[trackbird]

Ok guys, I have been at Beaver Run all day with the AV8SS guys. I also had a chance to sit down with the race director and assistant race director and discuss ideas for events. We talked about all kinds of things and I need input.

First. Would anyone be interested in a time trial event at the road courses. Off the top of my head, we were discussing something like a warm up lap, fast lap, cool down lap and doing multiple runs per day (think "large scale autocross", several runs, etc). And, if you would be interested in such a series, what kind of entry fee might get you guys to come out. Meaning, if it's $500 per car, and 2 cars show up, there's no point. If we make it less (and we'd be planning on it....trust me), at what point would people be interested in coming to try it, and would people be interested in such a format? It would not be a "coned off" road course, it would be a single "flying lap" with a warm up and cool down on each end.

Second. HPDE time. I'm trying to work something out for an HPDE format that would be affordable, but we'd need cars to keep the prices down. I know we like HPDE's here, don't we?

Third. I was discussing the frrax track day idea that we've been bouncing around for the last year or so. We talked about pairing it with an AV8SS weekend. We'd need to find where to hold it (Summit Point, Nashville, and VIR were discussed, but we'd be open to others). Any input?

[mitchntx]

I was NASA's Texas region Time Trial Co-director last year. It was definitely a step beyond HPDE.

NASA has a well developed classing system that does a really good job of leveling the playing field so that money doesn't win. It works quite well.

Everyone who participated was stoked.

TTers ran in the most advanced run group of HPDE. We had a special windshield sticker so that at grid, TTers had the option to go out first, ahead of the HPDEers in order to get clear track time.

Also, TTers got their session once a day.

I wish American V8 would come to Texas ...

Third. I was discussing the frrax track day idea that we've been bouncing around for the last year or so. We talked about pairing it with an AV8SS weekend. We'd need to find where to hold it (Summit Point, Nashville, and VIR were discussed, but we'd be open to others). Any input?

Hallett just outside of Tulsa

[marka]

Howdy,

Third. I was discussing the frrax track day idea that we've been bouncing around for the last year or so. We talked about pairing it with an AV8SS weekend. We'd need to find where to hold it (Summit Point, Nashville, and VIR were discussed, but we'd be open to others). Any input?

Hallett just outside of Tulsa

Man, Hallett is a fun track (or it was, in '97 when I ran there) but its pretty damn far away from, um, _everything_. :-)

I'd vote for Nelson Ledges. Cheap to rent and a pretty challenging track. And its about 50 minutes from my house. :-)

After that, I'd say Gratten was one of the funner "mortal people can afford the rental" tracks I think... At least I assume Gratten's fees aren't crazy.

After helping out Kevin's American v8 Supercar (?? Like I can remember the series name) this past weekend I'm getting a little more serious about getting the z28 done and out on the track. It was fun.

Mark

(also got a few pictures, which will be hosted soon and I'll give you all a link if you're interested.)

(oh! On the point of the topic... :-) I'd be interested for sure. Whether I came or not would depend on cost, track time, etc. Speaking as someone who's looked at putting stuff like this together, I'd say your biggest thing to figure out is what safety gear is required. Requiring a rollbar or cage will certainly cut your entries (but may keep you from getting sued... :-). Ditto SA helmets vs. M, firesuits, gloves/boots, etc. etc. etc.)

Howdy,

I guess my question is this.....

The AV8SS guys would love to see more cars at the events, we all would. We are looking for ways to use the track time between races. The ideas I mentioned above are some of the ways we'd considered filling that time. So, if you were going to design your own perfect series or perfect car "event", what would you want to see/do? I'm trying to get this information in the hands of the right people and maybe we can make something happen on one or more fronts.

And, the "time trials" that I discussed above, I saw some points brought up (which is what I wanted to see) and would you feel better if we had a practice session for you to learn the track a bit. Something like an HPDE practice session? Or, run HPDE level one and two (or whatever is decided) and then you can run the trials? Or some combination of this. I'm thinking out loud and asking for input right now, so I appreciate any and all comments. I told my friends at AV8SS that I'd be putting this up, so they'll probably be following this thread, and they'll get the info from me too.

Well, I know this past weekend probably wasn't a standard one for those guys, but it was a great example of integrating an HPDE style event (which was also suffering from low entries due to the last minute nature). I'd say you could offer up one or possibly two HPDE sessions along with a 'normal' time trial session without impacting anyone.

What about offering a CMC-style race as well as the AMV8SS stuff? Not sure about legality there, but other folks seem to be able to offer groups that different sanctioning bodies put together...

Mark

Howdy,

A practice day on Saturday and race on Sunday format could work. Give people something like a 4 lap practice (warm up, 2 laps, cool down). And run a couple times the first day, then the 3 lap competition on day 2? Potentially anything it possible at this point since we're still tossing ideas around. I'm just looking for a format that people would enjoy and trying to maximize safety and minimize anyone feeling like they are rushed. I'd like to get enough seat time in to be comfortable with the track, without running 20 minute "run groups" (that's what HPDE's are for).

Of course, we're interested in HPDE's as well. What pricing would get you guys to events? I know it's going to be a bit of a pricing issue. I say that because track time is expensive, but there are only so many tracks. So, if you like the track, price would be my guess on the one item that will make or break attendance.

I'd come out for such an event (time trails). The question is, will I be there alone?

They ran Sebring this year, I think they've run at Roebling Road too (maybe not this year, but I believe they've run there). Southern events can be done (based on experience).

Man, for me $150 for like 8 laps or whatever wouldn't be cutting it... That'd be even more true if I needed the same safety gear as I would to go race somewhere.

Seems like $200/day for HPDE events would be a good enough price though, assuming something like three or four 30 minute sessions.

Mark

[trackbird]

Man, for me $150 for like 8 laps or whatever wouldn't be cutting it... That'd be even more true if I needed the same safety gear as I would to go race somewhere.

Seems like $200/day for HPDE events would be a good enough price though, assuming something like three or four 30 minute sessions.

Mark

I'm guessing it would be more than 8 laps. But, we run to Colorado to run pro solo's with a handful of 55 second runs for $75 or so. Nothing's a firm price here, just looking for input. I figure I know more racers than most of the field combined (you guys, who else). Everyone has a friend who races, but I have 1,200....... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

I'm interested in HPDE thoughts as well. The directors are more than willing to do that as well. Tell me what you want to see (tracks, costs, etc), get me some cars, and I will do my best to make it happen.

The root of this post is:

What would it take to get you to the track to run in a class.