Track days are the BEST!

"Jayhawk Jake" (jayhawkjake) 04/21/2018 at 10:09 • Filed to: None

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Had my first track experience yesterday with Track Night in America at Heartland Motorsports Park in Topeka. It was incredible. I have never been more infatuated with my car. Winding it out to 120 on the front straight, feeling the incredible brakes haul its heft down from 110 on the back straight, the great handling, the absurd noise - it was great to experience everything it’s capable of.

The track experience itself was far less intimidating than I expected. It probably varies depending on the track, but there was plenty of space to avoid getting into trouble and I never felt like I was going to go careening off the course into a wall. For the most part everyone was courteous and helpful, there was one moment of “drama” in the Novice group but I think it was a learning experience for people new to SCCA and the day continued fine.

I ran in the Novice group, and the first session I had a fellow regional executive coaching me, which was great. Unfortunately during that session the novices failed to point-by appropriately, so I got stuck in traffic. Sessions 2 and 3 though, I had open track and really got to open the taps. It was so much fun! I was having enough fun to screw up everything with my GoPros. Session 2 I forgot to start recording, Session 3 I ran out of storage on my in cabin camera because I had put the wrong SD card in it. Then last night while trying to download my footage I lost the SD card from the session! I’m still beating myself up for that, it HAS to be in my basement somewhere but I tore it apart last night and could not find it.

So here’s session 2, featuring noisy point-bys of a Z06 and a ZL1 1LE:

And here’s session 3:

I didn’t take too many pictures, but there were some neat cars in attendance like this Crayon 911 GT3

I never found a chance to ask the owner of this Mini what motor is in it, but I’m guessing from the Prather sticker it’s a Miata motor. Of course it appeared to be supercharged. Oh, and did I mention the engine was in the BACK?!

Of course, there were #GOALS there too...hnngh avalanche gray GT350...

And as I took pictures of what I am pretty certain will be my next car, a dream car pulled in..

AVALANCHE GREY GT350R?! There were 3 R’s in attendance, one owned by a guy who said his son encouraged him to buy a car for track days so that’s what he bought.

All in all, a great experience. Can’t think of a much better way to spend $150. I had bought track day insurance from Hagerty, but after arriving and driving on track I realized it’s pretty unnecessary. I never felt like I was going to be in a situation where I would damage the car. Next time I’ll probably save that money. Maybe put it towards a harness....

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Jayhawk Jake 04/21/2018 at 17:38

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Get a CG-Lock, works something like 80% as good as a harness.

Harness needs a cage, cage needs a helmet, now you can’t drive on the street. Safety really is an all or nothing, you can’t pick one part and ignore the rear.

Jayhawk Jake > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 04/21/2018 at 18:33

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I would get a Schroth Quick-Fit and use my seatbelt on the street

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Jayhawk Jake 04/23/2018 at 10:07

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They really are. Glad you had a great time!