AMP Day Driving School
 

Got this in email yesterday. It's tempting, although seems a little expensive for BYOSC training session. I half expect there is a sales pitch somewhere in the day as well since it is a "country club".

Anyone done this, or know someone who as done it at AMP?

Damn, wish I still lived in Chattanooga.

My Dad and I are DE instructors in the local Porsche Club and he is track committee co-chair. He has been out to AMP several times already; not in his race car, but in touring laps with the developers and one more recent introductory event. Peachstate PCA had a DE scheduled there in May but had to cancel because the track and facilities just weren't finished yet. From what I gather the track is done now, the asphalt is pretty much cured, but the facilities are still non-existent for the most part. Meaning trailering a race car up there and expecting a concrete pad with some shade over it to set up a space and work on your car between sessions is not happening. Gravel pits and porta-potties were the last "facilities" I heard about. Street cars on street tires with no real need to do wheel swaps and other quick jobs that require a jack and tool box shouldnt have any issues.

Membership. That's something we were interested in at first, but it's a really deep financial dive and when you look at the details, sure there are a lot of perks, but for practical guys like us who daily drive our occasional track toys, it doesn't really make sense. I'd rather sign up for one or two DE's there a year with a club that pays up and rents it out for the weekend. Ask yourself, how often am I really going to drive up to AMP on a Tuesday afternoon and put in a few laps then drive home? Sure it sounds nice, but again for the price of membership and all the restrictions and limitations and daily use fees in the fine print, I'm really not seeing the value of it over a 300-400 dollar DE entry fee for an entire weekend's worth of track time.

The track itself is supposed to be a perfect match for our cars and I personally cannot wait to get out there in my BRZ. I'll be registering for the first PCA DE there for sure. The word from the high horsepower car guys is that the track is "too short" and there are "not enough straightaways." Watching on-track footage, I can understand their complaints to a degree. I still love the elevation changes and all the features taken from famous road courses from around the world.

The facilities are still being built and when they are done, it will be an awesome place to go track your car. It's an awesome place right now, but the drawbacks with the limited working space available at the moment to leave your trailer and tow vehicle, put your car in the air, swap tires, do brakes, etc are difficult to justify bringing a full blown track car out there. I see in the pic that the garages are up but I'm willing to bet they are NOT available for use by non-member plebes.

Thanks for all the great details. I was really looking it strictly as a "Drive up there, take the class, enjoy" type of thing, sort of a semi-private track day plus I could use the track training. Only tracking I've ever done was on a dirt track oval in a '57 Chevy with a 400 Rocket dropped in it, so not exactly the same....

Definitely have no interest in joining the club.

I went to the track with the SCCA ATL region AutoX group. We had the autox on the backside of the course while the DE guys drove on the inner course. The place is absolutely beautiful. The elevation changes are amazing and I can only imagine the FRS / BRZ would be right at home on this track.

Dadhawk, I think we met at the last Caffeeine and Octane event, I'm Nate with the Z.

I believe you are correct. It was nice meeting you.

I wanted to go to the SCCA event you mentioned as an observer only but they wouldn't allow me (at least not through email). Guess next time I'll enter as a rookie maybe as I am interested in at least trying it once.

Still debating the ^above^ mentioned class. Sounds like it would be a lot of fun and a good learning experience. Going to try and get some more info.

You would be running C-Stock class. I run this class in my Z against the likes of the RX8, NC Miata, and the Z3s. I don't know why they wouldn't let you observe. That's crazy, my parents come all the time and just say they are coming to watch. Sometimes the people running it can be a little uptight.

The next event is August 11th and 12th I believe. I noticed a BRZ signed up for C-Stock.

I suspect if I had just shown up it would have probably been OK, but decided not to bother. Might try the 8/11-12 depending on what else is going on. I may be committed to attending a Silverbacks game on 8/11, have to check.

I and another member just finished up a wknd on track here. absolutely gorgeous track. tons of fun too. if you have a chance to go do it. i'm headed back up there later this month with a member for more fun.

This will give you an idea of the track

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0N6Nm...ature=youtu.be

The track looks pretty nice but I really see no way for a normal person like me (not rich) to drive up there for the weekend and enjoy my BRZ on the track. Am I missing something?

Not exactly cheap but thecone day training course with instructor was listed for $500. That was the option I was looking into.

Wow! As much as I'd love to $500 ia pretty steep for me right now. Maybe Mid-Ohio has a cheaper track day. I remember someone back home telling me it was around $175. But I also, think drivers that havent taken their course are limited to 74mph.

Well, its not really a track day. It's a day long driving training session using your car on the track with a "professional trainer" whatever that means.

RoadAtlanta (where the NASCAR and other races are held) also has regular track days as well more in that price range.

You're confusing Road Atlanta with Atlanta Motor Speedway. AMS is a 1.5mi oval in Hampton where NASCAR races are held. Road Atlanta in Braselton is a 2.5mi, 12 turn road course for a wide variety of events like the Petit Le Mans, the Mitty, AMA Superbikes, club races and HPDE's... etc.

Obviously, you're right, and I knew that. That's what I get for multitasking and not proofreading. Thanks.

As far as I know you have to belong to a club/company that is hosting a track day at Road Atlanta. RA is a great course. I'll be there in Oct for the Petit Le Mans if anyone here is going we should meet up.

I have only done AutoX with SCCA, but a fellow Z owner mentioned that the PDX events at Road Atlanta are only $100 for I believe 2 or 3 20 minutes sessions. I think that's a great deal personally.

That is a great deal! I'll look into it when I have extra money to throw around. Thanks!

NASA is doing a track weekend there in October. I will be there racing my SpecE30.

Track Guys and Tracks Unlimited host HPDE days at AMP as well as Chin Motorsports. I'm sure that there are other companies as well. You can also purchase a memebership or go to the track with someone that has a membership. About a month ago I took my 2011 SS Camaro there with Tracks Unlimited. AMP was a ton of fun in a slightly unexpecting way. I enjoyed it nearly as much as Road Atlanta. I'm excited for an opportunity to get the FRS up to AMP on some sticky 235/40/17 Toyo RA1's that are mounted on Enkei 17x8 RPF1's.

By the way, I drove my Ultramarine FRS home from the Dealership today... it now has a new home. Tomorrow it gets Enkei Rajin wheels and Michelin Piot Super Sports 245/35/18 along with the Eibach lowering springs.

there is a 2 for 1 deal next wknd with hooked on driving if you still want to try AMP. ne person registers and a friend drives free. so split the cost with a friend and get on track guys.

Any of you guys coming out to AMP this wknd?