I've been to a couple of the Colorado Exotic Car Association track days, but I don't think I've ever seen a Ferrari at any of them. I would have guessed that CECA track days would be more popular with the F-car crowd. Is anyone here a CECA member?
Since I'll be in Denver on the 24th for a friend's wedding party, I plan to go to the Second Creek Raceway CECA event - if for no other reason than to watch and photograph the cars on the track. My concern about running WITH them is safety (to my car, as I'm an indestructable SOB, who's skied into trees at 50mph). I don' t know that the CECA events have the same dedication to (driver yada yada) safety as anything organized by either Leslie Howard's QUICK CHICK RACING or Ferrari of Denver's Invitation events. Those events have pretty good instructors to help drivers learn things like FLAGS. Lile Leslie's events, I completely support the goal of CECA, bringing-together exotic cars of all stripes - not just a one-manufacture cult event . Unlike some other people in the F community, I don't turn up my nose at CECA - even if they include over-steering Mustang deathtraps. That's what might make a CECA track event (with safety) all the more exciting... watching a Mustang deathtrap (try to)"keep up" with a REAL "ponycar".
I had a blast driving with CECA down at the Pueblo track this last May. Lots of instructors -- some from both PCA and FCA. My fastest ride around the track was in a race-set Baracuda believe it or not -- WOW. No classroom instruction, but... pre tech, drivers meetings, pre-drive, flag instruction and corner working. Safety was promoted. Some very nice guys. I also got to meet one or two Ferrari owners who were driving something else that day. -- Fun stuff.
Bob, It's pretty clear you know little about CECA. They have been doing track events for 20+ years and have never had metal to metal contact. In fact, until this past May they never had a car end up on it's roof when a relatively new driver with a highly modified Subaru STI accomplished the feat. Safety is always first at CECA and anyone with too much testosterone is asked to leave. Furthermore, I would not make fun of the old Mustangs until you have run with them. Many of those old Shelbys are well track prepped with experienced vintage drivers that will embarass many a new car. All in all, they are a great group that I have felt very comfortable running with for a number of years. For whatever reason, they do not draw many Ferraris. I have run a few and others occasionally do. The last 2 years I have run my STI mostly. This Saturday will be the last CECA at 2nd Creek which will be very sad when I pull into the pits for the last time! Dave
I've been to a few CECA events and haven't seen anything scary from a safety standpoint. They are at least as safety conscious as the Quick Chick event at PPIR that I attended (driver's meetings, flag school, manned corner stations, etc.) In some ways, the Quick Chick events are a little more permissive (in a good way) than the CECA events because they allow you to pass anywhere on the track in the higher run groups. All the CECA events I've been to have limited passing zones for everyone. I haven't seen anyone driving in a way that would endanger other people either. So, if you are worried about safety, you needn't be. If you are worried that you might get passed by Mustangs, well, that is a distinct possibility, as I've seen some fast Mustangs at some of the CECA track days, and I suspect that they wouldn't be shy about passing a Ferrari.
I'm sure there are many drivers of Mustangs more qualified than I am to be tracking. In 1990, a girlfriend had a rental Mustang and I took it around a 55mph corner at 70 and it oversteered on a slightly wet surface...flew off the road, ripped a tire from the rim. I decided then that I'd been lucky with my 1968 model in the 1970's. I'm glad to hear about the safety of CECA events. What time does the event start at Second Creek this Saturday? If I don't track my car, I'll come and take pictures and videos!
Great track, nice assortment of cars and skill levels of drivers. Nice people! Two Ferraris: F430 and 550 that showed late and didn't run on the track Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Looks like fun. I waited too long, and they sold out before I got my application in. Lots of cool cars there, including that wicked little green Catarham. Bummer that the F430 didn't run. Would have been really cool to see one of those in action.
The 430 was mine. I ran my STI earlier in the day and then went home and switched because a number of people wanted to see it. 2nd Creek is lots of fun but it is a rough track and going off can be expensive in a late model Ferrari. I was reminded of this when the race prepped Camaro spun in front of me and in the 88th turn. I was concerned he would roll down the banking into my path, so I went off to avoid him. Subies like dirt! As it was, he was a good, experienced driver who stayed put until it was safe. A stationary target is easier to miss. I plan to bring it to PPIR for FOD appreciation day. Dave
