Track Day at Reno-Fernley 2/14

[BOO]

cool !! Thanks .
Any More Pics???

[sperry]

Originally Posted by BOO

cool !! Thanks .
Any More Pics???

I'm uploading my in-car video... but it's like 50+ MB so it'll be a while.

[BOO]

Can't Wait!!!!.. Sounds like I need to go and TRY something like this as well ..

[MattR]

Here's a link to Scott's in car video, the sound is off, but the video is awesome. Check it out in the gallery

http://www.seccs.org/gallery/Race%20...k_Day_divx.avi

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MattR

Here's a link to Scott's in car video, the sound is off, but the video is awesome. Check it out in the gallery

http://www.seccs.org/gallery/Race%20...k_Day_divx.avi

Here's a better version:

2004-02-14_Reno-Fernley_Track_Day_divx.avi (55.0MB)

and here's my fastest lap:

2004-02-14_DoinkWRX_Reno-Fernley_HotLap_divx.avi (13.2MB)

[MikeSTI]

looks like you guys had some fun :shock: wish I could have been there but I need to get the Control Arm fixed first which is going to happen this Wensday......so when the next track day for SECCS going to be? Would like some notice this time

[MattR]

Originally Posted by MikeSTI

looks like you guys had some fun :shock: wish I could have been there but I need to get the Control Arm fixed first which is going to happen this Wensday......so when the next track day for SECCS going to be? Would like some notice this time

Turns out you have to have a track permit,(i.e. a license) so we took a driving school Saturday that included track time. You can;t just show up and run like we thought. After going thru the school, Scott, Dean and I are all cleared to run any time.

[dknv]

Is that something new? Because when I was there in November with Jim Gandy and Eric Gangloff, that wasn't required.

[MattR]

Originally Posted by dknv

Is that something new? Because when I was there in November with Jim Gandy and Eric Gangloff, that wasn't required.

All I know is, if you don't have some kind of track license, or competition license, then you can't run. You basically have to document that you have track experience. I'm Sure Jim and maybe Eric have Comp licenses. It was actually good going through the class...

[MikeSTI]

I like the idea of having a class SECCS day then . We can all get are training done and have some fun for those that are interrested? When do they have classes scheduled or is it anytime?

[BOO]

Originally Posted by MikeSTI

I like the idea of having a class SECCS day then . We can all get are training done and have some fun for those that are interrested? When do they have classes scheduled or is it anytime?

Hey Mike !!
Get it right my friend.. Its a "SECCS" Education Class day!!! :wink:

[STIwish]

Originally Posted by BOO

Hey Mike !!
Get it right my friend.. Its a "SECCS" Education Class day!!! :wink:

LOL, thats actually kinda funny man

[BOO]

Originally Posted by STIwish

LOL, thats actually kinda funny man

(Taking a bow) Thank you !!, Thank you !!!
I know what can I say

[Dean]

My biggest issue with the "school" was a lack of in car instruction. If Scott and Matt had not had as much autocross experience, I would have been even more upset. I would not want someone who had little or know experience out there on that technical of a track without anin car instructor.

As far as I could tell, the instructor for the most part was not even out on the track with them doing lead and follow, or just observing them.(I think they did one session of lead and follow, but that is hardly enough.)

Matt, Scott, what are your thoughts on this?

I had planned on discussin it with ET, but wanted your thoughts first. I know we discussed it briefly, but what do you think now in retrospect?

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MikeSTI

I like the idea of having a class SECCS day then . We can all get are training done and have some fun for those that are interrested? When do they have classes scheduled or is it anytime?

Not a bad idea! We could probably get in touch with the school and try to schedule a 1 or 2 day class. I wouldn't mind taking the next class.

Here's the site for the school: http://www.e-t-races.com

It's put on by Elieen Thomas aka "ET". She was the one that banged up Gary's car with her Spec Miata before the Reno-Fernley USTCC race, IIRC.

The instructors were pretty cool, and clearly know how to drive very well. Our instructor for the beginner class was Vic. I guess he used to be a test car driver that would just go out and pound production vehicles into the ground on race tracks for endurance testing. Todd was his side kick, and was the one doing all the drifting. He was the one that put on the drift school at ThunderHill in January that the S-Squared crew went to.

The only things I didn't like about the course, was that the instructor didn't do any ride along instruction, and sometime (esp. at the skid pad) it was hard to understand what it was he was looking for us to do in the car. For example we did a little cone exercise on the skidpad before hitting the track, and I still don't know what he was looking for out of us... I guess he just wanted us to exhibit some level of car control and understanding of weight transfer before we got out on track, but he never explicitly said so. My guess is that he's one of those people that knows so much about racing/car control it's harder for him to teach the very basics since it's all second nature to him already. But I'll bet there's a *ton* we can learn from him at a higher level.

[MikeSTI]

I would like to do this however it goes down just know I do have an interest

[MattR]

Originally Posted by Dean

Matt, Scott, what are your thoughts on this?

I had planned on discussin it with ET, but wanted your thoughts first. I know we discussed it briefly, but what do you think now in retrospect?

I would agree with you Dean. Scott and I have had a lot of exposure to racing, etc. But a total first timer needs a lot more instruction one-on-one. I think that's why the other three people in our session did not do so well. I would say that a lot of the guys in the club, self included, would benefit greatly from some in car instruction. In entry level classes, its almost essential.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by Dean

My biggest issue with the "school" was a lack of in car instruction. If Scott and Matt had not had as much autocross experience, I would have been even more upset. I would not want someone who had little or know experience out there on that technical of a track without anin car instructor.

As far as I could tell, the instructor for the most part was not even out on the track with them doing lead and follow, or just observing them.(I think they did one session of lead and follow, but that is hardly enough.)

Matt, Scott, what are your thoughts on this?

I had planned on discussin it with ET, but wanted your thoughts first. I know we discussed it briefly, but what do you think now in retrospect?

Woops, I didn't see you post before adding mine, but I think I answered it above. I think Vic is just on too high of a plane to teach the very basics. Matt and I both have a pretty good understanding of car dynamics and cornering, etc. We just don't have the experience, esp. at high speeds. I think getting out on track for a day was all I really needed to pass their "level 1" class. If I had come to the class w/ zero performance driving experience, and no understanding of understeer vs. oversteer and how wechit shifting affects traction, I would have been pretty freaked out getting on course... much like the girl in our group who had no real experience.

'Course, Vic did take her aside and give here a bunch of one-on-one and got her back out on course with some confidence. Perhaps Vic just instructs where needed, and Matt and I didn't really need any additional instruction?

[Kevin M]

www.hookedondriving.com

They are having an instructional day on March 9th at Thunder Hill. That also happens to be the day I will be doing shakedown on the new beast, and most likely Nate as well. IIRC it's $225 per driver (a little more expensive than most, but the groups are smaller, and lunch is still included). Any of you guys game for that?

[dknv]

To Dean's point - all beginning drivers on a road course should have an in-car instructor. Not only does this help mitigate the risk that people are out there who don't know what they're doing, but each beginning track driver then has an opportunity to be corrected before taking out themself or others on the track.

I was wondering how many people who have considered taking their cars on the track have heard the term 'in a spin both feet in', or what course of action to take if they find themself 'leaving the course' unintentionally?

There's a ton of learning that is valuable before you even hit the track. I was glad to hear you guys had an opportunity to take a class but from what it sounds like, there's opportunity for more.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

www.hookedondriving.com

They are having an instructional day on March 9th at Thunder Hill. That also happens to be the day I will be doing shakedown on the new beast, and most likely Nate as well. IIRC it's $225 per driver (a little more expensive than most, but the groups are smaller, and lunch is still included). Any of you guys game for that?

Smaller than 5 people?

Actually, I may be game for another school. I'm just worried about the expense of all this. I'm gonna need another job to pay for all this track time!

[Kevin M]

Smaller than the schools that charge $175-200. Other than maybe sneaking up there for the school you guys just did, I know I'll be at T-Hill on the 9th, ButtonWillow on the 22nd, Stead on the 17th/18th of April, and that it for that time frame.

[sperry]

Originally Posted by BAN SUVS

Smaller than the schools that charge $175-200. Other than maybe sneaking up there for the school you guys just did, I know I'll be at T-Hill on the 9th, ButtonWillow on the 22nd, Stead on the 17th/18th of April, and that it for that time frame.

I just realized that March 9th is a Tuesday! Damn you and your no job having ass!!

[MattR]

ET called me today, I will be sending her evaluation to here in the mail, if you want to do the same Dean, Scott, I have the address . I'm guessing she left a message for you too, but if not, PM me and I'll get you that address

[sperry]

Originally Posted by MattR

ET called me today, I will be sending her evaluation to here in the mail, if you want to do the same Dean, Scott, I have the address . I'm guessing she left a message for you too, but if not, PM me and I'll get you that address

I *just* got off the phone with her. I told here we might be interested in doing a club school event, but that the whole Friday/Saturday format might not work because most of us have work on Fridays.

She suggested that if we can get enough people together we might be able to set up a special school event. Perhaps we should try to roll this into a "SECCS Track School" or something and advertize it on NASIOC and I-Club and see if we can't draw 15 or 20 people?

We might be able to get a group rate discount or something. Perhaps we could get Dean to enlist himself and some friends to act as additional instructors so there'd be more ride-along instruction.

Ideas?