sportbikehype and panoz racing school are having a practice track day on the infield road course at tms on 11/22. this is NOT a race, and NOT on the oval that the nascar/indy cars run on, it's a 1.2 mile (i think) road course that takes up half of the infield. the cost is $55 for the entire day if you mention sportbikehype. i'll try to get some more info on tech, gate times, class breakdown, age requirements, etc., asap. if you'd like to see how you and your car do in the twisty's SAFELY without spending much money, this is the ticket. i've been to 4 events there on my bike (much more fun by the way ) and it's been great. it's not a very technical or fast course, but will let you work on the basics, and see how you like road racing. come out and tear up some tires!

NOTE: this is not a race, it is practice. be aware that there are multiple cars on the track at once, and you can very easily wreck your car and others. this is serious business guys, don't be a moron.

 

Interesting. Hmmm...

TS

 

Here is some more information on this weekend i grabbed from the sbh message board. i am not a member of sbh, i just thought that some of you guys might want to participate. they never bothered anyone for taking pics or video before, or bringing in food so i wouldn't worry about it. get there early, as you'll probably have to sit through a short class to discuss flags & course etiquette. before heading out onto the track.


More detailed Information about the Panoz-SportBikeHype CAR-ONLY track day will be posted later this week, but, as a point of reference, SportBikeHype asks that all attendees strictly adhere to the following rules and regulations (we suspect Panoz's rules will be similar):

RULES:

• Arrive no later than 8:00 am--SHARP--and, everyone must show a picture I/D at the gate
• Attendees shall obey all directives issued by SBH staff members
• No pets allowed
• Possession or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited
• Fighting and aggressive behavior will not be tolerated
• Possession of weapons is strictly prohibited
• Video and other photography is strictly prohibited, and shall only be allowed in the discretion of SBH management
• Neither food nor beverages shall be brought into the venue, except in the discretion of SBH management
• Tech & category stickers must be visible at all times
• CARS AND MOTORCYCLES ARE NEVER ALLOWED ON THE COURSE AT THE SAME TIME!
• SPEED LIMIT WHILE NOT ON THE COURSE IS 5 MPH!
• Drivers and riders shall be responsible for obeying the directives associated with the following flags:
• GREEN = Begin session
• YELLOW = Danger ahead--proceed cautiously at a slow speed
• BLUE w/Yellow Stripe = You are about to be overtaken, please allow the pass
• RED = Come to a complete stop as quickly as possible at a point NOT in the riding/driving line
• BLACK = Proceed to the exit the course immediately
• CHECKERED = Session over—proceed to the pit area
• NO STOPPING ON ANY COURSE AT ANY TIME!
• NO PASSING, except on the front straight at TMS—BUT ONLY IF the vehicle ahead “waives by” the follower
• RIDERS must wear helmets, armored jackets, gloves, armored pants and boots at all times (adequate hard-shelled knee padding may
be allowed in the sole discretion of SBH staff)
• DRIVERS must wear helmets, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and tennis-style shoes
• NO CROSSING ANY COURSE AREA UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!
• AT THE SOUND OF THE HORN, ALL RIDING & DRIVING STOPS—AND WE MEAN ALL— NO MOVEMENT WHATSOEVER!
• NO “DONUTS,” BURN-OUTS OR OTHER DISPLAYS AT ANY TIME!

TECH CHECKLIST:

____ ALL: DRIVER OVER 18? & NO passengers!
____ ALL: Body work secure?
____ ALL: Tire condition?
____ ALL: Tire Pressure? (Approx’ly: 32 psi-RWD; 40 psi-FWD; 30 psi-Scooters)?
____ ALL: Brakes?
____ ALL: Throttle return springs work w/authority?
____ ALL: Steering wheel/Handle bars tight?
____ M/C: Helmet, armored jacket, gloves, armored pants (or, heavy hard-shelled knee pads) and boots
____ M/C: Foot pegs, headers, pipe tight?
____ M/C: Oil, Coolant & other fluid caps tight? No leaks!
____ M/C: Seat Tight?
____ M/C: Chain Tight & no kinks
____ CAR: Helmets, long pants, long-sleeved shirt, gloves, tennis-style shoes
____ CAR: Battery hold-downs tight?
____ CAR: Pull on wheels to check bearings…
____ CAR: Check Seat belt …
____ CAR: Loose stuff out of trunk, floor & passenger compartment…
____ CAR: Remove floor mats & all lose objects in car…
____ ALL: Apply (1) Number to window(s) & (2) Tech Sticker to windsheild

PRICES:

Kid Spectators (to 8) - FREE
Kid Spectators (8-12) - $ 5.00
All Other Spectators - 10.00
Straight Line Riders - 15.00
Road Course Riders - 25.00
Straight Line Drivers - 15.00
Road Course Drivers* - 55.00

* - Drivers presenting a copy of this post or mentioning SportBikeHype's name will be admitted for $55.00, as usual. All others will have to pay $75.00...


We'll look forward to seeing you out there!

Best regards,

SPORTBIKEHYPE
drmmjc@sportbikehype.com
www.sportbikehype.com

 

I've run this course numerous times in my '98 Trans AM and was grid marshal for the Lone Star Corvette club's meet out there..

The course is like a big paper clip with a couple of "kinks" in between. You will see over 100 mph on the long straight and have to shut it down to 45 or 50 for a 180* turn. Not quite as fast on the back side, but the turn is another 180* turn, but tighter.

Lap times are in the 40-50 second range, so your brakes don't have much of an oppurtunity to cool. Make SURE you have GOOD brakes and even better fluid. Boiling the fluid here is not uncommon. The ONLY time I've witnessed car to car contact was when a Viper lost brakes (old fluid) coming off the long straight and rear ended a TT RX7. It was ugly ....

Not trying to scare anyone off from giving this a shot. It is the most fun you will ever have in your car. But, just like at ANY race track, drag, AX or road course, there are some inherent risks. Taking this too lightly will cause someone to get hurt.

And $55 for access to a course like this is an awesome deal. Run your tire pressure up to about 35 or 36 psi on the fronts and 33 or so in the back.

 

Mitch is correct. Becareful with your brakes. This track is pretty tough on them.

You probably should change your brake fluid to at least a good clean fluid. Maybe consider putting in Ford HD or Motul for the added safety that these fluids have.

The course is fun, even for a short course and that is not a bad price for the day.

Have fun... I know you will.

Then come join us sometime on a bigger course with The Drivers Edge at Motorsport Ranch that is located south of Ft. Worth.

 

The schedule for the Panoz-SBH CAR-ONLY Track Day this Saturday, 11/22, at Texas Motor Speedway, is as follows:


7:00 - 7:45 Registration, Media Center

7:45 - 8:05 Drivers Meeting, Media Center

8:10 - 8:30 Novice Group

8:35 - 8:55 Intermediate Group

10:00 - 10:25 Novice Group

10:30 - 10:55 Intermediate Group

1:00 - 1:25 Novice Group

1:30 - 1:55 Intermediate Group

3:00 - 3:25 Novice Group

3:30 - 3:55 Intermediate Group


i've never driven my car out there, just my bikes a few times but like these guys said, make sure everything is working correctly, no fluid leaks, etc. be safe, have fun, and come out on sunday to watch the bikes too!

 

Wow! That's a LOT of track time

 

Man, That's a STEAL at that price.. I pay $250 for a weekend at TWS! Oh yea, they're not kidding about brakes.. bleed your stuff and add synthetic fluid minimum, if you've got a stock f-body brake wise... You WILL lose brakes otherwise...

 

here's a pic of the track layout: (TMS folder)

http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/jmolet200...c=ph%26.view=t


weather is looking good so far!

 

I just ran a Panoz track day there a couple of weeks ago, but we had use of the oval as well, entering and exiting the inner road coarse. I'd say that's a deal, my track day was $225.

My car is stock, and I had no problems whatsoever with power steering fluid or brakes. Granted, I had the oval to cool things before diving back into the road coarse, and I have stock width tires. I paid attention to get on the brakes hard in a straight line before turning, then completely off. No fade. We ran four, 30 minute sessions.

I flushed the brakes with the Ford HD brake fluid and had flushed some of the power steering fluid using the turkey baster method. I ran PFZ street pads & blanks, no ducts. On the straight on the road coarse, I probably reached 80mph before getting on the brakes.

I had a blast, and got pretty good critiques on lines etc ... I believe that I got a good feel for the limits of the stock set-up.

Wade

 

honestly, I haven't run this road course.
That being said, I usually run at TWS and the back straight is 120-140 mph. Faster if you have the 'nads and the HP to support it. the first turn is a real eye-cather...

I've seen several f-bodies (and other cars) boil off fluid - no brakes at all at that point.

Synthetic fluid is my "must" recommendation. YMMV.

 

WHAT? You cant get drunk and high and race, but thats my favorite!

 

Too bad my front brakes are on their last few hundred miles, so might not be good idea to go drive there... :blah:

Oh well... Maybe next time...

TS

 

So, how was it?

What was the car count?

How well was the show run?

 

i didn't make it out either day (had mechanical issues w/the bike), but i'm curious as to what people though of it. stay tuned to sportbikehype.com for the next one.