Invited to run with Ferrari Owners Club Norhteast, at Pocono Long. Should I or not? Options

[Teutonic Speedra...]

Should I run with these guys? Will I be out of place? I think it would be an experience. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) They require firesuits and gloves in their intermediate and advanced group (which I have and would probably be in). I've heard of Enzo's, F40's, F50's, and such being at these. I'm thinking yes, but unsure if I'm going to be the 27 year old punk with the American P.O.S. I get good respect from the majority in the BMW club, just unsure of the Ferrari guys. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

What do you guys think?

Oh, and Pocono long was my 2nd track event ever a few years back. I was doing 145 to 150 on street tires with little experience. Hope to be doing 160+ now especially with mods and experience, but I'm sure some of these guys will be whizzing by at 180+!

[Lucas Black]

i say never back down from an opportunity. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[sgarnett]

Should I run with these guys? Will I be out of place? I think it would be an experience. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) They require firesuits and gloves in their intermediate and advanced group (which I have and would probably be in). I've heard of Enzo's, F40's, F50's, and such being at these. I'm thinking yes, but unsure if I'm going to be the 27 year old punk with the American P.O.S. I get good respect from the majority in the BMW club, just unsure of the Ferrari guys. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

What do you guys think?

Oh, and Pocono long was my 2nd track event ever a few years back. I was doing 145 to 150 on street tires with little experience. Hope to be doing 160+ now especially with mods and experience, but I'm sure some of these guys will be whizzing by at 180+!

Well, you are 27 and you do have a heavy American car (though for a heavy American car it's certainly no slouch). Just don't be a punk.

Be professional and happy to be there, but don't go there with anything to prove to the exotics, and I'm sure you'll do fine. Sounds like a great opportunity!

[slowTA]

I guess it depends on the firesuit thing, if you don't have one then I would pass on it or run in the lower group if possible. However, since you have an invitation it could considered an insult if you don't go 'just because'. I'm sure you will be out of place on the track but as long as you don't go in there acting like a ricer you should be OK!

I'm pretty sure I would go just for the seat time, who know you might get to drive a Ferrari!

[GM01SS]

GO!!!!!!!! Take every change to be on the track. If you have been invited, you won't have a problem (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Gary

[Ojustracing]

Show them what real V-8 power sounds like. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/nutkick.gif)

Enjoy John

[AllZWay]

Sounds like fun to me. It is always nice to blow past a high dollar exotic in the mullet mobile. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif)

You will be suprised how may heads you will turn with the f-body. Most just don't know much about them and are suprised by their performance.

[Bald54]

Do it or you'll regret it. I had a chance last fall to run with a group of Ferarri guys at Gingerman. Believe it or not I have a friend with an Enzo, not to mention about 45 more exotic or vintage racing cars. To make a long story short I couldn't get off work and had to pass on the opportunity. Another guy I know ended up going, and got to lap with Tom in the Enzo. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

Here'a picture of his paddock at a vintage race

(IMG:http://www.kwyjibo.com/ispeed/jeff98/jeff98110.jpg)

And here's one of his 2 Birdcages at Luguna Seca. Must be nice. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)

(IMG:http://www.tamsoldracecarsite.net/RESYellowBirdcageT5.jpg)

[Teutonic Speedra...]

Do it or you'll regret it. I had a chance last fall to run with a group of Ferarri guys at Gingerman. Believe it or not I have a friend with an Enzo, not to mention about 45 more exotic or vintage racing cars. To make a long story short I couldn't get off work and had to pass on the opportunity. Another guy I know ended up going, and got to lap with Tom in the Enzo. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

Like you said and the others, I'm taking the opportunity. I'd probably kick my self if I didn't. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif) I do have a firesuit (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) , and I think it is possible with all the work done to run within reason with 355's and 360's, and watch the real high end stuff fly by. Rides are another reason I want to go. :drive:

Thanks all for the advice! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/thumbup.gif)

[CMC #37]

If you drive safe and play by the rules it should not matter who you run with. Stay on the line and let faster cars make their way around you. Pay attention to your mirrors. Driver's meetings will be important as different clubs have different etiquette on track such as point bys to pass, etc.

Above all relax and have fun!

This post has been edited by CMC #37: Mar 31 2005, 11:08 PM

[Jon A]

Go. Have fun. Most of the guys will probably be very nice. Don't pass up an excuse to get close to so many beautiful cars. Here are a couple pics I took at a Ferrari Club event last year:

(IMG:http://www.jonaadland.com/NewPics4/Red2.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.jonaadland.com/NewPics4/Red3.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.jonaadland.com/NewPics4/Red4.JPG)

(IMG:http://www.jonaadland.com/NewPics4/Red5.JPG)

Just give the expensive ones a lot of room when you pass them. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Teutonic Speedra...]

Go. Have fun. Most of the guys will probably be very nice. Don't pass up an excuse to get close to so many beautiful cars. Here are a couple pics I took at a Ferrari Club event last year:

Just give the expensive ones a lot of room when you pass them. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thanks Jon. I accepted the invite. Just waiting to hear back from him. Hopefully it didn't fill up before I responded. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

Nice pictures! How many of them did you pass? Did you get rides in any of them?

[JKnight]

Take lots of photos and post them so that I can have a little vicarious pleasure. Or if you have in car video post that so we can hear the sounds of a Enzo or F40 passing you (or, hopefully, you passing it).

Anecdote: My second track weekend (driving that is) was at Buttonwillow, and there was a Porsche 996 Turbo in Group 2 with me. I was committed to passing the guy. I came up on him at the Talladega, a long sweeper. I got behind him and found that he was all over the place and had no clue what the line was, so I backed off. That day made me realize that the driver really is the most important aspect.

Jason

[jensend]

Since you were invited, I'd assume your presence is welcome. Don't be concerned with who passes whom. As was already stated, the driver is the key factor. I run with several Ferraris at Trackmasters events. Some are very fast, others are not. Some drivers want to leave themselves a larger safety margin than others- this is especially the case with some exotic car owners. The big thing is track savy and good driver ettiquite. Nobody wants to have their car put at risk by another's aggressiveness or lack of judgment. I felt that way driving my $12k Neon ACR, as well as with my Z28. Ferrari folks are no different in this regard. Go and have a good time. Drive well and keep an ear tuned to the V-12 symphony.

[Jon A]

How many of them did you pass? Did you get rides in any of them?

Almost all of them. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) It was funny, the guy in the Enzo couldn't get his arm out the window to point me by...took a while to figure out what that blinker meant. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) I didn't get any rides. The guy running the event frowns on rides.

[35th_Anniversary...]

I wanted to run with the New England region of the Ferrarri club. Maybe next year. I'm running with Niagra PCA this year. I'll talk to the guys this year when they come into town. - They are always hanging out by the Radisson and also at the glass museum one night.

Remember: The charge is the same for a Honda or a Ferrarri, so go big. (charge = Grand Theft Auto) :drive:
Hint: Red wire to white wire (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[mjf454]

I think this is a great opportunity to run with a bunch of incredible cars. There is nothing like the sound of a Ferarri V12 at 8,000 rpm. I read somewhere that a stock Enzo was just clocked at at 221mph at a test track (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) :drive:

[Matt]

I defenitely think you should take advantage of the opportunity, and like they already said, take lots of pics!

[Formula WS6]

can i crotch down the well area while you drive around the track? ill pop up randomly and take pics. pretty please?

[tracknut]

Keep in mind these guys are typically driving a couple hundred $K on the track, and their primary motivation is not speed, but rather not balling up their car. You will likely be faster than most of them. Resist the urge to be a gonad and bring that up to them, or they're likely to not invite you back (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Dave