Looking to attend my First DE this year
 

Hey guys,

I'm looking to attend my first DE as soon as possible and I'm looking for some help. I've read all through Travis and RCZ's threads about their track days, so I've semi-aware of the Oil Cooling cooling issues and the recommendation to change the brake fluid.

This would be my first time ever tracking a vehicle, so not too concerned about my times, but i'm mainly going to learn how to drive (and knowing myself, i'll most likely catch the "track bug").

I guess where I'm looking for help is how I go about attending one of these. The track I'm looking into is Mid-Ohio. I've checked their "Weekend Club Schedule" and its all booked with BMW and PCA events. Do they allow others to tag along?

Any help on how to get started would be great. Again, not really looking at car setups (except things that are neccessary to not damage the car), but more of how to go about signing up and attending. Thanks

You need to sign up through the clubs. You might find some you can get into though Motorsportreg.com but generally you will need to become a club member for a nominal fee. The clubs are usually regional so try and find the ones in your area. If you have a track close by and you really get the bug you can get a track membership, but those tend to be rather expensive.

Just some clubs off the top of my head that will let anyone join.

COM
SCMC
SCCA
BMW

They usually divide the running into experience groups, Novice, Intermediate, Experienced. You will have to sign up as a Novice at first and will have an instructor riding with you. Instructors are usually great and help you get comfortable with the track and the correct driving line.

A lot of clubs are having trouble filling the registration sheets at the moment so you might be able to get into some events on fairly short notice. Once you get the bug you'll be driving to all the tracks in a 500 mile range :)

the clubs are generally cheaper than the for-profit types, like chin motorsports. bmwcca membership doesn't require that you own a bmw (like pca does), and the $40 annual fee is the same as the club discount. i agree with chris- the economy has hurt enrollment in these track days, so i'd bet that any club would be glad to have you run with them. for example, i don't belong to pca, but they have always made me welcome to run in their hpde's, although i know that if the school fills completely, that i would be bumped for a pca member, which hasn't happened yet.

Yeah most clubs let you participate with a different car.

My advice to you is...get on MotorsportReg.com : MotorsportReg.com > Online registration management tools for driving and social events and find events near you. Mid-Ohio is an amazing track, you are lucky to live where you do.

Find an event, get yourself an instructor (most clubs will force you to anyway) and have fun. I would think about taking care of the oil cooling problem first too. I am going to be testing a cooler soon, so if you can wait for my results before you make up your mind, I think you will benefit from doing so.

If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask. We are all here to help.

Sallen400,

My local region, OVR PCA, will be at Mid-Ohio on 4/18 - 4-/19 for a DE. You can sign up at:
ClubRegistration.net

For a cheaper 3 day weekend look for the NNJR event in June, 6/5 - 6/7.

For your first few events, I'd stay away from events that mix DE and competitive groups... the DE groups almost always suffer in terms of track time and attention (the instructors are often racers as well)

Sounds like you've got a great attitude going into it ... just keep an open mind about your abilities. Your first on-track experience can be humbling, but with an open mind and a goal to become a better driver, it can also be one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences as well. It's why this sport is so addictive!

I've got an event coming up in late July at the new Bluegrass Motorsports Park (Sparta, KY) that you might be interested in. PM me if you want some details (and be on the lookout for a post about it soon.)

I have a few spots open for may 17th if you dont mind traveling down to talledega for the lil tally track. its cheap Too!!!

check it out:
Track Day - Talladega Gran Prix 5/17/2009 - S2000 Atlanta

wow, that track looks fun! just a lil bit of a drive for me.. but im still thinking about it! Great price!

I am actually looking to get started in this as well but have been a little confused as to where to start. I am about 3 hours out of Sparta and it's very tempting to register for this event in July since I will be off work that weekend anyway.

Are there any tips or pointers you could give someone looking to get into the sport?

Take it slow and work your way up! Treat your car as if its a fighter jet and by that I mean run pre-flight checklists and post-flight checklists to make sure everything is in order. Most of the times after a run we will pop our hoods to cool the cars faster. Also THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT do NOT pull your parking brake after a session you will hot spot warp or even crack your rotors! This of course depends on your rotors but its still bad. Leave the car in Reverse or 1st when you shut it off. those are just a few quick tips before you get started.

Steel Braided Brake Lines are a Must... So is replacing your brake fluid for higher temp one. Do an oil change and diff fluid change before you go too.

Don't ever let the track map deter you from doing an event... (not that you are)... every track is fun, and there are things to learn from every track as well.

Of course, it is always your prerogative not to run a track based on safety concerns (proximity of walls/lack of runoff areas for example.)

For a 1st timer, my 2c worth.

RELAX - you won't really be able to do this, but try anyway - just try to relax and go with the flow - there is so much you will experience but be completely clueless about, you can't escape, just accept the situation.

Your car - there is not really anything you need to do except what is required by the Safety checklist - like getting your dealer/your mechanic to sign the form that your car is ok (no problems w/a new car), perhaps a brake bleed - either them or you - you might as well learn how as you'll be doing them regularly.

You - you'll need a helmet unless they can supply you one, again you'll need it forever so buy one is the best way to go. Take water, some energy snacks, and notice the 'what to wear' rules, usually long sleeves for shirts and long pants and the 'right' footwear. the best is driving shoes, but anything that lets you 'feel' the brake and accelerator (soft flexible footwear).

Lastly you'll be overdosed with things to do and remember, both from everything in general and specifically from your instructor and what to do on track. This is normal. You won't get much right, but you'll start to learn. It takes time. Like riding a bike, after a while you do things automatically, but to begin it will be a blur and you'll be in overloaded.

PS This is the most fun you can have almost anywhere doing anything- use your endorphines and relish the excitment!

Thanks for all of the tips so far. They have all been useful!

I do have a quick question that I thought of about insurance today. I got out my policy and of course, it excludes DE's. Do certain insurers include it or is there another way to go about getting the coverage?

The short answer is: no, in general, you are not covered

The long answer is, it depends...

You should assume that your street policy will not cover damage to your car while you're on track since almost all insurers now have wording in their policies that specifically (if not explicitly) exclude coverage while on a racing surface (wording may vary.) However, some states' insurance laws do not allow these exclusions (NC is one). However, even if your state is one of these, chances are good that if you have to file a claim, even if they pay it, they can still drop your coverage immediately afterwards.

SO... what to do?

Depending on the event, you can purchase per-event insurance coverage from providers like Lockton-Affinity for DE style events (events have to be "vetted" by Lockton-Affinity to qualify.) More info here: HPDE Insurance Program

There are others, but this is the one geared more towards first-time attendees and drivers who track expensive, daily-driven street cars that generally aren't paid for yet.