I'm almost embarrassed to talk about this, but here goes. Five weeks ago I got my s2k. It's my first sports car and I've waited 54 years for it! I grew up and drove RWD cars most of my life and learned how to slip and slide growing up in Northern Ohio winters. You won't believe what I put my '66 VW bug through! Now, I got this beautiful Spa Yellow Sweetheart that just loves to go fast and cut the twisties nicely. I want to experience just how this car handles when pushed. I've been pushing it to some degree on some great roads in WV, but I really want to see what it (and I) do. So, today, I was within ONE click of signing up for a three-day course at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. What stopped me cold was a picture in my minds-eye of my car bouncing off a wall and turning into a piece of metal mush. I've waited so long to get this kind of car, I really don't want to f*ck it up. On the other hand, I love acceleration and speed and would love the challenge. Moreover, while I THINK I know how to handle this car in an emergency, taking the course would help to take the "think" out of this statement. What about autocross? How did you manage to overcome your fear of cracking up your car when you first started. BTW, the S is my only car -- I need it! Help? Thanks in advance.

 

Why don't you take the high performance course using the Acura RSX-S school cars. Then when you feel comfortable, take the 3 day with your S2000.

 

That's a good suggestion and one that I thought about. Here's what I was thinking. First, what's the point of learning how to better handle an NSX when I'll be in my own car when I need to call on those skills. Second, it costs an extra $525 to use their cars. Not that I'm cheap, but -- I guess I am Then I started to think, "Well, all I gotta do is wait for a really nice wet day and find a big parking lot and throw the car around. Slam on the brakes! Slide around! Just beat it to Hell! That'll help, right? Am I being too shortsighted. No one will be there to teach me the fine points and criticize what I did. I'll just "feel" what worked and what didn't. This is driving me nuts

 

Fear is good, it's what keeps us alive.

Personally, I recommend a person autocross their car a few times before taking it out on a high-speed track. It helps to know the limits of the vehicle before taking it to a potentially dangerous track. Spinning at 40mph isn't a whole lot different than 115mph, but the consequences and fear factor are exponentially higher at speed.

If you don't plan on pushing past 7 or 8 tenths at the track, you'll be just fine. But me, I don't feel like I'm getting my track money's worth if I can't drive at 10 tenths. I'd rather stay at home and play race car games or something than putt around the track at less than the limit.

Autocross is cheaper, safer, and, IMO, a better learning experience. There's always several experienced drivers that are willing to ride with you and give pointers, and a few of them may even have S2000s.

After tons of autocross and several track days in the S2000 I'm nowhere near overcoming fear of death and destruction. Probably never will...

 

Fear of death and destruction is what keeps you safe and within your personal limits at the track. Your mind will be less capable than the car you are in for a looooooong time, I'm sure most people on the board including myself are in that same position.

I say go ahead and do the full course with your own car. Driving fast does not mean driving recklessly as long as you stay within your limits!

 

I think driving on the track is safer than the majority of our public highways. I was scared shitless the first time I signed up, but wanted to for years, and one day just did it! Now I'm hooked and reasonably skilled.

Anyway, dunno how they are run in your neck of the woods, but here, you are sure to be safe and out of harm's way your first weekend on the track. You have an instructor at all times. First run is w/o a helmet, at 1/2 speed. All runs after that, your instructor controls your speed (provided that you listen to him), and helps direct your line on the track. While you will think, at times, you are hauling ass, nobody in the novice group is hauling ass and you'll be operating well, well below the limits of the car.

Yes, you will have to assume some risk. But, that risk is much lower than most think (as a novice driver), and what you learn in return will make you an order of magnitude safer on the street. So, the bit of risk endured will pay off essentially exponentially.

As you get more skills, and you come back for more DE's, and start flirting with the limits of the car while at the same time learning advanced skills, I think the risk is heightened. But, I still go whenever I get the chance. But for your first time out, don't sweat it.

Hope that makes sense.

Jeff

 

You have nothing to fear .... but me.


Man, have I been chomping on the bit to post that.

 

You are not alone. I'm in the same boat. It's the $$$$ risk thing more than anything for me too. I've got a good insurance rate and I'm not sure I'd be covered at the track unless I attend a quality school event which also costs a lot of $$$$. Personally, I'd just like to go out a test my limits on an open track day, without any instructor. I've got the speedbleeders, ATE brake fluid, and Panther pads but haven't made the final step. . . but I will. We're not getting any younger and the same fear that preventing you from doing it will keep you out of harms way when you do. Its the other guys that worry me.

 

I don't know if it's already been said but take it autoxing a few time first. You'll get a good idea for how she handles and you'll have some fun and learn some stuff too.

 

No offense, buy your attitude scares me, and is the very thing every instructor fears. Learn first. Then get fast. It's not the other way around. You'll be a hazard to yourself and others on the track with that approach. Don't take it personally, as a lot of folks start out with that attitude until they get some laps in. You'll be faster with a good instructor, trust me. Not to mention, leave the track in one piece.

You'll find that you have a lot to learn, but be prepared to be humbled. As a novice it's not about the car, it's about the capabilities of the driver. A seasoned driver in a Miata will have no problems tearing up a novice in an S2000. There's a good reason why you have to earn the right to be solo'd.

Learn first. Go fast second.