Random Thoughts - Part III The Search for Spark (No Politics)

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

That sounds perfect.

Like CJD says, try to buy at a shop where you can try them on.

I bought track insurance the first few times, then stopped. I don't think it's as important for a first timer as you are typically instructed and being cautious. It's kind of track and organization dependent. I imagine SCCA instruction will be pretty conservative. The couple guys I know that instruct locally take it pretty slow and try not to overwhelm people with too much to quickly. I also know of a couple NW tracks I would completely recommend track insurance for first timers as there details of the track that are tricky and have really bad spots that even putting a couple tires off can be bad.

That's what my thoughts were on insurance. I'll probably be fine with an instructor, and I've driven enough Baltimore beltway to learn how to avoid maniacs lol. Locally, my choices seem to be Summit Point and Dominion if that matters.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Captain Snooze

I was speaking to a tuner who did some work on my BRZ and he said the 2nd gen was a much more mature car. Depending on mods not a lot faster than 1st gen but for road use a significant difference.

86cup is handicapping gen2 cars 2-3 seconds a lap depending on track.

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by Spuds

That's what my thoughts were on insurance. I'll probably be fine with an instructor, and I've driven enough Baltimore beltway to learn how to avoid maniacs lol. Locally, my choices seem to be Summit Point and Dominion if that matters.

Is one obviously more forgiving than the other? Like more real estate for runoff, no freaky off-camber corners, blah blah...

[cjd]

Originally Posted by Spuds

I hear you on autocross, also on my list to try. I'm just not sure what I'm doing there either, lol. My concern is how beginner friendly the events left on the calendar are.

For insurance purposes, I can afford to lose the whole car if that's what you mean. It would probably make my original quandary easier at the very least...

Edit:. Checked in on autocross near me. Organizer said no experience necessary and they have a novice coordinator to help get new folks situated. However... All the locations are 2.5 hours away so I need to figure out if it's worth it to drive 5 hours for 6 minutes of runtime.

You can usually find experienced folks willing to let you hop in for a ride along. It's a long day and not a lot of time. But you'll likely learn some things. Still, just an option.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Spuds

I hear you on autocross, also on my list to try. I'm just not sure what I'm doing there either, lol. My concern is how beginner friendly the events left on the calendar are.

For insurance purposes, I can afford to lose the whole car if that's what you mean. It would probably make my original quandary easier at the very least...

Edit:. Checked in on autocross near me. Organizer said no experience necessary and they have a novice coordinator to help get new folks situated. However... All the locations are 2.5 hours away so I need to figure out if it's worth it to drive 5 hours for 6 minutes of runtime.

This is always what stops me from going to track days. 2-3 hrs away for me. Just saw some scca cone racing(lettered timing trailer, and cars) in a parking lot 30 min away, but I can't find any details anywhere about it.

I could drive the car there, but if anything goes wrong, I can't even use towing insurance to get it home. So then I start considering buying a trailer. of course I don't have space to store the trailer so then I look at trailer rentals, but then start thinking about the time suck every track day to pick up and drop off a trailer before and after the event...

Yeah, that's why I haven't been to a track day in 7+ years. Trailer rental hassle

[Spuds]

Originally Posted by soundman98

This is always what stops me from going to track days. 2-3 hrs away for me. Just saw some scca cone racing(lettered timing trailer, and cars) in a parking lot 30 min away, but I can't find any details anywhere about it.

I could drive the car there, but if anything goes wrong, I can't even use towing insurance to get it home. So then I start considering buying a trailer. of course I don't have space to store the trailer so then I look at trailer rentals, but then start thinking about the time suck every track day to pick up and drop off a trailer before and after the event...

Yeah, that's why I haven't been to a track day in 7+ years. Trailer rental hassle

Well, that's a point for Dominion-based events. It's only an hour away. Just SCCA doesn't do autocross there. They do have this trackcross thing where you run a section of the track then cool down the rest of the lap.

[Spuds]

Wait... The local Porsche club seems to run an autocross closer to me. Hmmm, there may be more clubs to find...

Anyway, thanks guys, this has been interesting.

[spcmafia]

I was about to say, things seemed to be kind of quiet with the Rona thread dying down, but nooooooOOOo, lets talk about the earth instead.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by spcmafia

I was about to say, things seemed to be kind of quiet with the Rona thread dying down, but nooooooOOOo, lets talk about the earth instead.

I was going to legitimately follow up, read his articles, and respond. But it is so far off the rails now I am just going to ignore it.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

I was going to legitimately follow up, read his articles, and respond. But it is so far off the rails now I am just going to ignore it.

Knew it would go that way from his opening post.
Not even fun trolling him since he is so oblivious.

[spcmafia]

Originally Posted by NoHaveMSG

I was going to legitimately follow up, read his articles, and respond. But it is so far off the rails now I am just going to ignore it.

My grandmother used to say "You can't convince anyone who has already been convinced". Sounds better in Spanish, but you get my meaning.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Knew it would go that way from his opening post.
Not even fun trolling him since he is so oblivious.

At this point he is going to get wall of text'd to death by Irace so

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by soundman98

For non-serious track time, buying a vehicle for the cause really boils down to 2-3 options for me. 86, Miata, or s2000, but the fanboyism has greatly inflated the cost of the s2k, so they're almost priced more like art pieces anymore, making them a more difficult proposition to throw into a corner with wild disregard.

A Cayman might be faster, but at increased cost, anything american won't be great on the track without a ton of work, and generally double the brakes because of the extra weight...

Same here. I'd also throw MR2 in the mix, really any generation. Anything else the consumable cost would beat you to death. A Lotus is the only "exotic" I would consider being toy powered and having reasonably priced tires and brakes. Honestly about the same price as an S2K.

The proper trim Camaro and Mustangs do pretty well. Given the same driver you would be faster in either car over a twin. Just not necessarily more fun.

[Ultramaroon]

I am the target market. Couldn't care less about tenths, or even seconds, but it was extremely satisfying to know whether or not I nailed it when chucking it into a corner.

Now... how many years ago was that one track day? Don't ask. I really need to buy a decent helmet so I can go back.