First track day!

Hey guys, I had my first track day Friday, at Putnam Park. That is a fantastic little track, great fun. It was amazing. A blast! The car ran like a beast, and there was a sharp learning curve. Spun it once, after taking off the slicks to run with streets and didn't make the adjustment fast enough. Nobody hit me and I didn't leave the track. Got about 450 degrees at about 80 mph. What a ride! With the slicks on, I was able to pass a Lambo, another GTS, and numerous Mustangs and BMW-M's and lesser cars. Got passed by a modded Z06, 930 and a few other cars, but it was driver experience, I'm sure. I will get them down the road. Putnam Park rocks! Great place to get your feet wet on the track. The first few laps were in the wet, which on slicks, was like driving on marbles. Several cars went off the track, and a Noble into the tire barrier. Oh well. Better luck next time guys! All I have to do to get ready for VIR (next track day in 3 weeks) is check out and get a decent seat. Viper seats just don't cut it. Oh yea, and my harness came in today, a day late. That would have helped a bit. Since I had to have an instructor, I had to use 3 pt along with him, so my harness was tucked in behind the seat. The guest instructor was David Murray, a former Porsche factory driver, who is very articulate and informative. Got in a few laps with him, and he gave me some good tips. Have to work on my heel and toe technique, that's for sure. Almost got sideways at 105 with him in the car at the end of the main straight dropping down into third with high revs. I think it was performance anxiety. David made me nervous. Then I nailed turn 5 and made me feel great by telling me I was "the best" in that turn all day (I didn't tell him that is where I spun out earlier...haha).

 

I just signed up with a group out of Indy that arranged for the instructor to fly in from Atlanta. They are called Pro Sport Driver's Group. They have been in this biz for 4 years and have never had a major mishap. Seem to run a very well organized event, even better than FCA and PCA events that I have been to. Online regis, etc. The other fun thing is the diversity of cars. About 60 total for this event, running 20 at a time in three groups (diff rules on door-to-door racing, passing etc), everything from a tricked out Beetle to a street Lambo Gillardo. Mustangs, M5's, M3's, 930, Z06, Vipers, Vette's, Noble, Esprit, and the list goes on. Some of these guys can drive too and its very competitive in the door to door race group. I also notice that driver ages were from about 17 to 70, all enthusiasts and you can imagine their rides reflected their age difference. Check them out sometime if you are interested.