how can you build track time fast ? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!
12-28-2007, 04:06 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
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how can you build track time fast ? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!
its so hard to get a lot of track time. 4- 20 min runs a day is slow to build up experience. i figure it is gonna take about 300 hours to be able to drive with the top drivers. 300 hrs /80 min = 225 day at one event a month = 18.75 years!!!!! AAAGGHH!!!!
Gotta be a better way to build up track time!
Any Brilliant ideas
????? 
Gotta be a better way to build up track time!
Any Brilliant ideas
?????
12-28-2007, 04:15 PM
#3
Team Owner
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its so hard to get a lot of track time. 4- 20 min runs a day is slow to build up experience. i figure it is gonna take about 300 hours to be able to drive with the top drivers. 300 hrs /80 min = 225 day at one event a month = 18.75 years!!!!! AAAGGHH!!!!
Gotta be a better way to build up track time!
Any Brilliant ideas ?????
Gotta be a better way to build up track time!
Any Brilliant ideas
????? VIR - 90min NW
Road Atlanta 6 hours SW
CMP 3.5 hours South
Roebling Road 6 hours south
Summit Point 6- hours North.
Sebring 13 hours S-Sw
Barbor 8 hours SW
Mid Ohio - 9 hours NW
Watkins Glen - 12 hours North
PLus the new tracks to open soon, in NC, Eastern VA, Northern Florida, and KY
There are so many tracks that you could get an event in EVERY weekend from Feb to DEC.
12-28-2007, 04:27 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
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Move over here to the southeastern US. I live in Raleigh NC and lets see
VIR - 90min NW
Road Atlanta 6 hours SW
CMP 3.5 hours South
Roebling Road 6 hours south
Summit Point 6- hours North.
Sebring 13 hours S-Sw
Barbor 8 hours SW
Mid Ohio - 9 hours NW
Watkins Glen - 12 hours North
PLus the new tracks to open soon, in NC, Eastern VA, Northern Florida, and KY
There are so many tracks that you could get an event in EVERY weekend from Feb to DEC.
VIR - 90min NW
Road Atlanta 6 hours SW
CMP 3.5 hours South
Roebling Road 6 hours south
Summit Point 6- hours North.
Sebring 13 hours S-Sw
Barbor 8 hours SW
Mid Ohio - 9 hours NW
Watkins Glen - 12 hours North
PLus the new tracks to open soon, in NC, Eastern VA, Northern Florida, and KY
There are so many tracks that you could get an event in EVERY weekend from Feb to DEC.
i guess thats the price you gotta pay
12-28-2007, 04:47 PM
#5
Pro
Some tracks have Test And Tunes in the evenings were they only allow a dozen or so cars but it is a free-for-all for several hours. I've gotten as much if not slightly more track time at one of these sessions then during a Saturday or Sunday HPDE event.
Beware though, sometimes they may have limited emergency services available.
Beware though, sometimes they may have limited emergency services available.
12-28-2007, 04:49 PM
#6
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who are you driving with that you only get 80 minutes/day? speedventures offers a bundle of time/weekend, they're not that far from you. speedventures.net.
12-28-2007, 05:06 PM
#7
Le Mans Master
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so gotta stay overnight too 
almost went Dec but it had heavy rain. was gonna be road track and autocross at same meet..too cool!
run autocross between track times
12-28-2007, 06:06 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
See if your nearest tracks offer memberships and take the plunge. It's typically cheaper over the long run.
Of course the diehard will say look at the region of the country with the highest density of tracks and move to the center of them. THAT's the best way
Of course the diehard will say look at the region of the country with the highest density of tracks and move to the center of them. THAT's the best way
12-28-2007, 06:13 PM
#9
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I just checked the Sandia Motorsports Park rental rates. $75 for 2 hours during the week
Go for it
http://www.sandiamotorsports.com/
http://www.sandiamotorsports.com/200...ntal_rates.pdf
Track Location:
West of Albequerque, NM
505-352-8888
Go for it
http://www.sandiamotorsports.com/
http://www.sandiamotorsports.com/200...ntal_rates.pdf
Track Location:
West of Albequerque, NM
505-352-8888
12-28-2007, 06:21 PM
#11
Burning Brakes
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haha, I enjoy my track time, and a race car, truck and trailer were the best investments ever. I'd say a truck and trailer take at least two seconds off your lap time
12-29-2007, 12:57 AM
#12
Le Mans Master
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I just checked the Sandia Motorsports Park rental rates. $75 for 2 hours during the week
Go for it
http://www.sandiamotorsports.com/
http://www.sandiamotorsports.com/200...ntal_rates.pdf
Track Location:
West of Albequerque, NM
505-352-8888
Go for it
http://www.sandiamotorsports.com/
http://www.sandiamotorsports.com/200...ntal_rates.pdf
Track Location:
West of Albequerque, NM
505-352-8888
12-29-2007, 12:58 AM
#13
Le Mans Master
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I found that out when i started racing. Last year i had ~30 days on track, the year before I had ~25. Even then i need another ~170 days to be at "pro" level...
haha, I enjoy my track time, and a race car, truck and trailer were the best investments ever. I'd say a truck and trailer take at least two seconds off your lap time
haha, I enjoy my track time, and a race car, truck and trailer were the best investments ever. I'd say a truck and trailer take at least two seconds off your lap time
yup i think you got the right idea there!
12-29-2007, 02:52 AM
#14
Melting Slicks
You didn't mention cost, except for travel. I did 24-30 days on track,
both my car and classes in school cars for my first 3 years on track.
The professional input from going to a real school is well worth the
money early on, not to mention getting in different hardware that will
let you learn additional techniques. However, as I started to pick up
speed I found that entry fees were the least of the issue. Tires, pads
other maintenance easily cost double what I was paying to enter events.
The test and tune option is great if you can find a little used track, not
many exist, but at Reno-Fernley I've run with from 2 to 8 cars and no
support folks for half a day and gotten as much track time as my car
will take. Street cars, not set up for real racing have limits!
Randy
both my car and classes in school cars for my first 3 years on track.
The professional input from going to a real school is well worth the
money early on, not to mention getting in different hardware that will
let you learn additional techniques. However, as I started to pick up
speed I found that entry fees were the least of the issue. Tires, pads
other maintenance easily cost double what I was paying to enter events.
The test and tune option is great if you can find a little used track, not
many exist, but at Reno-Fernley I've run with from 2 to 8 cars and no
support folks for half a day and gotten as much track time as my car
will take. Street cars, not set up for real racing have limits!
Randy
12-29-2007, 03:40 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
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You didn't mention cost, except for travel. I did 24-30 days on track,
both my car and classes in school cars for my first 3 years on track.
The professional input from going to a real school is well worth the
money early on, not to mention getting in different hardware that will
let you learn additional techniques. However, as I started to pick up
speed I found that entry fees were the least of the issue. Tires, pads
other maintenance easily cost double what I was paying to enter events.
The test and tune option is great if you can find a little used track, not
many exist, but at Reno-Fernley I've run with from 2 to 8 cars and no
support folks for half a day and gotten as much track time as my car
will take. Street cars, not set up for real racing have limits!
Randy
both my car and classes in school cars for my first 3 years on track.
The professional input from going to a real school is well worth the
money early on, not to mention getting in different hardware that will
let you learn additional techniques. However, as I started to pick up
speed I found that entry fees were the least of the issue. Tires, pads
other maintenance easily cost double what I was paying to enter events.
The test and tune option is great if you can find a little used track, not
many exist, but at Reno-Fernley I've run with from 2 to 8 cars and no
support folks for half a day and gotten as much track time as my car
will take. Street cars, not set up for real racing have limits!
Randy
nice!
12-29-2007, 07:35 AM
#16
Burning Brakes
Seat Time W/O Instruction Just Wears Out Your Wallet
Please don't take offense, but I've been in your shoes many decades ago when SCCA club racing in between deployments with my "regular" job - the U. S. Navy.
I don't recommend trying to compile as much track time as possible without tempering the track time with instruction from driving schools, book learnin', and personal instructors. A mediocre driver with 10K miles of track time is still a mediocre driver.
Depending upon your skill level, I would recommend road racing schools such as Skip Barber as well as auto-xing schools by Evolution Performance Driving. Skip Barber provides excellent instruction with telemetric data feedback while Evolution gives you personal instruction with National Championship caliber instructors on the essentials of auto-xing and car control.
Books have their place in your training too. They provide instruction and time to absorb the information before your next track day. I personally like Carroll Smith, Skip Barber, and Ross Bentley for their writing styles and the quality of information they try to impart. (If you can find Alan Johnson's book on driving, it's worth reading also for a beginning driver because he really distills the information to the absolute minimum to get a novice driver out on the track and on the road to winning.)
Finally, data metrics compiled while driving are easy to purchase now. (I have both an old g-analyst and geez cube that I use to track my progress or lack of it!) Be sure to keep track of your progress as you accumulate seat time
I don't recommend trying to compile as much track time as possible without tempering the track time with instruction from driving schools, book learnin', and personal instructors. A mediocre driver with 10K miles of track time is still a mediocre driver.
Depending upon your skill level, I would recommend road racing schools such as Skip Barber as well as auto-xing schools by Evolution Performance Driving. Skip Barber provides excellent instruction with telemetric data feedback while Evolution gives you personal instruction with National Championship caliber instructors on the essentials of auto-xing and car control.
Books have their place in your training too. They provide instruction and time to absorb the information before your next track day. I personally like Carroll Smith, Skip Barber, and Ross Bentley for their writing styles and the quality of information they try to impart. (If you can find Alan Johnson's book on driving, it's worth reading also for a beginning driver because he really distills the information to the absolute minimum to get a novice driver out on the track and on the road to winning.)
Finally, data metrics compiled while driving are easy to purchase now. (I have both an old g-analyst and geez cube that I use to track my progress or lack of it!) Be sure to keep track of your progress as you accumulate seat time
12-29-2007, 09:20 AM
#17
"AlohaC5" Senior Member
Please don't take offense, but I've been in your shoes many decades ago when SCCA club racing in between deployments with my "regular" job - the U. S. Navy.
I don't recommend trying to compile as much track time as possible without tempering the track time with instruction from driving schools, book learnin', and personal instructors. A mediocre driver with 10K miles of track time is still a mediocre driver.
Depending upon your skill level, I would recommend road racing schools such as Skip Barber as well as auto-xing schools by Evolution Performance Driving. Skip Barber provides excellent instruction with telemetric data feedback while Evolution gives you personal instruction with National Championship caliber instructors on the essentials of auto-xing and car control.
Books have their place in your training too. They provide instruction and time to absorb the information before your next track day. I personally like Carroll Smith, Skip Barber, and Ross Bentley for their writing styles and the quality of information they try to impart. (If you can find Alan Johnson's book on driving, it's worth reading also for a beginning driver because he really distills the information to the absolute minimum to get a novice driver out on the track and on the road to winning.)
Finally, data metrics compiled while driving are easy to purchase now. (I have both an old g-analyst and geez cube that I use to track my progress or lack of it!) Be sure to keep track of your progress as you accumulate seat time
I don't recommend trying to compile as much track time as possible without tempering the track time with instruction from driving schools, book learnin', and personal instructors. A mediocre driver with 10K miles of track time is still a mediocre driver.
Depending upon your skill level, I would recommend road racing schools such as Skip Barber as well as auto-xing schools by Evolution Performance Driving. Skip Barber provides excellent instruction with telemetric data feedback while Evolution gives you personal instruction with National Championship caliber instructors on the essentials of auto-xing and car control.
Books have their place in your training too. They provide instruction and time to absorb the information before your next track day. I personally like Carroll Smith, Skip Barber, and Ross Bentley for their writing styles and the quality of information they try to impart. (If you can find Alan Johnson's book on driving, it's worth reading also for a beginning driver because he really distills the information to the absolute minimum to get a novice driver out on the track and on the road to winning.)
Finally, data metrics compiled while driving are easy to purchase now. (I have both an old g-analyst and geez cube that I use to track my progress or lack of it!) Be sure to keep track of your progress as you accumulate seat time
Great advice!
Studying and enrolling in driver courses mentioned above will definitely improve your driver skills so you can make your HPDE track time more worthwhile focusing on improving technique vs. just adding miles and time. Since you live in Arizona, I recommend also trying Spring Mountain Diving School and driving their Corvettes.
12-29-2007, 09:35 AM
#18
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come to Henry Gilberts lapping day
Henry is going to have a lapping day at Putnam Park near Indianapolis
next May the week befor the indianapolis 500. There is only going to be 25 cars. He is expecting just 2 groups 25min on 25min off all day. That is a lot of track time.
There is also going to be a 2 day school the next 2 days. Come on out. http://www.sportscardrivingexperience.com/
next May the week befor the indianapolis 500. There is only going to be 25 cars. He is expecting just 2 groups 25min on 25min off all day. That is a lot of track time.
There is also going to be a 2 day school the next 2 days. Come on out. http://www.sportscardrivingexperience.com/
12-29-2007, 09:44 AM
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12-29-2007, 09:47 AM
#20
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Improve Skills W/Seat Time
Please don't take offense, but I've been in your shoes many decades ago when SCCA club racing in between deployments with my "regular" job - the U. S. Navy.
I don't recommend trying to compile as much track time as possible without tempering the track time with instruction from driving schools, book learnin', and personal instructors. A mediocre driver with 10K miles of track time is still a mediocre driver.
Depending upon your skill level, I would recommend road racing schools such as Skip Barber as well as auto-xing schools by Evolution Performance Driving. Skip Barber provides excellent instruction with telemetric data feedback while Evolution gives you personal instruction with National Championship caliber instructors on the essentials of auto-xing and car control.
Books have their place in your training too. They provide instruction and time to absorb the information before your next track day. I personally like Carroll Smith, Skip Barber, and Ross Bentley for their writing styles and the quality of information they try to impart. (If you can find Alan Johnson's book on driving, it's worth reading also for a beginning driver because he really distills the information to the absolute minimum to get a novice driver out on the track and on the road to winning.)
Finally, data metrics compiled while driving are easy to purchase now. (I have both an old g-analyst and geez cube that I use to track my progress or lack of it!) Be sure to keep track of your progress as you accumulate seat time
I don't recommend trying to compile as much track time as possible without tempering the track time with instruction from driving schools, book learnin', and personal instructors. A mediocre driver with 10K miles of track time is still a mediocre driver.
Depending upon your skill level, I would recommend road racing schools such as Skip Barber as well as auto-xing schools by Evolution Performance Driving. Skip Barber provides excellent instruction with telemetric data feedback while Evolution gives you personal instruction with National Championship caliber instructors on the essentials of auto-xing and car control.
Books have their place in your training too. They provide instruction and time to absorb the information before your next track day. I personally like Carroll Smith, Skip Barber, and Ross Bentley for their writing styles and the quality of information they try to impart. (If you can find Alan Johnson's book on driving, it's worth reading also for a beginning driver because he really distills the information to the absolute minimum to get a novice driver out on the track and on the road to winning.)
Finally, data metrics compiled while driving are easy to purchase now. (I have both an old g-analyst and geez cube that I use to track my progress or lack of it!) Be sure to keep track of your progress as you accumulate seat time
As a group we did about 60 track days this year. Last year I logged 80 days. But, regardless of the track time, when we believe we are having issues at a certain place on the track, we'll ask each other to ride along and give some "instruction" on how to remedy the situation, or improve on that section of the track.
No matter how much track/seat time you get, there's always room for improvement and there's always somebody that can show you the way to improve. Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll progress as rapidly as you'd like. Now get out there and have some fun!!!!!!!