My first track experience (feedback appreciated!)

[TheLaughingMan]

I went to High Plains Raceway in eastern Colorado for my first ever track experience. I had a blast and suffice it to say I'm now addicted and really want to keep improving.

You can check out my build in my signature, but in short my car is mostly stock. I do have some 225/45ZR17 Michelin Pilot Super Sports on 15 pound Kosei's and an intake.

Please provide any feedback or let me know how I did and what I can do better I would really appreciate that.

In-car (includes my only spin out of the day)
[ame]http://youtu.be/OiaSwcRcTXc[/ame]

Roof
[ame]http://youtu.be/OrBtwev5eMI[/ame]

Bumper
[ame]http://youtu.be/XZ4dhNYPYOI[/ame]

Please forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong manner, I'm new to this subforum.

[1Cor10:23]

I'm mad jelly of all your cams (GoPros?)

[7thgear]

i see that your passenger side is empty... this was your first time? Dangerous

i highly recomend to ask for coaching or ask for rides in other's peoples cars

fastest way to get better/familiar with the track.

[mav1178]

My feedback?

Two hands on steering wheel at all times. Change your habit, don't put your hand on the shifter unless you are shifting.

Then learn everything else. Right now, it looks like you're trying to look cool by driving with one hand, when it will do so much potential harm and zero good.

-alex

[CSG Mike]

I see S2ks outnumber the FRS/BRZ, even at CO Tracks

[wheelhaus]

I've driven HPR and will watch the vids later to give you some more feedback.

Did you go out on an open day or was this a HPDE? I also think having an instructor with you is great advice. I have a friend who does instruction through NASA and he just picked up a BRZ about a month ago. Two hands on the wheel is solid advice.

[stefmiesterb]

Originally Posted by TheLaughingMan

I went to High Plains Raceway in eastern Colorado for my first ever track experience. I had a blast and suffice it to say I'm now addicted and really want to keep improving.

You can check out my build in my signature, but in short my car is mostly stock. I do have some 225/45ZR17 Michelin Pilot Super Sports on 15 pound Kosei's and an intake.

Please provide any feedback or let me know how I did and what I can do better I would really appreciate that.


Please forgive me if I am posting this in the wrong manner, I'm new to this subforum.

WHERE U GET KOSEIS?!

I've been monitoring craigslist like its my job...

[7thgear]

god hand...

someone's training for a gumtape match

[CSG Mike]

Okay a few things, that are common to all the beginners I coach.

1. Look across to where you want to be. I'm not watching where you're going in the video, I'm watching you. When you look, you're going to turn your head. When you turn your head, your hands (and thus the steering wheel) are going to follow. When you're turning in, you should already be looking at your apex. When you're approaching the apex, you should already be looking ahead to your exit. As you exit, you should already be looking down the straight to the next corner.

2. Two hands on the steering wheel at all times. Just how you only touch the brake pedal when you brake, only touch the shifter when you're shifting.

3. Don't move your hands on the steering wheel. Always hold it at the same place. You're never going to need to turn to the point where you need to let go (unless you're drifting). This car has a VERY fast steering rack.

[White64Goat]

Look into HPDE events run by NASA as a good structured learning environment. They provide instructors.

[TheLaughingMan]

Originally Posted by 1Cor10:23

I'm mad jelly of all your cams (GoPros?)

I just have one GoPro, those are different runs

Originally Posted by 7thgear

i see that your passenger side is empty... this was your first time? Dangerous

i highly recomend to ask for coaching or ask for rides in other's peoples cars

fastest way to get better/familiar with the track.

It was for this run, earlier I had my dad in the car and then my brother

Originally Posted by mav1178

My feedback?

Two hands on steering wheel at all times. Change your habit, don't put your hand on the shifter unless you are shifting.

Then learn everything else. Right now, it looks like you're trying to look cool by driving with one hand, when it will do so much potential harm and zero good.

-alex

Check! I was noticing that in the video but not so much when I was doing it. I wasn't trying to look cool, was just doing what came naturally; but I will try to avoid it all the same!

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

I see S2ks outnumber the FRS/BRZ, even at CO Tracks

Yup

Originally Posted by wheelhaus

I've driven HPR and will watch the vids later to give you some more feedback.

Did you go out on an open day or was this a HPDE? I also think having an instructor with you is great advice. I have a friend who does instruction through NASA and he just picked up a BRZ about a month ago. Two hands on the wheel is solid advice.

Thanks! This was open lapping. I wasn't sure if I should do the instructor or not because I wasn't sure that I would like tracking in the first place. Now that I've tried it I think I will get an instructor next time.

Originally Posted by stefmiesterb

WHERE U GET KOSEIS?!

I've been monitoring craigslist like its my job...

TireRack

Originally Posted by 7thgear

god hand...

someone's training for a gumtape match

Not even sure what that means

Originally Posted by CSG Mike

Okay a few things, that are common to all the beginners I coach.

1. Look across to where you want to be. I'm not watching where you're going in the video, I'm watching you. When you look, you're going to turn your head. When you turn your head, your hands (and thus the steering wheel) are going to follow. When you're turning in, you should already be looking at your apex. When you're approaching the apex, you should already be looking ahead to your exit. As you exit, you should already be looking down the straight to the next corner.

2. Two hands on the steering wheel at all times. Just how you only touch the brake pedal when you brake, only touch the shifter when you're shifting.

3. Don't move your hands on the steering wheel. Always hold it at the same place. You're never going to need to turn to the point where you need to let go (unless you're drifting). This car has a VERY fast steering rack.

1. Ok!

2. Got it

3. Check

Originally Posted by White64Goat

Look into HPDE events run by NASA as a good structured learning environment. They provide instructors.

Okay, I will look that up

__________________________________________________ _______________

Thanks for your feedback so far everyone! I know I'm a novice and probably making some pretty noob mistakes (the consensus so far seems to be the hand thing for sure), but at least I can admit it and am looking to get better! Is there anything I did right? (don't worry, I won't let it inflate my head)

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by TheLaughingMan

It was for this run, earlier I had my dad in the car and then my brother

Not to nitpick, but unless them two are qualified instructors there should be NO passengers in your car for track events.

-alex

[mid_life_crisis]

Originally Posted by TheLaughingMan

Is there anything I did right? (don't worry, I won't let it inflate my head)

You're smart enough to know you have a lot to learn and ask for advice.
You'd be surprised how many have to learn the hard way.

[TheLaughingMan]

Originally Posted by mav1178

Not to nitpick, but unless them two are qualified instructors there should be NO passengers in your car for track events.

-alex

Okay, I will forbid passengers until I have more experience

Originally Posted by mid_life_crisis

You're smart enough to know you have a lot to learn and ask for advice.
You'd be surprised how many have to learn the hard way.

Well I don't want to risk/lose my car and I DEFINITELY don't want to risk mine or anyone else's safety at the track.