Reflections on my first track day

[Ataru]

That's sad about the car rolling and the site getting banned. The instructor at our event cautioned us about 30 times (literally) that if you go off wrong, you could roll your car. He told us what to do it we went off by driving straight instead of trying to steer back onto the track, that way the chances of you biting a tire are reduced significantly.

He also watched everyone in the morning session to evaluate how they were doing before the afternoon sessions where things got a lot faster.

If ANYONE went off at this event, it would have been from their own damn stupidity, not from a lack of safety or warning.

I like the agreement that you and your wife have as it is pretty smart, however, with most insurance companies, an auto-x can get you into more trouble than a track day.

A track day like I had was a "Performance Driving Clinic" with an instructor teaching us how to control our car at speed before letting us drive the track on our own. NOTHING was timed and it was not a race.

An auto-x, while at MUCH slower speeds, is a timed competition. Most insurance companies will not cover damage incurred at a race or timed competition.

So if you go off and roll your car at a track day, the chances of your insurance company covering your car's damage is better than if you hit a curb at an auto-x.

Of course policies vary, but since my wife is my insurance agent, I go by what she says.

[zal]

this is why i need a miata... my LX would never stand up to this abuse

[Egz]

Originally posted by Ataru
That's sad about the car rolling and the site getting banned. The instructor at our event cautioned us about 30 times (literally) that if you go off wrong, you could roll your car. He told us what to do it we went off by driving straight instead of trying to steer back onto the track, that way the chances of you biting a tire are reduced significantly.

I've been off a couple of times. And every time I've been off track, it was my own decision. Enter a corner too hot, run out of brakes, and instead of trying to hold the turn and risk hooking a wheel, I'd straighten out and drive it out. Of course, thats not always possible.

[Ataru]

Originally posted by zal
this is why i need a miata... my LX would never stand up to this abuse

I think you are wrong about that. It's not "abuse". Our cars are meant to be driven like this. Most of the time when I see people talk like this, it's simply excuses to find a reason not to get out there and try it.

[netdrgoon]

I hear Hallett is the shiz. You should get on ok-speed.net, there are some Hallett nuts over there.

[Ataru]

Already on OK-Speed.com. I rarely post there since its mostly OKC guys and mostly street racing. I post on Green Country Motorsports more which is more of a track/auto-x forum.

[netdrgoon]

.net is a little different than .com, but there are few NE oklahoma guys I guess, mainly Ada people and OKC people.

[vanquish]

I cant wait to get mine out on the track, too bad our season, for that here is ,over.