Track Day - March 27, Limerock, SCDA

Thanks for the info on this John. This is a GREAT event and the perfect way to hone your skills as a driver and become better aquainted with your cars.

I used to spend a great deal of time on the track with the PCA and have since not been able to do to obligations and my convertible (I used to track a modded 930).

For those of you interested, I HIGHLY recommend these events and concur with John that this is a VERY addictive activity.

I'd be all over this if I had a "trackable" car...I seriously miss these events.

 

Can I show up to watch/take photos? Or will that cost me

 

I have done a couple of events with the Metro PCA region. Have yet to go to Lime Rock however. Driving with other marques definitely sounds like fun and even moreso with familiar faces.

Is this a one-day event?

 

Damn, scheduling conflict. If this were just on a weekend.

 

John, love to go but will be away in FL. As for being addictive, amen Have a great event and hope to see you May 1 through 4 at WG.

 

By all means, come to this event if you can! I will most likely be there with the 355 CH, instructing. Free to spectators. This is indeed just a one-day event. Very cool group of people usually, lots of interesting cars, and GREAT organization. Lots of track time. Overall, it's a great way to kick off the season and get some seat time BEFORE your buddies!

vty,

--Dennis

 

It has to be on a Monday.... Maybe I can get uot of school for this.

 

i start the season every year with this event...will be testing the new 911rs this year...highly recommended event; low key, fun and free...yee haaaaa

 

Thanks for the information.
I thought that to participate in their events you needed a special driver's licence.
I think that I will try to go, and I might take either the Ford GT, which I have never tried on the track, or the F40.

 

I'm in - novice run group. First time on a track, why not with a Ferrari?

For those in NY/NJ who have done Lime Rock before, do you usually go up the night before or head out early the morning of the event? It's about a 2-1/2 hour drive for me. Thanks for any info.

Ron

98 456GT (Titanium/Black)

 

I've never been to Lime Rock either, but have been to other tracks. Since it's a 2 hr. drive for you, I would recommend that you stay at a nearby hotel the night before so that you can get a good nights rest. Most ppl (me included) never realized how intense and tiring (both mind and body) it is on the track, esp. the first time.

Have fun and be safe! You'll have a blast!

 

i always stay at the white hart inn, in salisbury, a short ride from the track...over 200 years old, good food and a great bar, usually filled with friendly race people...try 800 832 0041...

 

Wow, too bad I won't have the TR out yet, bc I'd love to attend. Is there another event like this over the summer or fall that I can attend with the TR?

Eduardo - I would love to be there to see you track the F40

 

David you should bring up the 355 or TR even if you don't track it. Its gonna be a fun time checking out cars and seeing them rip up the track! I'll most likely be there taking pictures and meeting some new people. There will be a turbo Lotus Elise there

 

I always go up and stay over the night before. You have to be at the track by 7 to 7:30 a.m. to get your car prepped, drivers meeting, etc. There are a few places in the area. Check the Lime Rock website for a list. I usually stay at the Wake Robin Inn. Not far from the track and the room includes breakfast. Used to stay at the Sharon Motor Inn, but it got too expensive for what it is.

 

John, that is very kind of you. I would be delighted to have your guidance in my car, and I would be thrilled to ride shotgun with you.

I will send you my contact info by PM. I plan to go up on Sunday but I don't yet know where I will be staying. Let's hook up by cell.

Thanks again.

Ron

 

John at the last second I had to back out because I had some really important stuff at school. Also school is my number 1 priority right now.

 

Hey John B,

You mentioned carnage, I assume there were some spinouts. Hopefully no wrecks, LimeRock can be unforgiving.

I'm scheduled to run with SCDA for two days in Watkins Glen next month, keeping my fingers crossed for warmer temps. This will be my 2nd DE event.

On a related note, what is the proper way to set tire pressures? If I set them cold before the 1st run, by the end of the 2nd they'll be way up there. Should I release air at this point to get it back down to the cold pressure?

Thanks,
-Pete

 

Have fun at the Glen. It's my favorite track, and a total blast. Ian runs a great event there.

As for tire pressure, we all used to get the same advice - add lots of pressure to street tires. Well, with modern low profile tires, that's not necessarily true anymore. My standard advice for street tires is to run them at 40 psi ***HOT***. And you'll get anywhere between 6-10 lbs. of pressure increase between cold and hot, depending on a variety of variables. I'll start off with 32 lbs. cold, and then bleed down to get to 38 lbs. hot in the pits after a session, as the cool down lap and then driving around the paddock will drop the hot pressure by another pound or two. You can then go up or down from there to tune handling to your liking.

As for r-compound tires, well, this is more brand dependent, IMHO. Some like it closer to 40 lbs. hot, while other go as a low as racing slicks - 30 lbs. hot. Don't be afraid to play with tire pressures. Start at a set temp, measure consistently, and drop or raise them throughout the day, and see how your handling (and lap times) change.

If you start the day at the manufacturer's recommended cold temp, and if the day is anything above freezing cold, you'll overheat the tires and you'll get peculiar handling once you're a few laps into the session.

vty,

--Dennis

 

John interesting observations. Seems the jury's out as yet, but the bias certainly seems to be towards the 360 - at least at Limerock.

Any serious crashes?

 

BigHead,

Thanks for the quick reply. These are normal Bridgestone S-03's street tires and I was a bit concerned seeing such high numbers after each session. I'll definitely drop them low at the beginning of the day and check them after each run.

My main focus of course will be learning the track and being smooth. Now that I know the proper way to maintain the pressures, it'll be one less thing I need to worry about.

Thanks!
-Pete