What tracks do you drive on?
01-09-2003, 04:57 PM
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: somewhere in the U.S.
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What tracks do you drive on?
I have always seen people that talk about racing on tracks...so I was wondering what tracks people race on? How do you fare, when you race your car in those types of conditions? Would you be kind enough to provide pictures/links/diagrams of courses that you have run? Something close to NY would be cool. I remember the auto-x course that I went to back at Orange county airport, but I am talking more of a track such as the one's that skip barber uses? Tracks that mimic slot car tracks, on a road surface.
In other words, what kinds of tracks do "average" people drive? I don't have a "mine's bigger than yours" mentality to life, but a desire to learn...so please, be serious, no horsin' around.
Thanks,
i.
In other words, what kinds of tracks do "average" people drive? I don't have a "mine's bigger than yours" mentality to life, but a desire to learn...so please, be serious, no horsin' around.
Thanks,
i.
01-10-2003, 02:45 PM
#2
Sears Point
Laguna Seca
Road America
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
California Speedway
Portland International Speedway
Willow Springs
Summit Point
Sebring
Texas World Speedway
Thunderhill Park
Buttonwillow Raceway Park
Streets of Willow
Spring Mountain Motorsports Park
Circuit du Mont Tremblant
Shannonville Raceway
I think those are all the tracks I've raced on. You would be interested in Watkins Glen, NY.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com
Laguna Seca
Road America
Las Vegas Motor Speedway
California Speedway
Portland International Speedway
Willow Springs
Summit Point
Sebring
Texas World Speedway
Thunderhill Park
Buttonwillow Raceway Park
Streets of Willow
Spring Mountain Motorsports Park
Circuit du Mont Tremblant
Shannonville Raceway
I think those are all the tracks I've raced on. You would be interested in Watkins Glen, NY.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com
01-10-2003, 06:10 PM
#3
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hey Gary...
Thanks. Seems like you have seen much track time in your vehicle. I will take a look into the course that you mentioned.
What kinda times do you get, when you race? What's the best times for said courses as compared to what you clock?
Again, thanks.
i.
What kinda times do you get, when you race? What's the best times for said courses as compared to what you clock?
Again, thanks.
i.
01-10-2003, 10:16 PM
#4
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Re: hey Gary...
Originally posted by inthedeck
Thanks. Seems like you have seen much track time in your vehicle. I will take a look into the course that you mentioned.
What kinda times do you get, when you race? What's the best times for said courses as compared to what you clock?
Again, thanks.
i.
Thanks. Seems like you have seen much track time in your vehicle. I will take a look into the course that you mentioned.
What kinda times do you get, when you race? What's the best times for said courses as compared to what you clock?
Again, thanks.
i.
01-11-2003, 12:06 PM
#5
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yeah...
I figured that Gary was not your "average" driver...but that's kinda why I wanted to know what types of tracks regular joe's could drive on.
I don't believe that the track in NY allows 'regular' people to drive on it.
I guess I may have to try some auto-x's this year, when the spring begins.
Anyone else know of any good tracks in the NY area that 'non-race car' drivers can drive on?
Later,
i.
I don't believe that the track in NY allows 'regular' people to drive on it.
I guess I may have to try some auto-x's this year, when the spring begins.
Anyone else know of any good tracks in the NY area that 'non-race car' drivers can drive on?
Later,
i.
Last edited by inthedeck; 01-11-2003 at 07:03 PM.
01-11-2003, 05:39 PM
#6
All of the tracks I listed typically host lapping day style events for every skill level, including novice.
That pretty much goes for nearly every track in the country.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com
That pretty much goes for nearly every track in the country.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com
01-17-2003, 09:05 AM
#7
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Pleasant Hill, CA
Posts: 469
Car Info: 02 WRB Wagon (Cobb AccessPort, P7's), 2-73 914 2.0, 74 914-2.0
I'm just an average driver and have a much shorter list than Gary. I'm driving a pretty slow car street car. Basically it's a stock 914-2.0 that probably has 90 hp at the flywheel (on a good day). The car has Koni adjustable shocks/struts, 19mm front swaybar (stock is 17mm), 140# springs (100# is stock) and R-compound tires (I was using BFG's which are slower than the Hoosiers). That's all that was allowed in my class.
Laguna Seca: 1:55's
Sears Point: 2:05's (haven't run there since 1997)
Buttonwillow (clockwise): 2:18
Thunderhill (either direction): 2:18's
Short list that will hopefully get longer since I'm on hiatus from racing since I have two small children now.
Laguna Seca: 1:55's
Sears Point: 2:05's (haven't run there since 1997)
Buttonwillow (clockwise): 2:18
Thunderhill (either direction): 2:18's
Short list that will hopefully get longer since I'm on hiatus from racing since I have two small children now.
01-22-2003, 12:13 AM
#8
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track time
Ahhh track days..........
I miss it, I used to run Bridgehampton a lot back in the late 70's and 80's. Now it's a golf course with condos...... That would have been an awesome course for a REX.
I spent a little time at LimeRock, Bryar, Summit Point, and Pocono long and short. Long was more fun.
Hope to get a few dates in this year.
We are pretty much a run what you brung club, Liverpool Motor Club.
Have fun.
Greg
I miss it, I used to run Bridgehampton a lot back in the late 70's and 80's. Now it's a golf course with condos...... That would have been an awesome course for a REX.
I spent a little time at LimeRock, Bryar, Summit Point, and Pocono long and short. Long was more fun.
Hope to get a few dates in this year.
We are pretty much a run what you brung club, Liverpool Motor Club.
Have fun.
Greg
01-22-2003, 01:48 PM
#9
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From NYC, you have some good options.
Lime Rock is one of the best. Great track (my favorite), lots of clubs running on it (at least 6 BMW CCA chapters, Poughkeepsie sports car, COM, Audi, SCDA etc).
NHIS is another 2 1/2 hours north. It's sort of my home track. BMW Boston, White Mt, COM, Audi, SCDA etc run among others.
Watkins Glen is up and west and again, same clubs plus others.
All of these clubs have schools intended to bring novices into track driving using your own car for reasonable fees. You'll need an appropriate helmet (Snell 95-2000 now, depending on club) and about $150-$200 a day in track fee. Volunteer instructors (like me) ride with you and give you on track instruction using a communicator in your helmet so you can actually hear and you'll get classroom instruction before hand and during the day.
The listed clubs do not require that you own one of their cars and you can sign up for track days well in advance. I'd advise you to join one of the clubs and get as much info as possible, then go for it. You will NOT need to modify your car. Learning to drive correctly on the track is worth more seconds than a full race prepped car can give you.
Do a Google search on Lime Rock Park, NHIS (New Hampshire International Speedway) and Watkins Glen to get some track info.
<Jukes....you must be as old as me
. I've run Bryar as well in Louden....pre-NHIS days. Regular direction: Louden, and reverse: Neduol as well as Bridgehampton.>
jack
Lime Rock is one of the best. Great track (my favorite), lots of clubs running on it (at least 6 BMW CCA chapters, Poughkeepsie sports car, COM, Audi, SCDA etc).
NHIS is another 2 1/2 hours north. It's sort of my home track. BMW Boston, White Mt, COM, Audi, SCDA etc run among others.
Watkins Glen is up and west and again, same clubs plus others.
All of these clubs have schools intended to bring novices into track driving using your own car for reasonable fees. You'll need an appropriate helmet (Snell 95-2000 now, depending on club) and about $150-$200 a day in track fee. Volunteer instructors (like me) ride with you and give you on track instruction using a communicator in your helmet so you can actually hear and you'll get classroom instruction before hand and during the day.
The listed clubs do not require that you own one of their cars and you can sign up for track days well in advance. I'd advise you to join one of the clubs and get as much info as possible, then go for it. You will NOT need to modify your car. Learning to drive correctly on the track is worth more seconds than a full race prepped car can give you.
Do a Google search on Lime Rock Park, NHIS (New Hampshire International Speedway) and Watkins Glen to get some track info.
<Jukes....you must be as old as me
. I've run Bryar as well in Louden....pre-NHIS days. Regular direction: Louden, and reverse: Neduol as well as Bridgehampton.>jack
Last edited by Jackffr1846; 01-22-2003 at 01:51 PM.
01-22-2003, 11:37 PM
#11
Here are my best laptimes in the WRX. Some were in USTCC trim while others were in Open Track Challenge (OTC) trim.
CW = Clockwise
CCW = Counter Clockwise
Sears Point USTCC............................................. ...............1:53.018
Laguna Seca USTCC............................................. .............1:44.460
Road America USTCC............................................. ............2:40.497
Las Vegas Motor Speedway USTCC (ALMS course)..................1:35.133
Las Vegas Motor Speedway OTC (1.1 Mile Short course CW).....0:55.179
Las Vegas Motor Speedway USTCC (Derek Daly course)...........1:29.742
California Speedway USTCC (1.5 Mile Short course).................1:20.524
Portland International Speedway USTCC................................1:20.719
Willow Springs International Raceway OTC.............................1:32.578
Summit Point Raceway USTCC............................................. 1:25.455
Thunderhill Park OTC............................................... ...........2:05.329
Buttonwillow Raceway Park OTC (#1 CW)..............................2:08.018
Buttonwillow Raceway Park OTC (#14 CCW)...........................1:56.627
Buttonwillow Raceway Park USTCC (#13 CCW).......................2:04.623
Streets of Willow OTC............................................... .........1:31.041
Spring Mountain Motorsports Park OTC..................................1:51.721
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com
CW = Clockwise
CCW = Counter Clockwise
Sears Point USTCC............................................. ...............1:53.018
Laguna Seca USTCC............................................. .............1:44.460
Road America USTCC............................................. ............2:40.497
Las Vegas Motor Speedway USTCC (ALMS course)..................1:35.133
Las Vegas Motor Speedway OTC (1.1 Mile Short course CW).....0:55.179
Las Vegas Motor Speedway USTCC (Derek Daly course)...........1:29.742
California Speedway USTCC (1.5 Mile Short course).................1:20.524
Portland International Speedway USTCC................................1:20.719
Willow Springs International Raceway OTC.............................1:32.578
Summit Point Raceway USTCC............................................. 1:25.455
Thunderhill Park OTC............................................... ...........2:05.329
Buttonwillow Raceway Park OTC (#1 CW)..............................2:08.018
Buttonwillow Raceway Park OTC (#14 CCW)...........................1:56.627
Buttonwillow Raceway Park USTCC (#13 CCW).......................2:04.623
Streets of Willow OTC............................................... .........1:31.041
Spring Mountain Motorsports Park OTC..................................1:51.721
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com
Last edited by GarySheehan; 01-22-2003 at 11:46 PM.
01-23-2003, 07:29 AM
#12
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Jack
I am 43 [ just a number, right ]
I guess I gave it away with calling it Bryar, and the Bridge.
I ran most of my events with E.M.R.A / Liverpool MC.
We have a nice schedule for 2003 Including Shannonville and Beaver Run. If anyone is interested www.emraracing.org .
You are so right to promote club racing so well,the instruction can be so good. My instructor ran alot in the late 60s in Britian, Formula Ford and saloons, he actually had instruction fro Jackie Stewart.
Alot of what you learn can come in handy in the real world too, It is all about car control and smoothness. It is not about modding the car till you have modded the driver.
Hope everyone has a great season.
Greg
I am 43 [ just a number, right ]
I guess I gave it away with calling it Bryar, and the Bridge.
I ran most of my events with E.M.R.A / Liverpool MC.
We have a nice schedule for 2003 Including Shannonville and Beaver Run. If anyone is interested www.emraracing.org .
You are so right to promote club racing so well,the instruction can be so good. My instructor ran alot in the late 60s in Britian, Formula Ford and saloons, he actually had instruction fro Jackie Stewart.
Alot of what you learn can come in handy in the real world too, It is all about car control and smoothness. It is not about modding the car till you have modded the driver.
Hope everyone has a great season.
Greg
01-23-2003, 05:57 PM
#13
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: somewhere in the U.S.
Posts: 179
thanks gentleman...
any other's wanna take a stab at the question?
Of course, any more info. on NY tracks/dates would be great. I will at least come up to a track to see the way it is, if any clubs are due to race there any time after the winter months.
And yes, I understand, learning to drive the car "properly" and more "effectively" is why I asked the question in the first place. Thus, I left it stock, till the driver is a little more modded. Not that I don't believe I could handle the power in the "real" world, but at this point in life, it's not even worth it to try on the highway, or any public road for that matter.
Night.
i.
Of course, any more info. on NY tracks/dates would be great. I will at least come up to a track to see the way it is, if any clubs are due to race there any time after the winter months.
And yes, I understand, learning to drive the car "properly" and more "effectively" is why I asked the question in the first place. Thus, I left it stock, till the driver is a little more modded. Not that I don't believe I could handle the power in the "real" world, but at this point in life, it's not even worth it to try on the highway, or any public road for that matter.
Night.
i.
01-24-2003, 11:12 AM
#14
inthedeck,
Keep that humble mindset while you are learning for the next few years and you'll go far!
There is ALWAYS something to learn. A big ego is surest way to suck for a long time.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com
Keep that humble mindset while you are learning for the next few years and you'll go far!
There is ALWAYS something to learn. A big ego is surest way to suck for a long time.
Gary
Sheehan Motor Racing
www.teamSMR.com
01-26-2003, 01:32 PM
#15
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: columbia,md
Posts: 134
Car Info: 03 wrx,944 turbo racecar, Lexus is300
Summit Point Raceway N.A.S.A., SCCA, PCA
Watkins Glen P.C.A.
Road Atlanta Panoz PRO RACE
Mid Ohio P.C.A.
Sebring, Panoz
Virginia International Raceway. Speedvision TEST
944 t g
Watkins Glen P.C.A.
Road Atlanta Panoz PRO RACE
Mid Ohio P.C.A.
Sebring, Panoz
Virginia International Raceway. Speedvision TEST
944 t g