The apprentice "old fart" status may be hard to get past the master of the old fart club, as he knows me personally.

I, too, have noticed the overall speed of the other cars out on the track increase as I move up in run groups. But I still find my way past a few people now and then.

I've had two driving events cancelled on me so far this "spring". Luckily, I decided to skip the next upcoming opportunity (Watkins Glen this weekend) which has also just been cancelled because of snow.

I'm scheduled to hit Calabogie on April 30 to get some more seat time.

Glad to hear that my experiences on the track in a Cooper have made some other people get out there. Of course, we all do like drooling over the fancy cars, but I've definitely noticed that most of the HPDE people could care less about the potential performance of the car, and care much more about the abilities of the driver.

 

Chuck...I need your help...Putnam park in Aug., or Mid-Ohio? I like both tracks but can only choose one as the HPDEs are the same weekend. On the otherhand, I DO plan to go to Mid-Ohio in October with Buckeye....

 

I'm "only" 30, but I've been attending DEs since 2002 in my 914. This coming weekend will be my first outing in the MCS. I've seen the catalogs of go-faster-bits for MINIs available, but my take on it is why spend all that money on parts* when I could be out driving instead!

And I am familiar with that askew glance people give in the paddock when they think their car is so much faster (better?) than yours. Even with engine mods, my 914 will only keep pace with a stock MC in a straight line. Usually, the people who try and order you to line up behind them are the ones who will be holding you up while on track. Getting a point-by from somebody like this is particularly satisfying.


*In prep for this weekend, I installed EBC Yellowstuff brake pads to make sure I'll stop as quickly as I'll go.

 

mudfoot: isn't it nice to be on a thread where "only 30" makes you feel young? DE's = faster......isn't "faster" the purpose of most (non-cosmetic) mods?

 

Since we're divulging ages... 34. So, I'm in the between state where sometimes I'm the "old guy" and sometimes I'm the "kid".

 

What about us older ladies? Are we called old farts, too? Old hags?

 

Yes, it does

And I would say that unless your mod(s) are for going (and don't forget stopping) faster, they are pretty much pointless IMHO. Yes, there are some cosmetic things I've seen from other NAMers that look good, but my $$$ is going to be spent on tires, brake pads, and seat time before all that other stuff.

I saw an autoblog posting about a "kid" in Texas who ripped his new 350Z in half, literally, after losing control during a street race. Such a waste. Save it for the track, and learn how to really control your car in the process.

 

25, take every chance I can to get an older more expereinced person to help me with my driving. HPDE's are out of the question at this time, but autocross school is just as good IMO, but the allure of wheel to wheel racing is deffinately longed for.

 

IamRascal: i did quite a few highly illegal DE's from Hood College to USNA! i think that i met every state trooper that ever patrolled that stretch......many warnings issued.....i won't give you my best time, for fear of getting this thread shut down.....auto-x is great, but it is a different skill set than driving on a track.....the most important thing is to enjoy your ride in a safe environment (unlike when i was much younger).....

 

Jeff if it was me I'd do Mid-Ohio. I haven't done Putnam yet, but Mid-Ohio is one of the best.

Got a link to the August HPDE's?

 

I've been happily married for 25 years. This I've learned. I ain't going there.

 

Yes it is, but it teaches you a lot. Smooth is fast. The fast guys at an auto-x or a race are smooth. Randy Pobst was a long time auto-xer. He's a darned fine racer too. TC Kline started driving rusty Rabbit's in auto-x, He's a pretty fair racer too. I'm sure there are many more, but there are two off the top of my head. Don't sell auto-x short. Any seat time helps.

 

www.windycitybmw.com [Putnam Park, Aug. 25-26]...application forms available in May

BMWCCA Buckeye goes to Mid-Ohio the same weekend

These are my favorite courses, and that's why I just cannot decide.

 

Windy City also has a school at Gingerman June 23 & 24. I'll be running there in May with CGI motorsports. I'll let you know what I think of it. First time there for me.

Another plus for Mid-Ohio over Putnam for me. I can sleep at home. That saves a chunk of change.

 

That's true. I'm pretty equidistant from each, although Mid-Ohio is a tad closer. Putnam is around 170 from my house while M-O is close to 130. Even if I still lived in Massillon, though, I'd still have to spend the nights. 60 miles one way on US 30/I-71 just isn't feasible after a day's track sessions...nor before the course opens in the early morning.

Hmmm...which reminds me, what's the motel situation around Nelsons ledges?

I think Paul and Tim are gonna go to Gingerman in June. I'd love to go, but it's probably too late to apply now.

 

When I think back to when I started DE's with NASA-SE almost five years ago, it seem like yesterday, I remember thinking, heck I'm a pretty decent driver. Then I got out there (Road Atlanta) and at the end of the first day, my instructor and I were talking and he went on say how my line had improved through the day, yadda, yadda, yadda, I thought I did OK and then he asked me (I'll never forget it) "so, tomorrow are we stop driving like an old lady?" Never been the same since.......

Of all the mods I've done to my RX8 (working on buying a MCS as we speak-no, still keeping the 8) the $'s I have put into myself and seat time have been the best $'s I've ever spent. This year I have just started doing Instructor Clinics with NASA, BMW and Audi. I watch new students and think "wow, I have a lot to learn, but I've come a long way...."

Spend the $'s on yourself......at this point for a large majority of folks, the thing holding you back from being faster is the driver, not the lightweight flywheel or the cold air intake.......

 

That's a great story!

I wish I had a similar one myself, but I'm pretty sure it was my first instructor who said on a few occasions "slow down or you're going to roll this thing." I still think he was being a little over-dramatic.

I have had a few instructors who seem to like teaching by scaring you into submission. Thankfully, only a few like that. Most of them are of the "so, when are you going to start driving fast?" variety, just not quite that blunt.

 

The best driving school happened to me last weekend, when I had a terrific instructor who put me at such ease that I was able to not only improve my line, but improve my speed without white-knuckling it all day and having my stomach turn knots at night. While our weather the first day WAS miserable and the course was really slippery, I think it was a great experience to learn to drive in that kind of stuff. Sunday was a perfect day...warmer and DRY. The Driver's School was over all too quickly, however. As my instructor and I exchanged our evaluation notations and explanations, he left me, saying, "I had fun...thanks!"

Guess I did some things right, afterall!

 

The guy was great.....been driving for years...great, but very blunt.....the second day we started with...."so, we gonna pull the tampon out and start driving like a man now?" (sorry ladies...)....he no longer instructs, GT3 racing taking too much of his time, but I'll ever forget him or what he taught me that weekend. I think back, and have been very fortunate to have had great instructors. I still keep in touch with them and when we do events together we still ride together, and swap tips, pointers, and stories. The folks I have met at most events have been great people and I have some great relations and contacts that I would have never had if I hadn't taken that first step five years ago. RA was a great first time out for me...probably the point in time that told me that I was going to keep doing this kinda stuff. I enjoy it.....it's a great mental cleansing.

PS....I love track events in the rain........you learn to be smooooooth......like butta.....

 

Are you kidding? DE is the best yo can do to your driving/motoring experience. Like many I think you can do all you want to your car to make it faster but if you dont know how to manage that power, you could get in some serious trouble.. I am trying to go to as many schools as I can, I travel a lot which makes it difficult at times, but if I am in town and there is an event.. you'll see me there for sure. I try to encourage as many people as I can, have some good friends on the subby forums that are going to DE as well and they are having a blast.. Also we all had learned to be more responsible on the street.. The last thing I ever want is to compromise people in my car or others on the road because of lack of skill or for abusing the limits. ... I probably sound like an old fart to many people..and I know I do to some of my friends... But they are all learning to be responsible.... I do have fun and love driving to the limit at the track!! BTW..I'm 29

 

Jeff if you go to Nelson's web site there are a list of motels in Warren. An alternative would be staying in Kent or Akron.

I plan on leaving early at 5:30-6:00 & driving straight up for the fun day. Afterwords I'll drive straight back too. About a 3 hour drive from here.

 

If I had to chose between Mid-Ohio and Putnam Park I'd opt for Mid-Ohio every time. Of all the tracks I've driven, and it's a decent amount Mid-Ohio is one my favorites.

I was just checking the schedule's down here in TX. Between PCA, BMW-CCA, and a few for profit type DE promotors I can do at least 1 day every weekend from now till October. The question is can the wallet keep up with the desire.

 

You got that right. I figure the entry fees are less than half of what it costs, between brakes, tires, mods, and hotels. Worth every penny, however.

 

Since I don't know if my buddy is gonna go or not, where I stay is up in the air. If he goes, we'll do and up and back, as he has small kids at home [in Canton] as his wife is an airline attendant with American Airlines. While he can get a sitter for the day, I KNOW he would want to return home when we finish. In that case, I'll probably stay at my sister's in Massillon.

 

Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?