. Your engine must be in excellent shape. You'll want to carefully look the amount of brake pad you have. Nothing can be loose or shakey, you'll want to check over the entire car yourself in advance as well. There are lots more details, see the site or drop a note here to discuss (this forum has lots of excellent disussion on this topic).
Given the heat, you'll also want to watch out for yourself - bring plenty of fluids to drink and get plenty of sleep both nights. A helmet will be required, either one of your own (with a specific level of certification), or a loaner.
If you haven't done one of these before, you'll find this is one of the most exciting "car" events you can possibly do. All kinds of cars will be present - you'll see everything from A to Z (just a few years ago I was present when a trailer pulled up with an F40 and an F50 inside - unfortunately they didn't need an instructor!).
Each of the three tracks we are doing over the remainder of this year are significantly different from each other. Each has it's own unique attributes and lessons to be learned. You'll also find events like this at other tracks around the country. As you advance in this hobby, you will also advance to unbelievable weekends at exotic tracks like Watkins Glen or Road Atlanta! Many of the people in attendance are also SCCA members and advance into competition with that group!
If you can't drive in this event, you can still get involved by volunteering to man a corner station (using flags to control the cars, and in communication with the tower to handle other safety conditions). You may even want to come out to just watch, listen, and learn so that you can attend a later event when you feel ready.
Hallett Newly Renovated!
Introducing 10 turns of the newly repaved & renovated 1.8 miles Hallett Motor Racing Circuit. Blind corners and rolling hills with elevation changes of more than 80 feet make Hallett one of the most challenging race courses you
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Just thought I'd jump into the Houstooks splinter group 
ONE LNR - Since I am a Filipino and I have a hard time speaking in English... Therefore, I don't speak much... thus the ONE LNR. hehehehe
Later,
ONE LNR - Since I am a Filipino and I have a hard time speaking in English
... Therefore, I don't speak much... thus the ONE LNR. heheheheLater,
hehehhe... It was just another BS from me, now that I have thought about it. Oh well, maybe because I don't have anything better to do right now and my mind is wandering off from work.
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Registered User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,378
Likes: 0
From: Houston
After careful consideration (2 sec) I decided it was time to, once again, get together on a Saturday and apologize...errrrr...say 'Hi' to everybody. The plan is simple:
WHEN: Saturday, December 8th, 2001 - 11:30 AM
WHERE: Chili's on Westheimer near the Beltway ( Click me for a map )
WHAT: Did you read the first sentence???
WHY: Because it has been TOO long
Shine up the coolest car you own (Your Stook, dummy) and show up for some fun/food/friends and fast times!
No need to r.s.v.p. or anything. Show up if you can and if you can't, hold your breath until the next one...good luck and hope to see everyone there!!
Mark
WHEN: Saturday, December 8th, 2001 - 11:30 AM
WHERE: Chili's on Westheimer near the Beltway ( Click me for a map )
WHAT: Did you read the first sentence???
WHY: Because it has been TOO long
Shine up the coolest car you own (Your Stook, dummy) and show up for some fun/food/friends and fast times!
No need to r.s.v.p. or anything. Show up if you can and if you can't, hold your breath until the next one...good luck and hope to see everyone there!!
Mark