My first track weekend

**metros** · 5-4-08, 19:59

Decided to improve my driving skills and signed up for a track event through SVTOA for a Saturday/Sunday event at Summit Point, WV. A ton of nice cars showed up (2 ford GT's, 10 corvettes of which were mostly Z06, a lotus exige, numerous supercharged mustangs of every generation, 5 or so Miatas, SVT focus', and a handful of Subies/EVOs). I got 6 - 20 minute sessions on the track over the weekend with a driving instructor helping my novice self. From beginning to end I learned an incredible amount and started to show some consistent good laps toward the end.

Onto the pics!

Overlooking the paddock:

Ford GT

My instructor showing me how it's done

Fellow Subies
1

2

Fancy Car that blew oil all over the track it's first run

Me
1

2

3

Overall words cannot express how much fun this was. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in auto anything. It doesn't take much to get involved. A helmet, common maintenance, and a few relatively inexpensive upgrades (brake fluid, pads) can make this a fun and safe event for anyone as well as improve your driving skill and understanding tremendously.

Stayed tuned for in car video. My instructor is mailing me a cd with those files.

**Graham_A_M** · 5-4-08, 20:12

^ Glad you had fun!!!! Its an absolute blast isn't it? No obstacles, cops, pedestrians or anything else to worry about, just you in your car, on the track.

I can't wait to go again.

**metros** · 5-4-08, 20:25

I was warned that it would be a terrible addiction. They were right. I can't wait to get to another event. It is nice to be able to realize the potential of your vehicle in the most controlled of environments and without the worry of cops etc.

**xtreme17** · 5-4-08, 21:00

Wow, that looks like fun!
I'd love to participate in one of those this year.

**I4MX6** · 5-4-08, 21:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by metros

I was warned that it would be a terrible addiction. They were right. I can't wait to get to another event. It is nice to be able to realize the potential of your vehicle in the most controlled of environments and without the worry of cops etc.

Exactly. Track is far more fun then on a road, no matter what anyone says.

Looks like you had a blast!

daevilone · 5-5-08, 8:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by I4MX6

Exactly. Track is far more fun then on a road, no matter what anyone says.

Looks like you had a blast!

again agreed. Even if I go for it hard on the road there is the constant worry of, is there a car around this corner? or any other obstacle.

That and the tracks ususally better quality than the road.

Glad you had fun.. but yes, its addictive.. expensivly addictive.

**ragincanadian4** · 5-10-08, 21:52

Looks like a [shizzle]-ton of fun, how much did that cost ya?

**metros** · 5-10-08, 22:35

Thanks for bumpin' this up for me. Someone just linked me to a video of the novice crew.

YouTube - SVTOA Shenandoah 2008 - Novice Grp

The first portion is taken from the bridge and then they switch spots. I'm the blue STi. Interesting to see all the different lines people take from an out of car perspective. Tomorrow I'll be hosting some in car vids that I just got in the mail today. Nothing spectacular (shakes alot) but fun to watch nonetheless.

Cost me $350 for the weekend. Which from what I see is actually a bit of a bargain. Typically it'll cost ya $200 per day and you should get 4 sessions of 20-30 minutes/day depending on if everything goes as planned.

(edit) Here's a link to an advanced group. Click the watch in high defintion button for better quality.

YouTube - SVTOA 2008 Shenandoah Circuit Grp A2 @ Bridge Straight

**pearsonmx6** · 5-10-08, 23:03

awesome i am glad you had fun. how well did your car do?

**metros** · 5-11-08, 9:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by pearsonmx6

awesome i am glad you had fun. how well did your car do?

It's really not what you drive it's how you drive.

But overall, I think it did well. The car is very well balanced stock. I think it's easier to drive an AWD car than a RWD car at the track. If I feel my backend start to slip when I let off or tap the brakes I can hit the gas and naturally the car will pull itself through the turn. My real holdback was that I was running potenza 960 all season tires. Most people there were using R-compound or close to it tires. That alone will make a huge difference.

(edit) Right now I'm considering doing a mazda club weekend at VIR. Link to youtube in car video YouTube - Subaru STi VIR HPDE 2006 "In-Car" Video
This track is a lot higher speed and less technical than Summit.

**jewels318** · 5-11-08, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by metros

omg!!
i love wrx wagons!!

**neptune_51** · 5-11-08, 12:25

you bastard and your STi!! awesome pics but lets see some more of your car

the rally armour looks sick

**ragincanadian4** · 5-11-08, 12:36

I'm thinking of getting a new car, and a trackday would be a must if I do.

**bkdog411** · 5-11-08, 12:53

Looks like a blast. Those SVXs are real nice cars.

**Mazda SpeedFeen** · 5-11-08, 14:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by metros

i like this picture alot. its awesome.

feen

5-4-08, 19:59	#1 (permalink)
metros Anybody else hard? Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Binghamton,NY/ Ashburn, VA, USA iTrader: (1)	My first track weekend Decided to improve my driving skills and signed up for a track event through SVTOA for a Saturday/Sunday event at Summit Point, WV. A ton of nice cars showed up (2 ford GT's, 10 corvettes of which were mostly Z06, a lotus exige, numerous supercharged mustangs of every generation, 5 or so Miatas, SVT focus', and a handful of Subies/EVOs). I got 6 - 20 minute sessions on the track over the weekend with a driving instructor helping my novice self. From beginning to end I learned an incredible amount and started to show some consistent good laps toward the end. Onto the pics! Overlooking the paddock: Ford GT My instructor showing me how it's done Fellow Subies 1 2 Fancy Car that blew oil all over the track it's first run Me 1 2 3 Overall words cannot express how much fun this was. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in auto anything. It doesn't take much to get involved. A helmet, common maintenance, and a few relatively inexpensive upgrades (brake fluid, pads) can make this a fun and safe event for anyone as well as improve your driving skill and understanding tremendously. Stayed tuned for in car video. My instructor is mailing me a cd with those files.
	Pearson's New Dad Position Filled. Move along boys.

5-4-08, 20:25	#3 (permalink)
metros Anybody else hard? Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Binghamton,NY/ Ashburn, VA, USA iTrader: (1)	I was warned that it would be a terrible addiction. They were right. I can't wait to get to another event. It is nice to be able to realize the potential of your vehicle in the most controlled of environments and without the worry of cops etc.
	Pearson's New Dad Position Filled. Move along boys.

5-4-08, 21:00	#4 (permalink)
xtreme17 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Brandon, Manitoba, Canada Age: 20 iTrader: (0)	Wow, that looks like fun! I'd love to participate in one of those this year.
	ME: Oh no you didn't... DRUNK PearsonMX6: I ddid too's... http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2676149

5-10-08, 22:35	#8 (permalink)
metros Anybody else hard? Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Binghamton,NY/ Ashburn, VA, USA iTrader: (1)	Thanks for bumpin' this up for me. Someone just linked me to a video of the novice crew. YouTube - SVTOA Shenandoah 2008 - Novice Grp The first portion is taken from the bridge and then they switch spots. I'm the blue STi. Interesting to see all the different lines people take from an out of car perspective. Tomorrow I'll be hosting some in car vids that I just got in the mail today. Nothing spectacular (shakes alot) but fun to watch nonetheless. Cost me $350 for the weekend. Which from what I see is actually a bit of a bargain. Typically it'll cost ya $200 per day and you should get 4 sessions of 20-30 minutes/day depending on if everything goes as planned. (edit) Here's a link to an advanced group. Click the watch in high defintion button for better quality. YouTube - SVTOA 2008 Shenandoah Circuit Grp A2 @ Bridge Straight
	Pearson's New Dad Position Filled. Move along boys.

5-10-08, 23:03	#9 (permalink)
pearsonmx6 saving for the new camaro Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Avondale, AZ Age: 19 iTrader: (3)	awesome i am glad you had fun. how well did your car do?
	They make a psychiatrist get psychoanalyzed before he can become certified, but they don't make a surgeon get cut on. Does that seem right to you? extreme17 says: i dont need a gun to make me feel like a man

5-11-08, 12:53	#14 (permalink)
bkdog411 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas,Ames,Omaha, TX, USA Age: 20 iTrader: (0)	Looks like a blast. Those SVXs are real nice cars.
	Nassau Blue Mx6 LSZE 5-speed.