Fear
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,063
Likes: 365
From: Redondo Beach
Actually, I disagree about the autoxing. Sounds like Marc's used to handling RWD cars; the only difference is that the S2K has higher limits.
I say go for the track days. Remember, novices only tend to push too hard in the slow (and thus reasonably safe) corners; in high-speed sweepers where there's real danger, novices invariably back off long before the car is at its limits.
In other words, the same fear that kept you from signing up initially is what will keep you from wrecking.
Good luck!
-John
I say go for the track days. Remember, novices only tend to push too hard in the slow (and thus reasonably safe) corners; in high-speed sweepers where there's real danger, novices invariably back off long before the car is at its limits.
In other words, the same fear that kept you from signing up initially is what will keep you from wrecking.
Good luck!
-John
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 71
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From: Morganton
I took the Mid-Ohio school 3 months after purchasing my car in 2000. I paid the money for the rental (then an Accord coupe) and didn't regret it. I used the school car for the first several sessions until I was comfortable with the track and then drove the S. The S was in many ways easier to drive and more fun. As stated by previous posters, as long as you stay within your comfort zone you will be quite safe.
The first day was mostly skills training with very little high speed exercises. We were on the track a good portion of the second day and the third day was lapping which was a ball. I've been hooked ever since.
The instructors at the school are top notch, Chris Kneiffel, Tommy Byrne, Beaux Barfield, Tony Kester to name a few. You will come out a better, more confident driver. Have some fun!
Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.
The first day was mostly skills training with very little high speed exercises. We were on the track a good portion of the second day and the third day was lapping which was a ball. I've been hooked ever since.
The instructors at the school are top notch, Chris Kneiffel, Tommy Byrne, Beaux Barfield, Tony Kester to name a few. You will come out a better, more confident driver. Have some fun!
Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,210
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From: WA
Originally posted by ORIF 1
Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.
Life is uncertain, eat dessert first.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Austin
The danger comes when you get comfortable after several times out;when you are looking for those extra seconds per lap; I can tell you that I am now getting scared (after the track tires, and track brakes and video and lap timing) when 8, 9 tenths are very close; that is where I think it gets dangerous at the track.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Frederick
Wow, what great responses! Now, I feel like I oughta sign up, but I'm not sure what for? Autoxing sounds like fun, but I'd sure like the challenge of a track and pushing the car and myself a bit. One of you guys had good things to say about Mid Ohio. A friend of mine had some good things to say about Summit Point, which is much closer to me. Does anyone have experience with these programs so that I could make an intelligent choice? I know that MO's track is twice as long. What about Summit Point's instructors? What's their program like? Just how close ARE those walls/barriers at the two places? Thanks again. I'm getting closer. At least now I know that my fear is a good thing that will serve me well. It made me recall a phrase that I used for years to good effect: "Feel the fear and do it anyway" (within reason, of course
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: SoCal
Originally posted by Mrsideways
...It took him the longest time to get over the timidness you get your first time on the track. The problem was that Timidness carried over into autoxing. He drove the car around the autox course like the cones were a wall and he never came close to the limit. It took nearly 6 months of autoxing after he stopped doing track days to get him to actually drive the car to the point where he might begin to learn a thing or 2 about car control.
...It took him the longest time to get over the timidness you get your first time on the track. The problem was that Timidness carried over into autoxing. He drove the car around the autox course like the cones were a wall and he never came close to the limit. It took nearly 6 months of autoxing after he stopped doing track days to get him to actually drive the car to the point where he might begin to learn a thing or 2 about car control.
"I could get the thing into more shapes then Playdou and not leave the track...." shows the benefits of car control ability, perhaps easier learned on an autox course.
Joined: Apr 2002
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Marc, anyone who doesn't feel what you're feeling before their first track event is someone I don't want to be on the track with.
Your first session on track will be *very* slow. You'll be paradeing around the track just learning the lines. Your second session will feel much faster, but you'll still be well below the limits of your car. You'll gradually increase your speed in the corners and on the straights lap by lap. It's the gradual increase and the predictable nature of the track that keeps you safe. Eventually you'll start to approach the limits of what the car can do. It'll let you know by sliding a tiny amount laterally in the turns, engaging the ABS under braking, etc. As long as you don't take a flying leap beyond these limits, you're fine.
As said previously, after a few track days when you start pushing for those extra seconds is when drivers get themselves in trouble. Then you want to be on one of those wide open tracks with nothing but pavement and grass in site.
- Michael
Your first session on track will be *very* slow. You'll be paradeing around the track just learning the lines. Your second session will feel much faster, but you'll still be well below the limits of your car. You'll gradually increase your speed in the corners and on the straights lap by lap. It's the gradual increase and the predictable nature of the track that keeps you safe. Eventually you'll start to approach the limits of what the car can do. It'll let you know by sliding a tiny amount laterally in the turns, engaging the ABS under braking, etc. As long as you don't take a flying leap beyond these limits, you're fine.
As said previously, after a few track days when you start pushing for those extra seconds is when drivers get themselves in trouble. Then you want to be on one of those wide open tracks with nothing but pavement and grass in site.
- Michael
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Chicago
Please remember that you aren't going 100% right out of the gate. You will get faster and I mean alot faster as track time builds.
You will drive your car faster than you thought could!
Be safe!
Remember this also:
Slow in, fast out.
You will drive your car faster than you thought could!
Be safe!
Remember this also:
Slow in, fast out.