My First Track Competition... GASP!

Batboy · Nov 21, 2005

Well there is good news and there's bad news. Oh and then there's worse news. This was a time trial event at Summit Point Raceway (road course) in Charles Town WV. I'm not really ready for wheel to wheel stuff yet (or ever). The good news is I got second place. The bad news is there were only two cars in my class. The car the beat meet was a C6. I had a time of 1:32 and he had a 1:29. I didn't see any Z06 badging and didn't really see him run much. Hopefully he was a very experienced driver. That would save on the embarrassment a little. The worse news is during the practice laps I spun twice. Doesn't appear to be any substantial damage. I have a flat spot on a tire and one wheel got nicked from gravel. I'll clean the car up this week and look it over real good. We also took video, although just down the straight stretch) and I'll try to get that up as soon as I get it back. Considering it was my first event and only my second time on a track I guess I do okay, but I'm real disappointed in losing the car twice. Thankfully myself and the care are still in one piece.

red98RT10 · Nov 21, 2005

Everyone has to start sometime! I can't wait to get mine onto a track (never done it before either)! Hope your Viper is OK

Chuck 98 RT/10 · Nov 21, 2005

Congrats. It's never an embarrassment to track it, no matter where you finish or who it's against. Takes more balls than all these street punks that think they know how to drive.

This was your 99GTS? If so, it would be difficult for anybody to run a 6-year-old non-ABS Viper against a brand new C6.

Good job! Keep at it!

Batboy · Nov 21, 2005

I'll keep trying Chuck. Need to finish upgrading the car a little. Still not sure how serious I want to be. I love my car and don't want to hurt it. On a side note I am learning very quickly how to "save" the car. I did have one good save in one of the corners I spun at. So, I am learning. Thanks for the compliments. That should help boost my otherwise bruised ego.

Chuck 98 RT/10 · Nov 21, 2005

Keep tracking. Save the upgrade money and eventually buy a dedicated track car.

pdmracing · Nov 21, 2005

Keep tracking. Save the upgrade money and eventually buy a dedicated track car.

EXACTLY! can you say ESSSSSSSSScalation!

AviP · Nov 21, 2005

Takes more balls than all these street punks that think they know how to drive.

And even more balls to admit the spin outs. Keep it up.

Is Chuck calling me a street punk?

DodgeViper01 · Nov 21, 2005

Sorry to hear about your negitive experience with the spin but at least you are okay and it was not worse. I still have yet to touch a track although I REALLY want to.

Wild Bill · Nov 21, 2005

No worries mate! Spin outs are in my mind a good thing.

I also spun out my first time on the track (D*MN that rear end came around QUICK!!!) I wanted to see what the limts to the car were-if you never exceed the limits you'll never know where they are.

I loved my track experience and would love to do it again but I won't because of insurance (don't race if you can't afford to replace)

Maybe some day I'll be able to afford a dedicated track car.

Bill

Chuck 98 RT/10 · Nov 21, 2005

I don't know if I've ever made it through a complete track day without spinning.

Jeff Torrey · Nov 21, 2005

Sounds like you had a blast...if you don't spin out your not trying. My only track experience is VOI. Next year I'm doing a Viperdays. Then I'll be the newbie trying to catch your ASP. :headbang:

FrankBarba · Nov 21, 2005

This was your 99GTS? If so, it would be difficult for anybody to run a 6-year-old non-ABS Viper against a brand new C6.

Batboy...Not bad for running time trials. You have a ways to go. I would consistentaly run 1:24's at Summit Point in my 1995 RT/10. Now this is not bad for a 9 year old car running against Corvettes, and other Vipers.

CO GTS · Nov 21, 2005

Keep at it BatBoy! It's all about track time. Get as much as you can and have an experienced driver ride with you. Remember: smooth = fast!

Lee00blacksilverGTS · Nov 22, 2005

Sounds like you did fine. You stepped up to a learning experience and the car is not hurt. Don't feel bad about the C6 either, with all the electronic "nannies" and training wheels that car has it's probably a lot easier car to learn on. You were in a real car!

Batboy · Nov 22, 2005

If someone can tell me how to post a video I'll post a short vid of my spin.

Batboy · Nov 22, 2005

Re: My First Track Competition... GASP! (Video)

Well, I got thiis to work enjoy.

http://members.cox.net/viperpage/spin.wmv

Bugeater · Nov 22, 2005

Re: My First Track Competition... GASP! (Video)

Batboy,
You got lucky - that was turn 10, correct? Was this a friday at the track (FATT) event? Please elaborate on the group you ran with.

I plan on hitting Summit a few times next year for the SCCA Mid Atlantic Series races. Would be cool to see another Viper there sometime.

PS - if you need a set of used track wheels I have a set for sale (so you dont nick your stockers!)

JUCD VPR · Nov 22, 2005

Re: My First Track Competition... GASP! (Video)

Awesome, who cares if you spun out as long as you and the car are alright. Keep at it. Hopefully i'll get into some track experience when i get back to the states. Sounds like alot of fun

joe117 · Nov 22, 2005

Re: My First Track Competition... GASP! (Video)

"Save the upgrade money and eventually buy a dedicated track car"

"love to do it again but I won't because of insurance (don't race if you can't afford to replace)"

Both have very good advice.

Before you get on the track again,
picture yourself sitting in your car after you make some small but meaningful contact with some fixed object.

Will you be upset about a $10k or more repair that leaves you with a "fixed" Viper?

You can whack that car faster than you can think about it. More so if you are a rookie road racer.

Don't put your street car on the track unless you can afford to bash it a little.

Mr U-2 · Nov 22, 2005

Spinning is good training...and character building

...been there in sports cars, the Viper, Formula 2000 and airplanes...good to see when you spun you went right back at it...keep tracking :usa:

Batboy · Nov 22, 2005

Bug, I am looking for wheels now. But, unfortunately new ones. I could possible get the left rear re-finished with no problems, but I think I'm going to just get a new set of stockers. Not sure yet since I don't want to dump $4K in a set of wheels. I need to see what's available out there.

Soon after I bought the car I considered what I really wanted to do with the car. I decided I wanted to enjoy it. So, if I end up with a dedicated track car it will likely be this one. The miles are high enough that it's not going to be the most valuable stocker. And I don't think it's going to win any shows without a lot of investment. So, I'm just going to enjoy the car and do a few track events every now and then. I have considered crashing. Obviously I won't be happy, but I can live with it.

My next step is just practice. I'm still learning and as long as I'm careful not to push too much I should be okay. Yes, that was treacherous turn 10. But as you can see I got my speed down before the spin. It was the inaugural EMRA Time Trial Event. First one at Summit Point. I have done FAAT at Summit with no problems

Batboy · Nov 22, 2005

P.S. Bug, I talked with ACR_Steve at the event. We were thinking about trying to get some cars out to the track for some easy fun and play. If you know of anyone else that might be interested pass on the idea.

Vintage Racer · Nov 22, 2005

Batboy

It's great to see you on the track-that's what these cars were made for. That right hander feeding onto the main straight is the turn you want to get right at Summit Point. If you get to the point you are on track with other cars this is where you will need to be carrying speed through the turn to pass going down the main straight. Probably just a little less on the go pedal as you exit the turn and you can keep the back end behind the front end and hammer down that long straigtaway. Smooth is always faster, but all of us who race have to spin it once in awhile just to make sure we know where the edge is.

Have fun. The track is the real test of a driver.

Bugeater · Nov 22, 2005

EMRA have an internet site?

We have a "crew" of guys here that hit VIR alot. Will have to get them up to Summit. You need to hit VIR! Summit is a nice changeup, but not in the same class of tracks.

Batboy · Nov 22, 2005

Yeah, it's http://www.emraracing.org/ I am planning to do VIR as well. I assume they do the Viper Days there every year. I missed it this year because I was actually at Summit doing a FAAT. I have heard VIR is very fun for the Vipers. I am anxious to get down there. And to be honest VIR may actually be closer to me. I just haven't heard of too many events down there.

Kai SRT10 · Nov 22, 2005

Great job!

We need more Vipers at time trials. Glad to see other Viper folk who are willing to compete in their Viper.

FrankBarba · Nov 22, 2005

Bugeater...been trying to get you to the track now for several years. I have never seen you at a SCCA, NASA or Emera Event. You just must just be hiding.

BATBOY.....what track are you going to rent for some spirited Viper Driving?

Vipera · Nov 22, 2005

Insurance will cover you if you run at a "driving school" like Viper Days. I've run in a few, and have received my share of Woodchucks!!!

Check with your Insurance and have them send you a letter confirming that you will be covered, just in case... Enjoy!!

Batboy · Nov 23, 2005

Frank,

Steve (ACR_Steve) and I talked about renting Summit. It's the closest track to Washington DC that I know of. We figured that would give us the best turn out. Plus, I think it would be cheaper than VIR, but given everything I've heard about VIR I would rather do that track. Guess I don't really know yet, but Summit will probably be my first choice.

ViperJohn · Nov 23, 2005

Matt, I really wanted to attend this event, but I have been on vacation in Florida.

Glad to hear you are enjoying your car! Keep me posted on the status of the event. I know of atleast 4 Vipers that would attend a Summitt Point event. We have been talking about setting something up.

My First Track Competition... GASP!

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