[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?

[killer_bluebird]

I'm going to throw my ideas out there. It seems that there are 2 things that keep people from doing Open Track Days, HPDEs and Time Trials: first cost and second level of car preparation.

As far as cost goes there are several factors that add to cost, I'm going to use NASA as an example for a 2 day weekend of racing. If you attend HPDE on both days it is about $310 ($150-$170 avg per day), To race in TT is an additional $150, Transponder rental is $50 for a weekend. So we have $510 so far plus $150-$200 for 2 night hotel (depending on how far you are from the track, also on your standards for hotel selection and whether the wife is comming (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) ) so let's say that about $660-$710 and you haven't figured in Tires, Brake Pads, Rotors and Gas at a min. So it can get expensive we all know that. How can we lower the cost? I think if it is a 2 event day do an HPDE's on Saturday, and Practice/Race on Sunday. If you have participated a minimum 3 HPDE's at the particular track you can skip the HPDE segment and do the Practice/Race (TT) on Sunday. This way the more experienced drivers can go to the track practice a couple laps, race and go home at the end of the day (no hotel stay if you are withing an 1-2hr away from the event). Also you could opt to attend the 3 HPDE's at the track and not race. Then once you have completed the 3 HPDE requirements start racing TT then. This will lower the cost cosiderably. If you decide to do HPDE's both days you can polish the requirements to race in 1.5 weekend. At each particular track.

The second point is the level of car preparation, I think that similarly to Open Track days, If the car is fit to do a track day so it should be to compete in a TT race. Classing can stay consistant with AX classing so the transition will be a lot smoother.

Just food for though.
-Alexander

[mitchntx]

I'm going to use NASA as an example for a 2 day weekend of racing. If you attend HPDE on both days it is about $310 ($150-$170 avg per day), To race in TT is an additional $150, Transponder rental is $50 for a weekend.

Wow ... that is pricey!

In Texas, the HPDE fee was $200 for the weekend, TT was $25/event (event = 1 day) and the transponder rental was $50 for the weekend (they're $300 new).

SIs that a regional thing?

The cost of travel, room and board and car expendables the same during an AX vs track day weekend. I would go through tires at about the same rate. Maybe not brakes. And fuel is definitely more costly for a road course weekend. I burn 3-5 gallons per session! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

[marka]

Howdy,

The cost of travel, room and board and car expendables the same during an AX vs track day weekend. I would go through tires at about the same rate. Maybe not brakes. And fuel is definitely more costly for a road course weekend. I burn 3-5 gallons per session! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/huh.gif)

Car expendables are the same between a track day weekend and an AX?

Um, not in my experience.

Folks around here get 10 events or so out of their top of the line DOT-R tires before they're unusable (not uncompetitive...) That's about 60 runs. I've never once heard of someone getting 10 days at the track running the latest DOT-R tires.

Brake pads & rotors last indefinately on an autox car. When people are changing them, its because they want a different pad, not because they've worn out. Seems like folks are chewing through brakes a lot faster than that at track days.

The AMV8SS car I crewed for last weekend ran though 20+ gallons of fuel in perhaps 80 minutes or so of track time. Certainly that car drinks fuel, but even if you cut the fuel bill in half you aren't going to come anywhere near that at an autox.

Mark