2012 GCC Track Schedule

STL Mark

STL Mark

Member #001
Honorary Member
Location
Pacific, MO
First Name
Mark
Last Name
Earls
So, Hallett is set for June 1. What are the other track days you guys would like to attend in 2012. MVP is at Putnam April 14. 10/10ths is at Putnam Mar 31. The big Shelby meet is at Hallett June 17.

Let's throw out some dates and locations and see what we can come up with?

Anyone want to do a club weekend at Gateway?
 
I would love to try Gateway. With (2) small kids, I can't get to the "away" tracks. I would like to stay away from concrete walls though!
 
STL Mark said:
So, Hallett is set for June 1. What are the other track days you guys would like to attend in 2012. MVP is at Putnam April 14. 10/10ths is at Putnam Mar 31. The big Shelby meet is at Hallett June 17.

Let's throw out some dates and locations and see what we can come up with?

Anyone want to do a club weekend at Gateway?
Click to expand...

Mark, when I was riding the bike with the MCRA group the rental at Gateway was more than any other track in the midwest,hopefully new management will be easier and cheaper to work with if you can pin down an open weekend.

As far as walls go the only two areas that are somewhat free of walls is coming out of turn 2 towards turn 3 and going into turn 7.It really is scary in car or on a bike.
Would I run there, sure, but not at speed.
 
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May 4-6 event at Putnam looks good.
June 1-2 at Hallett is for sure.

Gateway - let's see what we can come up with. It's not so bad. I was there twice and saw 50 cars run each year at Run & Gun. I think 3 cars out of 100 hit the walls. You don't have to run at full speed to have fun. I'm thinking about a novice style club day.
 
You need to include an HPDE event. I attended the KYPCA last October and learned a lot as did Jim. Sometime in October I believe.
 
Mark, yes, a personalized instructor. At the KYPCA event, there was an instructor assigned to me. This instructor had a Cobra Mustang, which, broke down early in the day, otherwise, we would have had several lead follow sessions. He did observe my track sessions and provided welcome feedback after each session. When I spun (2 times) he walked me through the corners (figuratively) to make sure I understood I recognized what went wrong. He also provided some opinions on handling adjustments, driving adjustments and air pressure recommendations. The morning of the 2nd day we walked the track. We drove to each corners' entry and exit as he explained the line through the turns. This was most helpful understanding an on camber and off camber turn as well as the exit strategy for the turns.

I can't stress enough to those of you that are timid on our cruises what a great experience a track day is. You do NOT need to set course records to have fun. Since my first run at Putnam to my last, I have shaved off about 10 seconds per lap, and THAT is great improvement and I've learned a ton about the car, and myself. Having fun is the main goal, don't mean to poopooo on the lateral g meter, but that should be the least of your concerns, how many g's you are pulling through the turns. Just have fun, use the car it and YOUR fullest extent. The rush of going through a corner at a speed you are not comfortable with, but making it because you drove the line properly is awesome, and cannot be matched on the street. I hope more of you can make it out to these events, and if you need help preparing, let me know.

Back on topic - I will be traveling down to San Marcos, Tx for the Texas Cobra Club big shibang, which includes a track day or two there. The early May event with 10/10ths sounds good, and then on to Hallett. So, I will have 3 events in before the end of June :D Gateway, yes, there is a lot to hit. YOU have to recognize this and drive accordingly. Even if you are the fastest, you get no trophy, no money and barely get bragging rights. So, if you aren't comfortable approaching turn 1 at 120mph, don't. It's that simple. These cars, if setup somewhat responsibly, will handle what you throw at it. Don't drive above your means and do not drive above what the car can deliver. Simple. Use the K.I.S.S. method and do not ever enter a track scared. Respect it and you will be ok.

As Steve has always said, these track days are much more fun when several attend. Craig, Putnam is only 2 1/2 hours for you, and you can register for a one day of the event. Leave late Friday, on the track Saturday, home by Saturday night at 8. Much safer track than Gateway. HTH.
 
I would rather spin my car out on the skid pad vs turn one at Gateway, its an easy way to find the limit of your car and tires before you get out on the track.The meter is for us numbers freaks. :D
 
I agree 1000% with Tim's analysis.
Even simpler - there's 3 pedals in your car - use them :)

Steve - I'm going to try and get a meeting with Dave Ahner and the new owner within the next couple of weeks to see what our options are. Dave and the owner are friends and we'll see what we can cook up.

Second front:
I really like the HPDE idea that Tim spelled out so well - with the goal for GCC that we can ALL participate safely and worry free. To that end - how can we arrange this? Is this something the the local SCCA can help us with? Does anybody have an idea how to arrange this?

I can see a one day event - strictly novice and HPDE, and if we get enough interest maybe a second day. It's not necessary to have the second day, but we'll see.

Depending on the cost - I could see that the Club may want to pay for part of this. I really feel that this is a worthy cause (i.e. benefit) for our members. Here's why. I've had sports cars. I thought I was a pretty good driver. But, when I got on a track and pushed my car just a little bit I quickly realized how much I have to learn. It was humiliating to say the least. As an example, a skilled (instructor class) driver in a Mini Cooper was passing me at will. We all think we are good drivers, but in reality I can think of less than 5 people in our club that can drive above novice class. I believe that an event like this would teach us to better Cobra owners.

Maybe a few more of us would take up this aspect of ownership in a more serious way as I and Tim, Mike S., Mike M., Keith W. are attempting to do. But nevertheless, I think we can all benefit from this.

Also, it may give us some perspective about our machines. It has for me. I realized that the power my car makes matters zilch without good handling and brakes. Tim and I witnessed a highly skilled driver in a totally race prepped Cobra with a 351 (making about 350hp) lap the field several times. We also watched in amazement at Sammy Watson in a 427 powered car just glide around the track - so smooth, so skilled, passing everything. He's like 70 years old and smooth as silk in basically a stock Cobra with track tires.

Bottom line - I think this would make us better owners, skilled drivers, safer drivers, a better club, would be a bunch of fun.

I welcome your comments and perspective.
 
Here's what I learned about Gateway.

You come off NASCAR turn 4 on to the front straight. You nail it smoothly and hit a shift point. You drive through the start/finish line and get off the gas and slow to a braking point to turn 1. The challenge part of that is to keep accelerating past the start finish line. A few times I got overly confident and got into trouble when I tried to carry that acceleration say 150 feet past the line. More skilled drivers can do that. I couldn't. It was everything I could do to keep accelerating to the line. When I did - it felt good, and then I was able to comfortably enter turn 1.

Then, on the back part of the track it's all about turns-ins, apexes, braking points, exits, etc. It's the skill part, and if you know what you're doing it's smooth. If you're like me - it's slow-going.

Then as you enter the back stretch you feather it up to speed into NASCAR turn 3 (banked oval) and around the horn. The trick there it to get the proper line around the oval so you keep a decent speed without spinning out. It's tricky. My best was to enter the oval on a high line turn down to the apex and then accelerate gently out to a high line on to the front straight. Some cars could drive through the middle mostly, but not mine.

Then your back on the front straight, doing it again.

Gateway isn't so bad once you realize - there's no trophies, no prize money, just keep your wits about you and drive like you got some common sense. If you just go out there and nail it - you're going to hit the wall. The back of the course is really technical and a fun challenge.
 
When racing the bikes we didn't use nascar 3 and 4, we turned on to pit lane and came back on to the front straight via a small chicane just after the exit of nascar 4.
 
Mark, any news on a meet with Gateway?

10/10ths 2012 Schedule - http://www.1010thsmotorsports.com/2012_schedule.html

KYPCA - they will have an event at Putnam in June and another in September

Torqued Racing's schedule - http://www.motorsportreg.com/index..../uidEvent/00B1CC0A-FE4A-C300-C7DB55EDEC62C5C5

MVP Tracktime Schedule - http://mvptracktime.com/id25.html - of note here - maybe we can try Heartland Park, 289 miles away.

Want to see a tracks layout? See it here: http://www.trackpedia.com/wiki/Tracks_in_the_United_States_Of_America

Putnam has upgraded their website, interested in a club membership? - http://putnampark.com/wp/

Let's get ready for Spring track days! :D
 
I would like to do one of the track events where they have an instructor. Contrary to popular opinion, I'd like to learn to do it the right way. Are all the KYPCA using instructors?
 
Putnam with MVP on April 15th weekend would be a great way to start Dan. The track is really safe - with no walls and lots of grass. You'll take it slow and easy. They have instructors. You can ride in their car - or they'll ride in yours. There's some class time and lead/follow laps each day. I'll be there, along with Steve, and maybe a few others. You can progress at your own pace. Learning the various track rules about passing and manners is a big deal. The biggest hurdle IMHO is getting in the right headspace. It's all about you really.

You'll run about once an hour, and you can skip sessions if you want. You won't be setting any track records. The best weekend for you would be to have a mechanically trouble free weekend, and increase your level of concentration. For me, that's the biggest part. Getting my head in the game. Leaving behind the stresses of work and family, and trying to sharpen my focus. It's a head game.
 
Thanks Mark. That sounds like a plan and good advice. I'm going to get to one track event at least this year. I'd just like to ease into it and have fun. With my 4 lug rims, small-ish stock brakes brakes and little 302, I wasn't looking to set lap records. Just wanted to record some laps. Speed and competion will come, but like anything, I need a good safe base to venture from.
 
TTT and a reminder about KYPCA at Putnam in June. Any interest in Topeka? Joliet? Others?
 
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