Track Night: What Do You Want To Know Or See?

"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
08/20/2015 at 18:23 • Filed to: track night in america

Here we go again, to another Track Night In America event at Thompson Speedway on September 2. I’ve written and posted videos about it before, and I don’t want to repeat myself. So I’ll ask Oppo - is there anything about Track Night or Thompson Speedway in particular, or track driving in general, that I haven’t already covered and you’d like to know? I just ordered a few new GoPro accessories, so the sound in my videos should be better than in the past, too.

The request lines are now open!!!

DISCUSSION (10)

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Justin Hughes
08/20/2015 at 18:33

I’m doing PIR in 2 weeks

http://oppositelock.kinja.com/scca-track-nig…

get your ass there!

Arben72 > Justin Hughes
08/20/2015 at 18:34

I just found about track night yesterday. I can’t wait to get my sti running again and take it to one. I only have experience in autox, so it seems like a good way to enter track days. No questions, just thanks for sharing something I didn't know existed!

Justin Hughes > Arben72
08/20/2015 at 18:38

Glad to help! Track Night is definitely a good way to try out the track for the first time. With that autocross experience, you’ll be a few steps ahead of people who don’t, and probably among the faster people in the Novice group, no matter what you or they drive. Enjoy!

Justin Hughes > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
08/20/2015 at 18:40

I just did the 10 hour drive to that general area last month for Pennsic . I’ll take the one hour drive to Thompson this time. Looks like a fun track though!

Jake Stumph Racing > Justin Hughes
08/20/2015 at 18:47

Are they opposed to timing/analytics devices beyond the obligatory GoPro? How are run groups divided up?

Justin Hughes > Jake Stumph Racing
08/20/2015 at 19:13

Are they opposed to timing/analytics devices beyond the obligatory GoPro?

I have never heard or read anything prohibiting them. Beyond that, there are many phone apps that can take all kinds of telemetry while you drive. What is an organization going to do these days, ban Harry’s Lap Timer ?

How are run groups divided up?

Normally, Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced. Drivers place themselves into whichever group they feel is appropriate when they sign up. I’ve run in both Intermediate and Advanced, and although Advanced enjoys a fast pace with passing anywhere (including corners) with a point-by, I bumped myself back to Intermediate this time around for a slightly more relaxed pace that will let me learn to control the car a little better.

Then I saw the schedule for this particular event - two Novice groups, and a combined Intermediate/Advanced group. They did that at the first event I ran in May, too, because there were so many Novice drivers. So I doubt they’ll allow passing in corners, but I’ll be running with the fast drivers anyway. It’s OK - I’ll just drive my own drive and give point-bys as necessary.

Jake Stumph Racing > Justin Hughes
08/20/2015 at 19:44

Actually, some track day groups DO explicitly prohibit the use of timing devices, but I try to avoid them like the plague, lest my VBOX get it’s feelings hurt.

Thanks for the response.

Justin Hughes > Jake Stumph Racing
08/20/2015 at 20:08

I know BMW CCA has prohibited them for years, because it’s a driver education event, not a race. It’s pretty tough to hide a stopwatch from an instructor in your car. But these days, when an app can record all the data automatically, it would hypothetically be easy to do it anyway.

Joe Mag > Justin Hughes
08/23/2015 at 17:54

Kinja'd!!!

Had a great time 8/6! (Borat voice) Great Success!!! See you there 9/2...

Justin Hughes > Joe Mag
08/23/2015 at 20:42

I’ll keep an eye out for you in my mirrors so I can point you by. :)