Febuary 21-22: Laguna Seca: Monterey, CA

Discussion in 'Track Experience' started by StevoSRT, Jan 25, 2008.

  1. Midtowner

    Midtowner Never going to grow up!

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    Friday was a blast! That Torred Charger with the coilovers, CAI and exhaust was the best car to drive. Floor the throttle and enjoy the roar.
    Okay, I scared myself in the Caliber by taking an incorrect line at turn 6 and almost went off the track on the turn before the corkscrew. Still though, the Caliber felt less planted to the track compared to the LX's.
    Here's a comparison: Speed following instructor entering into turn 5 (sandbags): 75 mph. Hotlap entering into same turn: 105 mph.
    I'm going to do it again if it's at Laguna Seca.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2008
  2. Quick

    Quick Mgmt. - I can't help you

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    I only drove the Calibers in the autocross and shootout (I'm glad I think). It just felt like the suspension was too compliant and just a little squirrly.
    Yea! I was guessing they were taking us around at about 75% but I never thought to take note of any speedos. Not on the performance drive or the hot laps. I didn't even take note of the interiors. Too busy. Get in, get the usb key in, try to get the seat adjusted and the instructor was leaving about that time. haha, about the only thing I noted was that the seats had better side bolsters than mine. Glad somebody was paying attention.
     
  3. Noid

    Noid SRT-10 RAM QC

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    Also keep in mind that we "team Buttercup" were the first out in the performance drive. And in the pouring rain too boot. When it was time for the "Hot laps" the track was at least 80% if not a little more drier than the morning sesion.
     
  4. Cheatek

    Cheatek SRT once, SRT always

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    Eric, is this you?? Silver Mag, Sunnyvale? Good to see you joined up here!!! :rock: I couldn't agree more bout that red Charger, it was awesome! That was the first car I got in for the performance drive and it was a blast, cept I was the 2nd car back behind Dan (who won the autocross!) who wasn't going real fast ... can't say I blame him though first time out on the track and in the rain ... still that Charger was faaaaaast and I wanted to go faster in it even in the rain! Again, it was amazing how well those F1s stuck in the rain. :good:

    I really don't think you missed anything by not driving the Caliber out on the race track Dave, I would have gladly traded my time in that car for another turn in one of the lxs. Like Midtowner said, the Caliber didn't feel as planted, always felt squirrly like it was about to spin out. I did enjoy shifting gears in it though as I felt in better control of the car (btw, any of you guys manually shift the lxs?? They said not to but by the end I was, had to keep the dang thing out of 5th gear!). And it did have pretty good power too but being FWD the steering wheel was all over the place anytime I tried to use it. Not good. :surprise:

    Don't say that Mike, lol, I keep thinking I wish we weren't first (a 1 in 3 shot), I would have LOVED to have gone faster!! Doh!! Stupid rain. :sad:
     
  5. Midtowner

    Midtowner Never going to grow up!

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    Yes, it's me indeed.

    btw: Squirrly is a very good word to describe driving the Caliber. That's exactly how it felt in turn six - imagine a front end push then the rear stepping out - sort of a horizontal see-saw action.
     
  6. Cheatek

    Cheatek SRT once, SRT always

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    Exactly, I just felt much more comfortable in the LXs. I did enjoy shifting and keeping the revs up and it did have pretty good punch to it but I just felt like I had to drive it with kid gloves, like it was on glass or something the whole time, it wasn't very confidence inspiring and just not that much fun. I feel bad for whoever was in the Caliber first out on the track, image going through the Corkscrew for the first time ever in it in the rain, yikes!! :surprise:
     
  7. ChargerGirl

    ChargerGirl Mama / DB Geek / Driver

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    Its a pity they don't make the crossfires any more, the crossfires are MADE for Laguna Seca.
     
  8. Cheatek

    Cheatek SRT once, SRT always

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    Yea Noid said they used the Crossfires for the autocross (no pun intended) at the TE at Willows when he did it just last December. Sadly this probably means they'll stop using the Magnums soon too ... :sad::sad::sad:
     
  9. JerseyVics

    JerseyVics www.SRTowners.com

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    I can't believe I missed it this year... I'm hoping to make it next year.

    --Russ
     
  10. Cheatek

    Cheatek SRT once, SRT always

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    Yea, it popped up on the schedule rather quickly. I'd been waiting and waiting and waiting for it and was resigned to doing it elsewhere (my 2 years were running out) and then up it popped! Lucked out. They did say there were gonna try to keep going back there it's just a busy track and is hard for them to get on the schedule.

    Keep checking here in the TE forum, Stevo's good at keeping it up to date.
     
  11. JerseyVics

    JerseyVics www.SRTowners.com

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    any news about next years laguna seca... i'm getting anxious...
     
  12. MoneyPit

    MoneyPit Exposed Member

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    I had no idea they put the TE back onto Laguna. I did two consecutive years TE there with ChargerGirl and the Skip Barber instructors, but with the money they want now its silly unless you are getting the Dodge freebie.
     
  13. Cheatek

    Cheatek SRT once, SRT always

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    Yea, as I said in an earlier post they snuck it in at the last minute, I know A LOT of people missed it because of that. The guys did say they were gonna try to keep coming back so I'd suggest to just keep checking the schedule, it could pop on anytime.

    IMO $500 isn't that bad, you do get to do a lot plus there's free food. I enjoyed it just for the chance to drive on Laguna Seca Raceway myself, what a rush! Worth it alone for just that. Factor in running the Vipers in the shootout and now with the addition of the Chally I'd do it again in a heartbeat! Look at some of the other things out there ... the Richard Petty thing is $400 for 8 laps and that's it. The Mario Andretti thing is $500. There's numerous "Exotic Car Driving" things out there too and they're all thousands of dollars, one major one at LS only gives you 2 laps in each car AND IT COST 3K!! I'd do the SRT thing again for $500 that's for sure.
     
  14. DadsSRT8

    DadsSRT8 Crusin in Mag

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    Yes Laguna was put in late last year.. I would have preferred Laguna over TH, mainly beause TH rack was shortened up for the TE.. Laguna is still not the schedule as of today..
     
  15. LegMaker

    LegMaker LMI - LegMakerIntakes

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    could not agre more scott!!! i would pay 500 bills anyday to get a chance to drive srt cars all day on the laguna seca track!!! lol
     
  16. JerseyVics

    JerseyVics www.SRTowners.com

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    Paying $500 is the last resort.

    You can buy someone's VIN# for less, many of the people selling because they cannot attend themselves and the beautiful thing is they post here, so its convenient and you get a great value while helping someone out so their chance doesn't go to waste because they can't make it.


    I had no idea that the Thunderhill track was shortened, I was looking forward to the full 3 miles of it next November.... now I'm not so sure. Better check with Jeff.

    I know at Road America they used the entire track, and that was amazing! Although at Homestead-Miami they only used the inner track and only part of the outside oval that wasn't as steep as on the front stretch or the turns.

    --Russ
     
  17. Cheatek

    Cheatek SRT once, SRT always

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    I know they're sometimes limited to what they can do because of actual track space available, like at Laguna, there's the track and not much room for anything else (hence only the Autocross and Shootout) but I don't see why on big tracks like those they don't use it all, that seems stupid to me. I wonder if the track tells them they can't use it all, although that seems just as dumb. I agree with you guys, that would suck. Hmmmm.
     
  18. MoneyPit

    MoneyPit Exposed Member

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    I dunno guys... you can get one hell of a lot more for your money with a traditional track vendor. For example...

    On December 4 I will be on Laguna Seca with Hooked On Driving. Cost was $340. I get five 20-minute sessions on the track -- compare *that* to the two short sessions you get at the TE.

    I also get a pretty decent catered lunch (although I have to hand it to the TE... they fed me like a king) and...

    ... ridealong instructors all day if I want, who feed me line info and general advice in real time. A lot of you guys know I am by no means a beginner on this track, but I decided to step back and go to the A group so I could get the free coach and see if he can spot any bad habits ... and I am sure that after two years on this track I have picked some up.

    Sure the TE was fun, but its strictly for first-timers and in my mind not worth the $500 they want. It was $200 I think when I did it. At that price yeah it was a bargain.

    I did the same thing with this group at Thunder Hill last month, and I'll be on Buttonwillow with them in a couple weeks. Laguna is an expensive track to run at and I think I paid $280 for those days.

    Yeah the TE was a good way to ease into track driving, and fun to hang out with lots of great people... but if you really want track time...
     
  19. 8yourM5

    8yourM5 Full Access Member

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    when I did it at laguna it was raining. IMO just more fun in the rain. If it rains to much they will pull out the vipers from the exp. and put them away.
    Steveo are you going to be out here for the exp. I live a hour away and would love to come down and meet youguys