Ok, some of you may have wondered why I started a post asking what tracks you attend and how far you would tow to race/play.

I've started toying with the idea of an FRRAX.com track day. I'm not sure of the exact format, it is still a new idea at this point. It could be an HPDE, or maybe a Solo1 format, etc. At this point, I just wondered who would consider attending one (if it were close enough, we'll deal with that seperately if there is interest). So, as I'm just thinking out loud right now....

Who'd come?

I'd be interested, but I'm pretty limited on travel distance. Of course, if there is enough notice I might be able to work out going further.

Don't forget, we can "piggy back" on a lapping day that is run by other groups (track-sanctioned, Car Guys, NASA, etc.) and dub it the "frrax track day" without exposing ourselves to costs and risks of low turnout...

As you point out, the real problem is a "central" track that people would be willing to go to interleaved with their normal points-race schedules...

Just come out to the greatest track of all Laguna Seca....

Well, let me look at it another way.

A local message board just did a Gingerman "evening". The track was $500 for 3 hours. They were shooting for 20 people (small outing) and they did the day, the cost was $100 or less each (I didn't make it) and broke even. Fun was had by all. They have about 80 members.

We have nearly 500 members (not that all will make it). I wondered if we could come up with more than 20 people for longer than 3 hours (and a track that works for many members). The price would still be reasonable (hopefully) and fun should be had by all.

This is about as far as I've worked this through. I'm not looking for 500 cars. But, I'd like to get 50+ or more for a day. Make a good weekend out of it or something like that. If it works well, maybe look at setting up a west coast event as well (I'd be at both). Again, I'm just thinking out loud, looking for ideas, thoughts, trying to find the will of the masses.

Please talk amongst yourselves.....

Definitely, although I don't tow, so somewhere nearby

Kevin, I would defenitely consider this. Just remember our group at Gingerman had one advantage. All 80 members is (for the most part) from Central Ohio. That being said, it was a great day and we could have had more people. Gingerman's pricing seem to be very reasonable too.

Neil,

I was aware of that and had considered it. We had spoke/joked about an FRRAX track day in the past. Your outing reminded me that it is not as expensive as I was thinking it might be. This got me wondering if/when/how/could we/etc. So, I thought I'd throw it out to everyone and see what the feelings were.

I don't yet know if we can find a track that is central enough to work. And, murphys law states that it will be $4000 an hour to rent if we do find one. But, without researching the location that suits everyone best (see the other thread) and finding interest, we'd never know. So, I'm open to suggestions and thoughts and if (a huge if) we can get a track with decent rates that is close enough to enough members, maybe we can do one. If we pull off one next year, maybe we can try for 2 the following year (closer to the west, or whatever we don't do the first time).

So, keep the ideas coming. Who knows what we'll learn. I was thinking spring (early shake down run/test session) as a possibility. I suspect this will take more to organize than the Gingerman trip (but I could be wrong).

keep talking....

with enought time to figure in time off work, towing, hotels, etc. I would probably drive a fair distance. (of course, from the NW, that still would probably leave it somewhere in the western US for myself.

I would love to have to w-2-w with some of you guys and would strive to participate.

Location will play heavily into it. I would be willing to tow up to 10 hours maximum each way. FWIW

I would be interested. I don't have any license/certification/etc. so that might be an issue... Not sure if you were thinking everybody that participated would be fully licensed or what.

John, you don't need any sort of license to participate in a track day. You just need a car that can pass a basic safety inspection and a helmut that is reasonably current.

Beyond that, you just need to look for a run group that has similar experience levels to yourself and look to have some fun.

Track days are a blast. A track day full of f-bodies would be a dream...

Still working on that. If the groups are small, I'd think you could get instruction/guidance from some of the other members (I know we have a few instructors around here). Or, we will have to work that out as well.

Since a lot of people would be driving a long way, we'd have to do more than a 3 hour window. The idea of piggy-backing on a larger organization with our own run session would work well. Make a weekend out of it.

I'd go somewhere within about 6 hours or so from NJ:

Watkins Glen
Limerock
Pocono
Summit Point
Shenendoah
Jefferson Circuit
Virginia International Raceway
Beaverun
Mid-Ohio

I was trying to plan for a longer window. At least a full day or two.

Time to drive, hang out, tell lies, etc. And, then head home. I wasn't looking for a 3 hour block. I was looking at a 1 day minimum. Maybe 2 if there are enough f-bodies....uh...bodies.

Could we also do ride alongs at the track day? I'd be interested in going, but I'm not going to put my car on the road course (I can't afford to lose it).

Unless their insurance says otherwise, I'd think that would be possible. That is part of phase 3 of this operation. Once we find a track and get a head count. We'll see what that track offers from there.

I'm in and don't mind driving a pretty good distance to attend.

See my "track" poll.....

Thanks!

I would be willing to go to Hallett (or Motorsport Ranch or TWS). The only other reasonable track I would consider would be Gateway in St. Louis, which I underdstand is difficult to get time on. Anything else would be too far for me.

How about Heartland Park in Kansas?

I'd be interested in a track day, and I know 3 or 4 people on my local board that would probably attend if it was reasonable distance from North Carolina.

That is closer to the east coast than Hallett. Saves me almost 150 miles from Oh. That is a good option (if it's available/affordable). I forgot that one.

Heartland Park gets me near ye old KU stomping grounds!

how bout two separate events? East and West ?

Tom,

That may be the end result. Depending on how one goes, we'd decide if we should do another. If I/we can't do 2 in the first year, we may do 2 after that. I think that is the only way to try to catch most of the members. But, I'm still waiting on the poll to take shape.

How about a track that can provide facilities to setup an autox?

We also have a new roadcourse opening up here in Tulsa for next year that has a dragstrip and pad big enough for autox. Here's the link:
http://www.tulsaracewaypark.com/

Of course, the big question is will they actually be done building it in time to have any events next year.

That's an interesting looking track. Hopefully NASA will add it to the schedule!

That looks reasonably fast. Could be rather fun.

I raced there earlier in the yr. Thenew first turn is kinda unnevering for myself and others. Its a slight left going into and uphill blind right. If you screw it up there isnt much room for error. Someone did a couple weeks before we were there and it was on everybody mind. It was the only corner that I didnt like during this yr's One Lap Of America.
But thats another track I need another shot at, had the car real loose and it wasnt fun. John.

PS I dig the idea of East and West.

Motorsport Ranch near Ft Worth, Jack can be flexible.

doh...
as said in other thread, would be nice to have the most people, so central US makes sense.
I'm willing to drive upto 1500 (each way) for the event... should be fun to meet lots of you guys.
Would have to happen in summer... not driving if there is risk of snow anywhere on the way.

Kilos or miles???

willing 1500miles... ie around 2500kms each way.
you guys are great and worth the displacement.

So, what tracks can you reach in 1,500 miles? Hallett in Oklahoma is winning so far......

He'd have to pass Mid-Ohio, Nelson Ledges, Gingerman, just to name a few, to get to OK area.

Nelson Ledges and Gingerman are affordable (Gingerman is, I'm not sure on Ledges, but I suspect it is). I douby we could afford to rent the pit lane at Mid Ohio, much less the whole track...... I'd have to call to be sure on that.

I don't know... I'm not good at American geography.
but to have an idea if I can make it... I'm 350 miles straight-north of NY-city.
So figure anything within 1200 miles of NY-city and I can make it.
That means it's a 1 day drive to go, and another one to come back.
I've done several rides in 1 day of 1200+ miles and some of 1500... even if they were on a motorcycle... I was an iron-butter on a sportsbike
I love driving.

When will this be happening ?
I'm putting my car aways for winter-sleeping in 2 weeks... I'm assuming this will happen next spring/summer ?

I'm going to unpin a few of these to reduce clutter. Please feel free to continue discussing the events.