Originally Posted by RCF500

Went to the track with Gearbangin (2008 IS F) and had a great time, if you guys haven't been to the track yet, head out to one! You will not experience anything like it! Cost about $150 from 4-8 PM. Three 20 minute sessions and 2 pace laps for a total of 1 hour 40 mins of track time!

Now for the experience, I put myself in the novice group because it was my first time at the track.
The first session was a little slow, due to the other drivers getting a feel for the track, so the speed never exceed 80 MPH. There are passing zones, but only when the car in front of you gives you a hand signal so you can pass, otherwise you are stuck behind them. For this first session, my engine temp went one click up from normal, mainly 3rd-4th gear, and no oil in the RRRacing air/oil separator.

Now for the second session, it was way more intense than the first, since I was the first one in the grid. The track felt really open and I was pushing the car pretty hard and taking turns really hard, along with Gearbangin behind me. Then on the straight away I hit about around 120 MPH, at this point, for some reason I did not feel confident at all, and I braked way too late to turn and ended up in the grass just a tiny bit.
I got back on the track and stayed behind Gearbangin, until I saw the black flag pointed at me, so I slowed down. I did not know that it meant to go back to the pit so they can check out your car, so I kept going around the track at a slower pace...lol. In this second session, my engine temp was half way between normal and hot. I would say I spent about 60% in 2nd gear, 30% in third, and 10% in forth gear and the oil in the RRRacing A/O separator was full. We did 6 laps in this session.

Finally for the third session, there were not the many cars left in this session due to the weather and SCCA didn't know if they would let us run the third session so the other drivers headed home. After 15 mins, the weather cleared up and we were back on after sunset! We probably ran for about 10-15 mins, it was almost the same as the second session except for I didn't end up in the grass...lol. I was about 9-10 position in the grid and I passed about 5-6 cars. In this final session, my engine temp was also half way between normal and hot. Spent about 55% in 2nd gear, 35% in third and, 10% in forth gear and the oil in the RRRacing A/O separator was full again.

All in all, I had fun for my first time at the track, it was very intense and felt like I worked out my upper body at the end of the day. Next time I will probably try and put myself intermediate, and adjust my coilovers to hard setting instead of leaving it in the middle. Gas usage wise, I came into the track with 3/4 of gas and went out with 1/8 left in my tank. As for the RRRacing A/O separator, it did it's job and kept the oil from the crankcase out of the intake manifold!

As for the videos, my Gopro flew off on the straight away and went into pieces. I mounted the Gopro on the roof of the car, I should've mounted on the windshield, or stuck adhesive down on it, expensive lesson learned.

Videos from Gearbangin will be up soon as he uploads it.

Feel free to ask any questions! Here are some pictures below... enjoy!









1st session
Lexus ISF RCF SCCA Track Nights Pitt Race 1st Run - YouTube

2nd session
Lexus ISF and RCF Pittrace SCCA Track Night - YouTube