Ok, as both Cory and I mentioned in other threads here in the Florida section, Gainesville Raceway has a road course that they rent out.
http://www.gainesvilleraceway.com/test_track.html
I've raced there a few times and can vouch that it is a very fun 1.6 mile course. It has a nice surface, several possible track routes, and is relatively cheap as far as track time pricing goes. With the costs of track time (which depend mostly on how many people you have), you get full use of the track for 8-9 hours and a standby track technician who will oversee our use to make sure we follow the rules and that nothing bad happens.
In case you were wondering, this would be a one car at a time event. We can run 2-4 cars on the track at a time spaceed out over a distance so that we get more runs in. But they will be far enough to prevent any collisions. There are no walls to hit here, so if you lose it, you'll just go for a spin in the grass. Be warned though, this can be a pretty fast course. It's easily a 3-gear course with speeds up to and over 70mph.
If we can gather enough interest, we'll decide if we just want to take turns running around the course or if we want to set up a timed event with trophies for different classes and all.
I have a couple of things that I'd like to get out of the way first and foremost:
1. I would prefer if you have some experience in driving your car in a manner other than the street. Autocross experience is great. Track experience is even better. If you have no experience, I would really like to ride with you prior to the event to make sue you can handle the basic skills required.
2. 18 and up please. You'll have to sign an insurance waiver to be let on the course. So, unless you plan on bringing one of your parents/guardians, plan on being 18.
3. Safety is a big thing. We'll meet up early and do tech inspections of the cars. If anything is out of place, either fix it or just watch us race. Essentially, all you have to do to pass tech is have your tires inflated, all lug nuts present, no fluids leaking, tight throttle, even brakes, no floor mats, and nothing loose in the car that could move around. I'm not positive that they'll make us wear helmets, but I would rather see everyone wear one. If this is an issue, I'll try and sort something out.
4. Everyone who runs, must work. This has to be a group effort. So, if you plan on driving on the course, be prepared to work the course. That basically entails picking up any knocked over cones and letting us know (via radio handset) if someone went off course. And at the end of the day, everything must be cleaned up and left in perfect condition. There are trash cans at the site, so we'll have to use them.
5. Goofing off is NOT permitted. Trust me when I say that we can be kicked out for this. I saw a beautiful Viper get kicked out of an event at this location for doing burnouts at the starting area. So, no burnouts, no doughnuts, no unsafe behavior on the course or in the "pit area".
6. If you guys plan on staying in a hotel, I'll try and get a group rate at one hotel so that would be cheaper for you as well.
With all that said, would anyone be interested in this? Cost will be under $100 per driver and you will have food and drink for free. I'll cover as much of the costs of everything that I can so that I can get everyone the lowest possible entry price. And if you have any other ideas, post them up here. I'd like to have this event in February, while it's still cool, but not cold.
So, let's hear who would be down for this event.
http://www.gainesvilleraceway.com/test_track.html
I've raced there a few times and can vouch that it is a very fun 1.6 mile course. It has a nice surface, several possible track routes, and is relatively cheap as far as track time pricing goes. With the costs of track time (which depend mostly on how many people you have), you get full use of the track for 8-9 hours and a standby track technician who will oversee our use to make sure we follow the rules and that nothing bad happens.
In case you were wondering, this would be a one car at a time event. We can run 2-4 cars on the track at a time spaceed out over a distance so that we get more runs in. But they will be far enough to prevent any collisions. There are no walls to hit here, so if you lose it, you'll just go for a spin in the grass. Be warned though, this can be a pretty fast course. It's easily a 3-gear course with speeds up to and over 70mph.
If we can gather enough interest, we'll decide if we just want to take turns running around the course or if we want to set up a timed event with trophies for different classes and all.
I have a couple of things that I'd like to get out of the way first and foremost:
1. I would prefer if you have some experience in driving your car in a manner other than the street. Autocross experience is great. Track experience is even better. If you have no experience, I would really like to ride with you prior to the event to make sue you can handle the basic skills required.
2. 18 and up please. You'll have to sign an insurance waiver to be let on the course. So, unless you plan on bringing one of your parents/guardians, plan on being 18.
3. Safety is a big thing. We'll meet up early and do tech inspections of the cars. If anything is out of place, either fix it or just watch us race. Essentially, all you have to do to pass tech is have your tires inflated, all lug nuts present, no fluids leaking, tight throttle, even brakes, no floor mats, and nothing loose in the car that could move around. I'm not positive that they'll make us wear helmets, but I would rather see everyone wear one. If this is an issue, I'll try and sort something out.
4. Everyone who runs, must work. This has to be a group effort. So, if you plan on driving on the course, be prepared to work the course. That basically entails picking up any knocked over cones and letting us know (via radio handset) if someone went off course. And at the end of the day, everything must be cleaned up and left in perfect condition. There are trash cans at the site, so we'll have to use them.
5. Goofing off is NOT permitted. Trust me when I say that we can be kicked out for this. I saw a beautiful Viper get kicked out of an event at this location for doing burnouts at the starting area. So, no burnouts, no doughnuts, no unsafe behavior on the course or in the "pit area".
6. If you guys plan on staying in a hotel, I'll try and get a group rate at one hotel so that would be cheaper for you as well.
With all that said, would anyone be interested in this? Cost will be under $100 per driver and you will have food and drink for free. I'll cover as much of the costs of everything that I can so that I can get everyone the lowest possible entry price. And if you have any other ideas, post them up here. I'd like to have this event in February, while it's still cool, but not cold.
So, let's hear who would be down for this event.
