Track Days

Track Days

This is why I bought the car!

Jefferson Circuit - 5/10-5/11/03 (1.1 mile)

This was the first trip to the track with my car. My 1st three sessions were in the rain. This is not what I wanted my 1st tracking experience in this car to be. I ended up having to tip-toe the car around due to the extreme low-end torque. I learned the line while at these lower speeds. Then the speeds went up so drastically in my 4th session, which was dry, that I lost the line as things were happening so much faster. The 2nd day was all dry and we went around clockwise which was a bit different. I slowly gained speed little by little, session by session. This track is hard on the brakes and the tires, a very technical track.

Summit Point - 5/12/03 (2.2 mile)

This is a much bigger track than Jefferson with a long 4,000 ft straightaway. This track was very fun and I thought much easier on the equipment. By my 4th session I was having a blast.

Link to a lap during my 2nd session (forgot to swap the tape for the later ones, kinda slow)

Pocono Long Course - 6/24/03 (2.5 mile)

This track shares about 2/3 of the NASCAR oval. You come out of the pits and start out in Turn 1. Exit of Turn 1 was between 110mph and 120mph. This dictated whether I hit 130+mph or 140+mph right before Turn 2 or the "Tunnel Turn". A slight dab of the brakes here, and then through the turn and then hard, hard on the brakes for the 130 degree "Devils Elbow" which brings you into the infield road course. There are about 7 turns in here which lead you back on to the main straight again for the next lap. I liked this track a lot. It was 95F out which was a true test of the cars durability. I noticed a bit of tire wear on the right front which can be expected when going through Turn 1 about 45 times. I logged 130 miles while at Pocono.

Watkins Glen International - 7/16-1/18/03 (3.4 mile)

This track is just flat out awesome. I drove the full track, different from the NASCAR 2.45 mile course. I had fun passing M3's and even a Porsche 911. Was hitting about 125mph + on the front stretch and 135mph + on the back stretch. The esses were awesome as was the "boot". I can't wait to go there again!

Summit Point - 8/11-8/12/03 (2.2 mile)

Learned a lot more about this track the 2nd time. My lap times were easily 10-15 seconds faster than the 1st time as I gained more confidence and skill since the last time there back in May.

Limerock Park - 9/5/03 (1.53 mile)

This track is also pretty cool. This was the 1st track I had ever driven, but not in my Camaro, rather a friend's 1972 BMW 2002 tii. Coming back this time in my car was awesome. I was still in the novice group, therefore I did not get passed a single time. I lapped multiple cars that day. What a cool track with nice weather, big elevation changes, and beautiful scenery.

2004 Plans:

Attend as many track days as I can afford and take vacation days! Now that I will have a truck and trailer (less worries about a breakage or crash and fear of getting home), I will also try and hit some tracks that are further away like Virginia International Raceway. Watkins Glen was undoubtedly my favorite track, so I hope to get about 5 or so days there this year. The Shenendoah Circuit should also be open in 2004 at the Summit Point Motorsports Park. I also hope to meet up with my fellow track buddies, Doug the "Sheetz Monsta" (89 M3 with E36 motor), and Andy (01 Euro Spec 540i), and my favorite instructor, big bad George.

Link to video of me passing a 2001 Porsche 911

Link to video of me passing an E36 BMW M3

Link to video of me reeling in a 2001 BMW 540i with Hoosier track tires