Quote:
Originally Posted by Ohio Enthusiast
I had my first track day on Thursday, lead-follow at Mid Ohio with the Club layout. First session was dry, then it rained quite a bit. The rain stopped by the second session, but it was still a very wet track and I managed to spin out coming out of T12 (with no harm being done). By the third session the track was starting to dry out.
Interestingly enough I found the wet and damp sessions to be much more engaging. Sure, the dry session was fun in pushing the car more than on the street, but in the wet I really felt that I needed to control the car well and be extra focused.
This leads me to think that I will enjoy improving my driving skills, so some schooling and potentially coaching is the next thing I'll be looking into.
But that begs the question - where do I proceed with the track? I don't think I'll want to do any competitive driving and especially not wheel-to-wheel racing.
This leaves tracking for leisure. Does this boil down to schools, coaching and open lapping? I know Mid Ohio School offers all of that, as well as other groups (AutoInterests was recommended to me, and I know there are plenty others that also operate in Mid Ohio). There are also car clubs (like PCA, BMW CCA, etc.) but I'm not sure if they are applicable if I don't have an appropriate car.
Am I missing anything here? What are some thoughts of more experienced track rats?
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Precisely why I encourage folks to drive on lower grip, high durability, high communication tires.
Too many folks get too consumed with the "go-faster-than-him" rather than focusing on what they want to do.
Just keep doing more track days, draw up your own goals, and achieve them!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kelse92
The rabbit hole goes very very far...
Just take whatever path suits you.
Some of us are crazy and eventually get full race cars and take them to a track every weekend and others just do the occasional DE day as a break from work/life/etc.
If your preference is in the latter camp, just work your way through DE's and get lots of instruction in car and maybe in a few years work your way up to giving back and instructing others. Some of the best instructors are neither wheel-to-wheel racers nor the fastest on track. 
Take it as far as you are willing to go that makes you happy with what you're doing. It is definitely a slippery slope though! Enjoy! |
Very much this.