help with monticello track

PM username "gotti257" Matt Gottlieb here on FChat. He told me he works(ed) at the track. When I raced there, it was still an airport.

 

I was there recently. Only got one session, and then it rained...So don't expect this to be the fastest lap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wK8GR4FtbA&fmt=18

 

Just go early and ask to drive their simulator. That really helps with getting to know the track.

 

+1

 

Not sure if this will help you but I've recently discovered this site: http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Main_Page

Kind of interesting.

 

Not entirely sure on the write-ups for trackpedia. My interpretation is that it's kind of like wikipedia, anyone can write a write-up about it. I would use it as more of a general guide to get me prepped and then figure it out from there on the track.

 

http://www.rallyedefi.com/images/attention_en.gif

 

True. It is contributor generated content.

 

Maybe because there are no deserts in NY or NJ.

 

Its easy to argue that making room increases speed and then you'd want even more runoff. Without any fear of wacking anything, you'll be going faster. Some of the hardest stuff to hit, other cars and the pavement itself will still be there regardless. If you've ever rolled, you'll know how hard the ground actually is.

Which worries you most: getting injuried or damaging your car? Streetcar, trackcar, racecar? Disposable car or prized posession? Cage or not? Are you suggesting ruining a racetrack so rich people can take their exotic car on the track for a photoshoot to boost their ego? Or are we saving trackcars people can walk away from and have a real interest in racing?

I've hit trees, lots of them and a couple times without any time to brake, once 5 foot airborne after going over a ravine. I like trees and the shade they offer. Hit boulders too, once inverted. Wacked a bridge or three. Part of the game in rally, without them there would be much less glory at the finish. If racing on a saltflat (other than speedrecords) was popular, you'd see tracks built there. Even poser drifters like having obstacles for the challenge.

Likewise, should a golfcorse remove sandtraps, bunkers, trees, lakes-waterhazards to make it easier for their members?

There is nothing to win except maybe a plastic trophy. Go out there, drive at speed you are comfortable with and have fun.

 

The analogy was regarding challenges in sports, not particularly safety. Here is another bad but relevant analogy to ponder: how many pissed mountaineers would you make if you installed an escalator to the top of Mt. Everst?

I haven't been on the track, don't know the Monticello goals are and would bet I'll never have the wealth to join. In this post which includes an aerial pic of the track (page2), it says there are 12 different configurations of the track.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=233842

Looking at photo there are definitely slow speed only configurations available which you can bet they'd limit the novice drivers with streetcars to, perhaps with additional cone chicanes, probably w/ an instructor until they clear you. So many tracks hosting HPDEs with varying levels of limited safety requirements which is no different and rarely does anyone get seriously injured.

I do know there are no professional rallydrivers in the US or Canada. There is no required classroom or ride with instructor requirement before entering your first rally. Show up as a noob w/ the fastest available rallycar (2 of the 3 sanctioning bodies have no restrictions), take an hour procedural course (what to do if you crash or are first to a crash), and they let you loose: no gravel traps, no runoff, no tirewalls, usually just trees, cliffs and lakes, jumps, varying road surfaces in the middle of no where with EMS usually miles away.

My advice would be; go to the track, mention your concerns but avoid advising on cutting down the local forest and relocating retaining walls for you, ride w/ instructor until you are no longer want them, stay within your comfort-zone and enjoy yourself. Don't be embarrassed if you're getting lapped by lessor cars or pay attention to lap times. There is nothing to win and this is for fun, right?

Customer at my wife's motorsport shop had them rebuild his Formula racer no-expense-spared top-spec everything over the off-season. After 2 races and not winning, the car is now for sale. Don't be that guy.

What are you doing for safety gear? Buying your own or does the track provide? If you are investing in your own and are that concerned, don't skimp on your equipment. More $ doesn't always relate to safer so ask loads of questions when purchasing.

Have your car serviced by a motorsport-savvy shop prior to any tracktime. Consider racing harnesses if this is your streetcar. My daily driver has a rollcage but then again, I'm me. Getting a dedicated cheapo caged track-car would put most your fears to rest. cage=courage.

All costs considered, storing/servicing or renting a trackcar in Texas and the airfare to and from is a drop in the bucket for a real race team who regularly tows to distant tracks. If you really, really feel like that Texas is your type of track, its always an option.

If all else fails, sponsor a rallyteam and I'll be sure you get a ride you won't forget.

 

I don't have any onboard footage of my own, yet, but you'll find once you are at the track that runoff is ample and adequate, where required. I've had a spin off and managed to get the car stopped in plenty of time. I have yet to hear of a car going off that has impacted a barrier at excessively high speed. Not saying it hasn't happened, but I haven't heard of such an incident.

The track surface is very new, with tons of grip even on the outside of turns, so you have lots of time to correct a missed apex without going off. They do an excellent job to keep the surface clean of debris and marbles, as well. Plus, the flag stations are well laid out, numerous and always staffed, which I'm finding can be an area where some track-day organizers are cutting costs these days.

My home track is actually Mosport, in the Toronto region. Compared to Mosport, MMC feels way more modern and safe. Still exciting, of course, but without the full pucker for the whole lap!

 

Excuse the poor paint work, but I was there last week with the Ferrari club and we ran the configuration I have outlined in green on the first day. The only spots where I could see some trouble for a someone unfamiliar to the track are the turns I have circled in red. The turn labeled 1 is uphill and you don't see how sharp and slow of a turn it is until you just crest the hill. The turn labeled 2 is a high speed corner which deceives you coming up to it because you think it is more of a straight than it actually is. A few cars have been written off at this corner because the drivers thought they could take it flat out.
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The key for that section is make sure you bring the car all the way over to the right nice and early as you go up the hill. That way you can start back towards the left earlier and avoid a dramatic lateral weight shift as the car crests and heads back down the other side, unloaded. In the preceding downhill right-hander, it's easy to get lulled into a long, power-on track out which leaves you too far left going up the hill, carrying a lot of momentum.

 

I was just on MMC last week. It is a very technical track and in my opinion it is not a track for the novice driver at speed. It is however, nicely laid out for the experienced driver. The best thing for anyone just starting out is to get the most seat time you can and don't over drive your ability. Listen to the instuctors. Remember; there are old racers and bold racers but, very few old-bold racers.