Meadowdale Raceway 2004?

Bob, are we going to have another get together at Meadowdale? Did you talk to the locals to have something arranged to get on the track?

 

Maybe this is the way we do our drives going forward: One person organizes them as the host. You got Meadowdale, I could do the scenic Lake Shore Drive tour again and Frank sets up a Rte 66. Just an idea.

 

Slight misunderstanding, Dave:

Meadowdale Raceway is not a track in use anymore. It is more of a historic site and for us just another pilgrimage point.

I'm certainly not an experienced track driver, at least not with my Ferrari, which so far I only took once to Blackhawk. But I can at least tell you what was involved there (organized by Continental): You didn't need a darn thing. They briefly looked at the car and after determing, that it still had a wheel on each corner you passed Tech Inspection. If you had an overall and a helmet you qualified for the fast group. I had that, but opted for the slower group anyway because of my lack of seat time in my 308.

First I thought I'm a show off in my own overall and helmet, but more experienced guys said, that is the only way to do this and couldn't believe guys driving around without any protection.

I took it easy, being new to this and because my car was the vehicle that also had to get me home the same day. More serious guys of course had their F cars trailored in.

As far as insurance goes I can't really say. That seems to be one of those mysteries that nobody has a real answer. I *believe* I'm covered as long as I'm not racing the car, but just lap, which is the way this was setup anyway: You weren't allowed to pass (only on the s/f line after the slower driver - me - has waived you by) and no times or positions were taken. So I guess that qualifies it as a driver's instruction. Best way is to never have to find out in the first place.

Anyway, Meadowdale is TOTALLY safe for your Ferrari as you can't currently even enter the track. THAT is exactly what Bob might be working on to get that changed. At least to the part where we can take a picture of the Ferraris sitting in the location where there ONCE was a track.

 

Well, I have this theory that you should try out things at least once in your lifetime (as you can probably tell from some of my other activities). While racing per se isn't my gig either, I want to try out the various racetracks we have in our region. I'm not terribly talented at racing and obviously don't have the fastest car, but that doesn't stop me from trying to get at least an idea of what it feels like to go around some of these sacred places.

 

I think they are. Blackhawk definitely was (and I bet so is Gingerman). Obviously it's a good idea to have enough rubber left on them. On my day at Blackhawk I don't think I even abused them very much. To my disappointment: I like to get new tires, but there is still too much rubber left on the old ones and I'm too stingy to just throw them away.

Anyway, I didn't restrict myself to non sliding. As a matter of fact I tried to drive the heck out of the car and revved it to about 7,000 rpm, but obviously that's not even really trying as I saw everybody else go by.


George in his GT/4 (January in the calendar) actually did slide. Scaringly wide. He past me on the outside of a curve (legally as I was slowing and pulling in) sliding over all four tires. And he didn't go off! THAT was some amazing car control and definitely beyond what I tried.

Bottom line: You can have a fun day and get the feeling of actually racing on a track day and probably not even bring your 308 close to its limits.

The only downside is, that you have to leave your pride and ego at home: It is humbling when the newer Ferraris blow by you as if you're parked. And that's not just the driver, the acceleration and braking of these cars is just so much further away from a 20 year old 308. So be prepared for that. Kinda like going to a Concours, you just can't win...