what's the format for HOD/PRG? ie how many run groups per day, total track time, etc. and is it just me or are track days in Florida silly expensive? $300 per day at PBIR and the Homestead roval, $450 per day at Daytona...ouch. and I've seen similar pricing from other groups. what gives...high insurance rates? competition over dates with race teams for testing?
Track rental is expensive!! $10k-15k for track rental....add insurance, food/drinks, corner workers, ems, etc.... and, you can have a $15k-$20k day... even at 50 people, $20k is $400 per person just to break even!!
An embarrassingly small amount of quality tracks, each giving each other the shiv. So, the good tracks like Daytonner and Homestead are very very good and can charge the higher fees while other such as Sebring and PBIR are lacking in the amities department but also charge crazy track rental fees. They have all, in their own way, blocked people from starting independent tracks in Florida. One such was to be the Lightning Ridge Motorsports Park that was to be built in the area between Daytona and Ocala. Lightning Ridge was to be in the mode of some of the other "country club" race tracks that we see springing up around the country. The developer, Brian Gaines, had a great plan and the energy to move it forward. However, he met harsh resistance from the 900lb gorilla on the block in the form of Daytonner International Raceway which saw this as a direct threat to their domain even though at the time they were not renting the track out for clubs or other events. Even though Lightning Ridge was eight miles from the nearest residence, the locals got together to fight the track (even though most of them knew nothing about it) and squashed the plans due to what they thought were going to be noise problems upsetting their peaceful town. So, unfortunately, this is what we have left. There is a road course at the Gainesville drag strip that the FOC used as it's first track event. The course is more of a testing ground than a race track but everyone seemed to enjoy it but there were zero facilities. BHW
there were really only 4 tracks in SoCal (Willow, Buttonwillow, Cal Speedway and Chuckwalla) and it was common to see $100 track days. you were a fool to spend $450 a day for a track day that didn't include catered meals, track support and a happy ending. so while it's easy to blame the tracks, I don't think that's the answer...
Perhaps, but in SoCal (all of Cali), there is much more of a motoring lifestyle, very active clubs with huge active memberships, good weather year round, great roads, a much more laid back scene, etc. Whereas in Florida, there is more of a motoring season which begins in October runs through November, then picks up again in January through April when the weather gets too hot or notorious Hurricanes interrupt. There are far less fun and interesting roads to choose from in Florida vs. Cali added to the fact that the four tracks there are to choose from are spread out over a vast area. Some guys, won't say who, will not venture out of Palm Beach County. For others, going to Homestead or Daytona is a long haul. Other guys who've attempted to get country club tracks together fizzle out or are out bid for property by developers for example as happened in Lakeland when Lakeland International Raceway was bought out and tilled under to make room for warehouses. BHW
ain't that the truth! although I see that as a positive for getting sports car owners to the track...you can only bomb down the highway at 100+ mph so many times... agreed it's a different environment, I just find it odd that in a state where the overall cost of living (exclude the highest of the high end) is soooo much cheaper, that track time would be so much more expensive. also, I'm trying to figure out what's up with the Gainesville test track, supposedly a fun little layout but nobody seems to be the "go-to" guy in terms of organizing anything. have any leads?
If my memory serves me correct I ran a kart race at that Gainseville track. Seemed awfully small to run cars but I could be wrong.
Chas, I posted REAL numbers for the track rentals......Homestead is even more than that.... do the math, and you can see that $100 track day events would be impossible to do.....if you feel that it's possible, then I will await your $100 track day and I will gladly sign up!!! This was a huge struggle, and we had to modify a few things to make the track events work with the FCA......luckily, we now have a track schedule, and it includes The Firm, which is the track I believe you are referring to outside of Gainesville.
If I may. Gainesville Raceway once hosted both SCCA races as well as motorcycle races at the drag strip, it included the strip as well as a return road and parking area. It was marginal. The "track" that you all are talking about is the police training area / skid pad. It is fine for solo events or auto cross. Second gear for a Ferrari, maybe third. Not sure of the price ,but I know there is no, nothing there. Keystone has Gorally.com. Started as a rallyschool and was tried to be made a road course / driving club. To the best of my knowledge neither SCCA or NASA have approved it for racing ( narrow,lack of run off and general poor design). But for a club day for street cars it may be fine. The price has got to be better than the major tracks. As far as the prices of the major tracks prices go. What do you expect. Now the France family owns Sebring your choices for cheaper tracks in Florida is going, going ... Cali porsche guy, you kind of sound like a yankee and there were two Ferrari at Tioga.
Not the Gainesville Raceway.........we are booking The Firm; Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park (click on links below) The Florida International Rally & Motorsport Park Tracks, Circuits & Stages In addition to renting the track, we also rented the gun range, as well as have several select spots reserved for anyone that also wants to do the rally they offer the day before........more details coming soon!!! Image Unavailable, Please Login
When the FOC used the Gainesville track, it was more of a proving ground than a race track, that is true. It is set up in a big field behind the drag strip, most wouldn't even realize it is there. It has multiple configurations and most were saying it would be a great track for karting so they set it up to have the longest lap possible for the big cars. Participants found it tight and the cars were not able to get up to top speed but never the less, everyone seemed to have fun. We had a decent turn-out of participants but had to allow only so many cars out at a time due to the space constraints. The main problem was zero facilities. The FOC rented an air conditioned tent set up adjacent to the track but even with A/C, it got a bit gamey towards the end of the day. BHW
edit: nevermind, saw your post LOL Gainesville Raceway is basically a giant autocross next to the dragstrip. It is NOT a race track but for track days/time trials/testing it is a suitable venue (other than the lack of facilities). I was not aware that the FIRM was renting out to private groups-I thought they managed their own track days exclusively. let me know how it goes and how the track is. It's in Starke, IIRC, about halfway between JAX and G-ville. I'm somewhat interested in doing their rally school too.
