How does track time work?
 

I'm just curious about how DE track time works. Do you just show up and they let you on? Do you need some prior experience - I would think yes? People mention their instructor's a lot - how does that work? Can one just show up and be assigned an instructor or does it have to be prearranged?
Thanks,
Tom

ps: does DE stand for driver's edjamacation?

Driver Education... no prior experience required, the point is you get the experience during DE...

as for just showing up , i would think it's best to call ahead, and check for availability... as would with most things where an instructor is involved...

So do you show up, get some classroom time, then track time? Do you do some laps in the passenger seat first? I guess I'm trying to get a feel for how a day at DE might go for a first timer.

Also, what kind of inspection must my car endure? If it has a small oil leak - like a drip or two a day - is that fatal?

Tom

There is classroom, not necessarily before you go out its sometimes after. Yes the first couple laps the instructor takes your car around to show you the line.

The oil leak should be fine, find a tech sheet somewhere and look it over yourself so you know you will pass.

Most importantly have fun, its hard not to. Oh you will get addicted, in the words of the Mens Warehouse..."I guarantee it".

I've never encountered an organization where you just showed up. You always need to pre-register. To few people, and the costs for track rental, insurance, corner workers, EMS, and more, is too steep. Too many and you can't get any quality track time.

You should not have any trouble finding a track event. Check out http://www.trackschedule.com

for the record, prior experience... i guess it helps if you can actually drive a car... and have a drivers licence... nothing to shabby , but it helps to know what those 3 pedals do , and how that round thing on the dash works in relation to persuading the car into changing it's direction...

a phone is also a handy device, as you can contact the track , and ask them how they specifically do things... they'll know exactly how it works on their own track

Not fatal. The idea is not to oil down the track ;)

You'll need to do two tech inspections. A pre-tech, and a grid-tech. As for the pre-tech, some clubs will want a garage to do it. Some will let you do your own if they know and trust you. Others just want a signed form. (Let me point out that unless you're really confident in you mechanical abilities, and know your car is track ready, it's worth paying for a pre-tech. It's not like you get your money back if you fail the grid-tech.) Grid-techs are mandatory, are held at the track, and are used to spot obvious issues.

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate it. About how much does a typical track day cost? (not incl. fuel, food, hotel etc....)
Thanks,
Tom

Hook up with your local PCA chapter; they typically run good DE programs at whatever their home track is and sanction track days as the PCA carries insurance that covers the event (not your car). In the Minnesota region, Driver's Ed participants need to have completed DT or "Driver's Training" before a DE. We have a DT/DE weekend in the beginning of the year and at the end of the year. DT involves some classroom time, and lapping sessions with an instructor assigned to you for the day. Usually the instructors are club racers or folks who have logged a substantial amount of track time. You need to steer clear of any organization that would allow you into a lapping session without high speed training as that is not safe plain and simple. After DT you'll understand your specific track's or club's rules for safe passing, where you can pass, how to enter and exit the track, what flags and hand signals mean. You'll also get a new understanding of tire grip.

Track days in our region range from $200-$275 depending on the track and event, which is usually held over a Saturday-Sunday weekend. We average about 5 20 min. lapping sessions per day (which is plenty for a newbie) with maybe a 1 hour long stint at the end of Sunday.

If you are unwilling to replace your tires depending on their condition, or buy a $250 helmet, or fix your oil leak, my advice is to steer clear. #1- It becomes addictive in a hurry if you like it, #2- if you can't afford those things mentioned above you have no business doing DE. I'm not trying to be rude, just give it to you straight.

If you do one, I guarantee you will become a better driver on the road than the next guy and have a lot of fun to boot.

(edited for spelling error)

BGC32 -
Thanks for the scoop. I appreciate "giving it to me straight" - that's what I wanted to hear. I'm mostly curious beacuse I want to find a situation, maybe next spring, where I can learn more about how my car drives, in a safe environment. I'm a pretty low key, fairly responsible guy (most of the time) - so speeding around the streets doesn't really turn me on. That said, I'm itching to learn how to push my car. So, some instruction time is hopefully in my future.
Thanks,
Tom

Tom,

Lots of good advice here. If I may add, every club runs their events a bit differently. I would hook up with a good group that has instructors (good ones) that classify you according to experience (all the way from newbie to race group instruction); they ride along, and then eventually "sign you off" to "solo," as it were. PCA is the first I'd approach as they are national and there is kind of a "standard" of safety and oversight that may or may not exist with indep clubs. Once you get hooked in, you'll learn of other clubs that run DE/TimeTrial/Auto-X events. Have fun, and be prepared to get addictied!

Edward

I would contact your local PCA Chapter to find out how they rin things. I am in Oregon Region PCA and you can read about our program here by clicking onthe Driver Ed link:

http://www.oregonpca.org/

Other regions can be more or less strict.

Autocross is also a good inexpensive way to learn about your car.

Read our guide for some reference.

http://www.metronypca.org/DriverEd/DE%20Guide/Metro%20NY%20DE%20Guide%201_4g.pdf

Tom,

If your in Northern Idaho there is a pretty good P-car community up there. Lots of track days in Spokane you could attend. Also the cost is relatively cheap - around $200 for the whole day including classroom instruction and several lapping sessions.

As mentioned, autoX is also a great AND safe way to explore your cars limits and is very cheap - usually less than $50 per day.

Tom... The Carolinas Region PCA web page has a good read on our DE program, link below...

http://carolinas-pca.com

It's easy to get involved... you do have to preregister and you have to do it quickly! In our region, the beginner group fills up the first 2-3 days of registration.