Official GT350 Track Attack Attendance Thread

[O-H-5-0]

On my way out there right now. Getting excited as I wait in the airport

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[Rael]

You'll have a great time. I wanna do it again.

 

[rick81721]

Mine is in 1 month - July 31-Aug 1 - can't wait

 

[galaxy]

Can you get more track time for your non-driving guests, even if at a cost? I heard it's 3-4 laps; does that check with you guys that have done it with the guest?

 

[rolaidz]

Just went last week, 7/2 - 7/3. Seriously an amazing experience!!! You will learn so much about the car. Top notch all around and I had a blast. Ford organized this so well and there are so many nice touches (free tshirt, stick with photos, plaque, etc). I was so impressed with Ford and moreover, with the GT350! I pushed it so hard and the car never really flinched, even when the tires got hot (it was 100 degrees when I went). With this car and this experience, my perception of Ford has changed entirely, and I would definitely consider buying another SVT vehicle.

For those on the fence on insurance as I was... I went back and forth and even on the day of, flipped again. In the end I bought it, mainly so mentally I would not hold back. That proved to be the case, as I floored it every chance I got and didn't hold back at all. If you don't plan on doing that, I would say it's probably not necessary. The event is well organized and controlled, and the car itself is really difficult to push out of control. We had one group of drivers end up on the gravel (though I'm not sure why and there was no accident), but alot of drivers in my group drove quite a bit slower and for them, definitely not necessary (there's still a $5k deductible).

Have fun!

 

[rolaidz]

Can you get more track time for your non-driving guests, even if at a cost? I heard it's 3-4 laps; does that check with you guys that have done it with the guest?

It's actually only 2 laps for non-driving guests - bit of a let down for them, cause they just hang out all day and don't do a whole lot. There's no option for more laps. My GF had a decent time just knowing how much fun I had, and she had other non driving guests to keep her company.

 

[Ronp]

Can someone that attended recently comment on what time in the day they finished up? Trying to see if can catch a flight out of SLC the same day as the course but flights to the east caost seem to stop around 6pm.

 

[jpindustrie]

Last year we ended with the chaperone/2nd person ride alongs after the last on-track session, probably around 4:30ish, seems 5 PM was the cut off to finish the day.

 

[scannon]

Last Monday we were finished with the "graduation" ceremony a little before 5 PM. A few people left before the ceremony at around 4:30. The airport is about a 20 minute drive from the track.

 

[Competition Orange]

I'm curious if any experienced track day gentlemen have attended this and how they liked it. After reading the agenda I was a little let down with the track sessions being so...controlled.

Living in Ohio this would not be a free event, flights, probably 1 night in a hotel if not 2, etc. I'm just wondering if I'd feel this is targeted more towards the novice or intermediate level driver? I could probably do 3 full track days for the cost of this event and trying to figure out what to do. I'm also slightly annoyed that the second day option is in a GT, not a gt350.

As you can tell, I'm slightly down on this looking for some perspective and opinions. Thanks everyone!

Ps, very impressed that Ford does this for new owners!

 

[havasu486]

I'm curious if any experienced track day gentlemen have attended this and how they liked it. After reading the agenda I was a little let down with the track sessions being so...controlled.

Living in Ohio this would not be a free event, flights, probably 1 night in a hotel if not 2, etc. I'm just wondering if I'd feel this is targeted more towards the novice or intermediate level driver? I could probably do 3 full track days for the cost of this event and trying to figure out what to do. I'm also slightly annoyed that the second day option is in a GT, not a gt350.

As you can tell, I'm slightly down on this looking for some perspective and opinions. Thanks everyone!

Ps, very impressed that Ford does this for new owners!

It is a wonderful experience for all that attend. That being said they try their best to make it that way for everyone and thus it is not exactly catered any one. They do offer classes up to the NASA license if you like. I went in May of 2017 and since then have about 30 hours of track time. I have another allocation this year for the class and will pass if that means anything. Like you mentioned there are many expenses. I feel I would be better off utilizing that money for personal instruction at my local track. That being said it is a wonderful experience and I do not regret the money at all.

 

[scannon]

I attended the event 2 weeks ago. I have a bit over 7,500 track day miles over the last 20 years and I did learn a few new things and honed other skills. You will spend the morning doing small coned courses in parking lots learning/practicing things like increasing/decreasing radius turns, threshold braking, heel/toeing and the like.

The afternoon starts with a bus tour of the track stopping at each corner for a short spiel on the correct way to take the corner. Then comes a rotating lead/follow session, then half the class gets an instructor for half the session and the rest are on their own then a quick stop to swap the instructors into the other half of the class and the rest are on their own, then its pretty much open track. After that each of us got 2 laps with an instructor driving at 80%.

Its more a day of controlled learning than a normal track day.

The heat was brutal, 100F most of the day but they have chests of cold bottled water at all the areas you get to. I drank 10 bottles during the day and was feeling the effects of dehydration that evening and the next day. I drank a bottle of Pedialite to replace the electrolytes and that helped.


I thought it was well worth it but I didn't have to pay for a flight over and back as I drove my WRX, about 7 hours each way.

 

[Rael]

Sorry if you wanted to hear from an experienced driver; I had only one day at Willow Springs before this. I had a blast, though I really want/need more instruction, and time to let it all sink in.

In my same classes though were some very experienced drivers, with lots of racing experience and their own racing suits, etc. Some people were repeaters. They run a race licensing school there too. It's definitely not geared towards novice drivers.

As for the 2nd day option, go for the Boss 302--you'll love that! It's very different from the GT350. (Especially for me, who's never before squeezed into a roll cage, worn a Hans device, or been strapped down behind window netting.) It's loud, and clunky, and noisy, and claustrophobic, and loud, and I want to do it again.

Learning a little of the track in a normal feeling, unflappable GT350 the first day, followed by a second day in a loud, bumpy, uncomfortable Boss 302 ... perfect!

 

[Competition Orange]

Thanks for the help. I'll still keep it on the radar when they release the dates for 2019, but I'm leaning towards putting the 1k+ I'd spend for the free 1 day into a couple days here at Mid Ohio. Thanks!

 

[MulhollandMonster]

This is a great program but it is clearly meant for the beginner and maybe intermediate. Just the way it has to be. They are dealing with everybody and have to default to a lower level. As I said though it’s fun for a day but maybe you should think about it if you would rather spend the money on track days.

If you are one of those "buy all the swag and get tattoos of your vehicle" types, or will never really track seriously, then the Ford Performance track attack is a good deal....All others, don't waste your time.

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