samd1351
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2018
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- Location
- Olathe, KS
- First Name
- Sam
- Vehicle(s)
- 2017 Mustang GT, 1999 Ranger
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- #1
So, I went to Track Night in America for the first time on Friday night. I'll start out with what an experience.! There were so many great cars. A hand full of Mustangs, Camaros, a lot of Corvettes, Miatas and Porsches. There was a Ford GT as well, more om him later.
After spending the better part of tje week (sorry boss) researching the track, Heartland Park Topeka, and getting all kind of good advice here, I still wasn't sure what to expect. I arrived about an hour early so I could get settled. That was too early. 30 minutes would have been plenty. When checking in, I saw that most of the guys were wearing shorts. It was hot, so that made sense. But almost everything I read said long pants. I asked the gal checking me in if shorts were ok and she said as long as I have my helmet and closed toe shoes, I could drive in my underwear if I wanted. I told her that no one wants to see that and I'll go with shorts the next time. The general info also said that you couldn't bring anything in (no coolers, umbrellas, food, drink). What wasn't exactly clear was the fact that the only place I couldn't bring something was into the grandstands, and even that was questionable. I guess I didn't realize that I could bring everything to the "pit area" which was the parking lot. Next time, I'll be more prepared with chairs, a cooler and maybe a pop-up canopy. I didn't do anything to prep the car other than a quick wash, cleaned it out and filled it up.
The initial Novice meeting gave some general instructions that this not competitive, no time is being kept, NASCAR isn't here scouting new drivers, etc. But not a lot of info or instructions in actually driving the course. Which I guess was ok. They said they had two instructors on hand if you had questions, but that there would be no in- car instructor. The first trip onto the track was an easy paced, get to know the track run. I was behind the GT. We were told to male sure everyone had room to see the course and that there was no passing this go round. This was strictly a warm up session. It started out with everyone spaced out pretty well. I was constantly checking my mirrors to make sure my pace was quick enough. The only issue was I was all over the GT. I kept trying to slow down to give him room, but the line of cars behind me was growing. After that run, we went back for a briefing. It was all about flags and the point by for passing. After the briefing I talked to the guy in the GT. I apologized immediately for kind of being right on him. He said that he was fine. That this was his first time out and the the GT was his father-in-laws. His f-i-l, was driving a 69 Mach 1 and his brother-in-law was driving a '67 fastback, all of which were the old man's.
The first unpaced session went well. I thought I ran pretty well. Got a couple of "point bys" and gave a couple as well. I figured I went about as hard as I felt comfortable, about 60% -70% or so. It really was a lot of fun. I could tell I was doing pretty well in some sections and not so well in others. I could start to see what line to take and how to close the gap, just a little to the guy in front of me. I let a red vette and green charger go by in a heated battle. Two turns later the charger almost lost it. It was everything he could do to keep the car on the track. We came off for the next briefing.
Session two. At this point I was pretty amped. I was feeling good about how I did in session one, and other than the two other cars above, (they were all over me for about half a lap and I wasn't going to turn loose of the steering wherl to give them point by until I felt it was safe to let go) everyone was pretty respectful. I made sure I got staged in the middle of the pack, and when we got the go ahead, I was off like a prom dress. Unfortunately, about two laps in, I was way over confident. I over driving the car to keep ahead of a group and by the time the session was over, I could tell I didn't do very well. I was easily out running a Boss 302 on any bit of straight, but as soon as I hit a corner, he was on my ass like white on rice. I finally got out of his way and he was gone. But not for long. I came around a corner and there he was off in the grass. Came back in for the next briefing and the instructor went over a couple of things. He asked if anyone wanted to fess up to any mistakes. I volunteered that I could tell from the end the session that I was trying too hard and that I was starting to get a little tired or exhausted. He said that was a common issue, esp for first timers.
Session three. Session three didn't go as well. I made sure I staryed near the back, so I would be out of other driver's way. About half way through the session I could tell I was off the pace. There was a line of cars starting to build up behind me. As we all came around the last turn, and just past the pit entrance, I waved on of the last in line behind me by. Some guy in a Porsche something. I was doing almost 90 and he came by me at at least 130. Them a BMW came by and kicked up a large chuck of rubber and I said that's it. I'm not risking the car or getting in someone's way, so I pitted and called it a night.
Overall thoughts are:
1) It was hella fun. I'll definitely do it again.
2) For sure want someone to come along just to take pictures. I got some pics with cell in the parking area, but that's it. No
action photos
3) I'll be more prepared supply wise with a cooler and snacks.
4) Really wish they had a "Beginner" and a "Novice". There half a dozen cars/drivers that needed to be in the intermediate group. It would have been nice to be on track with others of mostly the same skill level and comparable cars.
5) I will probably look for a HPDE course/class just to get a better handle on how to drive.
6) I will definitely being doing autocross/solo before I go back to the big track. This was a shit ton of fun. I just need some practice.
7) The car was spot on. I performed flawlessly. The driver on the other hand, was the flaw. Really need some practice, patience and better tires.
Most importantly, I had a blast, even though I got passed by a Velsoitor and Mini Cooper, and the car came home unscathed. Thank to everyone for all of the info. I'll post some pics in the photo thread
After spending the better part of tje week (sorry boss) researching the track, Heartland Park Topeka, and getting all kind of good advice here, I still wasn't sure what to expect. I arrived about an hour early so I could get settled. That was too early. 30 minutes would have been plenty. When checking in, I saw that most of the guys were wearing shorts. It was hot, so that made sense. But almost everything I read said long pants. I asked the gal checking me in if shorts were ok and she said as long as I have my helmet and closed toe shoes, I could drive in my underwear if I wanted. I told her that no one wants to see that and I'll go with shorts the next time. The general info also said that you couldn't bring anything in (no coolers, umbrellas, food, drink). What wasn't exactly clear was the fact that the only place I couldn't bring something was into the grandstands, and even that was questionable. I guess I didn't realize that I could bring everything to the "pit area" which was the parking lot. Next time, I'll be more prepared with chairs, a cooler and maybe a pop-up canopy. I didn't do anything to prep the car other than a quick wash, cleaned it out and filled it up.
The initial Novice meeting gave some general instructions that this not competitive, no time is being kept, NASCAR isn't here scouting new drivers, etc. But not a lot of info or instructions in actually driving the course. Which I guess was ok. They said they had two instructors on hand if you had questions, but that there would be no in- car instructor. The first trip onto the track was an easy paced, get to know the track run. I was behind the GT. We were told to male sure everyone had room to see the course and that there was no passing this go round. This was strictly a warm up session. It started out with everyone spaced out pretty well. I was constantly checking my mirrors to make sure my pace was quick enough. The only issue was I was all over the GT. I kept trying to slow down to give him room, but the line of cars behind me was growing. After that run, we went back for a briefing. It was all about flags and the point by for passing. After the briefing I talked to the guy in the GT. I apologized immediately for kind of being right on him. He said that he was fine. That this was his first time out and the the GT was his father-in-laws. His f-i-l, was driving a 69 Mach 1 and his brother-in-law was driving a '67 fastback, all of which were the old man's.
The first unpaced session went well. I thought I ran pretty well. Got a couple of "point bys" and gave a couple as well. I figured I went about as hard as I felt comfortable, about 60% -70% or so. It really was a lot of fun. I could tell I was doing pretty well in some sections and not so well in others. I could start to see what line to take and how to close the gap, just a little to the guy in front of me. I let a red vette and green charger go by in a heated battle. Two turns later the charger almost lost it. It was everything he could do to keep the car on the track. We came off for the next briefing.
Session two. At this point I was pretty amped. I was feeling good about how I did in session one, and other than the two other cars above, (they were all over me for about half a lap and I wasn't going to turn loose of the steering wherl to give them point by until I felt it was safe to let go) everyone was pretty respectful. I made sure I got staged in the middle of the pack, and when we got the go ahead, I was off like a prom dress. Unfortunately, about two laps in, I was way over confident. I over driving the car to keep ahead of a group and by the time the session was over, I could tell I didn't do very well. I was easily out running a Boss 302 on any bit of straight, but as soon as I hit a corner, he was on my ass like white on rice. I finally got out of his way and he was gone. But not for long. I came around a corner and there he was off in the grass. Came back in for the next briefing and the instructor went over a couple of things. He asked if anyone wanted to fess up to any mistakes. I volunteered that I could tell from the end the session that I was trying too hard and that I was starting to get a little tired or exhausted. He said that was a common issue, esp for first timers.
Session three. Session three didn't go as well. I made sure I staryed near the back, so I would be out of other driver's way. About half way through the session I could tell I was off the pace. There was a line of cars starting to build up behind me. As we all came around the last turn, and just past the pit entrance, I waved on of the last in line behind me by. Some guy in a Porsche something. I was doing almost 90 and he came by me at at least 130. Them a BMW came by and kicked up a large chuck of rubber and I said that's it. I'm not risking the car or getting in someone's way, so I pitted and called it a night.
Overall thoughts are:
1) It was hella fun. I'll definitely do it again.
2) For sure want someone to come along just to take pictures. I got some pics with cell in the parking area, but that's it. No
action photos
3) I'll be more prepared supply wise with a cooler and snacks.
4) Really wish they had a "Beginner" and a "Novice". There half a dozen cars/drivers that needed to be in the intermediate group. It would have been nice to be on track with others of mostly the same skill level and comparable cars.
5) I will probably look for a HPDE course/class just to get a better handle on how to drive.
6) I will definitely being doing autocross/solo before I go back to the big track. This was a shit ton of fun. I just need some practice.
7) The car was spot on. I performed flawlessly. The driver on the other hand, was the flaw. Really need some practice, patience and better tires.
Most importantly, I had a blast, even though I got passed by a Velsoitor and Mini Cooper, and the car came home unscathed. Thank to everyone for all of the info. I'll post some pics in the photo thread
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