Flat Out Saturday @Beaverun October 29, 2011

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I'm going to try and make this in addition to Nelson 2 weeks before. Last time I was on track at Beaverun I was in a 300C SRT8 and it sucked hahaha. Glad I was linked to this thread!! :D
 
I'd like to run, but I'm super paranoid about my brakes now, after having a rear line blow on the road a month or so ago. I don't plan on seeing the track until next year after I've overhauled all of the lines on the underside of the car and everything. I refuse to take chances with brakes.
 
Does anyone know if this event will be a split session as described on their website? It appears as if I'd be in Run Group 1, and times for that group are 8am-1pm. I could make it back in plenty of time to take a nap and get ready for the night's festivities for sure...

Also, what's up with the tech form that needs to be filled out by a "qualified mechanic"? How strict are they on that?


Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I'm going to try and make this in addition to Nelson 2 weeks before. Last time I was on track at Beaverun I was in a 300C SRT8 and it sucked hahaha. Glad I was linked to this thread!! :D

Nelson, eh? What's up with that day? Is there a thread around here for it?
 
Nelson, eh? What's up with that day? Is there a thread around here for it?
No, one of my friends runs autointerests.com, I don't want to threadjack but you can go to the site for more details :)

Also interested in an answer for the tech form
 
Does anyone know if this event will be a split session as described on their website? It appears as if I'd be in Run Group 1, and times for that group are 8am-1pm. I could make it back in plenty of time to take a nap and get ready for the night's festivities for sure...

Also, what's up with the tech form that needs to be filled out by a "qualified mechanic"? How strict are they on that?




Nelson, eh? What's up with that day? Is there a thread around here for it?


When I went to Beaverun about 2 mons ago, there were 2 split groups in the morning, 1 and 2. During the morning drivers meeting, they asked everyone that's done a Flat out day there to raise their hands. If they raised their hNd, they were in group 2. So I was in group 1, but there wasn't a huge difference in skill between the groups. I was kinda glad imwas in group 1, because there were less cars to get in my way muhahaha!

They're really not very strict about the Pre-tech forms. You can fill it out if you have a basic knowledge of auto repair and cars in general. It's basically a form saying that your fluids are full and your car is in good mechanical condition. Have your "mechanic" sign it lol. I signed my own, because I'm the only one that ever touches the car.

I did a track day at Nelson Ledges road coarse this year. It was only $99 and I think I got about 6 sessions on the track, except there was no instructor. I definitely had fun, but I thought the track was a little too bumpy in some places. It was definitely a good experience though and even though the track is not as nice as Beaverun or Mid-Ohio, it was only $99!

Also, make sure you bring a good tire pressure gauge. Immediately after each session, you'll need to check your pressures. I had to let a good amount of air out of the tires because as they heat up, the pressure increases. I think after my first session at Nelsons, my front tire pressures were at about 44 psi (they were at 35psi when they were cold before the session). Also, after each session, make sure you don't use your E brake. Just find a level parking spot and keep it in gear after you turn it off.
 
BeaveRun you can self tech your car, you do not need a mechanic to do it. If you have never done a track event, Nelson is not the place to start off, as it is a high speed track and one mistake can be the last for your car. Once you learn you and your cars limitations, you'll be fine. BeaveRun is great pleace to learn, plenty of runoff area if you do make a mistake.
 
I teched my car for the NASA HPDE, you should be fine Jess. Just fill out the form and make sure the car is in proper condition
 
BeaveRun you can self tech your car, you do not need a mechanic to do it. If you have never done a track event, Nelson is not the place to start off, as it is a high speed track and one mistake can be the last for your car. Once you learn you and your cars limitations, you'll be fine. BeaveRun is great pleace to learn, plenty of runoff area if you do make a mistake.

Ya I agree, Nelson isn't a good place to start, especially since you don't get an instructor. I kinda wished I had one, because there were a few turns where I wasn't sure what the perfect line was. Luckily, Marlon was there to give me some pointers. There were about 2 or 3 cars that had gone off the track. 2 unfortunately suffered damage. This was because they were pushing their cars way too much, almost like they were in a real race. Just keep in mind that this isn't a race! It's a track day, so you can gain experience and most importantly, you can have fun! There's no 1st place prize for passing every car.

I did love the fact that there was a lot of run off room at Beaverun. It's a very smooth track with some fun elevation changes!

These events allow you to learn the fundamentals, so you can go at your own pace. If you don't feel comfortable going 90%, you have the ability to safely slow it down. Also, every track day I've done only allows passing on the main straights, only if the car signals to let you pass (they'll go over all of this, as well as what the different flags mean, and a whole bunch of other information to get you prepared for your session).
 
Oh man, I want to go.

I agree about Nelson. This is what happens when you get it wrong there:
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Plus, that track wears me out. A 30 minute session feels like an hour.
 
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I'll pass on Nelson then, but I'd still probably be able to make it out to watch anyone else who went.

And +1 on being my own mechanic...lol
 
Snell SA-rated helmets (2000 or newer) are required. Must have Snell sticker affixed to inside of helmet. DOT motorcycle helmets are not acceptable.

This is from the link on the 1st page. I have a motorcycle helmet, but it says "SNELL M2000 DOT" on the back, would this be acceptable or does that SA mean something different and I still need to get one?
 
SA means special application (racing) I believe. We had this conversation before but I do not recall the outcome. I bought an sa2005 rated helmet just to avoid issues.
 
Seems a tad rediculous that a helmet designed to protect a person riding on top of a motorcycle wouldn't be adequate enough to protect someone inside a car?? lol
 
Seems a tad rediculous that a helmet designed to protect a person riding on top of a motorcycle wouldn't be adequate enough to protect someone inside a car?? lol

That was my argument. On a motorcycle, it'll be your noggin gettin up close in the pavement's grill, where in a car it would be your windshield worst case.
 
Found it...

The SA standard requires flammability test while the M and K standards do not.
The SA and K standards allow for a narrower visual field than the M standard (Some SA and K certified helmets may not be street legal).
The SA and K standards include a rollbar multi-impact test while the M standard does not.


Motorcycle helmets are ok for the Oct. 2nd track day though, so I should be good for this year. lol
 
I've used an M2005 helmet for about 20 track events and never had a problem.
 
Nice. Now the wife can ride with me for a few laps, and we'll be uber cool with our matching HTC's! hehe
 
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