I wanted to get to at least one spring High-Performance Driving Event (HPDE) and wanted to see if there was any other interest? My club of choice is SCDA1 and it looks as if they have schools at LRP March 23rd and June and Watkins April 30 and May 1. http://www.scda1.com/schedule/ I know JonyB is going to the March 23rd day at LRP. Any other takers? -N
SCDA is an excellent company with which to run at the Glen (or other tracks). Note also that the Ferrari Club of America is having a 2-day track event at WGI in May, on the 2nd and 3rd, right after the SCDA events. vty, --Dennis
How experienced? I've got about 5 full high speed track days under my belt. Oh, and Tail of the Dragon <evil grin>
ahhhhhhhhhahhhhh heeeeheeeee ;-) just make sure the floor is not wet we don't want that Z06 spinning outa control
The track's one place I really can't be a spectator. Maybe once I could take you for a spin, tho...hopefully not literally -> damn sure hope it rains - you get more track time since most don't have the balls to be out there with ya. And sliding around is fuuuuuun ! My first day was in the rain. It was great because it slowed me down enough to work on my line.
I plan on doing both , Lime Rock and Watkins Glen during this season. Lime rock is much closer to NYC. Watkins Glen is a more challenging track. Cant Wait!!!!!
Ok, I'm doing LRP it's closer and it really is a great track (I've done it before). The only catch is that SCDA1 lists experienced drivers only for LRP, so I am wondering if they even have a beginners group. In any case, I emailed Ian Prout to ask him. Besides SCDA1 the other option is to run with the PDA group which is meeting March 24th (Sunday) at LRP. If there are really a few of you who are interested I would say PDA since they will have a begginer run group and because it's on a Sunday. In order to attend you have to sign up and the cost is <$300. You will need a helmet (I believe at least a Snell 95) and this is a rain or shine event (driving in the rain is FUN as Emilie stated). So whose in, and which school? Or do I have to decide everything? http://www.scda1.com/ http://www.pdadrivingschool.com/ There is also BMWCCA -N
I'm already signed up for the Saturday, March 24th PDA date @ Lime Rock. Nabbs you should doublecheck the dates, I think you have some of them mixed up in your post below. I'm definitely up for Watkins Glen, can't think of a better reason to get out of the office for a couple days. SCDA had a Mon 4/30 - Tues 5/1 date, PDA the week after Mon 5/7 - Tues 5/8. A bit too early for me to commit yet, though I imagine those probably don't sell out as quickly as the Lime Rock dates. I'll also be hitting Pocono a couple times this year, prob the June 2 & 3 and July 21 & 22 dates. Only 73 more days to Lime Rock
You're right! It's on a Saturday and not a Sunday! The only problem with Watkins is that it's not really a one-day event since it's a good drive from NYC and means spending the night (which I doubt I can do). I just heard back from Ian Prout (owner of SCDA) in regards to novice drivers and here is what he said: The reason that the application form is not online yet is that I am still finalizing a few details with LRP, I would expect a Formal and final schedule and application within the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned, Yes, NOVICE level drivers will be able to drive with us at LRP in March Jon do you think you'd be interested in switching to the April date with PDA? March might still have snow on the ground Anybody know how many sessions and the length of each session for SCDA vs PDA? I seem to remember SCDA gives you more on-track time. -N
Let the trash talking begin...but stop quoting yourselves, you 'tards!!! Er, Nabbs. I need to check the decibel limit
So is it true what they say about blondes? They can't chew gum at walk at the same time...let alone drive a standard transmission? Hence the reason god created the automatic. Joe -- remember convertible cars need to have a rollbar in them. Besides, rather then trash talk I'd rather actually drive!
I drove an automatic once. I mistook the brake for the clutch coming outta the parking lot. Didn't do that again Do we need fire extinguishers? Mine's always mounted under the passenger seat.
FWIW, here are some thoughts on WGI and LRP: 1. LRP is definitely closer for most folks in the Northeast. It's beautiful and a lot of fun, and holds a special place in our hearts. BUT, it's a relatively small course, and benefits more lighter, "momentum" cars like, say, an Elise or Miata, than big "horsepower" cars, like a Viper. It's also bumpy as hell, with the pavement in desperate need of repaving. Those of you with stiff track suspensions will pay dearly. There are plenty of unforgiving spots on the track, especially coming down the Downhill turn. There are no garages, so everything is in the open paddock (though that was paved last year). It can and does snow at LRP in March (I once had a slight spin in the uphill due to SNOW accumulation. Doh.). 2. WGI is further away and a schlepp for many of us. While Watkins Glen/Corning has a fair bit of fun stuff to do, it's NOT a top ten tourist destination. The track itself is one of the most challenging, fun tracks in North America. Well suited for horsepower cars, especially if you are experienced enough to hold the throttle FLAT from turn one, all the way up the hill through the Esses, and down the back straight before slamming on the brakes for the Bus stop chicane (can hit in excess of 160 mph). Lots of elevation changes, all sorts of corners. Downside is that the infamous WGI blue armco is just feet away from the track edge, so it can be a VERY unforgiving track. Pavement itself is newly refinished, with refurbished corner shoulders and paint. Full NASCAR garage. Well worth a full two day course, as it will take novices at least a full day just to learn the sequence of corners. SCDA puts on a great time. I've instructed with them for years, and Ian is a great guy. Another consideration - The 2007 Ferrari Club of America International Meet will be at WGI on Labor Day weekend in September. If you plan on going to that, going to WGI in May (for the SCDA event or for the 2-day FCA track event following immediately) would be a great way to get a taste for the big Meet, and also get some familiarization of the track. vty, --Dennis FCA/ESR Chief Instructor FCA/NER Regional Director
Since this is, after all, a Ferrari-related website -- the FCA Empire State Region will be at Watkins Glen on May 2 and 3. This is a great event, usually relatively uncrowded, and open to both Ferraris and other trackworthy cars. I will be there with my Corvette. You get a huge amount of track time each day, and for novices and those looking to build their skills, the instructors and class sessions are excellent. I believe that SCDA will be there for the two days before FCA, and Trackmasters will be there for the two days after FCA, so if you want to get a bunch of track time in, it's a great opportunity. Info on FCA ESR events: www.empirestateregion.com
Nabbs, I don't know emilie (don't know you for that matter), but there are a couple of fabulous blondes that come out to the FCA events. One drives a full-race BMW. She'll drive rings around you. And another that could easily be a model is one of the top instructors. I don't care what you drive, she'll bury you in her Spec Miata. Put your money where your mouth is, Bro, and come out to WGI with the FCA in May. We'll see if you can keep up with "the blondes."
