anyone who would sacrifice his reputation on this site by welshing on a $300 agreement to buy, as you did, definitely needs help.

mind you, i could care less as the seat is long sold.

 

Well said.

 

You know, there are some things in this world that you will never understand until you do them. Driving a performance car on the track is one of those things. Racing is another. Don't be like the old guy in the commercial who spends his money on aluminum siding instead of the Harley. What is being alive as compared to getting a few stone chips?

 

Doc,

You have a dedicated race car. The GT3 should prove more visceral in some ways, but certainly not as safe on the track as a full raced prepped car. Why are you tormented? Drive the hell out of your race car, do one to two open lapping events per year in your GT3 to get it out of your system.

If you do get your GT3 on track, I'll be very interested in your impressions on adjusting your driving style coming from the more balanced, far more forgiving M3.

 

I'm with frayed. I don't get much of a kick out of tracking the TT since getting the race car. With the race car you can let it all hang out with out the fear of tearing up your ride home (or more importantly,yoursef.) That cage and and six point harness are wonderfully reassuring things.
The GT3 is truly an awesome street car, but it can't match a properly set up, slick shod, race car. I'd definitely take it out for a good flogging a time or two, but I'd probably not make a habit of it. Plus your track day buddies won't think it's near as much fun as your fellow club racers if you run wheel to wheel and nose to gearbox with them.

 

I haven't tried POC yet. Nor PCA. But, NASA runs pretty good track events in most areas of the country.

As far as others not being afraid of you, the best thing that you can do is have an instructor ride with you each time and listen to your instructor. At first, what he says may seem counter intuitive, but it will make you a faster and safer driver. And no one will be afraid of you!

Also, always watch your mirrors and let others pass you if they have caught up to you. It's better to follow behind them briefly and learn why they are faster than to hold them up and cause frustration in the guy behind you (he might do something rash). (Open track events are not races... so, don't try to make it a race either. They are for learning.)

I found reading about high speed driving to be extremely helpful. There are a ton of good books out there. Off the top of my head, I can't remember the names of the books. But, I do remember some of the authors. Here are a few: Ross Bentley (might have been called "Secrets of Speed"?), Henry Watts (title says something about "Solo Racing" in it), Carroll Smith ("Drive to Win").

 

Thanks for the suggestions for safer organizations and renting the track out with a group of friends. That's a great idea. Anyone doing this at Willow Springs already?

 

Thanks for the suggestions for safer organizations and renting the track out with a group of friends. That's a great idea. Anyone doing this at Willow Springs already?
Yes, a few different groups I run with. The groups I run with having between 10-25 cars on a given day depending on who is putting it together. It is always very chilled and easy, with everyone going thier own pace, and being respectful of others. I could never do another PCA - POC type event, with 80-100 cars in attendance and almost no track time in a day. Besides I don't care about racing, I just like driving quickly in a safe environment.

 

So, if you could care less, what's the point of continuing to post?

Are we going to engage in a pissing match every time you see me post something? I sinceerly don't get it as I have indicated time and again, I will pay you $300 to NOT send me the ugly *** seat. If NOT taking the seat and paying you any way is welching, I'm sure there are thousands of guys on this board who'd love to have me welch on them by NOT buying some of their stuff and paying them any way. Seriously, my offer still stands. Why you have chosen to **** and moan rather than take me up on the offer is beyond me. Perhaps you have nothing better to do with your time other than being an a-hole?

P.S. I still say you are an egotistical, intolerant, and brain dead moron.

 

I think that would be great fun. Keep me posted. I am moving to Carlsbad in Jan/Feb and would love to take part.

P.S. Even if Watt goes, I'd still love to go. Maybe I could pay his entry fee if he's having trouble making the event due to the cost of his Ferrari maintenance.

 

Oooooh, a low blow!

Just send me the check -- I'm not too proud to accept it.

 

Chris/Rocketman,
Others have been more eloquent than I can, but I have to add my .02. The GT3 is a great car on the street or on the track, but its roots are as a track car, and IMO it cannot be fully appreciated until you track it. The beauty of the car was that for 100K, you could get a terrific performer and not worry, for most of us, that your whole lifestyle would have to change if you got a few rock chips. Of course, the more you invest, you have a greater concern --I understand that. But, if you never experience this car on the track (and you need to do it more than once to learn to take the car to its potential), you will be missing the experience of a lifetime. I have had many experiences that were exciting, to say the least: flown all over the country at 500 ft. and 200+ mph and inside the Grand Canyon when it was legal, singlehandedly sailed the Pacific and South Pacific, hiked the Sierras North/South and East/West, bicycled over the mountains from Tokyo to Kioto etc., etc,, and I can honestly say that nothing has been more exciting than learning to drive the GT3 on the track!!! I say,"go for it". Yes, you have an expensive car now, with the upgrades, but you're not going to wreck it. Get it clear bra'd, if you haven't and go for it. You won't regret it.
Andrew/Macfly my friend,
Everything you have to say about the benefits of 12 guys getting together for a day at the track are absolutely true. Agreed!Having been with you recently, I can attest to a really great time, and LOTS of track time. And, I'm looking forward to our next event. BUT, you really have the wrong idea about the PCA. I participate in all the PCA Time Trials in our Region and they are safe and very well run. In addition I would have to say they are a really great group of guys (and gals). Also, although there are no 1 hour run sessions (which I know you like, but most of us couldn't endure), I almost always get in 5, 25 minute sessions per day. Jr. and I were at Pahrump recently, as you know, with the PCA, after we did Buttonwillow with you, and we were sitting around between sessions saying we really didn't have the energy to do more than the time PCA had allotted to us.
Anyway, just another opinion. Have great respect for you and your opinion --I just see it another way.
Best,
JP

 

Thanks for the kind words and inspiration JP. I will have it on the track next spring...I can't deny myself any longer. :-)

 

If you want any more reason to take your car to a properly run track event rather than pushing it on the street read this thread.


http://www.rennteam.com/showflat.php...0&page=0#54417

I beleive that this is the same guy who has posted on other sites with a slightly differant story.

And just to show that even those in Ivory Towers have their moments...

Pulled out of a side road onto the main carriage way. A small gap but still plenty enough to get safely out. As I was half way out and accelarating hard I went across the white hatching that seperates the lanes (anyone who has ridden a bike will know what is coming next...). The resulting effect of trying to put 402.7HP down onto a road surface with the grip factor slightly lower than that of polished ice was a steady state snap power on oversteer moment into the oncoming traffic....

Now, you could put it down to luck or the judicious use of my Applicator but I controlled the slide and brought the car back onto the right side of the road.

I strongly beleive that this is due to me spending a lot of time with my car in an enviroment which has allowed me to learn, understand and ultimatley control it so that when the unexpected happens you are better prepaired to deal with the situation

Bottom line. Fit a full harness and at least half a cage. Get some GOOD driver training. Take the car to the track and learn about you and your car. Enjoy.

Have fun.

P.

 

Now that's a scary thread!
Kids shouldn't be allowed such toys!
I can't belive I said that, and I used to race my old jota around London like a maniac as a kid!
The track is the only place to really learn and enjoy this car, once I get off the track I drive it like a granny, besides you just can't get anywhere near it's real operating optimum on the street.