Have You Gone on Track?

BMW M3, M5 & M6 at two different BMW driving school courses in Italy. I also used some some non-M cars for some specific exercises, but the laps were done in M cars.

The track was Misano for both courses. Had loads of fun and learned a lot. The M3 was by far the most fun car of the bunch.

I hope to be doing other courses in the near future.

 

Drove my 599 for three days at Road America during last summers FCA meet. Really enjoyed the sound and feel of that 12cyl. going down the main straight at +175. Drive her at various track events held at the Autobahn in Joliet IL.
Also took the Skip Barber three day open wheel racing school last spring. Looking forward to taking the two day advanced class next summer. Open wheel has really got a hook into me now. There is not another experience quite like it anywhere.

 

The last time I tracked my car it cost me an engine.

 

First FCA meet 10/17/1979 Sebring in 246 GT
Most recent meet Palm Beach International last fall '77 308 GTB.
About 15,000 miles in between, majority in two '77 308 GTBs; also 2 P***ches, and friends' 288 GTO and two 512 Boxers.
Other tracks: Daytona (infield only), Roebling Road, Road Atlanta, Summit Point, Pocono, Watkins Glen, Bridgehampton, Lime Rock, Riverside, Laguna Seca, Mosport (P***che only), Mid Ohio (P***che only), Road America (P***che only).
Club events only, no racing. One wrinkled (driveable) P***che.
Mechanical issues: 1 seized 308 water pump, one 308 clutch disbonding issue (defective); one P***che clutch rubber center went.
Club Driver Schools only, though I recommend a professional driving school; I've always tried to get club schooling at any new track. Former P***che Club track instructor.

 

I have nearly 5000 miles on race tracks in Texas and surrounding states on my F355B. Car stil runs perfectly.

 

Car club events only but have done 6 tracks in 3 States (308GTS); timed events but racing the clock not others on the track per se.

 

Watkins Glen in my Porsche Carrera, Subaru WRX, Corvette Z06, Porsche Boxster S
Las Vegas Motor Speedway - BMW Z4 & Formula Ford
Thunderbolt in NJ on my Ducati 998
Honda XR400 along the Baja 500 Route in Mexico
Various other dirt bike TT tracks

I LIKE SPEED!

 

Took my Skyline around Shannonville and Dunnville (local tracks in Ontario, Canada) and hoping to run it at a Mosport international trackday in 2010.

 

I have had my Euro 308 on the Barber track and TGPR, several times, here in Alabama.

 

I heard track time was expensive but that hardly seems fair.

I have had my ducati 748 on Nelson's Ledges and BeaverRun. Hopefully I'll get the Monster on Mid Ohio this year.


I think Peter Egan said "after doing one track day the desire to do more makes a heroin addiction seem like a craving for something salty.". I probably miss quoted him but you get the point.

 

I went to the Pocono track in PA and drove a 600 HP Dodge stock car. It was amazing. Got it up to 170-180. I would highly reccomend this to all!

 

I tracked my GranSport Spyder at each of these a few times: Watkins Glen, VIR, and NJMP....

After I totaled the car at Turn 9 at WGI, I bought a 360 Spider...I have had that out at Watkins Glen, Monticello and NJMP...taking it to VIR in December.

 

What's the event in December? I have been to VIR several times in a C4S and 997TT. I am a little nervous about bringing my 360 spider out. All the usual perils scare me-rock chips, pushing the engine too hard, etc. I know I am being paranoid but I just got the 360 spider (traded the 997TT) and still feel that it is a bit more fragile than the Porsche was. That's in my head though. I know these stallions were meant to run.

 

I got in 9 track days this year including 3 at the national meet with my 430 and 2 at Willow Springs/Fast Lane school where I qualified for an SCCA license. I think I have about 60 track days total with a wide variety of cars. I don't know if I will actually race yet. 58 might be a bit old to start a career. What do you guys think?

Dave

 

I say go for it if you can avoid the red mist that inflicts so many. I'm 57, and my limited race/track experience has been the most fun I have ever had sitting down.

But, unless you have a very deep pocketbook, you might want to drive your Ferrari to the track, not on the track.

Dale

 

Lots and lots of Porsches, a handful of BMW M-cars wth a few AMG Benz's for good measure. All driving school time, or paid for open lapping, not timed/sanctioned racing.

 

I definitely will not be racing a Ferrari. I have a '94 Celica race car I bought a few years ago that was originally used in the Long Beach Pro/celebrity races. The suspension was set up by Toyota and it has all the safety equipment but is seriously underpowered. However, one of its brothers won its class at the NASA nationals.

Dave

 

If you are interested we've got 3 Days on track at Daytona Nov. 13 - 15 using the full Rolex 24 Hour course.

www.ferrarisatdaytona.com

 

sorry to hear....what were you driving and what happened?

 

I've taken my 328 and 355 on track. Started out in track life that way in the mid 90s. Loved the track, hated the HUGE bills and the fact that lots of other cars were faster... Have gradually honed my driving skills through racing Historic Touring cars in the UK and junked the Ferraris for track use - they just aren't fast enough to give me the buzz I wanted. Instead I now use a lowly Caterham R400 for track use (massively quick and great fun, plus very economical) and will will keep Ferraris for road use only.

 

The event in December is with Chin Motorsports group (www.chinmotorsports.com). Good group of people and very safe/fun environment. I have actually been very impressed with how the paint has been holding up against any chips from debris and tire slag on the track...I know others have said their paint seems fragile but I have been really impressed by mine!

 

Track events are fantastic ways to learn what a Ferrari is all about. And unless you've tried it you won't believe how inherently safe track events are. As for "high repair bills", I haven't had that experience. Ferrari's are high performance driving machines that are built to take a pounding. If you want to be the fastest person on the track, then you should get a race car, but if you want to drive faster than you can safely do on the road and get to know more about your car than you know today, I suggest you do a club event with the FCA.

 

Ascari: Radical SR3
Fuji: 430 scuderia, 599

 

95 240sx for some open lapping fun times.

Along with a formula renault 1600.