Track Day: Carolina Motorsports Park
03-09-2009, 09:19 PM
#1
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Track Day: Carolina Motorsports Park
GT3 RS - he was faster than me 
Another GT3 & Cayman S - Both faster than me too.
A Mini and an AC Cobra - NOT faster than me (less experienced Driver's though). Caught the Cobra in the turns, it ran away on the straights.
Somebody's weekend fun machine:
Cayman S - Kept up with him while he did his DE/solo check-out laps; not so much when he was on his own.
Some Bikes:
Misc Track Shots ("Camera" wholly unsuited to fast action photography - sorry):
TL-S Ready to go:
Instructor commented on how well it handled for a 3500/3600 pound sedan.
The Track:
Learned a lot and had a lot of fun.
Ran the Turn 1-2-3 complex pretty well all day. Then a little brake into turn 4, downshift to 2nd for turn 5-6-7,
the Carousel. If I got through the Carousel poorly, I'd hit ~85 mph at the end of the straight head into turn 8.
If I ran the Carousel well, I'd get up to 95 - 100 mph.
Turn 8 was tough because it was in between gears. Should be a 60 - 65 mph corner, but that means 3rd gear
and out of VTEC on exit. OR less than 60 on entry, downshift to 2nd and floor it out of the corner - that worked
a LOT better; "slow in, fast out".
Turn 10 could be done in the TL-S at 100+ if you have the balls, but it's a blind , uphill approach and I wouldn't
do more than 80 - 90 MPH.
Heavy braking and down to 2nd through turns 11 and 12. Did my only 360 coming out of turn 12 - lots of understeer,
trying to accelarate and turn - lifted the throttle and
the back end was gone.
Turn 14 - aka "The Bitch", I never really did figure out.
Good to learn some things about using Throttle, Brake, etc to "balance" the car. How to trade road for speed
by maximizing Tire "Slip Angle", etc.
All-in-all Great Fun. You should try it some time.
TL-S acquited itself very well. I am sure there were a few folks surprised at how well it ran and handled. A
hidden gem, as we all know.
Ran 5 twenty minute session. Last session the instructor brought a stop watch. Best lap was 2:02. Lots
of 2:04/2:05. A couple 2:07. One 2:11 and one 2:14 (traffic).
For first-timer, 2:02 is very respectable (so they said). The Lotus Elise was running solo laps at 1:59. Some
solo drivers struggle for a while to break 2:00.
Before the event we had a meet (on Saturday) and the car was CLEAN. Wheels were SPOTLESS, inside and out.
After:
.
Another GT3 & Cayman S - Both faster than me too.
A Mini and an AC Cobra - NOT faster than me (less experienced Driver's though). Caught the Cobra in the turns, it ran away on the straights.
Somebody's weekend fun machine:
Cayman S - Kept up with him while he did his DE/solo check-out laps; not so much when he was on his own.
Some Bikes:
Misc Track Shots ("Camera" wholly unsuited to fast action photography - sorry):
TL-S Ready to go:
Instructor commented on how well it handled for a 3500/3600 pound sedan.
The Track:
Learned a lot and had a lot of fun.
Ran the Turn 1-2-3 complex pretty well all day. Then a little brake into turn 4, downshift to 2nd for turn 5-6-7,
the Carousel. If I got through the Carousel poorly, I'd hit ~85 mph at the end of the straight head into turn 8.
If I ran the Carousel well, I'd get up to 95 - 100 mph.
Turn 8 was tough because it was in between gears. Should be a 60 - 65 mph corner, but that means 3rd gear
and out of VTEC on exit. OR less than 60 on entry, downshift to 2nd and floor it out of the corner - that worked
a LOT better; "slow in, fast out".
Turn 10 could be done in the TL-S at 100+ if you have the balls, but it's a blind , uphill approach and I wouldn't
do more than 80 - 90 MPH.
Heavy braking and down to 2nd through turns 11 and 12. Did my only 360 coming out of turn 12 - lots of understeer,
trying to accelarate and turn - lifted the throttle and
the back end was gone.Turn 14 - aka "The Bitch", I never really did figure out.
Good to learn some things about using Throttle, Brake, etc to "balance" the car. How to trade road for speed
by maximizing Tire "Slip Angle", etc.
All-in-all Great Fun. You should try it some time.
TL-S acquited itself very well. I am sure there were a few folks surprised at how well it ran and handled. A
hidden gem, as we all know.
Ran 5 twenty minute session. Last session the instructor brought a stop watch. Best lap was 2:02. Lots
of 2:04/2:05. A couple 2:07. One 2:11 and one 2:14 (traffic).
For first-timer, 2:02 is very respectable (so they said). The Lotus Elise was running solo laps at 1:59. Some
solo drivers struggle for a while to break 2:00.
Before the event we had a meet (on Saturday) and the car was CLEAN. Wheels were SPOTLESS, inside and out.
After:
.
Last edited by Bearcat94; 03-09-2009 at 09:23 PM.
03-09-2009, 10:02 PM
#4
tehLEGOman
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I forgot you were headed to CMP on sunday!
I've never been there. It looks like there are no elevation changes like VIR has.
Redline time attack will be hosting an event there later in the year. If the wife happens to be away again you should do it!
I've never been there. It looks like there are no elevation changes like VIR has.
Redline time attack will be hosting an event there later in the year. If the wife happens to be away again you should do it!
How did the brakes hold?
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03-10-2009, 08:40 AM
#11
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Brakes did good. Glad I upgraded though. I think you'd burn through a set of stock pads. I did get some fade later in each session. The first couple of times it catches you by surprise - NO BRAKES!!! AWWW! - then you begin to adapt/anticipate it and it's OK.
You should do it. At least once. Not to be a "Race Car" - TL will never be that. But for the driving experience and what you learn about handling, etc.
03-10-2009, 08:56 AM
#13
Oderint dum metuant.
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I'll check the pics out later, but it sounds like fun. Actually, tracking a sounded like fun before you posted, but you know what I mean. Maybe one of these days...
03-10-2009, 09:35 AM
#14
PCM full of water, yummy
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Jim, That looks like you had a blast, I think I may need to go and do that some day. Do you know when you might go again?
Jack and Eric, both of you should come, we could have a TL race!!!!!!
Jack and Eric, both of you should come, we could have a TL race!!!!!!
03-10-2009, 12:01 PM
#18
tehLEGOman
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Jim i was just thinking, you've just about got all of the motorsport activities covered with your Type S...
You've tried:
-autoX
-1/4 mile
-track
What's next?!
Here is the 2009 schedule for Redline...
http://www.redlinetimeattack.com/index-5.html
You've tried:
-autoX
-1/4 mile
-track
What's next?!
Here is the 2009 schedule for Redline...
http://www.redlinetimeattack.com/index-5.html
03-10-2009, 01:13 PM
#21
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when/if I'll go again. But if one of the other local's goes, I might be inclined to take a drive down, take some pictures and offer moral support.I don't want to give the wrong impression, the only reason I kept up is because they were not getting more out of their cars. IOW - Same driver both cars, the Cayman and/or the Lotus should run away from the TL.
.... Cannonball Run!! Who's in as co-driver?Actaully, after the fiasco that was Z-Max, I'd like to go to Rockingham just to prove the point.
03-10-2009, 03:26 PM
#24
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03-10-2009, 05:05 PM
#25
PCM full of water, yummy
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03-10-2009, 05:43 PM
#26
Oderint dum metuant.
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^Hahaha...
Ah, now I can see the pics...nice shots. There were some serious cars there. Strange how none of them were taped. From the map, that looks like a really fun track.
Ah, now I can see the pics...nice shots. There were some serious cars there. Strange how none of them were taped. From the map, that looks like a really fun track.
03-10-2009, 09:49 PM
#27
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I guess they figure they are track cars and if you've got a GT3 or AC Cobra to play with on week-ends, money isn't especially tight.
03-20-2009, 11:02 PM
#29
Racer
oh sweet,i'm about to take my car to the track(for the first time) in 3 weeks time. good to know people do take their auto TL's to a track. hopefully i dont make a fool of myself=)
03-22-2009, 03:40 PM
#30
Banned
GT3 RS - he was faster than me
Another GT3 & Cayman S - Both faster than me too.
A Mini and an AC Cobra - NOT faster than me (less experienced Driver's though). Caught the Cobra in the turns, it ran away on the straights.
Somebody's weekend fun machine:
Cayman S - Kept up with him while he did his DE/solo check-out laps; not so much when he was on his own.
Some Bikes:
Misc Track Shots ("Camera" wholly unsuited to fast action photography - sorry):
TL-S Ready to go:
Instructor commented on how well it handled for a 3500/3600 pound sedan.
The Track:
Learned a lot and had a lot of fun.
Ran the Turn 1-2-3 complex pretty well all day. Then a little brake into turn 4, downshift to 2nd for turn 5-6-7,
the Carousel. If I got through the Carousel poorly, I'd hit ~85 mph at the end of the straight head into turn 8.
If I ran the Carousel well, I'd get up to 95 - 100 mph.
Turn 8 was tough because it was in between gears. Should be a 60 - 65 mph corner, but that means 3rd gear
and out of VTEC on exit. OR less than 60 on entry, downshift to 2nd and floor it out of the corner - that worked
a LOT better; "slow in, fast out".
Turn 10 could be done in the TL-S at 100+ if you have the balls, but it's a blind , uphill approach and I wouldn't
do more than 80 - 90 MPH.
Heavy braking and down to 2nd through turns 11 and 12. Did my only 360 coming out of turn 12 - lots of understeer,
trying to accelarate and turn - lifted the throttle and the back end was gone.
Turn 14 - aka "The Bitch", I never really did figure out.
Good to learn some things about using Throttle, Brake, etc to "balance" the car. How to trade road for speed
by maximizing Tire "Slip Angle", etc.
All-in-all Great Fun. You should try it some time.
TL-S acquited itself very well. I am sure there were a few folks surprised at how well it ran and handled. A
hidden gem, as we all know.
Ran 5 twenty minute session. Last session the instructor brought a stop watch. Best lap was 2:02. Lots
of 2:04/2:05. A couple 2:07. One 2:11 and one 2:14 (traffic).
For first-timer, 2:02 is very respectable (so they said). The Lotus Elise was running solo laps at 1:59. Some
solo drivers struggle for a while to break 2:00.
Before the event we had a meet (on Saturday) and the car was CLEAN. Wheels were SPOTLESS, inside and out.
After:
.
Another GT3 & Cayman S - Both faster than me too.
A Mini and an AC Cobra - NOT faster than me (less experienced Driver's though). Caught the Cobra in the turns, it ran away on the straights.
Somebody's weekend fun machine:
Cayman S - Kept up with him while he did his DE/solo check-out laps; not so much when he was on his own.
Some Bikes:
Misc Track Shots ("Camera" wholly unsuited to fast action photography - sorry):
TL-S Ready to go:
Instructor commented on how well it handled for a 3500/3600 pound sedan.
The Track:
Learned a lot and had a lot of fun.
Ran the Turn 1-2-3 complex pretty well all day. Then a little brake into turn 4, downshift to 2nd for turn 5-6-7,
the Carousel. If I got through the Carousel poorly, I'd hit ~85 mph at the end of the straight head into turn 8.
If I ran the Carousel well, I'd get up to 95 - 100 mph.
Turn 8 was tough because it was in between gears. Should be a 60 - 65 mph corner, but that means 3rd gear
and out of VTEC on exit. OR less than 60 on entry, downshift to 2nd and floor it out of the corner - that worked
a LOT better; "slow in, fast out".
Turn 10 could be done in the TL-S at 100+ if you have the balls, but it's a blind , uphill approach and I wouldn't
do more than 80 - 90 MPH.
Heavy braking and down to 2nd through turns 11 and 12. Did my only 360 coming out of turn 12 - lots of understeer,
trying to accelarate and turn - lifted the throttle and
the back end was gone.Turn 14 - aka "The Bitch", I never really did figure out.
Good to learn some things about using Throttle, Brake, etc to "balance" the car. How to trade road for speed
by maximizing Tire "Slip Angle", etc.
All-in-all Great Fun. You should try it some time.
TL-S acquited itself very well. I am sure there were a few folks surprised at how well it ran and handled. A
hidden gem, as we all know.
Ran 5 twenty minute session. Last session the instructor brought a stop watch. Best lap was 2:02. Lots
of 2:04/2:05. A couple 2:07. One 2:11 and one 2:14 (traffic).
For first-timer, 2:02 is very respectable (so they said). The Lotus Elise was running solo laps at 1:59. Some
solo drivers struggle for a while to break 2:00.
Before the event we had a meet (on Saturday) and the car was CLEAN. Wheels were SPOTLESS, inside and out.
After:
.
sorry to be a no0b but how do you sign up for track days? I mean i have only been to auto-x but never to a real track.
The tracks i called to say that i need memebership to those tracks and membership is mad expensive.
What are the other ways to get some track time?
If you know, what clubs offer track times in NY for cheaper?
03-22-2009, 09:48 PM
#31
Great :thumbsup
sorry to be a no0b but how do you sign up for track days? I mean i have only been to auto-x but never to a real track.
The tracks i called to say that i need memebership to those tracks and membership is mad expensive.
What are the other ways to get some track time?
If you know, what clubs offer track times in NY for cheaper?
sorry to be a no0b but how do you sign up for track days? I mean i have only been to auto-x but never to a real track.
The tracks i called to say that i need memebership to those tracks and membership is mad expensive.
What are the other ways to get some track time?
If you know, what clubs offer track times in NY for cheaper?
03-22-2009, 10:55 PM
#32
AZ Community Team
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That's what I was thinking. 
Search your local SCCA and NASA chapters for HPDE (High Performance Driving Events). They will let non-members run.
Also try this site: http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmMain.Show Under "Open Track/HPDE"
Local car clubs often run track days (Bimmer clubs, 350Z clubs, regional clubs, etc). Search them out and see if you can glom on.
Don't be surprised if you have to travle 3 or 4 hours - for a lot of people, that's what it takes. I got lucky with CMP practically in my back yard. Otherwise it would've been 3 hours to VIR or Road Atlanta.
Expect to pay $250-ish which includes track time, instruction time and in car instructor.
Great :thumbsup
sorry to be a no0b but how do you sign up for track days? I mean i have only been to auto-x but never to a real track.
The tracks i called to say that i need memebership to those tracks and membership is mad expensive.
What are the other ways to get some track time?
If you know, what clubs offer track times in NY for cheaper?
sorry to be a no0b but how do you sign up for track days? I mean i have only been to auto-x but never to a real track.
The tracks i called to say that i need memebership to those tracks and membership is mad expensive.
What are the other ways to get some track time?
If you know, what clubs offer track times in NY for cheaper?
Also try this site: http://www.myautoevents.com/pls/mae/frmMain.Show Under "Open Track/HPDE"
Local car clubs often run track days (Bimmer clubs, 350Z clubs, regional clubs, etc). Search them out and see if you can glom on.
Don't be surprised if you have to travle 3 or 4 hours - for a lot of people, that's what it takes. I got lucky with CMP practically in my back yard. Otherwise it would've been 3 hours to VIR or Road Atlanta.
Expect to pay $250-ish which includes track time, instruction time and in car instructor.
03-22-2009, 10:58 PM
#33
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1st they normally run you in a group with other noobs.
2nd you are usually able to manage spacing so you're not running nose-to-tail; IOW - a lot of the time no one will be very close.
3rd it's technically a learning session; there is no expectation that you'll run with the big dogs.
Go DO IT!! Invaluable expereince in handling your car at speed.
03-23-2009, 05:49 PM
#34
Racer
You WON'T be embarrased.
1st they normally run you in a group with other noobs.
2nd you are usually able to manage spacing so you're not running nose-to-tail; IOW - a lot of the time no one will be very close.
3rd it's technically a learning session; there is no expectation that you'll run with the big dogs.
Go DO IT!! Invaluable expereince in handling your car at speed.
1st they normally run you in a group with other noobs.
2nd you are usually able to manage spacing so you're not running nose-to-tail; IOW - a lot of the time no one will be very close.
3rd it's technically a learning session; there is no expectation that you'll run with the big dogs.
Go DO IT!! Invaluable expereince in handling your car at speed.
Thanks!.is there anything else the instructor tell you about our cars on the track?? and how we should approach corners a bit differently then our lighter opponents??
04-02-2009, 03:07 AM
#35
thats what the instructor is there for- to help you find your and the cars limits, and keep you under them!
They are Pro race drivers who like to help newer track drivers learn the line, apexing- braking-turn in - accellerate off etc
Its NOT a race of any kind! Its High Performance driving School
You wont be running with the big dogs in the noob group- its a sane, controlled fun learning experience, but will change the way you drive
They are Pro race drivers who like to help newer track drivers learn the line, apexing- braking-turn in - accellerate off etc
Its NOT a race of any kind! Its High Performance driving School
You wont be running with the big dogs in the noob group- its a sane, controlled fun learning experience, but will change the way you drive
08-06-2009, 10:55 PM
#36
Pro
Was this a Turn One event? They are only ones I think of that have car and bike run groups. Me and some friends are thinking of running Turn One at CMP on the bikes because it's so inexpensive and there are weekend dates. If this was Turn One, how was traffic? Were there any car-to-car contact incidents?
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