Want to Track It...Don't Know Where to START?!?!?! - LotusTalk

hollisterdout · 05-20-2008, 06:00 AM

hey sorry if this is such a noob question. but i had a 350Z that i just traded in for my lotus elise with the intentions of tracking it. I want to start out small like just get used to the car, wear out a few sets of tires, and then work towards bigger things. I am in NC and dont know where to go to do this, if i need some special license or what not, or anything really.

just a noob looking for some answers i guess. any help would be graciously appreciated

thegoat · 05-20-2008, 06:27 AM

I think one of the easiest ways to get on the track is to become affiliated with your local Lotus Ltd. chapter. They should announce their own and sister track days. Sign up, get a helmet, probably a fire extinguisher, do the maintenance required before (the track will have a list of items to check off) and show up.

If you are uncomfortable with the idea of driving on the track, go to the Lotus Driving School. They will let you abuse their cars while you learn how to drive on a track. Highly recommended.

thegoat · 05-20-2008, 06:29 AM

Also, you are about to get told by about 5 people to use the search function in the upper right portion of your screen.

kestrel74 · 05-20-2008, 06:43 AM

go to a few autocrosses first. that way you'll only kill cones instead of guardrails. Don't forget the painters tape ! That way you'll learn the limits safely.

hollisterdout · 05-20-2008, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegoat

Also, you are about to get told by about 5 people to use the search function in the upper right portion of your screen.

this i know...i have over 3000 posts on my other forum and i love to tell noobs to use the search function. but now that im in there shoes and have no idea where to begin i see why it gets annoying when everyone tells you to search lol

hollisterdout · 05-20-2008, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegoat

I think one of the easiest ways to get on the track is to become affiliated with your local Lotus Ltd. chapter. They should announce their own and sister track days. Sign up, get a helmet, probably a fire extinguisher, do the maintenance required before (the track will have a list of items to check off) and show up.

If you are uncomfortable with the idea of driving on the track, go to the Lotus Driving School. They will let you abuse their cars while you learn how to drive on a track. Highly recommended.

i think the owner before me tracked it because there is a fire extinguisher already in it.

xeeeejme · 05-20-2008, 07:11 AM

There is a specific subforum for Track & Technique. Lots of good info there.
Track and Technique - LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community

Here is a link to a local Lotus owner group page, which will be good for you to have:
Carolina Car Clubs - Index

And finally a link to track events in the Southeast when you're ready to take the plunge:
TrackSchedule.com - Coco's Drivers Ed Calendar for 2008

Good luck!

skottoman · 05-20-2008, 07:20 AM

DO you have to have an Orange Lotus in your avatar to post to this thread?

I found local clubs that run at tracks near me. Signed up for one back in 2002 (with MINI Cooper). Was a good HPDE, where I could learn, and test my skill at a non pressured level.

I'd recommend finding one of these clubs near you and get in on a HPDE. You can run novice class (nothing wrong with that), and learn a lot at your own pace.

Enjoy!
Cheers,
Skottoman

MidasHands · 05-20-2008, 09:13 AM

You should also be concerned about insurance. Most regular auto policies do not cover you on the track. Alot of people here run without insurance - and I have done that too. But I don't think I ever will again.

It's a tough choice, but track insurance and their deductibles are expensive.

plastique999 · 05-20-2008, 09:50 AM

I too am also gathering as much info as possible on tracking!

Here is another great website that one of the members referred me to:
trackHQ.com

exarkun1178 · 05-20-2008, 09:55 AM

getting use to the car, try a few autox first, thats where i became familiar with my car.. theres one this friday at the meadow lands, the on the 6th. if you go to north east region, under forums then look for nj auto x thread for 2008, that will give a ton of info. about the goings on.

there will be a bunch of us at both friday events!

Ave · 05-20-2008, 10:21 AM

I was in your shoes about this time last year. I had a friend who was an instructor in the BMW CCA. They have 'skid schools' to prepare people for their first day on the track. It had smoking donut exercises on a skid pad (with hoses to reduce the smoking), a mini-autocross, and braking exercises. I sucked at the braking, btw. It was a blast, and very inexpensive.

Then I signed up for my first track day with that club. They had great support for first-timers, were very welcoming to non-Bimmer drivers, and in general were a really nice bunch of people who put together a great event. I've since become addicted and have made it to a bunch of tracks, and gotten to know a whole new crowd of people. See if there are car clubs in your area that arrange track days. There's a continuity there that you might not find if you go to a race school, and you might get better prepared to learn more advanced skills should you choose to do an expensive race school later. I liked the BMW CCA, but there may be better ones in your area. MotorsportReg.com : MotorsportReg.com > Online registration management tools for driving and social events has a lot of events which you could check out. I highly recommend the skid school first (BMWCCA calls it Advanced Driving Skills School).

TorsinADoc · 05-20-2008, 10:25 AM

ITA66 · 05-20-2008, 10:26 AM

Check out Carolina Motorsports park. Talk to Brian Smith. Tell him a friend of a friend of Brian Vinsons told you about their track.

Seriously, I think they have a drivers school.

Check out the local BMW car club, or Porsche club, or Audi club, or Miata club, or Corvette club. Most all of them sponsor track days for fun, not competition, driving. All you should need is a helmet, long sleeve cotton clothes, and an entrance fee.

coulthard fan · 05-20-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hollisterdout

I am in NC and dont know where to go to do this, if i need some special license or what not, or anything really.

Welcome noob. Lucky for you that you live near one of the best tracks in the country, VIRginia International Raceway - The Track

There is an event coming up there on June 14-15 that a bunch of Loti will be attending. Mazda Driving Associates, LLC Mazda Drivers www.MazdaDriverS.com high speed drivers education hpde track events A few spots are still open.

If you are a track novice, the car will be fine totally stock.

05-20-2008, 06:00 AM	#1 (permalink)
hollisterdout Birthed in a Lotus!! Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: NC Posts: 90	Want to Track It...Don't Know Where to START?!?!?! hey sorry if this is such a noob question. but i had a 350Z that i just traded in for my lotus elise with the intentions of tracking it. I want to start out small like just get used to the car, wear out a few sets of tires, and then work towards bigger things. I am in NC and dont know where to go to do this, if i need some special license or what not, or anything really. just a noob looking for some answers i guess. any help would be graciously appreciated __________________ ORANGE 06 ELISE

05-20-2008, 06:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
thegoat Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Erie, CO Posts: 470	I think one of the easiest ways to get on the track is to become affiliated with your local Lotus Ltd. chapter. They should announce their own and sister track days. Sign up, get a helmet, probably a fire extinguisher, do the maintenance required before (the track will have a list of items to check off) and show up. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of driving on the track, go to the Lotus Driving School. They will let you abuse their cars while you learn how to drive on a track. Highly recommended. __________________ 2009 White w/ Carbon Birkin Super 7 (on order) 2001 Silver Honda Civic Ex (daily driver) ----------- 2006 Polar Blue Exige - Sold 2006 Chrome Orange Elise - Sold 2000 Porsche Boxster - Sold

05-20-2008, 06:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
thegoat Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Erie, CO Posts: 470	Also, you are about to get told by about 5 people to use the search function in the upper right portion of your screen. __________________ 2009 White w/ Carbon Birkin Super 7 (on order) 2001 Silver Honda Civic Ex (daily driver) ----------- 2006 Polar Blue Exige - Sold 2006 Chrome Orange Elise - Sold 2000 Porsche Boxster - Sold

05-20-2008, 06:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
kestrel74 G-200 Driver Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North of Detroit; Watkins Glen, NY Posts: 9,268	go to a few autocrosses first. that way you'll only kill cones instead of guardrails. Don't forget the painters tape ! That way you'll learn the limits safely. __________________ 74 Europa Zetec TC Special 3614R Elise #2292 / Chrome Orange !! / Starshield / Nitron Sport SA / RTDbrace / Uprights machined / Down Low rails / ChaseCam / V1 / SS lines w/ R4-S "My daily driver does .85 Mach" " I started flying when Sex was safe and Hang Gliding was dangerous " BUY My Europa ! http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f94/...pa-sale-43829/

05-20-2008, 07:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
xeeeejme Add Lightness Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Triangle, NC Posts: 376	There is a specific subforum for Track & Technique. Lots of good info there. Track and Technique - LotusTalk - The Lotus Cars Community Here is a link to a local Lotus owner group page, which will be good for you to have: Carolina Car Clubs - Index And finally a link to track events in the Southeast when you're ready to take the plunge: TrackSchedule.com - Coco's Drivers Ed Calendar for 2008 Good luck! __________________ '06 CO Exige - sold

05-20-2008, 07:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
skottoman 'Justa' Exige 190 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Scotts Valley, CA. Posts: 901	DO you have to have an Orange Lotus in your avatar to post to this thread? I found local clubs that run at tracks near me. Signed up for one back in 2002 (with MINI Cooper). Was a good HPDE, where I could learn, and test my skill at a non pressured level. I'd recommend finding one of these clubs near you and get in on a HPDE. You can run novice class (nothing wrong with that), and learn a lot at your own pace. Enjoy! Cheers, Skottoman __________________ 2006 AR N/A Exige-Touring pack-Starshield-TopspeedPro1 exhaust-DeSnorked-Green filter-RTD ToeBrace-Shims Removed-CF Diffuser-CF Splitter-CF Wing-CF Scoops w/custom grills-Black Exige sticker-PC680 battery-S111 battery holddown-Rear Lotus badge-Carpet buttons-Painted shift knob-Painted Console-EBrake Gaiter-SilverStealth bulbs-Front S111 towhook-Polk speakers-Toyo R888s-Lamin-x turn signal tint 2008 BMW X3 with some mods 2006 Cayman 'S'

05-20-2008, 09:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
MidasHands Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Glen Ridge, NJ Posts: 971	You should also be concerned about insurance. Most regular auto policies do not cover you on the track. Alot of people here run without insurance - and I have done that too. But I don't think I ever will again. It's a tough choice, but track insurance and their deductibles are expensive. __________________ - Mike 2006 KG Elise, Magnolia Interior

05-20-2008, 09:50 AM	#10 (permalink)
plastique999 Form and Function Join Date: May 2008 Location: Alta Loma, CA Posts: 3,029	I too am also gathering as much info as possible on tracking! Here is another great website that one of the members referred me to: trackHQ.com __________________ www.FaceNBody.com 2005 Lotus Elise: 2bular decat\GT3 exhaust,HID's,turn signal&rear fins delete, CFside scoops, CFbinnacle,CFcenter console,Zoom CF mirror,APR Aero kit,CF 5-elem. diffuser,Exige mesh,Ohlins DA,RTD brace,RAC 'lites,Toyo R888's,HawkHT10's,CO painted calipers,SS lines,Reverie XC CF seat,Reverie CF steering wheel,Schroth Profi II 6 pt harness,shifter re-Enforcer,Manly mounts, Accusump,Moroso pan,BWR key to BWR S/C! Spec Racer Ford #237

05-20-2008, 09:55 AM	#11 (permalink)
exarkun1178 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Point Pleasant Beach, NJ Posts: 4,285	getting use to the car, try a few autox first, thats where i became familiar with my car.. theres one this friday at the meadow lands, the on the 6th. if you go to north east region, under forums then look for nj auto x thread for 2008, that will give a ton of info. about the goings on. there will be a bunch of us at both friday events! __________________ [Ovarian Odorist] 11:12 pm: why did you ever get into your business rob...you have such great potential in the adult porn industry..

05-20-2008, 10:21 AM	#12 (permalink)
Ave You know how to whistle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 365	I was in your shoes about this time last year. I had a friend who was an instructor in the BMW CCA. They have 'skid schools' to prepare people for their first day on the track. It had smoking donut exercises on a skid pad (with hoses to reduce the smoking), a mini-autocross, and braking exercises. I sucked at the braking, btw. It was a blast, and very inexpensive. Then I signed up for my first track day with that club. They had great support for first-timers, were very welcoming to non-Bimmer drivers, and in general were a really nice bunch of people who put together a great event. I've since become addicted and have made it to a bunch of tracks, and gotten to know a whole new crowd of people. See if there are car clubs in your area that arrange track days. There's a continuity there that you might not find if you go to a race school, and you might get better prepared to learn more advanced skills should you choose to do an expensive race school later. I liked the BMW CCA, but there may be better ones in your area. MotorsportReg.com : MotorsportReg.com > Online registration management tools for driving and social events has a lot of events which you could check out. I highly recommend the skid school first (BMWCCA calls it Advanced Driving Skills School). __________________ '05 BRP, baby #5!

05-20-2008, 10:25 AM	#13 (permalink)
TorsinADoc Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 508	. __________________ http://foas.us/images/sigs/mclaren.jpg

05-20-2008, 10:26 AM	#14 (permalink)
ITA66 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Akron, Ohio Posts: 138	Check out Carolina Motorsports park. Talk to Brian Smith. Tell him a friend of a friend of Brian Vinsons told you about their track. Seriously, I think they have a drivers school. Check out the local BMW car club, or Porsche club, or Audi club, or Miata club, or Corvette club. Most all of them sponsor track days for fun, not competition, driving. All you should need is a helmet, long sleeve cotton clothes, and an entrance fee. __________________ '05 SY Elise w/ touring, Ohlins, 15/16 Rotas/Toyos, Kirkey aluminum seat, vacuum brake booster removed. '02 Subaru WRX, 6-speed conversion, Vishnu stage 0, mufflerless, lots of suspension mods. '89 Volvo 240 wagon, 305k miles and no rust! Past:'90 Miata, '83 Rx-7 ITA road race car, CRG shifter kart, first gen Rx-7 (x5), '87 Rx-7 Turbo II, '85 VW Golf GTI, '63 Dodge M37 Military truck, '75 Jeep CJ5 '66 Ford Fairlane

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