Jb350
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 28, 2016
- Threads
- 20
- Messages
- 419
- Reaction score
- 223
- Location
- Laurel, MD
- First Name
- Joe
- Vehicle(s)
- 2016 Shelby GT350 track pack
- Thread starter
- #1
Gentlemen prepare for a great story! But first some background info, Im 29 years young, and i have a fare amount of karting experience recently, and countless hours of simulator racing, but I've never been on a track with a car. This weekend I attended an HPDE at summit point raceway (main circuit) with Chin Motorsports which was a 2 day event with about 3.5 hours of total track time each day. I was paired with an instructor, and after a 45 minute classroom session we made our way to the pits for our first run of the day. And let me tell you the first run was rough lol. I was the only first timer in attendance, so I was nervous, learning the track and giving lots of point bystanders. I slowly learned the line, the flagging station and braking points. After my first run I rode with my instructor in his car for about 15 minutes in the instructor/blue group (intermediate solo). And riding with him was the most eye opening experience of the weekend. I realized the car can handle alot and learned a lot from him. On my next session I was significantly faster and passed several cars, along with rarely being passed. Throughout the day I increasingly got faster, and by the last session I was able to pass the majority of the green group (novice) with the exception of a few cars. On a side note, after my last 30 min session, it transitioned into a 30 minute open lapping session (all groups/passing anywhere) I RAN THE CAR FOR AN HOUR STRAIGHT WITH NO ISSUE!!!
When the day was over my instructor reviewed everything and I was looking forward to day 2.
The start of day 2 was great, the weather was cooler, and after another classroom session, we went back on track. After warming the car and getting reaclimated to the track I was becoming faster than 90% of the field, with the exception of a 2015 gt pp (who is also a member on m6g) and a Nissan gtr. I'd like to.say I was doing so well on my own, but the fact of the matter is that this car is so confidence inspiring it's unbelievable, it has so much mechanical grip it's scary, and the few times whenew things got hairy (OVERSTEER, LOL) the stability control in track mode was there to save me, smoothly I might add. During lunch and before my 3rd session I met with my instructor to go over the morning, he was sitting with a few other instructors, and 1 of the people on charge of the vent, who had been observing. He decided that, under his supervision, I was going to be moved to the blue group(intermediate solo). In his words "this never happens" I couldn't believe it, i never asked and it was unexpected. The biggest shit eating grin was on my face. As I got ready for the session, I was chatting with some of the guys in the paddock who I had been hanging out with all weekend, all of which were in the blue group. They advised me to "run my own pace" and honestly they scared me a little. So we got lined up and after getting a few laps in, and realizing the only difference was passing was aloud in corners, the group as a whole was significantly faster obviously, but afymter getting comfortable, I was actually passing a good amount of cars, while allowing others to pass me, and being comfortable with it. About 10 minutes into the session, I was passed by an experienced driver in a new Viper ACR. Granted it was his first time on track with the viper, I stayed with him for a few laps, but eventually he left me lol. Then about halfway through, a red porsche gt3 showed up in my mirror. He wasntb significantly fastereduce, and I would pull away marginally on the straights, eventually I let him pass, and that was the best decision I made. Knowing that the cars have similar performance levels, I knew I could get close to his speed, so I latched on to home and imitated him as best I could. There were places where he definitely was faster, but my best turn ally weekend was turn 10, before the main straight. So throughout the lap he would get some separation, but I was carrying more speed into the turn before the straight and was able to make up ground.I ran my fastest laps behind him, and watching him really helped. Running with that group(still with my instructor) showed me that the capabilities of this car are outstanding. The rain killed the last session of the day so I didn't get to go back out unfortunately, but I was tired and had enough stimulation for the day. My instructor reviewed the weekend and praised how willing I was to learned. He informed me that he would be willing to allow me to go solo ONLY after I do some skid pad training, which was understand giving the few oversteer situations. Overall it was an AMAZING WEEKEND. Chin motorsports are an awesome group, professional, on schedule, and I can't praise them anymore. There was no major incidents all weekend. I say all this to say that this car is outstanding. I truly believe that in any other car (short of maybe a gt3 rs) I would not of been able to progress the way I did. My car is completely stock with the exception of a JLT oil seperator, and I never once thought it needed something. Buying this car was one of the best decisions I have very made, the only complaint is have is now that I have the track bug, it's gonna cost lol. If you track your car, you probably understand where I'm coming from, and if you don't, get out there and use this car for what it's made for, you won't regret it. I'll be going to VIR in October and I can't wait!
When the day was over my instructor reviewed everything and I was looking forward to day 2.
The start of day 2 was great, the weather was cooler, and after another classroom session, we went back on track. After warming the car and getting reaclimated to the track I was becoming faster than 90% of the field, with the exception of a 2015 gt pp (who is also a member on m6g) and a Nissan gtr. I'd like to.say I was doing so well on my own, but the fact of the matter is that this car is so confidence inspiring it's unbelievable, it has so much mechanical grip it's scary, and the few times whenew things got hairy (OVERSTEER, LOL) the stability control in track mode was there to save me, smoothly I might add. During lunch and before my 3rd session I met with my instructor to go over the morning, he was sitting with a few other instructors, and 1 of the people on charge of the vent, who had been observing. He decided that, under his supervision, I was going to be moved to the blue group(intermediate solo). In his words "this never happens" I couldn't believe it, i never asked and it was unexpected. The biggest shit eating grin was on my face. As I got ready for the session, I was chatting with some of the guys in the paddock who I had been hanging out with all weekend, all of which were in the blue group. They advised me to "run my own pace" and honestly they scared me a little. So we got lined up and after getting a few laps in, and realizing the only difference was passing was aloud in corners, the group as a whole was significantly faster obviously, but afymter getting comfortable, I was actually passing a good amount of cars, while allowing others to pass me, and being comfortable with it. About 10 minutes into the session, I was passed by an experienced driver in a new Viper ACR. Granted it was his first time on track with the viper, I stayed with him for a few laps, but eventually he left me lol. Then about halfway through, a red porsche gt3 showed up in my mirror. He wasntb significantly fastereduce, and I would pull away marginally on the straights, eventually I let him pass, and that was the best decision I made. Knowing that the cars have similar performance levels, I knew I could get close to his speed, so I latched on to home and imitated him as best I could. There were places where he definitely was faster, but my best turn ally weekend was turn 10, before the main straight. So throughout the lap he would get some separation, but I was carrying more speed into the turn before the straight and was able to make up ground.I ran my fastest laps behind him, and watching him really helped. Running with that group(still with my instructor) showed me that the capabilities of this car are outstanding. The rain killed the last session of the day so I didn't get to go back out unfortunately, but I was tired and had enough stimulation for the day. My instructor reviewed the weekend and praised how willing I was to learned. He informed me that he would be willing to allow me to go solo ONLY after I do some skid pad training, which was understand giving the few oversteer situations. Overall it was an AMAZING WEEKEND. Chin motorsports are an awesome group, professional, on schedule, and I can't praise them anymore. There was no major incidents all weekend. I say all this to say that this car is outstanding. I truly believe that in any other car (short of maybe a gt3 rs) I would not of been able to progress the way I did. My car is completely stock with the exception of a JLT oil seperator, and I never once thought it needed something. Buying this car was one of the best decisions I have very made, the only complaint is have is now that I have the track bug, it's gonna cost lol. If you track your car, you probably understand where I'm coming from, and if you don't, get out there and use this car for what it's made for, you won't regret it. I'll be going to VIR in October and I can't wait!
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