Realization: Track Days are like Gym Days.

"TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma" (TillTheWheelsFallOff) 02/03/2014 at 22:08 • Filed to: Track Day, Bro

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Rant Ahead, sorry folks.

Today, after an unusually wonderful workout, I went to the locker room to change my clothes and overheard these two fellas behind me talking about a Porsche 997. It peaked my interest and I took out of of my earbuds to eavesdrop (super dirt-bag move, I know). One of the guys was telling his friend how he was lapping his dad's 997 which was heavily modified and was passed by a "fucking" Miata driver. I laughed to myself because I thought he was gonna to make a car guy joke about how great the Miata is, but nope, both guys agree Miatas are irritating at the track.

No.

These kind of people are what irritate me about being a car guy. It's this giant dick measuring contest of whose car is nicer and what tracks you've driven, not about the fun. The track is like the gym to me. If you're inexperienced or "weak" it's a particularly intimidating experience especially with guys like that breathing down your neck. Folks like that is why I never tracked my mustang in high school or even tried to street race (a good thing, but lame in high school).

After this conversation the guy who was talking bout lapping his dad's Porsche said his father would tackle COTA in his Ferrari. I got a little jealous then, haha. But this rant isn't about jealously, I promise. I just want enthusiast activities to be inclusive and positive.

TL;DR: Don't be a jerk about track days, bro.

Note: Guy, if you're on Oppo and I misheard because I came into the conversation at the wrong time, I'm truly sorry about this.

Have this ridiculous video for your time!

dogisbadob > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma 02/03/2014 at 22:13

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The 997 is nice, but it's no 914 :p

The WB > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma 02/03/2014 at 22:15

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Just wait for the "Did you even lift bro?" questions.

That type of behavior is annoying but really stopped bothering me in high school. Some kids just never grow out of it, and they don't HAVE any actual skills - thus, the achievements are material. Not anything wrong with material things, I love them like anyone else. But some people see them as a means to an end (Miata drivers having people respect/admire them for driving fast) others see them as the ends themselves (have people respect/admire you for driving a fast car.)

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > dogisbadob 02/03/2014 at 22:16

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the 914 is nice but it's no Suzuki Every Joy Pop Turbo

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > The WB 02/03/2014 at 22:17

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I lift... very small weights, haha.

I thought I kicked caring about stuff like this long ago. I guess when it's something I really care about, I get worked up, I suppose.

ChampagneChariot > dogisbadob 02/03/2014 at 22:17

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I'm sorry but a 997 Porsche is far superior to a 914.

The WB > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma 02/03/2014 at 22:22

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I didn't mean to dismiss your feelings, I totally agree that it is irritating for people to have to diminish others to feel good about themselves. I can do it too - just think, he probably never had the opportunity of turning a wrench with his dad, because all the work was done at a shop - the closest he got to turning a wrench was writing a check. He probably never got to feel the sense of teamwork and accomplishment that you get from getting something to go that previously didn't, or something to go faster that previously went slowly (whether through part upgrades or just practice.)

There are car guys and car guys. You are the former, he is the latter.

The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma 02/03/2014 at 22:23

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And that's why I don't go to the gym anymore. Aside from not seeing results despite running further and adding more weights to the machines, it is these kind of douchey meatheads that are so in love with their ego that keep me away.

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > The WB 02/03/2014 at 22:30

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I know you didn't mean any ill will. :)

My goal for this year was start giving people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he helped pop install Porsche parts, maybe not. I do agree he tried to impress his friend by talking about his driving prowess.

Thanks for calling me a car guy, means a lot! Truthfully, I've installed all the parts on my truck except the suspension setup, but the shop tech told me without the right tools I would have endangered myself, so my ego isn't too bruised, haha.

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > The Opponaut formerly known as MattP123 02/03/2014 at 22:30

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I keep telling myself we all have to start somewhere and that's keeping me going so far.

Squid > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma 02/03/2014 at 22:34

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Getting passed by a "fucking miata" while you are driving a modified 997 means you are not as good a driver as you think you are. . . Honestly people like that need to sod off and take some driving classes before they ruin going to the track as well. I can't find the video, but there is one of a guy lapping COTA and just basically fucking up every corner in his porsche. If you are going to go to the track in a ridiculously fast car and get lapped by a slower and cheaper car you need to step out of the car and reassess the situation.

Shankems > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma 02/03/2014 at 22:54

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So, I've done my track days with the local PCA. With my G8. There are a LOT of great guys. But I've seen some of the looks I've gotten around the paddock after passing Porshes with a Pontiac....and automagic tranny.

RUSTLE ALL TEH JIMMIES.

dogisbadob > ChampagneChariot 02/03/2014 at 22:58

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But the engine is in the wrong place!!! UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED!!!!!!

(sorry, I had to!)

Clown Shoe Pilot > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma 02/03/2014 at 23:52

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We've seen some exceptionally poorly driven Porsches and Ferraris at COTA :)

Just this last weekend a couple guys managed to break a bunch of armco.

ChampagneChariot > dogisbadob 02/04/2014 at 07:40

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This is unsafe at any speed!

The WB > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma 02/04/2014 at 13:35

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Suspension is pretty critical. That was probably the last system I felt comfortable tackling because it's so easy to visualize horrible things happening.

That's a good goal. It's easy to judge quickly, but even though he may have been a total asshat, there's almost always something more to it (or the person.)

Although sometimes there isn't. And it's just like a meatsack of asshattery. A haberdasshery, if you will.