I hate to do this, but, I gotta. There's a thread going about HoP sponsoring a roadcourse day and there was some talk about some folks being good roadracers... we all know our local race-trained driver (Rick) is here, and since he's too humble to truly throw this out there, I posted the following, to wit, not a single person responded: " I would LOVE to see Rick go around a roadcourse totally balls-out with no tires to pay for afterwards. The SOB drives better on dirt and gravel than I do on the street... and I went through LE driving school. I say this: all you rich bastards should provide a promisary note to Rick that if he burns his tires/brake pads out you'll pay 50% of the replacement costs and in return, you'll all learn how to drive via Rick's instruction. So, instead of paying $1000's to go to a driving school, help Rick pay for whatever tires/brakes he MAY need afterwards and allow him to teach you to REALLY drive like a pro racecar driver. Fuck, the guy already has had offers for support to race rally cars (probably the most difficult driving there is). Its a win-win situation!!! BTW: I get to tag along for shits and giggles... I'll be taking bets on best lap times as well! -The next day, I posted: So, apparently, you all are expert drivers and don't need to learn anything?!?! Either that or you're too chicken shit to face my ringer!!! LMAO!!!" What is wrong with this proposition? Seriously?!?! I'm not out to make Rick look like racer-god or anything, but doesn't it make sense? The guy isn't rich and can't afford to blast off his tires/brakes for a day of fun... so, he could hold a class of sorts to teach everyone how to drive their car better, without adding "X,Y & Z" mods. And the only thing required to learn from a pro is to help him pay for some expenses IF he needs them! BTW: Even a day-long driver instruction course by even marginally qualified instructors will run you $500 per person! Given that, my idea is a STEAL for anyone wanting to learn, don't ya think?!?! I mean I watched the Mopar drift team at the SF and was impressed with Hubbinett (sp?); but his underling, not THAT much, as I've seen Rick do similar things with his daily driver (and a rented Ford Focus, btw). Damit, I had a great idea and no one has the balls to admit they're not expert drivers! Luckily for me, my lessons are held in my own neighborhood!
Jason buddy. I truly appreciate the gesture, but.....I spoke with really good friend who owns a purpose built race car about a day at the track and tires and brakes. He told me I probably wouldn't even notice any tread wear...only others tire wear balled up on my tread that will be tough to remove. With that said, I'll get to course soon enough with our fellow members/friends and show'em what a goddamn Navy SEAL with 42 DAYS of professional race car driving instruction can do at the track. I don't need, and won't take no stinking handouts!!!! Thanks for the thought though brother....you are a TRUE friend!!
Why not propose they have an entry fee (total) that would equal a set of tires and pads? Winner take all. The more people who enter the lower the entry fee.
i dont see it as a handout at all rick, its more of a learning seminar type deal. we come to learn and pay for your time and material. hell, i wouldnt do my shit for free and i dont expect you to either.
You won't, but you don't slide or push the fronts through the corners like most of us. Brakes - yes they'll wear faster, but its not like you go through a full $200 set of pads in one day or anything. My stock pads lasted 22K miles with 2 track days on them.
:bigwink: <---- My ASS! That's my job! Although, we'd likely need a backup, because I'd either get a concussion or vomit profusely at some point.
Negative Ghost Rider... see post below... I tend to think along those lines as well... I just think (and know from experience) that Rick would be a great instructor for anyone willing to learn. OK, so I absorb car information like a stone does water, but none the less, I understand what the guy talks about! Exactly. I mean it doesn't have to be something you'll claim come tax time, just reimbursement for wear and tear. Maybe lunch... a beer or two... or possibly a bottle of Petron Silver... maybe a long shot would be a full sponsorship for a rally car(hint, hint)... who knows!
Overall, I think it comes down to egos and lack of understanding. Egos: too many people go around a roadcourse a couple-few times and think they're 'all that' because they had to counter-steer a few times, and refuse to believe that they could do better, as they're already 'great' drivers. Many folks have issues admitting that they don't know everything. Lack of understanding: let's admit it... most who own SRT's only look at 0-60 and 1/4 mile numbers and have never experienced real road course work and are disinterested in it because they don't have a clue as to what its about and how to do it. Drag racing is fun. Road courses (and the like) are fun and require ALOT of learning about vehicle dynamics, control, etc. As proof, look at how many people have responded to either this thread or the other one I mentioned above in post #1.
Some kind of SRT/C track day would be cool you know. Low key, just for fun, us guys running our cars round a road course for a day, I'd be in on something like that! I tell you, I've ALWAYS loved the twisties (and we have some great ones up here!) but ever since I did the TE at Laguna Seca and actually got to drive fast around that track (well, fairly fast thanks to the stinkin rain) I can't stop thinking about it and would LOVE to do something like that again! And again and again and again ...
Nevin, it's a mute point (like Momo's mods). Your qualifications are in your avatar -- Jason can't fit in a neon. You want your navigator to look like a race horse jockey.
I went to Las Vegas for my "experience" last Dec and the Road Course part of it was addictive for me as I had never done anything like that before. 120 down the straight and then a sharp turn to the left at 50! Bill
Hey guys, the big track at Willow is a left front eater. It's not a hard braking track at all. If your an agressive guy, running turn 2 at 80+, by the end of the day (with one rotation), you'll have taken 50% of the life out of the fronts with no outside edge left. Other then that, it's actually a track that's not hard on your ride unlike Laguna or the infield at Cali.
So Cam, in your opinion Laguna is harder on a car than other courses?? Can I ask why? Cause of the corkscrew?? Otherwise it seemed like a pretty decent track to run on (from my exp at the Track Exp), I'd love to get out on it with my car but not if it's gonna tear it up, lol!
