DaveGS4

iTrader: (2)

GATHERING INTEREST! This event is NOT set in stone yet; 1Sicklex and I wanted to see what kind of turnout we might get for this type of thing. Note: This is a FRIDAY event so if you attend you may need to take off work! The S2K guys are going in October and I'm leveraging stuff they've already written up.

Please post if you're seriously interested in attnding this event so we can gauge if it is worth pursuing as a SELOC / CL event.
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CMP (Carolina Motorsports Park) has open track days run by Turn1 Motorsports. Info on both at the links below.

http://www.carolinamotorsportspark.com
http://www.turn1motorsports.com/trackdays.html

In Short:

1. It is an event that is already organized by turn1 so all we have to do is go as a group.

2. The events are on fridays so those of you who are legally employed need to make sure you practice your 'Sorry boss got the flu' voice

3. I am guessing most of us will fall under the 'Drivers Ed' category which means riding with an instructor AT ALL TIMES. So be warned. (You fall under this category if you have never been to their Driver's Ed course or don't have a racing license)

4. $225 (Includes Helmet) will get you in. It may be cheaper depending on whether you qualify for the solo group, we get enough cars for a group discount (15) and /or register early.

5. It is held at CMP which is about 1.5 hours south of Charlotte. I assume this means it's about 2 hours north from Atlanta.

If this all the info you need just skip to the bottom of the post, otherwise read on.


In more detail:

1. What is it?
The Turn1Motorsports Track Days is an event in which you take
your car and drive it around the track.

There are two main categories: Solo and Driver's Ed. They decide
if you can do solo or not.

Driver's Ed group must ride with an instructor at all times.The instructor
will show you around the track and give you feedback on your technique.

Solo group is for when they consider you are good enough so you get to be in your car all by yourself.

There are four run groups. Each group does a 20 minute
session and rests for 1 hour. Each group does 5 sessions
during the day.

The groups are (in track order)
Solo
Drivers Ed 2 (advanced)
Test and Tune (pretty much race cars only)
Drivers Ed 1


2. Where is it?
The Track Days are held at Carolina Motor Park which is south
of Charlotte. CMP's web site instructs participants to:
"Allow 1.25 hours from downtown Charlotte, in off-peak traffic"

3.Cost?
For those who fall under the 'Drivers Ed' category the cost is $225 (Includes Helmet)
For solo drivers the cost is $185 (Includes Helmet)

You can save $25 by registering two weeks prior to the event
(see the next point)

Then of course you will have to add gas money (a whole tank)
and lunch money . They have a restaurant that does the catering but you have to pay for lunch. It is better to go to town and have lunch to get a break from the track.

4. When?
November 21. This is a Friday (so you'd have to take TH and FR off - or at least 1/2 TH if you live far)


5. What type of instruction do you get?
The instructor will show you the track (explaining what the different features are and how to approach them) and show you the 'line' (the best path to take through the course). They will also give you feedback on your technique.

6. How much track time do you get?
All groups get 5 X 20 minute sessions through the day. Each
session consists of 20 cars driving around the track with controlled
passing (only certain places and times where you are allowed to pass)

This is plenty of time on the track for a novice. If you are
doing it right you will be sore the next day (pecs, biceps,
triceps, and maybe sore wrists) from a 'mere' hour on the track.

The Driver's Ed group gets instruction classes while the other groups are on the track. This group is the last one out to the track.

There are two Driver's Ed groups (Novice and not so Novice )
But if they think you are doing great they will let you go out alone in the next session.

7. What safety equipment is required?
Only a helmet is required (Rent it for $10 from Turn1)


8. Can we get a group discount? If we have over 15 cars registered in advance, we may get a $10 or $15 discount per person.

9. Can two people share a car? Yes. One of you will be
put in a different DE group and have different instructors.
You still have to pay full fee for each driver.

Alternatively you can rent one of the track cars ($1000)
and be in the same group.

10 Where do you stay?
It is best to drive there the night before if you live more
than 2 hours away. You will not be rested enough to
enjoy it (Remember you have to be at the track at 7 am!)

You can stay at the track for $20/night if you bring
a motorhome, camper, tent, etc. There are showers there.

If you want a hotel they recommend the Best Western
in Lugoff for $62 plus tax (AAA rate ). That is about 25 miles
away.

There is also the "Executive Inn" for $40. This place is
reputed to be clean and was re-opened about a year ago. This is the closest one to the track, about 3 miles.

11. Other items
Bring chairs and / or table, plenty of drinks (there is
a vending machine there though), Car tent or big golf umbrella
(may not be needed in Nov).

If you can, buy a pair of driving or cheap football gloves. Not the ones
with the plastic super adhesive palms but the cheaper ones
with the sticky leather palms.