I haven't gotten my S2000 yet , but when I do, I was thinking where in the world could I go (legally) drive it like it was MEANT to be driven? :> In Oregon, I saw some things on the internet about (regular) people bringing their car to some race track and drag race. Do these types of things exist? Or was I seeing something different? If I get an S2000, I'd REALLY like to be able to go somewhere and really test out its handling and speed, but I have no idea where I can do this. I don't know if I want to race though, but I sure would like to flex its muscles.

Do you people go anywhere to do such a thing?? Thanks!

Mike

 

I don't know of a specific place for you to go, but check out local performance shops and find out where the local racetracks are. Sign up for driving schools or 'test and tune' days out there. Check out http://www.tracktime.com ...

While it's different than road courses, you can also look into autocrosses. Check out http://www.autocross.com and your local SCCA chapter...

That should get you started...

Enjoy the ride!



[Edited by gregstevens on 05-21-2001 at 08:29 AM]

 

Going to the track is a lot of fun - I've done it once with an ITR at Road Atlanta. I had an ear-to-ear grin for days.

The decision to track your car is up to you, but some things you should keep in mind:

Your insurance may or may not cover you in case of an accident on a track. I'm pretty sure mine doesn't, hence I am apprehensive about taking my S2K to a track.

Your tires and brakes will take a beating. Be prepared to replace both sooner than you normally would, or better yet, get a second set of rims with some DOT-approved "racing tires".

If you've never been on a track, you're probably not as good a driver as you think you are. The first set of S turns at Road Atlanta was a real eye opener for me. I was fully ready for how the car would handle and the rear end got a bit loose. I didn't loose it, but my advice is to not be a hero - it's hard not to when you have great handling car. SCCA SOLO II is a whole different story - I was (probabaly still am ) such a bad driver, I was actually able to spin my car (front wheel drive) on the course.

Like I said, it was a blast and I'm glad I did it, but I'm in no big rush to take any chances with my S2K.

 

If you want to see what it's like, check out the Gallery (Movies) at http://www.ntpog.org .

Find your local chapter of the SCCA (http://www.scca.org) and other local racing clubs, and GET OUT THERE!!! It's a blast!

 

I find most public roads and highways to be a great place to race

 

Your best bet is drivers education days at a track in your area. I would contact Portland International Raceway to see what they suggest. And the local Porsche and BMW organizations will usually let other cars into the events they organize. Track events are a lot of fun and a much better place to learn the limits of your car than public roads.

 

SCCA Solo2 should be the safest least abusive racing you can run. It requires no training and the least equipment (helmet that most regions can loan you). If you run one "street tire" event per month you'll probably be changing tires every year, just slightly more often than typical for us. You don't have to abuse your clutch (unlike drag racing) until you want the last 0.3 seconds. And it will take you more than a year to get to where that 0.3 seconds makes the difference.