Central Texas is getting a roadcourse!!!

I ran the full track (in a golf cart) of the Driveway here in Austin last Friday...it was the best track I have been on in Texas...You can have HarrisHIll. The Driveway should be cheaper, more fun, more exciting and more convenient...

 

They're both cool tracks, with different targets. Of course some tracks are better than others, but there's no such thing as a "bad" track. I'm happy to have the activity nearby.

The Driveway was on the cover of The Statesman's Sports Section yesterday:

http://www.statesman.com/news/mplayer/sports/51246

Mark

 

Which tracks in TX are you comparing it to?

 

TWS, Cresson, Houston, TMS, Eagle's Canyon...

TWS is a blast for the high HP cars...but for technical and fun for everyone...Driveway.

 

Thanks for posting that Mark. Dang...! I wish I had known about that event. I guess it was for the privileged few.

 

Watching the video that Mark posted the Driveway appears to be as flat as a board, no changes in elevation or camber. I don't see the techincal challenges you speak of, it looks more like a track for beginners to get started. There's nothing wrong with that and I love seeing any track get built that can build up the sport, but unless the video is hiding something special about the track I can't see myself getting too excited about it.

TWS is far more than a high HP track, there is a lot more to it if you want to post competitive lap times. I know I need to spend a lot more time there to get my times down. With regards to Cresson, Patrick Long has described it as one of the most challenging and entertaining tracks in the country, and a great place to train. I don't think the Driveway will offer the same challenges.

 

In the video the main expansion wasn't paved yet. The only new part in that video appears to be the new section that bypasses the original actual driveway into the facility. There is natural elevation changes... the video is hiding a lot.

 

Here is some more info on it: http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/other/12/25/1225Driveway.html

The article notes a corkscrew type turn in the expansion, now that would be fun! Does anyone have a track map or aerial shots of the facility?

 

Well, guys I have been to both places in the last 3 days! I can say both owners are VERY EXCITED about their products! And well they SHOULD BE! Well done to Bill and Bo!

Now, Bill has not told me what his plans are really other than drivers training type events for municipal type groups (fire, police, ambulance, etc). I know they have had some auto-X schools out there and Roger Beasley Porsche has done a few events out there as has a Lambo dealer. Don't know what else goes on...from Michael's pics looks like the Ferrari club has done something out there (makes sense since Bill used to race a 333SP and is a freaking AWESOME DRIVER I might add!)

Bill told the PCA lunch bunch back in Jan that he was not planning on having any DE type events... He did NOT say he was going to have memberships for folks to come out and pay to play. It really struck me that a group of well off individuals wanted a race track close to town to play with their toys and to get approval agreed to do some driver training type stuff. I don't know if that is accurate but that is the feeling I get from everyone I have talked to about it. That said, they have done some great training and introduction to driving type events...just not stuff I would be able or even want to participate in...maybe those events are coming soon! I HOPE SO!!!

NO DOUBT it is closer to me than H2R and I am sure a blast. Oh, when I talked to Bill (on Wednesday), he said all the paving is done and he had a Challenge car up to 153 on the long straight! YOWZA! That is WICKED FAST! I look forward to driving it someday. I hope sooner rather than later!

Bo has had his plan available for view from the beginning and that was to create an MSR style course close to Austin. He has succeeded! The track is a BLAST TO DRIVE! I REALLY like it. Off camber, up and down, left and right, decreasing radius, you name it you got it at H2R and another big plus is NOTHING TO HIT! It is SUPER safe and not all that fast. If you are looking to go REALLY fast this is not the track for you. I don't think I have broken 100 up the long hill yet...

I have driven it several times and I guess have about 2 hours on track at this point and it puts a HUGE smile on my face every freaking lap!

The club house is now also finished! It has water, toilets, A/C!!! YEA BABY! It looks out over almost the whole course. They are getting their wireless lighting system set up for corner control now and should have furniture in and everything done by this weekend. Saturday they are hosting the Coastal Bend Region of the PCA for a one day DE event which should be LOTS of fun and then the members welcoming party is Sunday.

As for db readings, I am not sure how that will work. I have a flowmaster 40 on my race car and it has a VERY NICE sound but is not very loud. I know a few hot cars (GT3, and Enzo, among others) have driven out there and i guess they were not to loud. I am pretty sure the early 911 race cars would be WAY to loud though. Those cars freaking annoy the heck out of me. There is really no excuse for the noise most of them make! You might call Bo and ask what he thinks if you have a car you might be questioning.

If you are looking for a REALLY fun track that you can learn a lot on and have a good time in a safe environment with full amenities then look no further than Harris Hill Road. Hope I get to drive the Driveway before long to get the feel for that one too, and if anyone knows how that is going to work from a "membership" type standpoint I would love to read about that!

Best to you all! Keep the rubber side to the road!
James
Austin, TX

 

I second that...I have a bit of track time as well on this track...and the big thing for me is safety. Owning a car with a hood that costs $20k, I don't want to worry about hitting a tree or some tire wall. The track is fun, safe and they guys out there are nice and accomidating.

 

AMEN! If I had a place to park my race car out there I would have already joined! Being in a wheelchair I can't put it on and off my trailer alone and my only tow vehicle is my R/V so I need my car to live at a track where I would be a "member"... Driving my street cars out there a few times I was reminded of why I quite driving them on the track. Pushing on the rods that are my handcontrols in those cars is VERY hard on my hands and shoulders. The handcontrol I use in the race car is totally different and easy to use... Now if I can just talk Bo into giving me a little garage space! LOL!

James
Austin, TX

 

My goodness... what car of yours has a $20k hood (other than obvious exotic super-cars, ala' Mclaren F1, F50/Enzo, Veyron, etc'...) if I may ask?

 

Viper Gen1. The hood is the largest single peice of automotive fiberglass ever produced on a car in the world. There are some close seconds. If you look at the newer style Vipers they had to swtich to a typical hood that you see on cars now...simply because the replacement cost was entirely to high.

 

Time for a bump on this one.

Spent this afternoon out there. Met with Bo and Eric and they are running a great show. Ran clockwise and counter-clockwise. A good rhythm both ways.

Our local S2000 group will be having an event there on the 26th of July and I'll be out there helping some of the new guys get broken in on the track. It's gonna be fun!

 

I was told that the Viper (Gen 1) is the most expensive car to repair/insure, according to my insurance company. It's more expensive to insure a $70K Viper than a $250K Ferrari. They said the average repair bill on a Viper accident was something like $18K...now I know why.

 

cometic repaire might be pretty expensive (if the hood is involved) but I only pay $75 a month full coverage with StateFarm with a 1k deduct. And with my ticket record, I am surprised it's not higher. But ya, the insurance cost isn't an issue...at least for me.

 

Thanks Randy!

 

Anyone want to have fun at Harris Hill Road? We're having a track day out there. We don't have all the slots filled up, but if you'd like to join, sign up in the next few days.

http://www.motorsportreg.com/index.cfm/event/event.advert/uidEvent/E1BFFB63-0EA4-CF5C-31E20DA0621ABD72

 

I talked to Eric on Sunday about coming out-I think that I will go ahead and sign up. H2R is a blast!

 

4PDC - I've only come across one Grayson... he works at SOE. Would that be you by chance?

 

Nope, not me-what is SOE?

The only question now is which car to bring-the S or the Viper?

 

Grayson, are you signed up as a member by chance?

 

I drove a Cooper S at Harris Hill today and I had a blast! Thanks a bunch to Bo for being such a great host!
Now I need to find a cheap sports car...
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Mike, we talked about that... 944 if you want something cool and German, Miata if you want something fun, cheap, and convertible!

It is an AWESOME track! I need to get out there again! I have not been out since May. I just like to go hang out even. Does not look like they got the ramp built up to the front door yet though. That is a problem for me!

Tell Bo and Eric, "hi" for me next time you see them! Great guys!

James