| Erock WRX | 07-10-2006 03:06 PM |
what will i break first?
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I'm a novice road track lapper who is driving a 05 wrx cobb stage 2 w up. F/R sways and eiboch pro kit springs. I also have the Stopteck 332 bbk and replaced the rear rotors with stock size brembo rotors.
My question is what should i do to make sure i can regularly track my car and still have it last years. I'm happy with the car now - may get coilovers when the stock shocks go. I'd like to go to 6-10 track days a year.
Is there anything that seems to break quickly that i can replace or add parts to make last? Going for reasonable longevity.
I know that if i want it to last then don't track it, but i know after the taste i have gotten i wont stop. :D
Sorry for the longwinded post but would appreciate any advice you folks could give.
Thanks
E
My question is what should i do to make sure i can regularly track my car and still have it last years. I'm happy with the car now - may get coilovers when the stock shocks go. I'd like to go to 6-10 track days a year.
Is there anything that seems to break quickly that i can replace or add parts to make last? Going for reasonable longevity.
I know that if i want it to last then don't track it, but i know after the taste i have gotten i wont stop. :D
Sorry for the longwinded post but would appreciate any advice you folks could give.
Thanks
E
| burnera | 07-10-2006 03:13 PM |
wheel bearings. generally the fronts. And there's not much you can do but get the proper offset's with rims, and pack the bearings with non-sulfer race grease.
after that its just the usual consumables (clutch, pads, etc) at least AFAIK
after that its just the usual consumables (clutch, pads, etc) at least AFAIK
| bjorn240 | 07-10-2006 03:14 PM |
Buy cheap 1983 VW GTI track car. Keep WRX stock. In the long run, that's the cheap solution!
| skuttledude | 07-10-2006 03:14 PM |
Bring extra (rotor friendly) brake pads to each event. Invest in a good helmet. Get an extra set of wheels and "track" tires. Other than that, you are looking good.
edit: listen to bjorn
edit: listen to bjorn
| chrisarella | 07-10-2006 03:14 PM |
[SIZE=1]Wirelessly posted (Treo 600: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 95; PalmSource; Blazer 3.0) 16;160x160)[/SIZE]
tires ftw.
tires ftw.
| WRX_orlando | 07-10-2006 03:51 PM |
+2 for bjorn
| Erock WRX | 07-10-2006 03:57 PM |
Does anyone worry about the engine? Do people upgrade radiators or install oil coolers, etc.?
| RB5 Clone | 07-10-2006 04:06 PM |
on your current path of thinking, the only thing you will break for sure is your bank account. You run a track day or three, and then it's, "well, for just a few hundred I can upgrade my whatever and will be fastaR than EvaR" Before long, you have lost a daily driver and now have a track car that rides like a skateboard on the street, the brakes howl until they're warmed up, the clutch shudders, etc etc etc
then you maybe have a brain fart at the track, and POW you need a new rear quarter panel or new nose. Again, loss of daily driver. Spousal heat like you wouldn't believe. There are costs for race cars they never tell you about at driver ed days.
If you want to race, get a dedicated race car. The idea that you can race your daily driver is pure, unadulterated folly.
If you want that Rex to last, treat it well and keep it as a daily driver. If you want to race it, then make it a race car and get a beater to drive to work.
Cheapest alternative is to get a beater race car you don't mind beating even more. this holds true no matter what form of motorsport you want to pursue--track days, autoX, rally, or whatever.
Take it from one who has learnt the hard way: DO NOT TRY TO RACE YOUR DAILY DRIVER
Was that clear enough??!!
Dave G
then you maybe have a brain fart at the track, and POW you need a new rear quarter panel or new nose. Again, loss of daily driver. Spousal heat like you wouldn't believe. There are costs for race cars they never tell you about at driver ed days.
If you want to race, get a dedicated race car. The idea that you can race your daily driver is pure, unadulterated folly.
If you want that Rex to last, treat it well and keep it as a daily driver. If you want to race it, then make it a race car and get a beater to drive to work.
Cheapest alternative is to get a beater race car you don't mind beating even more. this holds true no matter what form of motorsport you want to pursue--track days, autoX, rally, or whatever.
Take it from one who has learnt the hard way: DO NOT TRY TO RACE YOUR DAILY DRIVER
Was that clear enough??!!
Dave G
| RB5 Clone | 07-10-2006 04:14 PM |
[QUOTE=Erock WRX]Does anyone worry about the engine? Do people upgrade radiators or install oil coolers, etc.?[/QUOTE]
This question alone is a red flag indicating that if you persist on the "race the daily driver" thing, you are about to enter the expensive part of the learning curve. Of course ppl worry about the engines in stock cars that get raced. Did you know your Rex already HAS an oil cooler on it? Etc, etc....
If you think that buying a beat-up Golf IT car is too expensive, you haven't priced WRX rebuilds.
DG
This question alone is a red flag indicating that if you persist on the "race the daily driver" thing, you are about to enter the expensive part of the learning curve. Of course ppl worry about the engines in stock cars that get raced. Did you know your Rex already HAS an oil cooler on it? Etc, etc....
If you think that buying a beat-up Golf IT car is too expensive, you haven't priced WRX rebuilds.
DG
| 575rider | 07-10-2006 04:26 PM |
Everyone seemed to have gone in the direction of "racing" your daily driver, which is very different from "track days". You should just worry about consumables, like someone said, for track days. Brake pads, rotors, tires...these are what take it the most tracking the car. If you can get an extra set of wheels/tires for the track and keep an extra set of brake pads in your back pocket you should be fine. Drive the car 85-90% so you keep it off the wall and have a good time. Hopefully you put in Motul 600 or any other good brake fluid while installing your BBK.
Have fun, I just did my first track day last week and I've got the bug too. It's WAY more fun than autoX for sure, I can't wait for the next event.
Have fun, I just did my first track day last week and I've got the bug too. It's WAY more fun than autoX for sure, I can't wait for the next event.
| RB5 Clone | 07-10-2006 04:55 PM |
[QUOTE=575rider]Everyone seemed to have gone in the direction of "racing" your daily driver, which is very different from "track days".
Hopefully you put in Motul 600 or any other good brake fluid while installing your BBK.[/QUOTE]
Well, an owner who bolts on BBKs and fills with pricey Motul brake fluid (nat a bad thing, BTW) and upgrading this and that and all, is at least mentally "racing" the car. This is a basic disconnect between the reality of prepping a car for "racing" while not really "racing" it and the hard reality of track miles eating into the car's useful life as a daily driver.
You guys may not believe this is a big deal, but just try beefing up your Rexes for track duty, logging a half-dozen track days for a couple years...and then comparing resale values at the end of it all. Do not forget how much you spent on upgrades, this will all be lost at the end of the experiment.
MUCH cheaper to have a dedicated race beater.
You can listen now, or wish you'd listened later.
DG
Hopefully you put in Motul 600 or any other good brake fluid while installing your BBK.[/QUOTE]
Well, an owner who bolts on BBKs and fills with pricey Motul brake fluid (nat a bad thing, BTW) and upgrading this and that and all, is at least mentally "racing" the car. This is a basic disconnect between the reality of prepping a car for "racing" while not really "racing" it and the hard reality of track miles eating into the car's useful life as a daily driver.
You guys may not believe this is a big deal, but just try beefing up your Rexes for track duty, logging a half-dozen track days for a couple years...and then comparing resale values at the end of it all. Do not forget how much you spent on upgrades, this will all be lost at the end of the experiment.
MUCH cheaper to have a dedicated race beater.
You can listen now, or wish you'd listened later.
DG
| PJC1909 | 07-10-2006 05:20 PM |
Having a track car and a comfortable daily driver do not mix. You have to be comfortable with the idea that the track car is "expendable"
Different people approach things differently:
1) I will have a nice, fast track car and a beater DD.
2) I will have a beater track car and a nice, comfortable DD.
3) I will track and DD my one car and pray that nothing bad happens.
4) I will have a fast track car and a nice daily driver. (Requires coin)
I would say that if you track, you should have two cars.
As you do this, you will discover the need for
1) Rims with Rs or slicks, and street rims.
2) Dusty, noisy brakes
3) A suspension that will be uncomfortable on the street
4) Replacing consumables rather frequently, e.g. decent front brake pads last 2.5-3 hours of continuous track use and cost at least $100 a pop. Brake fluid, oil, rotors and of course fuel.
5) Then, once you break and can't get the car home, you'll wish you'd trailered it.
This is an expensive habit. "Investing" is really a sugar coated term for "spending."
This is just TOOMA, but if your car has 100k miles with 1k track miles, I would bet that 90% of the wear and tear would come from the 1% of hard use.
best,
pc
Different people approach things differently:
1) I will have a nice, fast track car and a beater DD.
2) I will have a beater track car and a nice, comfortable DD.
3) I will track and DD my one car and pray that nothing bad happens.
4) I will have a fast track car and a nice daily driver. (Requires coin)
I would say that if you track, you should have two cars.
As you do this, you will discover the need for
1) Rims with Rs or slicks, and street rims.
2) Dusty, noisy brakes
3) A suspension that will be uncomfortable on the street
4) Replacing consumables rather frequently, e.g. decent front brake pads last 2.5-3 hours of continuous track use and cost at least $100 a pop. Brake fluid, oil, rotors and of course fuel.
5) Then, once you break and can't get the car home, you'll wish you'd trailered it.
This is an expensive habit. "Investing" is really a sugar coated term for "spending."
This is just TOOMA, but if your car has 100k miles with 1k track miles, I would bet that 90% of the wear and tear would come from the 1% of hard use.
best,
pc
| bjorn240 | 07-10-2006 05:47 PM |
[QUOTE=575rider]Everyone seemed to have gone in the direction of "racing" your daily driver, which is very different from "track days". [/QUOTE]
No we haven't. Don't put words in people's mouths. It's rude. However, we do believe that he will spend far less money and learn more if he gets a clapped out old Golf, Swift GTi, or Miata with proper suspension and sticky rubber than if he drives his daily driver WRX on the track. And it reduces his risk exposure from $20,000 to $3,500 or something like that. Hell for track days, he doesn't even need a cage or anything. He can buy an old Golf, put dampers and wheels on it, and go! Yeah, he won't be as bling as the guy in the McLaren F1R-LM, but he'll learn a hell of a lot in a slower, cheaper car.
And look, even if he doesn't learn more (which he will), and have more fun (which he will, because he'll worry less about $, and his wife will be happier), it'll still be cheaper cheaper cheaper cheaper cheaper. People in these threads would be wise to listen to those guys like Dave G, Pat, Randy Z, etc who have been there, done that. Between all of them, they already spent those 100,000s of dollars figuring out what works and not, so when they tell you that you don't have to, that's hard-earned advice!
AlexP - why don't you tell them about your kick-ass car?!?!?! That thing's proper!
- Christian
No we haven't. Don't put words in people's mouths. It's rude. However, we do believe that he will spend far less money and learn more if he gets a clapped out old Golf, Swift GTi, or Miata with proper suspension and sticky rubber than if he drives his daily driver WRX on the track. And it reduces his risk exposure from $20,000 to $3,500 or something like that. Hell for track days, he doesn't even need a cage or anything. He can buy an old Golf, put dampers and wheels on it, and go! Yeah, he won't be as bling as the guy in the McLaren F1R-LM, but he'll learn a hell of a lot in a slower, cheaper car.
And look, even if he doesn't learn more (which he will), and have more fun (which he will, because he'll worry less about $, and his wife will be happier), it'll still be cheaper cheaper cheaper cheaper cheaper. People in these threads would be wise to listen to those guys like Dave G, Pat, Randy Z, etc who have been there, done that. Between all of them, they already spent those 100,000s of dollars figuring out what works and not, so when they tell you that you don't have to, that's hard-earned advice!
AlexP - why don't you tell them about your kick-ass car?!?!?! That thing's proper!
- Christian
| WgnWheel | 07-10-2006 05:57 PM |
Jeez, i do track events(hpde 4, no race) almost monthly here in AZ. As do a group of my friends, all with wrx/sti's. We also drive them everyday, comfortably on and off track. I have Cusco Zero2e's, with in-cab control. I find these perfectly streetable in soft settings, and very stiff at track.
The only thing's i've replaced after the last year or so, of consistent events, is tires/brake pads/fluid/oil. The car is a simple vf34 setup/accessport with coilovers and Brembo bbk/hp+pads. Perfectly reliable and safe on and off the track.
If you guys think it's necessary to pick up a "race car" for hpde events, then you aren't driving hpde properly. Do/have accidents happen? Yes. Track days are not for racing, they are for education. If you're driving 10/10 in hpde, please get out and step up to race group as you'd be a danger to yourself and others. Again, you're wrx will serve you just fine for standard track days.
The only thing's i've replaced after the last year or so, of consistent events, is tires/brake pads/fluid/oil. The car is a simple vf34 setup/accessport with coilovers and Brembo bbk/hp+pads. Perfectly reliable and safe on and off the track.
If you guys think it's necessary to pick up a "race car" for hpde events, then you aren't driving hpde properly. Do/have accidents happen? Yes. Track days are not for racing, they are for education. If you're driving 10/10 in hpde, please get out and step up to race group as you'd be a danger to yourself and others. Again, you're wrx will serve you just fine for standard track days.
| WgnWheel | 07-10-2006 06:01 PM |
Also to add, i do believe however, that once you've been an hpde4 driver for some time it would be wise to have a track car. so if that's what we're really talking about, then i agree. I assume this guy to not be in that situation.
| PJC1909 | 07-10-2006 06:08 PM |
wgnwheel, that is a healthy mod list -- looks to be about $5k worth of upgrades. ;) ... a pretty spendy toy/dd.
I just want to point out that one has to be comfortable with that. You don't have to be going 10/10 to have something bad happen.
I just want to point out that one has to be comfortable with that. You don't have to be going 10/10 to have something bad happen.
| RB5 Clone | 07-10-2006 06:22 PM |
one word unites all racers
�
�
One word is clearly missing from this thread. it's an important one for those who want to "race" the car they need to drive to work on Monday....
denial
this is a key word no matter what you wanna race, and where, and how!
DG ;)
denial
this is a key word no matter what you wanna race, and where, and how!
DG ;)
| Erock WRX | 07-10-2006 07:33 PM |
Thanks for all the responses.
If i can spend an extra $1000 to make my car less likely to have problems at the track then i would do it. If you folks think that i can't anticipate what will fail and just have to have lots of dough handy to fix things as i go, then i should buy a beater miata and spend the same money fixing that up? It all costs money. I'm just trying to keep the costs and down time to a min.
I appreciate the beater car idea but i love driving my WRX! I just want it to last as long as possible but still drive it all the time.
The question is: can i spend a small amount of $ now to avoid lots in the future?
Thanks,
E
If i can spend an extra $1000 to make my car less likely to have problems at the track then i would do it. If you folks think that i can't anticipate what will fail and just have to have lots of dough handy to fix things as i go, then i should buy a beater miata and spend the same money fixing that up? It all costs money. I'm just trying to keep the costs and down time to a min.
I appreciate the beater car idea but i love driving my WRX! I just want it to last as long as possible but still drive it all the time.
The question is: can i spend a small amount of $ now to avoid lots in the future?
Thanks,
E
| bjorn240 | 07-10-2006 07:38 PM |
Sure. Brake pads, brake fluid, wheels, tires. Frequent oil changes and quality motor oil and gearbox oil.
| RB5 Clone | 07-10-2006 09:29 PM |
...and if you blow a motor, figure on $2000 for a factory shortblock, plus about 34 hours of labor to do the swap...that's another $2550 at $75/hr if you can't do the work yourself.
Nose job: $1500 to $5000, depending on what you hit and how hard, etc
exposure of your track car vs daily driver is easy....JAM (Just Apply Money)
makes a Miata or IT Golf look quite reasonable...
in short, the answer to your "what do I spend now to save money later" quest is....."buy a Golf/Miata/beater track car"
DG
PS--can you handle seeing your dear beloved WRX track car/driver with the whole driver side bashed in, so you go home whatever miles/hours on a flatbed? Remember AAA laughs at this sort of coverage......
Nose job: $1500 to $5000, depending on what you hit and how hard, etc
exposure of your track car vs daily driver is easy....JAM (Just Apply Money)
makes a Miata or IT Golf look quite reasonable...
in short, the answer to your "what do I spend now to save money later" quest is....."buy a Golf/Miata/beater track car"
DG
PS--can you handle seeing your dear beloved WRX track car/driver with the whole driver side bashed in, so you go home whatever miles/hours on a flatbed? Remember AAA laughs at this sort of coverage......
| Paisan | 07-10-2006 09:54 PM |
I agree with Jon and RB5 above. Get a beater for the track, no matter what you are doing at the track after about 5 events you will want a car that you aren't afraid to push. They are saying Golf or Miata which are cool. I personally went with an all Subaru solution. Started with an Impreza coupe 2.2L that eventually became a race car. Then my daily driver 1994 Legacy Turbo got thrust into HPDE days and has now become my dedicated track car.
You may not be driving 10/10 however there are 30 or so other cars on the track with you, some of which may or may not care about taking their car home, they might spin and collect you. Last weekend I spun my legacy into the wall at Summit. I was able to drive it away w/o much damage, however it could have just as easily been wrecked.
I say, get an older Impreza or Legacy and build it up, use it as a track car and you'll be a lot happier and will get more out of HPDEs. I drive a 240sx beater on the street now and save my subie for the track, it's loads of fun! I trailer the Legacy with my Armada and it's great to get in the nice A/C and leather seats after a long track day and drive home with the hard suspensioned car behind me instead of under me.
-mike
You may not be driving 10/10 however there are 30 or so other cars on the track with you, some of which may or may not care about taking their car home, they might spin and collect you. Last weekend I spun my legacy into the wall at Summit. I was able to drive it away w/o much damage, however it could have just as easily been wrecked.
I say, get an older Impreza or Legacy and build it up, use it as a track car and you'll be a lot happier and will get more out of HPDEs. I drive a 240sx beater on the street now and save my subie for the track, it's loads of fun! I trailer the Legacy with my Armada and it's great to get in the nice A/C and leather seats after a long track day and drive home with the hard suspensioned car behind me instead of under me.
-mike
| bjorn240 | 07-10-2006 09:55 PM |
Yeah, I still agree with Dave. If I had a daily driver (which I don't), it be a pretty nice car. Probably a WRB Forester FXT with some sexy bits (I got the hookups, you know...).
Anyway, it would be way too nice to take a risk of bashing it up without insurance coverage. So my insurance coverage would be a $5000 car. If I've only got $5000 in it, all I can lose is $5000. That's a hell of a lot better than balling up a nice car. Even if the chance is remote.
Anyway, it would be way too nice to take a risk of bashing it up without insurance coverage. So my insurance coverage would be a $5000 car. If I've only got $5000 in it, all I can lose is $5000. That's a hell of a lot better than balling up a nice car. Even if the chance is remote.
| Paisan | 07-10-2006 10:02 PM |
[QUOTE=bjorn240]Yeah, I still agree with Dave. If I had a daily driver (which I don't), it be a pretty nice car. Probably a WRB Forester FXT with some sexy bits (I got the hookups, you know...).
Anyway, it would be way too nice to take a risk of bashing it up without insurance coverage. So my insurance coverage would be a $5000 car. If I've only got $5000 in it, all I can lose is $5000. That's a hell of a lot better than balling up a nice car. Even if the chance is remote.[/QUOTE]
Definitely agree. I think I have under 5k invetsted in the legacy en total, so if it is ruined I'll unbolt what is good and re-build another one.
-mike
Anyway, it would be way too nice to take a risk of bashing it up without insurance coverage. So my insurance coverage would be a $5000 car. If I've only got $5000 in it, all I can lose is $5000. That's a hell of a lot better than balling up a nice car. Even if the chance is remote.[/QUOTE]
Definitely agree. I think I have under 5k invetsted in the legacy en total, so if it is ruined I'll unbolt what is good and re-build another one.
-mike
| the_poser | 07-10-2006 10:09 PM |
wow really good thoughts!
I was just reading thru because I've been thinking about trying a track day.
the thought of getting a dedicated beater never crossed my mind, but now it sounds like a good idea
oh and I nearly fell out of my chair when I read...
[QUOTE=RB5 Clone]Spousal heat like you wouldn't believe.[/QUOTE]
I can totally relate, and so far I just auto-x :lol: :lol: :lol:
I was just reading thru because I've been thinking about trying a track day.
the thought of getting a dedicated beater never crossed my mind, but now it sounds like a good idea
oh and I nearly fell out of my chair when I read...
[QUOTE=RB5 Clone]Spousal heat like you wouldn't believe.[/QUOTE]
I can totally relate, and so far I just auto-x :lol: :lol: :lol:
| Butt Dyno | 07-10-2006 10:45 PM |
[QUOTE=Erock WRX]If you folks think that i can't anticipate what will fail and just have to have lots of dough handy to fix things as i go, then i should buy a beater miata and spend the same money fixing that up? It all costs money. I'm just trying to keep the costs and down time to a min.[/QUOTE]Having a dedicated track car is an excellent way to keep down time to a minimum. When you are working on the track car, you can keep driving your DD :) Great when you realize you forgot the anti squeal, or you need a 21mm deep socket, or all sorts of other stuff.
[QUOTE=Paisan]I agree with Jon and RB5 above. Get a beater for the track, no matter what you are doing at the track after about 5 events you will want a car that you aren't afraid to push. They are saying Golf or Miata which are cool. [/quote]:D For some perspective, the cost of a full brake job on the Miata (rotors, brake pads and fluid for all four corners) is $170 or so... less than the cost of ONE Stoptech rotor.
[QUOTE=Paisan]You may not be driving 10/10 however there are 30 or so other cars on the track with you, some of which may or may not care about taking their car home, they might spin and collect you. [/QUOTE]Or they might spew fluid on track right in front of you, happened a couple of times last weekend in T3. The point is - even if you drive perfectly you can still end up busting your car up pretty badly.
I did one trackday in my WRX and then retired it to a life of autocross and saved up for a track car... it's all about risk management. ONE serious off in a WRX and you're looking at the cost of a used Miata/Golf/whatever, plus you have to wait for it to get fixed and drive some rental Cobalt in the interim.
One more thing - you will probably learn more in a slower car than you will in a fast car. At least thats what the instructors tell me. I hope they're right :D
edit: one more thing! Having a dedicated car means you can actually do all the safety stuff that you wouldn't want to do to your daily driver. Safety is a good place to spend $$ :)
john
[QUOTE=Paisan]I agree with Jon and RB5 above. Get a beater for the track, no matter what you are doing at the track after about 5 events you will want a car that you aren't afraid to push. They are saying Golf or Miata which are cool. [/quote]:D For some perspective, the cost of a full brake job on the Miata (rotors, brake pads and fluid for all four corners) is $170 or so... less than the cost of ONE Stoptech rotor.
[QUOTE=Paisan]You may not be driving 10/10 however there are 30 or so other cars on the track with you, some of which may or may not care about taking their car home, they might spin and collect you. [/QUOTE]Or they might spew fluid on track right in front of you, happened a couple of times last weekend in T3. The point is - even if you drive perfectly you can still end up busting your car up pretty badly.
I did one trackday in my WRX and then retired it to a life of autocross and saved up for a track car... it's all about risk management. ONE serious off in a WRX and you're looking at the cost of a used Miata/Golf/whatever, plus you have to wait for it to get fixed and drive some rental Cobalt in the interim.
One more thing - you will probably learn more in a slower car than you will in a fast car. At least thats what the instructors tell me. I hope they're right :D
edit: one more thing! Having a dedicated car means you can actually do all the safety stuff that you wouldn't want to do to your daily driver. Safety is a good place to spend $$ :)
john
| the_poser | 07-10-2006 10:52 PM |
what beater cars would make a good track car?
I think I'd prefer an older impreza, but those are still a little pricey
I'm sure I'd like RWD over FWD
I know a miata would be good but what else?
I think I'd prefer an older impreza, but those are still a little pricey
I'm sure I'd like RWD over FWD
I know a miata would be good but what else?
| Paisan | 07-10-2006 11:00 PM |
You can find an older Impreza or Legacy for cheap. I bought my first Impreza Coupe 2.2L for $500 and spent about $1500 fixing it up. For $2k it's not bad. I bought my Legacy Turbo for $3000 and spent another $1500 or so getting it where it is now, also not outrageous and it's a turbo so lots of potential once you get better. Hondas also make decent track cars but aren't all that cheap to buy.
-mike
-mike
| Craigs | 07-10-2006 11:39 PM |
Speaking from recent experience, invest in safety equipment first no matter what you track. A roll bar, seat, 6 point harness, and a HANS at a minimum. In my opinion there are two types of drivers - those that have had an off and those that will. Its much cheaper fixing a dedicated beater track car than your daily driver. Also, how are you going to get to work on Monday when you car is in pieces?
For the guys outside of nesic that haven't seen it I got two trophies last week. One for driving fast and one for driving like an ass:
[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a110/craig2000rs/DSC00822.jpg[/IMG]
For the guys outside of nesic that haven't seen it I got two trophies last week. One for driving fast and one for driving like an ass:
[IMG]http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a110/craig2000rs/DSC00822.jpg[/IMG]
| Rasmusson14 | 07-11-2006 10:46 AM |
A great thread that puts a little thing called "reality" back into the mix!
Now to find a good "beater"!
Now to find a good "beater"!
| SubaruCO | 07-11-2006 11:06 AM |
[QUOTE=RB5 Clone]...Take it from one who has learnt the hard way: DO NOT TRY TO RACE YOUR DAILY DRIVER
Was that clear enough??!!
Dave G[/QUOTE]
I'll second and third this! It sucks when you have to ride your bike to work in the rain or snow because the daily driver got busted up "just having fun" on the weekend. I've been there and learned my lesson the hard way.
<--- Please note the "beater" track car.
M
Was that clear enough??!!
Dave G[/QUOTE]
I'll second and third this! It sucks when you have to ride your bike to work in the rain or snow because the daily driver got busted up "just having fun" on the weekend. I've been there and learned my lesson the hard way.
<--- Please note the "beater" track car.
M
| ghschirtz | 07-11-2006 01:53 PM |
I have to agree with everybody about having a dedicated track car if you have the space and trailer (as required) to keep it, and not abusing your daily driver.
However, there are several reasons I choose to track day my Sub. I don't have a tow car/truck or trailer, and no place to put one if I did. I like running the Sub. I am resigned for now to a compromise situation of keeping my Sub usable as a DD but improving it from stock enough to get serious fun out of it. I have a Schroth clip-in harness, so I am a little safer than using the OEM belts, not as safe as with a cage and proper harness, window net, etc. By the very nature of things, I have to keep within reasonable limits, but I far exceed what can be done safely on the street. This is good as I can usually curb my need for speed to track times, so my normal driving is pretty conservative. There is positive fallout besides impulse control, in that I know how to get a lot out of the car on the street and I check my back and mirrors more carefully than before (which obviously could happen by driving any car on a track consistently). Though my fault due to inattention, hard braking and getting close to but not too close to a barrier (skills practiced at the track) got us out of a tight spot one day on I40, my Sub and me.
Clearly, a Bad Thing can happen anytime and destroying a $5K Miata track car would be better than destroying my Sub. If I have to, I can replace it, so I am living with the rule not to race anything you can't replace.
Lastly, I have no illusions about being really fast or running a season in SCCA. Other fish to fry, and if I was good enough at one time, that was about 30 years ago. I like to improve my laptimes and skills, enjoy being at the track and visiting places like Laguna Seca, which I have read about for 40+ years and finally drove.
There was another thread in this forum entitled "How long do you plan to race your Suby" or close to that. Might be worth a look.
Go safe.
George
However, there are several reasons I choose to track day my Sub. I don't have a tow car/truck or trailer, and no place to put one if I did. I like running the Sub. I am resigned for now to a compromise situation of keeping my Sub usable as a DD but improving it from stock enough to get serious fun out of it. I have a Schroth clip-in harness, so I am a little safer than using the OEM belts, not as safe as with a cage and proper harness, window net, etc. By the very nature of things, I have to keep within reasonable limits, but I far exceed what can be done safely on the street. This is good as I can usually curb my need for speed to track times, so my normal driving is pretty conservative. There is positive fallout besides impulse control, in that I know how to get a lot out of the car on the street and I check my back and mirrors more carefully than before (which obviously could happen by driving any car on a track consistently). Though my fault due to inattention, hard braking and getting close to but not too close to a barrier (skills practiced at the track) got us out of a tight spot one day on I40, my Sub and me.
Clearly, a Bad Thing can happen anytime and destroying a $5K Miata track car would be better than destroying my Sub. If I have to, I can replace it, so I am living with the rule not to race anything you can't replace.
Lastly, I have no illusions about being really fast or running a season in SCCA. Other fish to fry, and if I was good enough at one time, that was about 30 years ago. I like to improve my laptimes and skills, enjoy being at the track and visiting places like Laguna Seca, which I have read about for 40+ years and finally drove.
There was another thread in this forum entitled "How long do you plan to race your Suby" or close to that. Might be worth a look.
Go safe.
George
| dpspeed | 07-11-2006 02:20 PM |
What about track day insurance? I have been thinking about getting a WRX for mostly street use. I would use the car 3-5 weekends/yr. to instruct.
The premium for $15k is $225/yr and 20% deductible if you have a claim. This WILL NOT affect your current auto policy, it is merely a track collision policy...therefore, you will only be out of a couple thousand dollars if you have a huge accident.
Google: american collectors
I currently have a Miata and I feel "in the way" in HPDE 4...
Dave
The premium for $15k is $225/yr and 20% deductible if you have a claim. This WILL NOT affect your current auto policy, it is merely a track collision policy...therefore, you will only be out of a couple thousand dollars if you have a huge accident.
Google: american collectors
I currently have a Miata and I feel "in the way" in HPDE 4...
Dave
| vlady | 07-11-2006 03:01 PM |
I track my car pretty regularly and as stated, wear and tear items will need replacement much sooner than they would under normal driving conditions. I change my oil after every track weekend and have dedicated track tires and brake pads. I plan on taking the wrx off the street once its all paid for in about a year and half and keeping it strictly for the track. That way I will have a paid for nice track car that is pretty much already ready (just need to do a full cage, race seat and gut it to the metal).
| Paisan | 07-11-2006 03:11 PM |
[QUOTE=dpspeed]What about track day insurance? I have been thinking about getting a WRX for mostly street use. I would use the car 3-5 weekends/yr. to instruct.
The premium for $15k is $225/yr and 20% deductible if you have a claim. This WILL NOT affect your current auto policy, it is merely a track collision policy...therefore, you will only be out of a couple thousand dollars if you have a huge accident.
Google: american collectors
I currently have a Miata and I feel "in the way" in HPDE 4...
Dave[/QUOTE]
I have heard good things about that. Well worth it for the peace of mind if you have a car worth it. :)
-mike
The premium for $15k is $225/yr and 20% deductible if you have a claim. This WILL NOT affect your current auto policy, it is merely a track collision policy...therefore, you will only be out of a couple thousand dollars if you have a huge accident.
Google: american collectors
I currently have a Miata and I feel "in the way" in HPDE 4...
Dave[/QUOTE]
I have heard good things about that. Well worth it for the peace of mind if you have a car worth it. :)
-mike
| dpspeed | 07-11-2006 04:16 PM |
I am not sure which is the best way to potentially lose your money...
it is either pay the premium and the 20% deductible....
OR lose your $3-5K Miata/VW/etc
Either way, you lose something....
I still believe that tracking a car is relatively low risk. I give some corners up in return for a lower probablity of hitting a barrier. For example, it is balls out through the uphill esses at VIR and I'm a little more conservative through turn 12 (or is it 13) at Road Atlanta down the hill onto the front straightaway.
Nothing is a sure thing though...
Dave
it is either pay the premium and the 20% deductible....
OR lose your $3-5K Miata/VW/etc
Either way, you lose something....
I still believe that tracking a car is relatively low risk. I give some corners up in return for a lower probablity of hitting a barrier. For example, it is balls out through the uphill esses at VIR and I'm a little more conservative through turn 12 (or is it 13) at Road Atlanta down the hill onto the front straightaway.
Nothing is a sure thing though...
Dave
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