Lime Rock Track Day

"Harrycarry250" (Harrycarry250)
03/16/2014 at 14:39 • Filed to: None

Hello all.

This coming weekend the SCDA is having a open track day at Lime Rock raceway in CT. I have never raced a car or even been on a track before but I am thinking about taking my car out to the track and testing the waters. I will be in my 300TD wagon so I dont know how fellow racers will feel about my slow car being on the track. What do y'all think? Good idea or crack pipe idea? I am thinking about finding a car to track but that won't happen in a weeks time.

Thanks.

Here is a 535is for reading the post.

DISCUSSION (12)

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Harrycarry250
03/16/2014 at 14:47

As a long-time native of CT and a frequent spectator at Lime Rock (I've been going every season since I was 2) I can confirm that A) You should do it, in any vehicle possible and that B) You will enjoy it regardless of vehicle choice.

Lime rock is a super interesting track. It's flowing, kind of weird, there's some massive elevation changes, and there's surprisingly only one left turn on the entire track (Looking at the track, it's shocking-you'll see) and that's probably the toughest corner to get right. The main straight is big enough that you could get going uncomfortably fast, and the corners/run off areas are mostly big enough to (safely) test your limits.

As for the track days, I recently went to one in which my dad participated. He was driving an Audi A6 4.2 Sport. Nothing special and not particularly fast, it was just what he had at the time and what he used. Cars on the grid ranged from him, to an M-Coupe, to an old StingRay racecar, to an EK Civic hatch, and even some weird, Riley V8-powered prototype thing. Despite the massive speed differences, everyone had fun, and the speed differences actually made for some interesting battles.

Go for it, you won't regret it.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Harrycarry250
03/16/2014 at 14:50

Go, who cares if you are fast, just move over for other people. You might even be able to go out with not too much traffic.

Harrycarry250 > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
03/16/2014 at 14:52

Thanks man. You make me wanna go even more!!! I have no training but I regard myself as a good driver. I also believe I watch enough Top Gear to know a little about tracl driving. Spec miatas are too much money for me so the wagon will be the vehicle of choice for now. Do people let others drive their cars?

Thanks

Flavien Vidal > Harrycarry250
03/16/2014 at 15:06

Knowing a bit LRP, I'd be even surprised they let you enter the parking lot with this car... Lime Rock is a rather narrow track, with few gear changes and lots of inertia required to go fast. You might be some sort of an obstacle in a car that reaches 60mph in 2 and a half years. I personnally would check what cars will be on the track with you and if you notice that the speed difference is WAY to big or if the track is too crowded, give up on the idea to enjoy that particular car there...

Up to you though, but someone lapping in 1 min 30 or more there should most likely not share the track with "fastish" cars.

Flavien Vidal > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
03/16/2014 at 15:14

LRP is a whole different animal. Being in a very slow car is fine in most other tracks, but LRP has very few corners and people pick up "automatism" driving there, that makes it more prone to rear end something unexpected in front of them. On a track day, people with faster car will easily do laptimes around under 1 min with minor car preparation. With a 300TD with zero track experience, he will get lapped every 2 to 2 1/2 laps. It's A LOT, and does not help with safety.

If you compare with the Ringfor exemple, this is fine as each car will pass you once only. Imagine the same car passes you every two minutes over and over again now. It's really a lot and creates a lot more risks for accidents.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Harrycarry250
03/16/2014 at 15:52

As far as I know, most people probably wouldn't be too keen on letting someone else track their car, just because of the risk factor. And as for experience, just ask for tips. The racing line will probably come to you after a few laps, and you'll learn the limits quick by pushing them.
Depending on your age, I'd also recommend the BMWCCA Street Survival thing. Its aimed towards new drivers (not sure if there's an age restriction) and they basically have you head up to Northern CT to Consumer Reports, do a brief in-class session on good driving, and then take you out on track. You get an entire empty drag strip, plus an instructor who usually knows their stuff, and for a solid 4-5 hours you learn how to drive, like really drive. Threshold braking, apexing, turning under hard braking, etc etc. There's even a wet skidpad, and its only $55, plus breakfast and lunch are provided. I did it and loved it, it's almost on par with an HPDE, but is much cheaper and a bit more road-safety focused. I definitely learned a lot about myself, my car, and how to drive agressively.
As for the Lime Rock trackday though, as a heads-up, be prepared to spend. You're almost garunteed to need new tires, rotors, and pads afterwards.

190e30-Now with COSWORTH > Harrycarry250
03/16/2014 at 15:56

Also, as for the track car idea, I'd just say to keep your eye out. I just got rid of an '02 Dodge Neon ACR that I had, which was an ex-SCCA racecar that I used as a DD. Full Rollcage, bucket seat and harness, but with a full interior and 5 seats. Plus, since it had gone to Nationals prior to my buying it, the suspension was dialed in perfectly. It got 30 mpg, had 27k when I got it, and I paid sub-$4k

Harrycarry250 > 190e30-Now with COSWORTH
03/16/2014 at 21:54

Yeah I am definetly looking at a driving class/racing class/car control class to take. I want to get a BMW 535is project car in the future for moderate track and daily driving. Is that even possible?

Harrycarry250 > Flavien Vidal
03/16/2014 at 21:55

Right, I totally understand that. I was thinking about that quite a bit, don't worry yet because I have not signed up.

Harrycarry250 > Flavien Vidal
03/16/2014 at 21:57

I will probably hold out on going until I get a faster, more capable car to track. I am looking into the e28 535is.

Flavien Vidal > Harrycarry250
03/16/2014 at 21:59

I don't think it would be too much of a problem on a bigger wider track like Watkins Glen for exemple... It's just that LRP is... different. Big speed differences are not good there.

Harrycarry250 > Flavien Vidal
03/16/2014 at 23:33

I would go to Watkins(first time I heard of it) but oddly Lime Rock is the closest to me in NYC.