Track Days

[ferrisbueller]

Given the majority of US roads are more about where you're going than the enjoyment of the experience, is the track day culture taking hold yet? Are there any operators you could share some links for at all please?

Also, given the difficulties with importing cars, ruling out Elises, 7s and the like, what do people use as readily available track toys?

[david968s]

Tracks are few and far between, so track days (often called DE - driver education) are not commonplace as they are in the UK. Where there is a will there is a way of course, it just requires a bit more effort to get involved here than it does in the UK. I have been thinking of doing an Autocross day here in Houston but haven't got around to it yet. That is basically a coned short sprint course and just needs a big car park or similar, of which there are loads available.

Elises and Exiges are available in the US, so I imagine they are popular on track. Americans tend to view them with circumspection, since nothing with 4 or 6 cylinders and less than 4 litres capacity can really be quick, can it?

[belleair302]

There are a few track days on offer but remember the litigation and insurance concerns n the US....that is why karting has struggled to get a foothold nationwide. Autocross is very popular and I know from visits to NC lots of guys and girls are using Miata's, Mini's, Elise's and even the odd Caterham too. I do know a number of people who run track cars and belong to owners clubs.....but an arrive and drive as in he UK is somewhat unlikely. 99% of US cars on track would be a disaster and too few people actually know any track etiquette!!

[geeman237]

I live in South Carolina and in this region track days are few and far between. Its nothing like as easy as the UK from what I remember (Castle Coombe track days late 1990's). I live close (relatively) to Roebling Road, Road Atlanta and Kershaw Motorsports Track. The easiest way to try to enjoy some track time in your car is to do track touring during a classic car race event. Its not fast, 60-70mph or so behind a pace car but there are no restrictions on you or the car. Thing I have found at Road Atlanta is they let way too many cars on the track at one time and everyone bunches up to a near standstill on the corners. Folks seem to like to stop, then drag race along the straight to the next corner, stop and repeat. Just my experience. Some tracks and clubs do have more spirited track days, you are ok in a closed car, but open cars must have roll bars fitted. So to turn up in your classic, like a TR6 etc and enjoy a sprited drive etc is damn near impossible unless you have invested in a roll bar etc. Yes, I know its a sensible thing to do anyway. I have a Daimler SP250 and would like to enjoy a track day without all the red tape because I know mine and my cars limits, and have respect for other track users.
As for track cars I have seen, BMWs are popular, so are various Nissan coupe and MX5's etc. Just my observations and personal experience.

[LostCroc]

I am based in the NY region and regulary run a nearby track for HPDE driving a seven. I also regularly participate in UK track days in sevens and run an old Group A Holden at Australian track days. Comparing those three locations, the UK, closely folowed by Australia, wins every time for being relaxed about things.

At NJMP the road cars you usually on track see range from sevens (9 out on track for two days last month), a good number of Elise/Exige, a lot of Porsche (GT2/3 and Cayman), beemer M3 and M5s, mustangs, and lots of Corvettes. There are quite a few out there with full on race cars too. The driving club has a good quality of driver although I have had to resort to using the horn to get their attention when trying to get a point by pass. A regular operator track day has similar cars but the quality of driving in ranked sessions is slower.

In the US, track rules are fairly draconian to read. Lots of liability waivers and good stuff like that. I have never heard of arrive and drive. Full face helmets only, belts/harnesses in date, etc. Passengers are usually prohibted due to operator insurance requirements. Something like a Caterham usally causes indigestion for inspectors given how minimalist it is. Ideally they want enough scaffolding for a skyscraper to en-cage you. Driving requires mandatory point by passes on a straight. No point by no pass. no passing in braking zone (but we do sneak them!) Some rare advanced run groups in some operators will allow point by passing in corners. Pass without point by or even too late in a braking zone then you get a black flag. Spins require a counseling session in the pits. Usually, two spins or two black flags and you are out for the day.

US track day cost is a big issue. Tracks are expensive with lots of insurance. Commerical HPDE operators at NJMP are usually charging around $350-400 per day area in my area. i have never see half day sessions - you are ponying up for the full day. Noise regs prevent you starting before 8.30am and need you to stop at 5.30-6pm.

I love how relaxed the UK track day approach is. For the guys in the UK, protect the UK track day culture while you can!

Edited by LostCroc on Saturday 14th July 10:38

Edited by LostCroc on Saturday 14th July 10:39

[vetteheadracer]

National Corvette Museum runs track days for Corvette owners
example of one of them here:

http://www.corvettemuseum.org/registration/autobah...