I find it harder and harder to get on a race track
 

Not really ranting, just wondering if others are in the same boat and options you may have found - organizations, alternatives...

I used to be a track junkie... I'd go literally to every event on offer... I recently got invited to an event by my brother in law, thought it'd be fun to get back in after a 3yr break due to no competitive car, looked at the requirements, and frankly could not be bothered...

I think over the past 10 years things started happening progressively:

- I got kids, got older, and the associated sleep and parental issues did not help with getting up at 4 AM to driving 2-3 hours before dawn to get there for a 7AM inspection (!!!)... Or being gone all week end sticking my wife with 2 feverish children for ear infection #57...

- I got better at driving but that meant promotion to the fast groups where, if you do not run a GT3, you drive your mirrors all day to let them by - which is not as much fun as I used to have... I was also strongly asked to become an instructor and I frankly hated that (kudos to you instructors, you got big attachments, being in a fast car with a terrible student is not for me), then felt slightly traitorous dropping out of that...

- no recognized competence level from one group to another - after moving states, if I were to go with groups other than PCA or even other regions, it looks like I'd have to run through the ladder again... meh. Don't get me wrong, I *know* you can always learn from an instructor, but sometimes, once you've proven competent enough to not endanger anyone, you just want some chill track time on your own... In my current scenario (bro-law invite) I'd have to start from scratch with a new group - it's OK, I get it, but it's not exactly dragging me out of bed either.

- It got more expensive, and w/more requirements too - I used to do my own inspections, then it became inspections at the dealer or agreed upon shop, proof of recent blake fluid, this and that....Understandable, but annoying when you maintain your own car... Hell even my car got more expensive (my fault). Back in the day I could toss a 911SC around, and it was reasonably competitive after a diet and an oil cooler, but only a $15K loss absolute worst case... Now not being a road block in a fast group requires serious investment, and when I think of taking the 991 (base, I still can't afford a GT3) I'm thinking I might need track insurance just due to value...more $$$ to the already $$$ fees.

Got me wondeering about alternatives... At the very least it would be nice if there was a group set up a little differently, like accepting we checked our car and tightened the lugnuts, aren't running 5y old brake fluid, like responsible adults.. Also mostly dropping that early deadline, where you need to show up at the crack of dawn but you don't even run until 9:30AM (or whatever depending on run group)..We don't all live next to a track. I understand that it's very unlikely for insurance and other reasons, but I've lost the willpower to put myself thru that...

I set up a nice rig on the XboxOne with chair, pedals - with clutch, wheel and shifter (though I gave up on the shifter) and I'm having fun... It's not the same adrenalin rush at all but it's ready to rumble in 2 minutes.

I recently tried the Porsche experience in LA...I love the model. No prep, no dawn, good food, but it's way more $ and not near my house either...

I think I'm gonna go for Go-Karting instead (go ahead talk me out of it), I recently discovered a nice go-kart track 20 min from my house and those (mostly) kids haul ass... Show up way after sunrise, rent, do a few sessions, 20 min later I'm soaking my sore old bones in a hot tub.... Think that's doable for about the price of a DE ?

Definitely do karts. I can't talk you out of that sort of fun.

As I read through your post what you've concluded is what I was going to suggest.

You seem to enjoy track time more than "speed itself", an important distinction. It seems to matter more to you to get the most out of your vehicle than get the most vehicle.

Because of this it may not matter what the vehicle is, and this makes rental karts an excellent option.

yes that is a good summary of my mindset, I like cornering, technique, working on lines - speed per se, meh... Rental karts are cheap, not maintained by me, no need to insure, but it would appear I'll need a driving suit/gloves/boots, a HANS device and a different helmet... Those are serious go karts, not the garden variety city-event karts. I need to check pricing on rentals - but it looks fun ! I'm also no longer a skinny teenager so I'm not interested in racing the kids, I just want a few 30 min sessions every other w/e, hopefully that's doable ;-)

The corollary here for me is if I don't track, I don't really need a 991 either, I'd probably be fine with my commuter and a cheap 356 (ha) instead ;-)

What track have you found?

I've been to calspeed in Fontana California.

I moved back from FL (Sebring!!) a few years ago and relocated near Sears Point in Nor cal... Not a fan of sears as a DE track, but I discovered only recently they have a Go kart track up the hill, and it looks very cool.... had NO idea ! 20 min drive from my house.

I went through the same thing. I had gotten to the point where I was towing my 911 to track events. When you started looking at hotel room, gas for the car and the tow vehicle, food, consumables, etc., a DE weekend was north of a kilobuck. Multiply that by 2-3 events per year and the ROI wasn't that great.

So...I got into ChumpCar (now ChampCar) racing with some buddies at work. I spend less money than I did on track events and get to do wheel-to-wheel racing 2 or 3 times a year. Plus, ChampCar is endurance racing so you get 3-4 hours of seat time per weekend.

Our current weapon:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1520965387.jpg

Sort of the process of winding down.

Racing is a lot of work, you have to enjoy all of it.
garage prep, transportation and finally track time.

I'm not interested in the new cars with electronics/nannies assisting.
So that eliminates many amateur events.

Interested still in vintage racing and older cars.
True it is a time consuming money leak.

Have a new driving Simulator under construction.
Hope it tempers my racing addiction.

Newer electric shifter karts are awesome fun. And it’s all in a nights fun. You are either fast or you’re a backmarker... I’ve moved up in rank from #850 to #226 out 115,000 people at the place near me. They have a league night even!

Kart races in UK are about 15 minutes duration. Dont know about the States, but we have classes for Veterans if you use your own kart.Arrive and drive I dont think so, its one class, but it will never be as fast as if you use your own equipment

There Solo 2 as well, and hillclimbs, cheaper than circuit racing and any accident has to be your own fault as there is no-one else to crash into you. Personally I think DE just wears a car out, whereas in competitions you are at least always trying to improve your times even if you arent competive against others.

My experience with Karts is not fun. The track was fairly tight and I ended up getting sick from the motion. White as a ghost. Guy told me that it happens frequently.

Never had that on a track.

They say the desire to go to the track is the second thing to go when you get older. :D

I found when I became an instructor it brought new satisfactions and the people you drive with are more courteous.

Similar feeling with PCA in ct. my 911sc is slow. Many GT3-RS. Cup cars. 991, GT4. Nice folks, but big tracks like Watkins glen get very lonely.

I also spent a few years away due to college. Just starting to see the other side and now getting back into it.

I found SCDA a nice alternative in the northeast. Range of cars. SC isn’t too bad compared to many cars. So there are opportunities to run close.

IROC beat me to it: go racing in ChampCar or Lemons. Get involved in the online community and I am sure you can buy a seat in a car with an established team.

I am with you on club days typically involving too much red tape.

Drop levels to where drivers are slower.
Look outside of PCA. STuff like Chin probably has no tech requirement.
Get a $100 hotel room the night before. Getting up at 4am is nutty.

Local bunch of guys get together and rent out tracks as a group. The post their times, but it's not about racing being and being fastest in a class, it about improving your times. There is no national club or group in charge of their events so they are only required to meet the safety standards for the track they rent.

I personally enjoyed our local PCA autocross once a month. More about fun and learning than FTD. Only very few even bothered with R compound tires.

Very similar story, i was getting tired of DE weekends too.
So I sold my track car and bought a RZR and a tractor.
Built an off road track in my yard.
Now whenever I want, i just open up the garage door and vroom vroom as long as I want.

I get my racing kicks sat behind a desk being paid to come up with ideas to make other people go fast

Always promised myself I wouldn't actually get on track to race as I'm competitive but without the skills to be quick

If I did it would probably end up in tears with my family living in a tent while I buy that last 0.01sec of performance

Have you thought about downhill skiing, border cross, MTB racing, street luge plenty of racing without the high costs of motorsport

Try this: https://www.tracknightinamerica.com

Super low-key, cheap, no GT3s.

Club events are a little too organized for me so I only do open lapping days at the track. One day a week every week of the year weather permitting. A lot of days no run groups or fast/ slow if there are too many cars. At the very least, that means a full 4 hours or 8 hours of driving against anything that shows up.
Way more fun and the only requirement is a helmet.

Very similar story to my own. I haven't been to the track in @ 3 years now and while I do miss it, just cannot justify the time/cost etc of it anymore. I'm not as fast as i used to be either. The days of "no fear" are long gone. I still see cars and think, what a great project/track car that would be and then I realize that actually going to the track will probably not happen.
I see here that most people only go 2-3 times a year anyway, so to get my fix, I have gone Karting and driven the PEC and have done Exotic racing in Vegas. All have been great fun but the latest thing now, is my local PCA started an online Sim Racing Series using Project Cars2 and it is a TOTAL blast.. We have about 6-10 drivers show up at every race ( every two weeks) and we have a schedule and a points system, etc.. We drive different tracks every time. Highly recommended!!

I found I miss the people as much as the racing. Eventually you're the geezer among kids you have nothing in common with. Then the SCCA pretty much ruined the program. I started racing Formula Ford with Cal Club in the early 1970's. $3500 cars, $40 entry fees and 60 car grids at Riverside Raceway. Now it's $40,000 cars, $400 entry fees and an Alphabet Soup race group with 4-5 Formula Fords. I go to watch every 5 years or so, but just can't generate any enthusiasm.

Champcar is affordable and great fun. I had 2 teams over the years and enjoyed the hell out of it. Sold the teams a couple years back and regret it to this day. The endurane racing format allows for tons of seat time at some of the best tracks in the nation, plus you can try night racing. It is a great experience and will cure your racing itch, without having to chance your nice Porsche.

I know the feeling.

I have been autocrossing for 41 years. I have done several track days but on PCA "Drivers Education" never real racing. That has always been out of my comfort level of spending.

At the last autocross my 85 was by far the oldest car there except for one fully gutted track whore 944. With no power steering, no power brakes, no traction control, no ABS is is a real disadvantage compared to a new Cayman with PDK shifting. I am not even close to competitive, but I still have fun. I gave up trying to be really fast long ago. I just go drive the course and have fun.

I'd drive Sears Point just to drive it once - mazda laguna seca too. Kinda spoiled with Sebring as a DE track because it's so open and large - good track to learn on - even with the quirks. Problem these days is the speed of the new cars - I've done a few Autocrosses with my son - I love the driving = but like hanging with my friends more. I've resolved myself to not worry about being the fastest - just try and improve on my laps in the car that I choose (tracked the 944 for a couple of years and definitely got an arm work out) Find something that you enjoy and make the most out of it.

I also got out of Time Trials almost a decade ago. When trying to get back in it, my "new" car would have needed significant modifications to meet safety, so I never went back with PCA.

That said, it is very easy to book a day with one of the go-fast clubs and have fun without many strings attached. I do that now a couple times a year and meet up with friends who are active in those clubs. It gives me a fix without having to dump major time or money into the hobby like I used to. Yes, it isn't as competitive and I have to drive around some people in the mid-level run groups, but a day at Laguna or Thunderhill is still awesome at any rate.

G

Hey Jeremy,

I drove Sears point many times in the past...before moving to FL and enjoying Sebring, to be honest I don't love it (sears I mean) - too many walls and weird camber, not as fun as other tracks to me. Only time I ever spun on track lifetime was there (rainy day, mud on the track, I missed concrete berms by inches). Also did Laguna seca, very cool but it's a hike and often with lots of returning weekenders, and has severe noise limits... Did buttonwillon and willow springs many times too... Honestly my favorite CA track is Thunderhill... It and Sebring are my all time 2 favorites... I might get out of bed to run there once more, but overall I think I've had it with the 4AM departures and car inspections and GT3RS point by.. I'm going to look at this go-kart thing and probably eventually sell my 991 as well, most days I drive it in commute traffic and it's completely wasted on that... For fun, the limits of these modern porsches are so high that I prefer flogging my oldies (72 911, 74 Alfa), so if I don't do DEs anymore there is little point keeping it outside of pride ;-)

I used to do 5-6 events a year in my 930 which I trailered. Mostly at VIR.

Gas to tow, hotel and food weren’t too bad.

What was expensive was the race gas. 100 octane at $6 per gallon. My car got about 3 mpg, so it added up fast when I drove 300 miles on the track each weekend.

Next was 993TT brake pads and rotors. Probably changed them twice a year.

The friends I met and hung out with were priceless.

Would probably still be doing it if I hadn’t hit a rough patch being in construction during the recession and sold everything.

Racing is a perishable skill.
When you are heavily involved, going to events every couple of weeks, prepping the car, thinking about it all the time = this is where the best results will happen.
I got out for 4 yrs after doing DE, instructing for 10 + years and W2W racing in NASA and PCA CR for 5 more yrs.
Tried to go back after the hiatus and got a rude awakening.
Newer cars that drive themselves, younger drivers/ racers who are hungry for victory, and as i stated, stale skill set from not using it.
Miss it a lot. But there is no going back. Like everything in life. You will regret the things you don't do.
Now trying to find joy in the memories, and still playing with the cars albeit in the shop and back roads of the Hinterlands at not so break-neck speeds.
Still love the cars.
Hope you find your peace.
Nic

I too am going to try some karting at Sears Point this Spring-- looks like fun.

But I still like to race there, as I have for many years. It is one of the most challenging tracks in the US.

As for karting, some of my old PCA friends may still own a kart rental business there... need to check on that.

The last time I was up there watching kart testing I spent some time visiting with Memo Gidley. Nice guy and very talented.

I have been track driving and racing for 30 years, and I still enjoy it. Not sure I'd enjoy one of these newer heavy cars very much pushing limits at a place like Laguna Seca or Sears Point. Too much effort in risk management.

The last time I did a DE (doing some testing of my race car) was at Sears Point on the day of the big eclipse last year. Saw a lot of interesting behaviors from guys in street cars. Met a guy first thing in the am that unfortunately totaled his Cayman GT4 in the second session.

That was sad to see.

I found that I'm more rested going in on a Friday and not having to get up at 4:00 am. When I was going up through the ranks I was so excited that I didn't sleep much anyway - so getting up at 4:00 was no big deal. Now I still get butterflies - but also get some sleep :) I usually split a room with someone to defer the costs. Karting is fun - especially if you get a group... Nothing beats a 80 mph curve at 1.5 G on street tires though ................

Karting is very physical, fitness is key. I started aged 16, raced semi-pro until i was 28. Tried to go back aged 47 and found the sport had changed way too much. No longer grass roots motorsport, new chassis every 3 months: wet engine, dry engine,(as well as tyres of course);lots of aggressive behaviour of the track more than on. Found hillclimbing a road car was actually cheaper than karting, but not nearly as much track time, but a friendly bunch who would even help their nearest competitor fix the car.Now 20 years later hillclimbing and sprinting have become relatively much more expensive with lifed seats, harnesses, Hans, clothing, helmets etc. Autosolo, the UK equivalent of Solo 2, but at much slower speeds due to rule of maximum 60 yards between at least 90 degree corners and maximum dimensions within which track must be laid out, so first and second gear stuff favouring physically small(minute by US standards) cars, some sporting 200 BHP though, is what I do now as it is far cheaper-main cost being tyres.Car must be road legal(paperwork checked) and not to be trailered to the track. Real test of car control . Patronised mainly by young drivers beginning in motorsport, and older guys who have raced or rallied in the past,now in their final form of motorsport

I consider myself along with other East Coast folks lucky to have a great PCA chapter that runs very well organized, safe, and P-car exclusive DE. Every event is almost 50/50 aircooled to new models and drivers seem to have an overall “have fun, be safe” mentality. The 4am wake up is a little rough but I still enjoy the planning, tech inspection/ BS session at the shop, and a beautiful drive up to the track.

Maybe take up snowmobiling?