Track Attack - Great in rain or shine

[TDC]

So I just finished my one day stint at Ford Performance's GT350 Track Attack program. What a great program and excellent instructors. Thank you Ford for having this available to owner/enthusiasts and big thanks to Ford Performance racing school and the professional photographer they had on hand.

As others have reported you gain experience using their skid car and GT350's. Various exercises are performed; in class instruction, heel/toe shifting, car control using the various settings (wet, sport, track) and on track instruction with an instructor as well as two sessions of running solo without instructors.

I was lucky enough to experience the GT350 at high speed in both wet and dry conditions. At one point the rain was coming down so hard we had the cars hydroplaning a wheel or two during the heel/toe exercises. Pucker up!! At first I was bummed by the rain but it actually turned into a great lesson in car control. It dried out in time for the high speed sessions at the end of the day so we could really push it.

Major takeways:
1) the brakes are awesome and don't be afraid to get on them really hard during the solo sessions at the E.O.D
2) the stock tires are excellent in both the rain and dry. Very progressive breakaway as you reach the adhesion limits of the tire
3) I have a lot to learn to ring the most from these cars. The Mustang has become a real performance car with this iteration and is a pleasure to drive. Heel/toe becomes easy to perform with the stock pedals under high speed driving and the car is an absolute blast. Third gear is all you need around the facility (drove the East Course). You could switch to 4th on the straight for a few more MPH and to test your heel/toe skills.
4) Ford Performance school in Utah is excellent and treats their attendees very well. At the E.O.D. they give out some swag and supply a USB with excellent professional photos. Two of these are shown below.

Thanks Ford and Ford Performance Racing School in Utah for a wonderful experience!!

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[Bender]

Glad to hear! I am out there next week May 3-4 and I cannot wait! As of now Im showing good weather for my dates

 

[mattlqx]

Never shy away from a track day in the wet!

 

[TDC]

Glad to hear! I am out there next week May 3-4 and I cannot wait! As of now Im showing good weather for my dates

Enjoy :cheers:

 

[HizliBullet]

TDC: is it better to wear these or these?

OR

 

[dkbluedevil]

I was also at this Track Attack. Agree that the rain was a good learning experience but would have preferred dry all day. Cool instructors, cool gear, great cars.

 

[50 Deep]

Nice.

Would there have been any benefit to having your personal car there? Park on track, signatures, etc?

 

[dkbluedevil]

Nice.

Would there have been any benefit to having your personal car there? Park on track, signatures, etc?

Not really, in my opinion.

 

[bentley1971]

Heading there Wednesday for class on the next day...can't wait!!!!

 

[mattlqx]

Nice.

Would there have been any benefit to having your personal car there? Park on track, signatures, etc?

No, it's not like any Ford brass is ever there. The most you get are the drivers, which you probably have never heard of anyway unless you follow dirt track, Formula Ford, or other lesser-known forms of motorsport closely.

Only if you want to do a road trip in it should you bring your car.

 

[mattlqx]

TDC: is it better to wear these or these?

OR

I'd go with the former of the two. But just a comfortable pair of shoes is fine. Something with a nice padded sole would be good as you'll actually do a fair amount of walking and standing.

 

[HizliBullet]

do they give the brembo rotor card holder in this event too?

 

[ThreeFiveO]

Heading there Wednesday for class on the next day...can't wait!!!!

See you there!! Can't wait

 

[TDC]

I used running sneakers. If it isn't wet they should work fine. I used to race shifter karts and do like the feel of proper racing shoes that give good feedback through the balls of the foot. If you have 'them already I'd bring them. If you are going to buy them just for this event then I wouldn't bother.

We received a mock-up of the front fender vent section as a gift. No disc brake card holders in sight. Also a track attack T-shirt, USB stick filled with pics and various small items.

As dkbluedevil said it is the instructors from the track and no Ford brass. The instructors were a great group of guys and are racers with various backgrounds (regional racing, some LeMans experience, vintage racing, etc.).

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