Official GT350 Track Attack Attendance Thread

[fpa1974]

Same here. The full course and banking were incredible.

In the morning in the rain I found it hilarious that even in track mode the car really doesn't want you to get out of line. I wanted to find the limit and let the rear hang out exiting those tight left-handers, but the car said NOPE, FIRST YOU STRAIGHTEN UP, THEN YOU GO FAST.

Would have liked to push it harder in the track sessions and was hoping by session 3 the instructor in the lead car would open it up more, but I understand why we couldn't. We never really romped on it on entry or exit, but to be fair we were nearing the limits mid-corner beginning to slightly understeer. I brought my dad along as a guest, and in the GT school car he had the less than ideal tires squealing nearly every corner. They were getting gummy on him at the end of the first track session with the tighter course, but the next two sessions with the longer stretches helped keep them cool.

Best of all, in session 3 I was 100% nailing the heel-toe, even in that complex transition between corner 4 and the quad-oval, so having that experience will be tremendous going forward. I installed a blip module and will probably keep it and try it out, but I'm not so sure I'm going to want to use it now.

It was nice meeting you I was the 3rd guy in our run group

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[72&18]

Same here. The full course and banking were incredible.

In the morning in the rain I found it hilarious that even in track mode the car really doesn't want you to get out of line. I wanted to find the limit and let the rear hang out exiting those tight left-handers, but the car said NOPE, FIRST YOU STRAIGHTEN UP, THEN YOU GO FAST.

Would have liked to push it harder in the track sessions and was hoping by session 3 the instructor in the lead car would open it up more, but I understand why we couldn't. We never really romped on it on entry or exit, but to be fair we were nearing the limits mid-corner beginning to slightly understeer. I brought my dad along as a guest, and in the GT school car he had the less than ideal tires squealing nearly every corner. They were getting gummy on him at the end of the first track session with the tighter course, but the next two sessions with the longer stretches helped keep them cool.

Best of all, in session 3 I was 100% nailing the heel-toe, even in that complex transition between corner 4 and the quad-oval, so having that experience will be tremendous going forward. I installed a blip module and will probably keep it and try it out, but I'm not so sure I'm going to want to use it now.

Curious what blip module you went with?

 

[drummerboy]

It was nice meeting you I was the 3rd guy in our run group

I was wondering if that was you! Nice to meet you, too!

Curious what blip module you went with?

Xineering. I have a thread about the install here if you're curious:
https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/th...-downshift-blip-module-install-review.143224/

 

[mrbillwot]

I’ve posted this before but figured I’d post again for everyone who didn’t see it 3 months ago. This was my experience at track attack. This might answer some of your questions about what to expect.

Was Aaron Quine your lead follow instructor? He's great - made me feel comfortable and give nice attaboys when doing the slalom & varying radius exercises in Utah last summer (I was a driving guest).
That exercise, skid car, and a on-track turn by turn Instructor nuanced guidance all had in-car instructors in the passengers seat. how did that differ this year given the radio & distancing practices for compliance? Am supposed to go mid Oct. and am wondering. For me those in car instructors were the best part - super patient guys (James Burke did my ride along instruction and also drove to show my hot laps...which was great for "see what I mean?" continuity as he blew my mind).
Thanks for posting this - excellent.

 

[drummerboy]

Instructor in the skid car with you,
Instructors watching from a distance and talking to you on radio for the slalom, braking, heel-toe exercises,
Instructor in a lead car talking to you on radio during track sessions.

 

[dpAtlanta]

I was 100% nailing the heel-toe, even in that complex transition between corner 4 and the quad-oval, so having that experience will be tremendous going forward.

I agree... the heel-toe was something I had not really learned until the afternoon session. I tried to practice on the local roads, but I was face planting the steering wheel and it was not smooth.

They first have you do threshold braking, then you do heel-toe braking in the am session. These folks know what they are doing for us novices... you can NOT practice heel-toe braking without being hard on the brakes. At least us beginners can not.

Once on the track, it became very intuitive and quite smooth.

 

[mrbillwot]

Instructor in the skid car with you,
Instructors watching from a distance and talking to you on radio for the slalom, braking, heel-toe exercises,
Instructor in a lead car talking to you on radio during track sessions.

Ah ok thanks.

 

[mrbillwot]

I agree... the heel-toe was something I had not really learned until the afternoon session. I tried to practice on the local roads, but I was face planting the steering wheel and it was not smooth.

They first have you do threshold braking, then you do heel-toe braking in the am session. These folks know what they are doing for us novices... you can NOT practice heel-toe braking without being hard on the brakes. At least us beginners can not.

Once on the track, it became very intuitive and quite smooth.

Dave Ive been working on that a bit too - tricky with size 13 hooves...unlike drumming (all heels up) ;-)

 

[dpAtlanta]

You will have a blast Bill...!!!!

I am going to tape this since I have drove the track now:

BANK OF AMERICA ROVAL™ 400
Sunday, October 11, 2020 2:30 PM
NASCAR Cup Series

If your Track Attack is before or after this event, I would watch it. It will be interesting to see just how SLOW our laps are compared to theirs, and if their lines are different.

 

[mrbillwot]

You will have a blast Bill...!!!!

I am going to tape this since I have drove the track now:

BANK OF AMERICA ROVAL™ 400
Sunday, October 11, 2020 2:30 PM
NASCAR Cup Series

If your Track Attack is before or after this event, I would watch it. It will be interesting to see just how SLOW our laps are compared to theirs, and if their lines are different.

4 days after! I hope they sweep up the marbles ;-)

 

[pilotgore]

Was Aaron Quine your lead follow instructor? He's great - made me feel comfortable and give nice attaboys when doing the slalom & varying radius exercises in Utah last summer (I was a driving guest).
That exercise, skid car, and a on-track turn by turn Instructor nuanced guidance all had in-car instructors in the passengers seat. how did that differ this year given the radio & distancing practices for compliance? Am supposed to go mid Oct. and am wondering. For me those in car instructors were the best part - super patient guys (James Burke did my ride along instruction and also drove to show my hot laps...which was great for "see what I mean?" continuity as he blew my mind).
Thanks for posting this - excellent.

Yup, it was Aaron Quinn, great dude.
I was there right at the beginning of Corona so I'm not sure what they're doing these days. I wish there would have been some in-car instruction on track though. . .but I see how that would have been labor intensive for FPRS.

 

[mrbillwot]

Yup, it was Aaron Quinn, great dude.
I was there right at the beginning of Corona so I'm not sure what they're doing these days. I wish there would have been some in-car instruction on track though. . .but I see how that would have been labor intensive for FPRS.

For the several on track laps James was using arms & hand directions to really emphasis more turn in or run out and would slap at steering or my right drive leg in a more more more way that made it all great fun....I remember saying too often "seriously?" and "jeeze louise" as he coaxed me to push the car harder (as a guest still waiting fro my GT350 build later that month I hadn't even driven a std transmission or mustang in 18 years so getting out of my high-center of gravity SUV mindset was tough....plus I think I'm getting more cautious with age & back problems that James was very respectful of).
They're great and some have an even better personality. My hot lap driver the 2nd day barely spoke - not nearly as fun or instructive as James or Aaron or many of the other guys made it.

I'm not sure I'm any better a driver now that I have my low mileage 350 but I look forward to another opportunity to work on it & gain confidence. If I'm the slowest I don't car as long as I pushed myself a little out of my comfort zone and my back isn't screaming out to stop.
Again, thanks for sharing!

p.s. Last Fall Arron was here in MA instructing new drivers at Ford's hand on youth instruction day. Can't imagine how cool it is for them to be given tips by a real Trans Am series driver. Ford has some great programs.

 

[DrumReaper]

For the several on track laps James was using arms & hand directions to really emphasis more turn in or run out and would slap at steering or my right drive leg in a more more more way that made it all great fun....I remember saying too often "seriously?" and "jeeze louise" as he coaxed me to push the car harder (as a guest still waiting fro my GT350 build later that month I hadn't even driven a std transmission or mustang in 18 years so getting out of my high-center of gravity SUV mindset was tough....plus I think I'm getting more cautious with age & back problems that James was very respectful of).
They're great and some have an even better personality. My hot lap driver the 2nd day barely spoke - not nearly as fun or instructive as James or Aaron or many of the other guys made it.

I'm not sure I'm any better a driver now that I have my low mileage 350 but I look forward to another opportunity to work on it & gain confidence. If I'm the slowest I don't car as long as I pushed myself a little out of my comfort zone and my back isn't screaming out to stop.
Again, thanks for sharing!

p.s. Last Fall Arron was here in MA instructing new drivers at Ford's hand on youth instruction day. Can't imagine how cool it is for them to be given tips by a real Trans Am series driver. Ford has some great programs.

Don’t take it personally when your hot last driver doesn’t speak much. They have a lot to concentrate upon when they have another life in the car.

It was that way with my NASCAR training back in the day. Not much was said on hot laps, but more so to watch and learn. After the session was over we went over the things he was doing and then went back out on the track at a slower pace while he talked and then you’re like, “Wow!!! That makes perfect sense.”

 

[mrbillwot]

Don’t take it personally when your hot last driver doesn’t speak much. They have a lot to concentrate upon when they have another life in the car.

It was that way with my NASCAR training back in the day. Not much was said on hot laps, but more so to watch and learn. After the session was over we went over the things he was doing and then went back out on the track at a slower pace while he talked and then you’re like, “Wow!!! That makes perfect sense.”

Have to concentrate? With all due respect I don't buy it. At FPDS the hot lap ends the day - there is no go back & explain what was what and IMO there's no better time to explain techniques & vehicle dynamics than while it's happening rather than relying on after the fact commentary. We already had spent 2 days in & out of classrooms and on track.

What else set my expectations? Well my 1st day hot lap driver James Burke talked non stop checking to make sure I was ok, knowing of my back problem that I reassured him I was good- give it the beans! (he's a brit), but also was explaining every single thing he was doing - how much how little what to watch for and relating it to what he saw me do - all at breakneck speed as proof that it works. The whole time he was relaxed and I felt safe and mind blown at the same time - Its another day in the office for him as he hammered through chicanes and buried it down the straights. If I were a wealthy lad I'd gladly hire him to help me overcome in real-time the many areas where I was lacking confidence or was missing the point (or apex ; ).
It was only the 2nd day hot lap driver who barely spoke a word (on the west track that was new for that day). While that ride was impressive it was not anywhere near as instructive or fun as the 1st day laps with James. I certainly didn't "take it personally" - it wasn't as good at least not in that session for me.
These guys aren't just drivers - they're *instructors*. Its their job to explain AND show what is possible with these cars with the end of day hot lap being the ultimate example of that. Anyway its all good. Sadly will be cancelling going next month. Too many responsibilities here at home from elders who need me to hopefully starting as new job and not being able to quarantine waiting for all clear test results. The real problem is the travel to & from (too far to drive). 2020 sucks.

 

[ADDGAMER]

Have to concentrate? With all due respect I don't buy it. At FPDS the hot lap ends the day - there is no go back & explain what was what and IMO there's no better time to explain techniques & vehicle dynamics than while it's happening rather than relying on after the fact commentary. We already had spent 2 days in & out of classrooms and on track.

What else set my expectations? Well my 1st day hot lap driver James Burke talked non stop checking to make sure I was ok, knowing of my back problem that I reassured him I was good- give it the beans! (he's a brit), but also was explaining every single thing he was doing - how much how little what to watch for and relating it to what he saw me do - all at breakneck speed as proof that it works. The whole time he was relaxed and I felt safe and mind blown at the same time - Its another day in the office for him as he hammered through chicanes and buried it down the straights. If I were a wealthy lad I'd gladly hire him to help me overcome in real-time the many areas where I was lacking confidence or was missing the point (or apex ; ).
It was only the 2nd day hot lap driver who barely spoke a word (on the west track that was new for that day). While that ride was impressive it was not anywhere near as instructive or fun as the 1st day laps with James. I certainly didn't "take it personally" - it wasn't as good at least not in that session for me.
These guys aren't just drivers - they're *instructors*. Its their job to explain AND show what is possible with these cars with the end of day hot lap being the ultimate example of that. Anyway its all good. Sadly will be cancelling going next month. Too many responsibilities here at home from elders who need me to hopefully starting as new job and not being able to quarantine waiting for all clear test results. The real problem is the travel to & from (too far to drive). 2020 sucks.

I had to cancel for today's event due to travel and work restrictions in Mass. I just couldn't pull it off. This was my 2nd reschedule / cancel due to COVID. Ford performance actually just called me to offer me a November spot, even though I've exhausted my reschedule opportunities. I think the US will be in worse shape heading into the winter now that the kids are heading back to school.

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