Track Day - Wear a Helmet
06-08-2011 | 11:28 PM
#1
Track Day - Wear a Helmet
I remember going to my first 'track day' at DDT after doing a few schools - I was blown away by the low driving stds & high mods and only about 20 % having helmets with cars flying of the track (at the DDT).
Most have probably already seen this on other forums but just in case you have not:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vreUlIu3-x4
CSCS at TMP. Yes the driver made a mistake, yes hay bails flip cars and walls mere bounce them BUT - this is why you should ALWAYS wear a helmet, no matter how safe you think things are even without hay - cars dig in and flip.
Don't want to turn this about leaving the hay which is for motorcycles out this is meant to be a safety reminder.
Most have probably already seen this on other forums but just in case you have not:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vreUlIu3-x4
CSCS at TMP. Yes the driver made a mistake, yes hay bails flip cars and walls mere bounce them BUT - this is why you should ALWAYS wear a helmet, no matter how safe you think things are even without hay - cars dig in and flip.
Don't want to turn this about leaving the hay which is for motorcycles out this is meant to be a safety reminder.
06-09-2011 | 07:33 AM
#4
Spinning Dorito Junkie
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 747
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From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
I'm actually kind of stunned they let people out on the track without a helmet, and that all of the spectators are allowed to lean on the wall like that.
I'm guessing the organizers want to get their money's worth from their liability insurance premium.
Glad the driver was ok. Hopefully they learned.
I'm guessing the organizers want to get their money's worth from their liability insurance premium.
Glad the driver was ok. Hopefully they learned.
06-09-2011 | 07:52 AM
#5
I'm actually kind of stunned they let people out on the track without a helmet, and that all of the spectators are allowed to lean on the wall like that.
I'm guessing the organizers want to get their money's worth from their liability insurance premium.
Glad the driver was ok. Hopefully they learned.
I'm guessing the organizers want to get their money's worth from their liability insurance premium.
Glad the driver was ok. Hopefully they learned.
Most schools require the car to have a mechanical safety by a licensed mechanic that season, stuff like brake pads/rotors, tire life, etc, basically the same as certification to sell/buy a car.
Last edited by RXeckless; 06-09-2011 at 08:07 AM. Reason: Most schools
06-09-2011 | 08:21 AM
#7
Momentum Keeps Me Going
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,036
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
There is just so much fail here. This should be mandatory viewing at every newbie HPDE training. Lets see...
- no mandatory helmets and most brainiacs not wearing any
- shortsleeve shirts and looks like sandels allowed (hard to tell)
- girlfriends riding shotgun
- people getting out of their cars on track (in the middle of the track!)
- people within inches of the track surface
- (almost) no barrier between track cars and bystanders
- safety vehicles?
That car could have just as easily flipped over and landed right on top of all those laughing idiots leaning over the barricade, taking them all out in a split second.
- no mandatory helmets and most brainiacs not wearing any
- shortsleeve shirts and looks like sandels allowed (hard to tell)
- girlfriends riding shotgun
- people getting out of their cars on track (in the middle of the track!)
- people within inches of the track surface
- (almost) no barrier between track cars and bystanders
- safety vehicles?
That car could have just as easily flipped over and landed right on top of all those laughing idiots leaning over the barricade, taking them all out in a split second.
06-09-2011 | 09:31 AM
#9
Spinning Dorito Junkie
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 747
Likes: 1
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
At all time attacks / sponsored track event in Ontario, I believe helmets are mandatory. At least stuff I've been too and thank god the driver was wearing his.
Most schools require the car to have a mechanical safety by a licensed mechanic that season, stuff like brake pads/rotors, tire life, etc, basically the same as certification to sell/buy a car.
Most schools require the car to have a mechanical safety by a licensed mechanic that season, stuff like brake pads/rotors, tire life, etc, basically the same as certification to sell/buy a car.
06-09-2011 | 09:34 AM
#10
Yes, driver was wearing a helmet and is ok. Yes there is allot of fail here.
Wearing a helmet does not solve all the issues but it the minimum each driver can. Hopefully tis is a wake up for 'track day' organizers to implement some basic rules. They have become very popular and hopefully this is just a wake up call.
You are talking about schools - they are not at issue.
Most people who just do track days have not been near any kind of school, don't even bother following basic common sense and removing crap from their car before getting on track or buying a snell approved helmet. They spend money on r comps and all kind of mods.
This was CSCS which is huge - yet there were no mandatory helmets and you saw how the thing was run.
Thank god they cannot get on the big track at Mosport - there would probably be fatalities with this approach.
At the end of the day: if you are serious, get a track car / race car with a roll cage. Good street car = bad track car and vice versa. (example: can pick up a specE30 racer for 10k in the US)
Until then follow basic common sense: remove all crap that can move / fly, wear a helmet, make sure your car is in sound mechanical order and stay away from clown run events. While nothing usually happens as this clip indicates - all it takes is one instance and the guy could have easily gone over or seriously smashed into another car.
Same thing can happen at Shannoville, car flies of - digs in flips or hit another car.
Here is a compilation of track day fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BECharVgjk0
Wearing a helmet does not solve all the issues but it the minimum each driver can. Hopefully tis is a wake up for 'track day' organizers to implement some basic rules. They have become very popular and hopefully this is just a wake up call.
At all time attacks / sponsored track event in Ontario, I believe helmets are mandatory. At least stuff I've been too and thank god the driver was wearing his.
Most schools require the car to have a mechanical safety by a licensed mechanic that season, stuff like brake pads/rotors, tire life, etc, basically the same as certification to sell/buy a car.
Most schools require the car to have a mechanical safety by a licensed mechanic that season, stuff like brake pads/rotors, tire life, etc, basically the same as certification to sell/buy a car.
Most people who just do track days have not been near any kind of school, don't even bother following basic common sense and removing crap from their car before getting on track or buying a snell approved helmet. They spend money on r comps and all kind of mods.
This was CSCS which is huge - yet there were no mandatory helmets and you saw how the thing was run.
Thank god they cannot get on the big track at Mosport - there would probably be fatalities with this approach.
At the end of the day: if you are serious, get a track car / race car with a roll cage. Good street car = bad track car and vice versa. (example: can pick up a specE30 racer for 10k in the US)
Until then follow basic common sense: remove all crap that can move / fly, wear a helmet, make sure your car is in sound mechanical order and stay away from clown run events. While nothing usually happens as this clip indicates - all it takes is one instance and the guy could have easily gone over or seriously smashed into another car.
Same thing can happen at Shannoville, car flies of - digs in flips or hit another car.
Here is a compilation of track day fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BECharVgjk0
06-09-2011 | 10:47 AM
#12
There is no way they would be allowed to rent our local track with "rules" like that
They also wouldn't qualify for liability insurance...so hope the organizers have deep pockets...or are totally broke
HPDE days often have speeds approaching race speeds...with drivers and cars that tend to be less prepared......can be a recipe for bad things to happen if there aren't tight rules on passing and overtaking to keep things more under control
Usually the "idiots" get weeded out fairly fast in a good group...no one wants there car wrecked
They also wouldn't qualify for liability insurance...so hope the organizers have deep pockets...or are totally broke
HPDE days often have speeds approaching race speeds...with drivers and cars that tend to be less prepared......can be a recipe for bad things to happen if there aren't tight rules on passing and overtaking to keep things more under control
Usually the "idiots" get weeded out fairly fast in a good group...no one wants there car wrecked
06-09-2011 | 10:54 AM
#13
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,453
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From: Georgetown
That clip showed way too many cars, those are the kind of trackdays I hate - too many kids, too many questionable cars, and too much volume.
At our last rx8 trackday we actually got bunched up, I was in the middle of about 8 of us nose to tail, everyone was driving well and sure it was fun, but then my 42 year old *** started thinking "one guy looses it and there goes my shiny car"...after a few laps I pitted to find space.
Don't think many of us were wearing helmets, driving at 9/10ths and pitting often to not overheat brakes and equipment, I don't see the need.
Bike trackdays are crazier, I'm stunned that we don't hear more stories.
At our last rx8 trackday we actually got bunched up, I was in the middle of about 8 of us nose to tail, everyone was driving well and sure it was fun, but then my 42 year old *** started thinking "one guy looses it and there goes my shiny car"...after a few laps I pitted to find space.
Don't think many of us were wearing helmets, driving at 9/10ths and pitting often to not overheat brakes and equipment, I don't see the need.
Bike trackdays are crazier, I'm stunned that we don't hear more stories.
06-09-2011 | 11:06 AM
#14
Helmet is a very basic thing - can be picked up for 300$. Does not solve all the issues but it is a basic minimum.
What if: tire blows (seen), guy ***** up a gear shift (saw this while sitting in the infield at Mid Ohio - guy was tired and lost focus for a second got the wrong gear and lost an E36 M3 just like that), misses the braking point - happened to me at Mid Ohio - went of, panics - lifts and spin right in front (seen)...
Another thing to keep in mind is your windows there are many schools of thought here - I think best way to keep them all the way up on the drivers side and 3/4 on the passenger if you are alone (just of air). This way your arms stay inside in case of rollover. If you have passenger - both windows fully up.
And as seen in some of the videos, having a guy there with a camera can be distracting.
What if: tire blows (seen), guy ***** up a gear shift (saw this while sitting in the infield at Mid Ohio - guy was tired and lost focus for a second got the wrong gear and lost an E36 M3 just like that), misses the braking point - happened to me at Mid Ohio - went of, panics - lifts and spin right in front (seen)...
Another thing to keep in mind is your windows there are many schools of thought here - I think best way to keep them all the way up on the drivers side and 3/4 on the passenger if you are alone (just of air). This way your arms stay inside in case of rollover. If you have passenger - both windows fully up.
And as seen in some of the videos, having a guy there with a camera can be distracting.
06-09-2011 | 06:36 PM
#15
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,637
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From: Toronto
Well I hate to disagree with everyone but when we teach we actually dont want our students wearing helemts. We found that they seem to loose 100% of their hearing ability when the hard hat goes on. The idea is that the instructor keeps the speed down until the student has learned some of the basics etc. for open lapping etc of course a helemt is a good idea.
Regarding the video no amount of safety can make up for sheer stupidity, all the driver had to do when he saw he was 10 feet off line back in the corner was...........................LIFT.
Oh and on the subject of helmets dont think that you are doing yourself a big safety favor by wearing a bike helmet in your car, they weigh twice as much and are not designed to protect from small impacts like hitting your head off the top of the door sill or rollbar etc. Bike helmets are designed to protect your head from a tree, rock, curb etc, where as the car helmet is designed for protection from multiple smaller impacts. The Snell designations are (M) for bike and (SA) for automotive. Also the SA hats are made with nomex where the bike hat is made with nylon. You get anywhere near a flame with the bike hat and its insides will melt to your head in second.
Regarding the video no amount of safety can make up for sheer stupidity, all the driver had to do when he saw he was 10 feet off line back in the corner was...........................LIFT.
Oh and on the subject of helmets dont think that you are doing yourself a big safety favor by wearing a bike helmet in your car, they weigh twice as much and are not designed to protect from small impacts like hitting your head off the top of the door sill or rollbar etc. Bike helmets are designed to protect your head from a tree, rock, curb etc, where as the car helmet is designed for protection from multiple smaller impacts. The Snell designations are (M) for bike and (SA) for automotive. Also the SA hats are made with nomex where the bike hat is made with nylon. You get anywhere near a flame with the bike hat and its insides will melt to your head in second.
06-09-2011 | 07:47 PM
#16
Well I hate to disagree with everyone but when we teach we actually dont want our students wearing helemts. We found that they seem to loose 100% of their hearing ability when the hard hat goes on. The idea is that the instructor keeps the speed down until the student has learned some of the basics etc. for open lapping etc of course a helemt is a good idea.
Regarding the video no amount of safety can make up for sheer stupidity, all the driver had to do when he saw he was 10 feet off line back in the corner was...........................LIFT.
Oh and on the subject of helmets dont think that you are doing yourself a big safety favor by wearing a bike helmet in your car, they weigh twice as much and are not designed to protect from small impacts like hitting your head off the top of the door sill or rollbar etc. Bike helmets are designed to protect your head from a tree, rock, curb etc, where as the car helmet is designed for protection from multiple smaller impacts. The Snell designations are (M) for bike and (SA) for automotive. Also the SA hats are made with nomex where the bike hat is made with nylon. You get anywhere near a flame with the bike hat and its insides will melt to your head in second.
Regarding the video no amount of safety can make up for sheer stupidity, all the driver had to do when he saw he was 10 feet off line back in the corner was...........................LIFT.
Oh and on the subject of helmets dont think that you are doing yourself a big safety favor by wearing a bike helmet in your car, they weigh twice as much and are not designed to protect from small impacts like hitting your head off the top of the door sill or rollbar etc. Bike helmets are designed to protect your head from a tree, rock, curb etc, where as the car helmet is designed for protection from multiple smaller impacts. The Snell designations are (M) for bike and (SA) for automotive. Also the SA hats are made with nomex where the bike hat is made with nylon. You get anywhere near a flame with the bike hat and its insides will melt to your head in second.
http://www.racingcommunications.com/...ems/index.html
Agreed on motorcycle helmets - there is no point in them. I got an entry level SA2005 Bell from the USA for about 350USD around 5 years ago - not sure why anyone would want to save that amount of money to risk his head.
Driver should have lifted, people should not have been standing where they were, helmets should have been mandatory, the event should have been organized differently and there should have been no ******* hay stacks near the track - like others mentioned that clown show failed on allot of levels. Thankfully no one was hurt.
06-09-2011 | 07:57 PM
#17
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,637
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From: Toronto
Liability on lapping days is an interesting thing. The more you make people do the more liable you are. If you check someones cars and say its fit for the track, if something breaks then you become liable. Thats why a lot of mechanics wont fill out the track day forms some of the organizers want done. We had a civil lawyer years ago tell us to stop teching cars etc and make the competitor liable for their own actions.
Regarding intercoms in helmets etc I guess im not near at that level of instruction, most of my students are 1st timers and dont have anything like that.
Where the spectators were is no different than where your crew would be if you were racing there, I think the big issues are:
1. Who in their right mind leaves haybales out when cars are on the track
2. It was just a matter of time before that guy hit something lol
Regarding intercoms in helmets etc I guess im not near at that level of instruction, most of my students are 1st timers and dont have anything like that.
Where the spectators were is no different than where your crew would be if you were racing there, I think the big issues are:
1. Who in their right mind leaves haybales out when cars are on the track
2. It was just a matter of time before that guy hit something lol
06-09-2011 | 08:38 PM
#19
Trillium BMW does driver training there: http://trillium-bmwclub.ca/
Probably best to do some schools at DDT or Shannonville before going to the GP track (doing a few school is probably best even if you don't go to Mosport).
Here are some other schools:
Hanson Int'l: hanson_gtr@sympatico.ca Peter Hanson
Ian Law car control clinics: http://www.carcontrolschool.com/
Al: Racing01 also instructs (and races) so you can pm him.
BTW: accidents do happen that the nature of the beast our goal is to try and do everything we can to minimize the chances.
06-09-2011 | 09:03 PM
#21
Start at the DDT. If you have any questions about schools / track days / etc. Feel free to pm me.
06-09-2011 | 09:56 PM
#22
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Joined: Jun 2008
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Sigh... Sadly there's actually a lot more to this notorious CSCS event:
http://www.toronto-subaru-club.com/f...driver-13.html
http://www.toronto-subaru-club.com/f...driver-13.html
CSCS was pretty much an epic fail for me.
I thought I was arriving early at 9:30AM but turns out it wasn't early enough. By the time I got registered and into the pit area there were no spots left. I had to go to the very end, but still ended up in someone's spot. One of the drifters was kind enough to lend me his spot while he went for qualifying though. It was a start ... at least I had a place to change my tires lol.
Since I was in such a scramble to get my car set up, and was all the way at the end of the pit lane I totally missed the drivers meeting (despite having full intentions on going to it - I was running down the pit to make it to the tent but just missed it when I got there). This set the pace for the rest of the day ... I basically had no idea what was going on and it was super packed and super hot outside :o
Lapping run #1, on the first hot lap, one of the cars ahead of me blew his engine right before T2 and spewed white smoke and oil all over the track. I cut speed and then slid on the slick track surface going into T2. I also noticed a bit of rubbing noise with my taller 235/45/17 RA-1's. Lapping session #1 was pretty much a write-off because of the oil on the track so I pitted early to adjust some of my settings.
YouTube - ‪CSCS June 5th - Oily Track‬‏
Lapping run #2 was a little better but not by much. I forgot to record it on my camera. For most of this session I was stuck behind a blue R32 who was driving like a jackass and not letting me pass. He fish tailed every corner and a few times I had to slam on the brakes to avoid rear ending him from his spin... then on the main straight I would pull to the right hoping to pass him, but he had more power than me and would not let me pass despite being blue flagged
I was hoping the "experienced" lapping group wouldn't have people like this but I was wrong.
Lapping run #3 was also cut short when I overheated my brakes going into T10 right after the double chicane. I slammed on the brakes but -- nothing. I went straight off into grass cutting mode and then exited the track shortly after to check for damage. Luckily, none. But by this point all the weeds/grass that I caught in my dust shields were starting to smoke up :o I cleaned them out quickly with a long screwdriver and then hopped in my car to try and get some air flow to them. The problem was... it was so packed with spectators I literally couldn't get anywhere LOL. Driving up the pit lane on the main straight and back must have taken me 10 minutes! Ridiculous...
Anyway, at this point it was time for lunch. It was hard to find parking with 6000 people walking around and a pit lane that was 150% booked so I parked in parallel to the staging lanes with my 2 RH tires barely on the tarmac (plenty of space for people to still drive by me). Fast forward about 1.5-2 hours later and this infamous event happened: YouTube - ‪Cayuga crash‬‏
Took them a while to clean it up but basically it was now time for drifting, and then the actual time attack. During the drivers meeting for time attack I was actually quite shocked to see that no lap times were taken at all during the day - despite an RFID lap timer being applied to every car that registered in time attack. I questioned how they were planning on staging the heats so that the pace could be maintained. Then my question was answered -- they expected us to form our own groups, based on our own best estimates of how fast we were ... honestly this was a big WTF moment for me
So I went around trying to meet people to make a group of 5. I approached about 4-5 different groups but all of them already had 5 (thanks Kyle for trying to squeeze me in as a 6th haha) or were running WAY faster times than I knew I could handle (low 20's, my best is 28 flat). I bumped into Ana from SGR and she mentioned the Stage Four guys were looking for a 5th. Cool. So I went walking down the pits to find these guys. Figured it'd be cool to run with them since they were also at SRTA. But no luck, I couldn't find them...
By then I was at the end of the pit lane near my car so I decided to get inside and drive back to the start to keep looking for a group. Then one of the marshals approached me and asked if it was my car. "Yeah" I said... and then I was greeted by "Are you a f***ing idiot? What the f*** were you thinking?" proceeded by an entire 5 minute scolding (and about 15 f-bombs) of how I parked my car blocking the staging lane for lappers, how he was gonna kick me out of the park and not let me participate in lapping, etc... Not gonna go too much into the details of it, but apparently he was calling out for me on the PA system as the "Silver STI" to move my car. You can figure out why I never clued in.
Anyway... I was pretty put off by this, and honestly didn't feel like looking for a group for the time attack anymore. I was upset with how the whole event had turned out so I just packed it in and went home. No sense pushing my car to the limit while angry and in a really bad mood (not to mention drained from the heat). Congrats to all the winners and everyone that actually enjoyed it. I for one will not be going to any of the other CSCS events. Also a thank you to StE who took some awesome action shots of my car during the limited time I had on track
Sorry no cool track videos this week :p
Coles Notes:
I thought I was arriving early at 9:30AM but turns out it wasn't early enough. By the time I got registered and into the pit area there were no spots left. I had to go to the very end, but still ended up in someone's spot. One of the drifters was kind enough to lend me his spot while he went for qualifying though. It was a start ... at least I had a place to change my tires lol.
Since I was in such a scramble to get my car set up, and was all the way at the end of the pit lane I totally missed the drivers meeting (despite having full intentions on going to it - I was running down the pit to make it to the tent but just missed it when I got there). This set the pace for the rest of the day ... I basically had no idea what was going on and it was super packed and super hot outside :o
Lapping run #1, on the first hot lap, one of the cars ahead of me blew his engine right before T2 and spewed white smoke and oil all over the track. I cut speed and then slid on the slick track surface going into T2. I also noticed a bit of rubbing noise with my taller 235/45/17 RA-1's. Lapping session #1 was pretty much a write-off because of the oil on the track so I pitted early to adjust some of my settings.
YouTube - ‪CSCS June 5th - Oily Track‬‏
Lapping run #2 was a little better but not by much. I forgot to record it on my camera. For most of this session I was stuck behind a blue R32 who was driving like a jackass and not letting me pass. He fish tailed every corner and a few times I had to slam on the brakes to avoid rear ending him from his spin... then on the main straight I would pull to the right hoping to pass him, but he had more power than me and would not let me pass despite being blue flagged
I was hoping the "experienced" lapping group wouldn't have people like this but I was wrong.Lapping run #3 was also cut short when I overheated my brakes going into T10 right after the double chicane. I slammed on the brakes but -- nothing. I went straight off into grass cutting mode and then exited the track shortly after to check for damage. Luckily, none. But by this point all the weeds/grass that I caught in my dust shields were starting to smoke up :o I cleaned them out quickly with a long screwdriver and then hopped in my car to try and get some air flow to them. The problem was... it was so packed with spectators I literally couldn't get anywhere LOL. Driving up the pit lane on the main straight and back must have taken me 10 minutes! Ridiculous...
Anyway, at this point it was time for lunch. It was hard to find parking with 6000 people walking around and a pit lane that was 150% booked so I parked in parallel to the staging lanes with my 2 RH tires barely on the tarmac (plenty of space for people to still drive by me). Fast forward about 1.5-2 hours later and this infamous event happened: YouTube - ‪Cayuga crash‬‏
Took them a while to clean it up but basically it was now time for drifting, and then the actual time attack. During the drivers meeting for time attack I was actually quite shocked to see that no lap times were taken at all during the day - despite an RFID lap timer being applied to every car that registered in time attack. I questioned how they were planning on staging the heats so that the pace could be maintained. Then my question was answered -- they expected us to form our own groups, based on our own best estimates of how fast we were ... honestly this was a big WTF moment for me
So I went around trying to meet people to make a group of 5. I approached about 4-5 different groups but all of them already had 5 (thanks Kyle for trying to squeeze me in as a 6th haha) or were running WAY faster times than I knew I could handle (low 20's, my best is 28 flat). I bumped into Ana from SGR and she mentioned the Stage Four guys were looking for a 5th. Cool. So I went walking down the pits to find these guys. Figured it'd be cool to run with them since they were also at SRTA. But no luck, I couldn't find them...
By then I was at the end of the pit lane near my car so I decided to get inside and drive back to the start to keep looking for a group. Then one of the marshals approached me and asked if it was my car. "Yeah" I said... and then I was greeted by "Are you a f***ing idiot? What the f*** were you thinking?" proceeded by an entire 5 minute scolding (and about 15 f-bombs) of how I parked my car blocking the staging lane for lappers, how he was gonna kick me out of the park and not let me participate in lapping, etc... Not gonna go too much into the details of it, but apparently he was calling out for me on the PA system as the "Silver STI" to move my car. You can figure out why I never clued in.
Anyway... I was pretty put off by this, and honestly didn't feel like looking for a group for the time attack anymore. I was upset with how the whole event had turned out so I just packed it in and went home. No sense pushing my car to the limit while angry and in a really bad mood (not to mention drained from the heat). Congrats to all the winners and everyone that actually enjoyed it. I for one will not be going to any of the other CSCS events. Also a thank you to StE who took some awesome action shots of my car during the limited time I had on track
Sorry no cool track videos this week :p Coles Notes:
- No live leaderboard
- Drivers had to organize their own heats
- Got yelled at for parking in the wrong spot
- Apparently my car is a Silver STI
- DNS for the Time Attack
- Brakes still overheating - need ducts badly
- 2nd weekend in a row for a safety incident at TMP
06-10-2011 | 09:27 AM
#23
Licensed Drug Dealer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Markham, Ontario
Wow that CSCS event sounded really brutal :S ! I was considering signing up for it at some point but the above review seems to suggest the event is pretty much run like a circus ... I enjoy the professionalism and organization in SRTA very n00b-ling friendly and still very much so fun !
very n00b-ling friendly and still very much so fun !
06-12-2011 | 08:06 AM
#25
I've never been to a track event where helmets weren't mandatory. Honestly, that's a bit shocking. I do most of my track stuff with the PCA, and I'd say the standards are very high with that group.
I've always been instructed with a helmet on, although I can see the benefit of leaving it off for instruction, more to set a calm/slow mood than for hearing. My track car is a modified 944 Turbo which is very loud inside and out, and hearing an instructor or having them hear me has never been an issue.
The best safety advice I got when I started was not to jump to R compounds too soon. They just don't provide the warning of an impending off that street tires do. So many people think "I'm going to the track, I need R's", its simply not the case and can get people deep into trouble without them even knowing.
I've always been instructed with a helmet on, although I can see the benefit of leaving it off for instruction, more to set a calm/slow mood than for hearing. My track car is a modified 944 Turbo which is very loud inside and out, and hearing an instructor or having them hear me has never been an issue.
The best safety advice I got when I started was not to jump to R compounds too soon. They just don't provide the warning of an impending off that street tires do. So many people think "I'm going to the track, I need R's", its simply not the case and can get people deep into trouble without them even knowing.