How much is to much?

[kent olsen]

I've been a sports car/performance car nut forever. British cars, then a corvette and then my 911 (for the last 20 years) and now next to the 911, a 65 Vette and a classic Mini Cooper.

I've belonged to many car clubs along the way. They all are involved in some kind of performance driving, be it tours, arrive and drive, autoxes or track days.

Years ago, after not having a performance car for many years, I attended an arrive and drive with a local group. As soon as we left the main highway we were running 75 mph on county roads with no consideration for dogs, deer or bike riders.

I attended one more time but the driving was the same. I liked it but decided if I wanted that excitement I'd go back to track days, which I have done for the last 20 years in the 911.

Sunday I stopped by a gathering of club members and met a new member, just three years with the club. He was telling me about his recent arrive and drive experience. Racing thru the back country, he said he could hardly keep up until all the cars had stopped. Well one of the cars had hit and killed a dog and they stopped to see if it was worth taking to the Vet, but it was dead.

I know it's expensive, $200 or more to go to a track day, BUT. Driving these back roads at speed can expose you to almost anything on the road. Just think twice before you put you pedal to the metal.

Ok I'll get off my soapbox.

[wildthing]

I'm with you. I'm against speeding on public roads.

[PDKLOL]

agreed Kent! After I started running track days with PCA, My street driving changed completely! I toned it down big time and started saving it for the track. My local region does do arrive and drive events but I've never seen anything like that before out of our region.

[kent olsen]

Another funny experience. Years ago when I lived in Florida I met a great guy who raced a 65 Mustang. As it turned out he was an RGRUPPE member as well. He invited me to come up to Road Atlanta for the Petite Le Mans.

Prior to the race they had a track tour. My friend told me to take his brother-in-law and go out, as he was an instructor at the track. Cool.

Well what was supposed to be a slow drive around the track turned out to be not even close.

At the top of the track (turn 6-7) nearly all the cars had stopped. After about 2-4 minutes, when the leader was back at start finish, we all took off, wide open. We again caught up to the leader at the top of the hill and waited again before wide open for a full lap. The track finally, after about 5 laps caught up to the mischievious conduct and sent a pickup out to push the group of cars up the the leader. With my instructor friend in the right seat I got great a view of the track at speed.

That cool memory is still in my closet as there was a photographer taking pictures and then transferring them onto a T shirt and selling them there at the track

[LIRS6]

Well expressed, Kent - can't tell you how many dopey people pull out their GT3's etc on Sundays and race around local roads in packs here on north shore of Long Island. I for one am content to motor along with the top off/windows down, and enjoy the sounds and fresh air without worrying about what may be around the next corner.

Jason

PS - no offense meant to responsible GT3 owners!