Late "Hi", and question about pushing the limits

[MerlintheMad]

So, Hi everyone.

I've been on this forum for what feels like a couple of months, but is really only a couple of weeks . Yesterday I was looking in an Autoweek and there is an article titled, "Flat Out For $150". It's about the SCCA program called "track night in America" (tracknightinamerica.com). Some thirty events throughout the year that you sign on for and you get to drive laps with a bunch of other crazy loons for a hundred and fifty bucks (or one place that charges $200, another $175, and one that offers a "deal" at $125). Not racing, just going as fast as you can or want to. (The article makes some comparisons with famous race track fees for the privilege of driving on their legendary surfaces: I remember Nurburgring particularly: bring $72K!?)

So, now I want to try out my Stinger legally without the fear of opposing traffic or other "civilian" hazards. But unless I plan a roadtrip to coincide with one of the events (mostly back east), I will never get to do this. Out here we have the late Larry H. Miller's race track. And online they advertise WOW (wide open Wednesdays) Utah Driving Event on the Racetrack or Autocross Course at UMC, which seems similar to the SCCA approach. I will probably call them and ask questions about current events/availability.

I almost want to start a poll with this: but basically, how interested are all you all in testing your Stinger's capabilities? Would you pay $150 to do laps on a real race track? Or is that just a waste of good cash to you? I'm on the fence. But as with buying this car in the first place: I thought/stewed over it for months and finally bit. Now that I actually have the car, I am continually thinking about driving it FAST, through corners and esses and down bombing straightaways ...

I have ZERO track experience of any kind whatsoever.

 

[SteveCo]

As you don't have any experience, my recommendation would be to look into a driving school first. You'll learn the right way to drive fast, instead of reinforcing what may be bad technique by simply paying your way into an open track day. With that under your belt, you can take advantage of the track day offerings to REALLY enjoy the car and push the limits.

 

[MerlintheMad]

As you don't have any experience, my recommendation would be to look into a driving school first. You'll learn the right way to drive fast, instead of reinforcing what may be bad technique by simply paying your way into an open track day. With that under your belt, you can take advantage of the track day offerings to REALLY enjoy the car and push the limits.

They include instruction. I know how to drive fast, hit the corners, use the gas and brake and shifting properly, entering and leaving corners. I've been "practicing" that all my life. My first book on the subject was way back there: "Sports Car and Competition Driving" by Paul Frere. I do this in my dreams. But, I have never done even a single minute on an actual race track.

 

[Bear]

I’m debating on taking the Stinger to the track in September and I believe the cost is around $100. So it’s not a bad deal and as long as I’m not tracking it too often, brakes and tires shouldn’t go out too quickly.

As for Nurburgring...I was just over in Germany at the track and it’s only $200-250 to take your car out on the track. You can rent cars or do drive alongs with pro drivers for under $500.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I’m debating on taking the Stinger to the track in September and I believe the cost is around $100. So it’s not a bad deal and as long as I’m not tracking it too often, brakes and tires shouldn’t go out too quickly.

As for Nurburgring...I was just over in Germany at the track and it’s only $200-250 to take your car out on the track. You can rent cars or do drive alongs with pro drivers for under $500.

I was talking about this to a friend, and he flatly refused to believe the $72K sticker on driving at the Ring; he remembers reading specifically about this a few years ago, and the cost was/is $30 per lap. The Autoweek sidebar says this: "The survey also includes the cost of renting some foreign tracks: Want a day at the Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany? You'll need to bring about $72,000." (May 21,2018 Autoweek) So, I don't know. Maybe the huge sticker is for "renting" the entire facility for a single day.

 

[BlaydeX15]

Might see you at WOW on 7-11 if you end up going. Never been either, and I'm trying to convince the wife to let me spend the $2-300 for the class, lap, helmet, insurance, etc. Not sure what I'll end up trading her for it. Lol. Her first offer was that she wanted me to ride a roller coaster (Cannibal at Lagoon) with her in exchange, but I flat out declined that one.

 

[Joseph Spiegel]

I was talking about this to a friend, and he flatly refused to believe the $72K sticker on driving at the Ring; he remembers reading specifically about this a few years ago, and the cost was/is $30 per lap. The Autoweek sidebar says this: "The survey also includes the cost of renting some foreign tracks: Want a day at the Nurburgring Nordschleife in Germany? You'll need to bring about $72,000." (May 21,2018 Autoweek) So, I don't know. Maybe the huge sticker is for "renting" the entire facility for a single day.

That makes more sense. Maybe a manufacturer rents the Ring for some private testing. Though you still will need to camouflage the vehicle.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Might see you at WOW on 7-11 if you end up going. Never been either, and I'm trying to convince the wife to let me spend the $2-300 for the class, lap, helmet, insurance, etc. Not sure what I'll end up trading her for it. Lol. Her first offer was that she wanted me to ride a roller coaster (Cannibal at Lagoon) with her in exchange, but I flat out declined that one.

I would consider it, except that week I'll be in the Oregon, Washington area.