I'm doing a track day in a few weeks with a group I've only ran with once before - and that was on a much easier track. I've been 'Assigned' to C Group (novice), AND have an 'instructor'. I've never ran the course I'll be on.

Shouldn't be a problem right? Thing is, EVERY Novice group I've run with has had people who SCARE the bajeezus out of me. I'm MUCH more comfortable running with people who have track experience. Those with some experience are less likely to panic, and decide to crash into me. Those with some experience are less likely to drag a wheel into the dirt, and shower my car with stones. Newbs are more likely to hold me back in the corners, and not let me pass in the straights.

(sigh).

I'm not as bothered, but still bothered, about having an assigned instructor. It's a pride-thing, I suppose. I need to get over it - regardless of whether or not I'm over it, I'll submit because I completely understand the group's perspective - they don't know me. As far as they know I'm a loose-cannon kid w/ an RX8 out to prove something.
According to the event organizer, there's a chance the instructor won't let me Solo at ALL during the event. THAT would suck - but, (sigh) putting on my humble-hat...if that's what it takes so the NEXT time I'll be able to ride by myself, then so be it. It will be GOOD to have a guide for an unfamiliar track - but only for the first dozen or so laps.

I'll have my tires (245/40/18 Azenis), Brakes (Axis Ulltimates), and Suspension (Tein Basics) AND a good street/track alingnment done prior.

So - I guess the point of this thread?

Anyone here have the chance to have ever ran that course? I know RX8Club member dannobre has intimate knowledge of the course.

 

There are a lot of PRO's to having an instructor at Pacific Raceways...and few CONS that aren't ego related.

The track has some difficult corners...that can border on the down right dangerous if you screw up.......case in point the last track day I was at there there was a bad accident involving a Ferrari Stradale and a race prepped NSX that resulted in serious surgery for the NSX driver, and a lot of damage to both cars( totalled NSX??)....as well as an E36 Beemer upside down on the roof later in the day.

Best advice is.....take it cool...listen a lot...and when you are driving well..they will let you go on your own. I'm sure that you will do well

 

Darin,

I have perhaps 25 track days on PR. I'm always in the "fast" group of whatever the sponsoring body is, even though my car is a relatively low horsepower car. Most of the days I do there are Proformance, who only require an instructor the first couple of times, but I usually get a coach for an hour or so each time I do a Proformance day. There's always lots to learn, if that's your goal.

I did track days twice two weeks ago, to get used to my race car before my first race. I did a Proformance day on 9/11, and spent a whole bunch of time with a driver coach, and then did an Alfa day on 9/14, without an instructor.

Even if your goal is merely to have an adrenaline rush, and you won't be doing it often enough to care about becoming really good at this game, PR is a dangerous track. There's a car carted off on a flatbed at about half the events I run. Having an instructor your first few times is a good thing.

My experience with newbies is that they tend to just be really slow, rather than scary. If there are instructors in all the cars in the newbie group, you won't be scared, but it might get a bit tedious as people stack up behind a particularly slow car. If you show your coach that (i) you belong in a higher group, and/or (ii) you don't need an instructor, I'm sure they'll be happy to accommodate.

Have fun, and be safe!

 

thanks guys! Good to see you aroudn, Spidey

My goal really is to just have a good time, and not wad my car. :D

 

You've probably already gone at this point, but an instructor isn't a bad thing. Never hurts to have a new pair of eyes in the car to give you some pointers no matter how experienced you are.

My last time at PR in an advanced group I had some guy pass me on the right, in a corner, with no point by, after the checkered flag was out on the cool down lap. There are morons everywhere.

We've had quite a few discussions about track days at PR over in the NW forum as well.

 

Not gone yet - the event is the 14th - thanks for the perspective, however

 

Don't forget that your car is silver, with that said take it easy my friend. Are you planning to install the basics yourself still?

 

I'm pretty well experienced with performance driving - I won't be out of control.

As the install will happen last-minute, I'm working a deal w/ the guy who sold them to me to do the install and alignment.