First Track Event / Hooked On Driving

F350Lawman · 05-22-2008, 07:09 PM

Well, I finally got myself and my car to the track. I had a trial by fire...first time at track, wet track, rain, ....so it was quite an experience. I had a great time and learned as much as possible in 1 day. Very good instructors and really nice people who ran a great event. I got to drive 6 sessions of 25 minutes each and went as a passenger in 2 more sessions. Oh,and all my drivng was on the race surface...sometimes just barely

Since the new suspension my car handles well. Even in the wetness it was pretty secure (maybe a lil' too stiff when it was real wet). The rain actually was enjoyable as I seemed to learn the most during those sessions. Probably got my self crossed up more in the dry when I started to forget fundamentals and let my mind wander.

In short...plenty of great people and great cars there as well,and I will certainly attend more of the HOD http://www.hookedondriving.com/home.cfm events.

SCOTITUDE · 05-22-2008, 08:39 PM

I am glad you had a great time. You drove fantastic for a first timer. Now that its under your belt, welcome to the DE world. Its a disease with a slippery slope. BTW, thanx for the compliments.
Scott

jester911 · jester911's Garage

It only gets more expensive and addicting from here. Welcome to the dark side.

F350Lawman · 05:51 PM

My only out is that my wife and daughter are into going to horse shows. Looking at their 6 horses from my kitchen window buys me alot of wiggle room when it comes to my "car budget"

I already replaced the entire suspension, intercooler, added the WUR and solenoid, seats, ordered new rims, I am waiting on tires and the motor is probably getting rebuilt in the fall, oh and we'll do the gearbox while we're in there...how much worse could it get???? At least using the car at the track gives me an excuse not to repaint, so see I actually saved ...no????

I plan on doing things one at a time as my funds are limited. My goal is to always do everything right the first time and avoid 1/2 steps. I read too many posts where guys replace, upgrade, upgrade again, etc. It just gets real expensive. Just llke when I did the suspension, I'll get input from guys on here w/ similar cars and goals and copy what worked for them. I am not looking to be an innovator just a good study!

jester911 · jester911's Garage

Yeah that is all fine up to the point where you:
1.Decide to go racing and your car doesn't fit any class.
2.Your car is no longer street legal so you have to buy a truck and trailer.
3.You decide your car is too nice to race so you have to buy a race car.
4.Wash, rinse and repeat.

F350Lawman · 05-23-2008, 12:35 PM

1. Who knows it will ever get to that point, but I am making the car the way I want it. I really just want a CIS/torsion bar "old school" car. I would like to get as much out of the car within those constraints and maintaining much of the original characteristics that drew me to the car. If it puts me in a class against those guys with ABS, traction control, 4 wheel drive so be it. I call them cheaters

In all honesty, I realize a 930 is a tough car to master and that I could probably jump into any number of more modern rides and be faster, smoother etc, I just like the challenge.

2. In NY there is no emmisions and I am a a retired LEO...so I've got that covered

I can't believe I've only been pulled over once for that Zork tube, and that was only so the Trooper could chit-chat about his 951! With the BK harness truss, race seats, super stiff suspension, AC delete, Zork that I already have, it's really already more track oriented now. I had already planned to swap the harness truss for a cage since the back seats are not really useable now anyway, and I could use the extra safety/stiffness.

3. Well you have a point..that's why I think a repaint is scratched for now and maybe forever. In reality the paint is fine from 20 feet, but every once in awhile I want it perfect. I kind of see the car goign the other way, getting less street use and more track and Pelican/Rennlist//PCA get together use. I will probbaly stop just driving the thing aimlessly around just to get soem seat time, if I have more sheduled useages. I feel like an 18year old kid just cruisin' sometimes. not that i don't enjoy a nice drive but, that's when the temptation to get crazy gets hard to fight.

4. I got ya'

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Congrats! HOD is a 1st class organization and I'm happy to see them grow into the NorthEast, SoCal and now Florida.

F350Lawman · 05-23-2008, 08:31 PM

SCOTTITUDE,

Thanks for the kind words and a great event

Scott

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don Plumley,

Yeah, I think they will grow here in the East. I am looking at their schedule and plan on signing up for their event at the new New Jersey Motorsports Lighting course and their season ending October run at Pocono as well.

Scott

mack6820 · 05-25-2008, 06:22 PM

Were you at the VIR this weekend? I was there for my first time as well and had a blast!! I never knew my car had that much potential. but now I cant keep off the pedal on the interstates, which is not good. I think I need to drive a honda for a while to calm down.

F350Lawman · 08:42 PM

No, I was at pocono's North course on Thursday. I trailered there and back, so no real temptation to let loose on the way home....but I do have 1/2 a tank of 100 octane race fuel left...hmmm

I actually have a strong desire to get my car back on the track, I am looking to sign-up for HOD's June 19th run at Pocono's double infield course. They have some sort of promotion w/ Roush Racing where they also bring some Roush Trak-Pak Mustangs to the track. Sounds like fun.

mack6820 · 05-26-2008, 05:39 AM

I was thinking about getting some of that 100 octane. Did it make a difference in your car?
I need to find out what other tracks are near Virginia. I just love the VIR and I want to experience other tracks!

mack6820 · 05-26-2008, 05:42 AM

F350Lawman · 05-26-2008, 07:30 AM

I can't say I really was paying attention to the way the car ran after I topped off with the 100 octane. I probably had about 1/2 tank of 93, so I am around 96 or 97 octane as we speak. It was wet at the track for most of the day so sudden bursts of full boost (where it might be noriceable) were not seen that often. Maybe if it was dry I would have been more aware of any minor changes in the engines performance. I really topped off because with the relocated battery and some other lightening the car is a little touchy (especially in the rain) if I get near E on fuel so I topped-off mid day at the track. When run it on the highway I'll see if I can feel/hear any difference on takeoff.

juanbenae · juanbenae's Garage

how was the cost with HOD compared to other groups in the region? i have never run with them but my pops did with a corvette group deal at thunder hill and it was high $ for a thunder hill event. maybe the vette club tagged on a tax too, but discussion locally seems they are a bit higher than some other "local" groups. prices for the no cal tracks are pretty likewise from group to group depending on time of year. you pretty much know t-hill will run you two-fity, sears point and laguna from 3-hundy to 360 will cover. i seem to remeber HOD for the vette event being closer to the $300 mark.

maybe a corperate, nation wide for the bread group will just plain cost a bit more. pops did have no complaints about the day as it was run well.

T$

F350Lawman · 05-26-2008, 04:12 PM

I paid $280 w/ a lunch included and I ran 6- 25 minute sessions. Seemed well worth it to me. I suppose if there were more cars I might have ran 4 times. I think their price is inline w/ what I have seen advertised by other groups. Their Roush event is $320 but they have both infield courses instead of just the North course and say they are going to try and run the NASCAR tri-oval at the end of the day if time permits. I am trying to get my rims delivered so I can go w/ some decent tires on the car.

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

Toby - you can see all the prices on the event schedule: www.hookedondriving.com

They are a couple of ducats more, but well worth it in my opinion. Comes with lunch and free waters, the instruction is first rate, big safety focus, they follow the rules, etc. It's absolutely perfect for a beginning HPDE driver and there is plenty of track time for the advanced driver.

PM me and I'll give you the over/under.

tc-sacto · 05-27-2008, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mack6820

As an aside:
I'd suggest ditching those stickers. (Crest/PCA) Many a trailer has been rip-ed off from such advertisement. ...nice set up by the way.

F350Lawman · 05-27-2008, 07:22 PM

When I lived in the city I had a cool device (like a boot that parking enforcement uses) that went through the rim and made taking the trailer a chore even if you stole the tow vehicle it was attached to. Combined w/ the lock that fits in the jaws of the coupler when the trailer was on it's own, I felt my trailer was pretty safe. Might be a wise investment for some of us.

944Spec_bound · 05-27-2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by k911sc

paid $280 w/ a lunch included and I ran 6- 25 minute sessions. Seemed well worth it to me. I suppose if there were more cars I might have ran 4 times. I think their price is inline w/ what I have seen advertised by other groups. Their Roush event is $320 but they have both infield courses instead of just the North course and say they are going to try and run the NASCAR tri-oval at the end of the day if time permits. I am trying to get my rims delivered so I can go w/ some decent tires on the car.

I saw the prices for HOD and other outfits, I initially thought they were too expensive. After hearing the amount of track time you get, I might give them a try.

I've run at Infineon twice with NASA HPDE, it's only $160/day includes killer BBQ after. I don't want to bash NASA, they put on a great program for the buck, but...it's very, very crowded with lots of mismatched skill levels and horsepowers to deal with, traffic backs up pretty bad. They give 4 sessions, supposedly 20 min sessions, but usually only 3 laps each time. Still a blast though!