Last year many of you guys knew I joined a driving club called PDI that drove the FULL circuit on the Autobahn on Mondays. They changed their name to LAPS, Inc. and it's basically the same group of exceptional drivers that were a genesis of a great time last year, along with some new folks that are going to join us this season. There are several great guys/drivers on the corvette forum now that I know are in on the fun on this.

It's not too late to get in on this if you were considering or haven't heard about this yet, http://www.lapsincorporated.com I used to find my way into the 'bahn with other clubs that rented the track, but I have never had so much track time for the price as with LAPS. Even better, it turned out to be much more than that. You end up driving with likeminded people at every session, and you get to know very well who you are driving with. And the groups are ranked by skill level, so it is really balanced and the sessions move right along. I have to say I have been in some very fun "vette" sessions later in the day when we all went out together.

P.S. Just a satisfied customer trying to share the good times with you all, you guys know you are going to see some more videos this year.

P.S.S. Each LAPS member gets two guest passes, last year I only used one with Jimmy P. (it was a blast) But this year I want to use both of them.

 

I'm a LAPS member as well, and I'll echo everything Jim said. If you're looking to have a great time with your car and really want to see what it can do, this is about the best way I know of to do it. Plus it's just a good bunch of people to drive with...no egos, no hassles, just eveybody out having fun. There's also plenty of help available if it would be one of your first times out, so this can be a great way to learn.

There are quite a few Vettes out there, but we're outnumbered by the Porsches and by (believe it or not!) the Lotuses (Loti?). So we need to get more Vettes out on the track!!

Tobasco, can I count on you to use a guest pass this year?

 

Collin Jimmy B sound like you guys have a blast ...... in a few years i would like to have a dedicated track car . as i went the opposite direction with my coupe more of a street strip car . would love to have a Z set up for the track , big cubes , big torque , big brakes , big fun ...i am going to try to make it out there this year to watch maybe run a few laps like i did a few years ago .

 

Guys, Jim and Collin is right, this is a blast and those who never tried the autobahn or a road race track in their vettes must try it ONCE b/c life just passes you up to quickly!

 

Johnny, you're welcome to come out anytime you want, just let me know!

 

Jim/guys....

Sounds like a blast but to pricy for me. That said I definately want to try running on a road course to see what it's like....which could turn into another money pit for my sock drawer if I'm not careful!
Typically I've always been a 1320 ft guy. But you never know.



-Chris

 

Jim, You know you can count on me to use one of those gueat passes.
Sneidley

 

I have to speak up too. I did this last year and I am signed up this year. It is a blast. Last year I put around 150 miles on my car at the track in one day and reached a speed of 125MPH on the long straight. This year I have a bit more HP and better suspension...so we will see. I used to be more into drag racing for the last 15 years...which I still will do and love...but the autobahn is a lot more fun! Less sitting around and more driving!!!

 

I def want to go atleast once this year! however it's tough to join 1 my schedule and 2 it's expensive (though def a great value for what you get)
-=Rick

 

Looks like a great deal and appears you get a good amount for the money. Unfortunatley out of my price range like a few others have said. You guys have fun and be safe. I am sure I'll make it out to spectate

 

This is not exactly the thing for first timers but I have seen that happen.

How I got into it was I was looking for ways to get into the 'bahn or other race tracks in the area I could drive my car to and track it. If you start hooking up with local clubs, look at the sticky at the top of this forum for events, I was going out with the Lotus club, the Michigan Corvette Club, the Audi club, the Shelby club, etc. etc. etc. which turns out to be around $300 a day. These events vary in quality, and the rules they use for track time. You end up driving with people with a WIDE variety of skill levels, sometimes in the same run group. I spent a season doing that and had a lot of fun, but was looking for a better alternative.

Anyway, I found LAPS and it gave me the solution I was looking for, which gives me 10 days on the 'bahn on the full circuit, breakfast and lunch each track day, and two guest passes. BTW, the full circuit is something that the members at the Autobahn rarely get to drive. LAPS are going to do some other tracks, and we go out to Chicago Indoor Racing as a group and have a blast too. Now I drive in run groups with guys I know, with similar skill levels and speed around the track, and I know they know their car. It's a very nice comfort level, let me tell you.

I guess the price seems high unless you start considering how to get more track time (or consider the price of outright joining the Autobahn). I think two people can split a dual membership in LAPS for 5 days now.

 

Jim-

You know if it wasn't for this dang vert I'd be out there with you and Colin on a regular basis. I'll try to make it out for a couple of sessions again. Hey, if they'll allow me on the track again, I'll do the Z4 again! And if they ever rent those karts, be sure to let me know. And always count me in if you're ever going to the CIR track.

 

JIMMY B's NEW TRACK CAR
[/QUOTE]

 

Go 40's or go home!!

 

 

These guys are just teasing you all because they have heard about my "DonkRay".

 

If having a vert. is the only thing holding you back, I would talk to Shawn if I were you (I can get you his cell number, or his email address is on the LAPS web site). I think they can work something out (I spoke to him yesterday), two people ran with C5 verts last season that I remember.

 

Jim - if there is a chance I can run Carol's 'vert on the bahn I will be all over that this summer! Be very interested in how an A4 with 4.10's does in the twistys.

 

Randy, get a hold of Shawn and talk to him. I can PM you his cell or goto their web site and get his email. Shawn remembers you, he and Kristy always wished you would join us. (along with the rest of us vette guys)

 

PM me the cell please. I will talk to Fred tomorrow also since he might have a little more insight now too. THANKS!