Anyone going to VIR this weekend?

I'm coming!

oh wait... your my dad... and you already knew that...

 

Both my son and son-in-law have been co-drivers with me at VIR for several years. They are both in their late 30s and I have never been concerned for either their safety or the car's and have never had a problem. As you have seen, VIR is a track that inspires confidence and it's far safer than turning the kids loose in a Ferrari on the street. I think your boys are younger than mine, however, but you will find that the track management at our event in May will make sure that both you and they enjoy the weekend. The only advice I can give is to make sure they give their full attention to N24RE, our track god, in the driver's meeting Saturday AM and know the rules we all follow to make it safe and FUN.

I look forward to meeting all of you there.

Bob

 

Oh don't worry... I've been a Ferrari fanatic since I was about 10, and I've been begging the parents to let me go to driving (racing) school for a while. I have no desire to go out there and be wild and stupid with a Ferrari (unlike many of the kids my age, 20). I want to learn how to drive it the right way!

That is one class you WON'T catch me sleeping in...

 

Actually, it's usually the older drivers who don't pay enough attention in the driver's meeting!

See you there.

 

It shouldn't be the first place they drive the Ferrari -- it's not the venue to get familiar with the basics of the car. I let my daughter drive my Ferrari on back country roads and on the freeway before I finally let her take it on the track. She'd driven the track before in her Honda as well. Her first (and subsequent) on-track driving of the Ferrari went great. It sounds like you might have let your son drive a different car on the track already, which is another very wise step if/when that opportunity is available.

Some tracks are more forgiving than others; VIR, Savannah and Talladega Grand Prix ("Little Talladega") have good visibility and few blind areas or things to hit. Road Atlanta, on the other hand, is a car-eater. Barber is as big as Road Atlanta but is much safer (more run-off, fewer walls) but we still had a young man take his father's 360 into a guard rail on his first lap the last time we were there! That was the only accident of the day, which appeared to come from letting the drivers behind him push him (mentally) into going too fast for his ability and level of experience.

 

That has happened to me too. As a real rookie, I get spooked when I see cars approaching too quickly. Whenever I have that feeling, I motion for them to pass, or pit-out to just calm down. It's very very easy to feel "pushed" and it's exactly the WRONG thing for amateurs like me. I need to learn how to brake, turn, shift, etc. before I even begin to worry about speed or what's behind me. (Of course, I do look at my mirrors from the perspective of safety and courtesy to other drivers)

Most other drivers know that I'll let them pass, and they're on the track for fun too -- nobody wants to bend sheet metal in touring/sport class, especially me.

Just imagine what I'd do to my Ricambi prices if I suddenly needed to fix a 348 ! ;-)

 

Yeah it doesn't matter if you are on the road/track anywhere know your limits and don't go beyond them. If you've ever had a motorcycle it becomes even more apparent.

I have no problem letting cars go by when I'm on the track, but once they do I try to figure out why they are faster.......car/lines/braking whatever. I find it is good way to learn.

Once you know your limits you can begin to find the car's limits.

 

...and stay at the 90-95% level of those -- most of us shouldn't try to be driving AT the limit!

 

Give yourself credit.......most fathers wouldn't even let their kids drive a Ferrari much less on the track!

Honestly letting them expirement with supervision is the best thing you can do. Rather than running off to get in trouble when no one is looking like I used too hahaha

 

Daaaaaddddd! *Rolls Eyes*

No seriously dad, I understand your concern.

However, in the 1 in 1,000,000,000 chance that I do wreck, I'll blame Dad and the way he taught me to drive.

Either way I'm extremely excited.

 

From what your father has said of your driving skills, I think the odds are closer to 1:20




I look forward to meeting you, and the evil twin!


Best Regards,
Daniel

 

Whaaaaddya mean 'and the evil twin'?!?!? He IS the evil twin!