Love the vid !!

Do you mind if I ask what it costs for a day on the track?

 

Previously I used a GoPro combined with the onboard telemetry of the Sprot Chrono package. During this event, a BMW friend showed me the "Harry's Laptimer Pro" app for iPod/iPhone/iPad. Only $19.99, linked to a big track database, does telemetry and video at the same time. Great value for money!!

Still, the onboard telemetry is useful on the track to show you where you stand compared to previous laps, etc. + for recording more accurate position/speed/revs measurements.

Definitely a must have for track days

 

Let's say about $200 to $350 registration fee depending on the organizer.
Typically, you want or have to do a pre-track inspection which costs ~$50.
If you are worried about writing off your car, I strongly recommend track insurance ($200 to $500 per day depending on the value of the car, your level of experience, etc.). For a $100k insurance on my 991S, it is usually around ~350-400/day. Still, the insurance usually has a deductible of a few thousands and does not cover damage to the track (it happens and can be expensive at places like Barber).

Probably the big 'hidden' cost are tires and brake pads. I you are not too crazy, you can probably last one season with a set of tires.

Finally, you have the 'travel & entertainment costs' : hotel and evening drinks.

I also forgot about gas as I typically average 9 mpg on the track. I think I spent about $250 in gas this week end, including the trip from and back to Atlanta.

I've been as thorough as I could be, but in a nutshell, it can be expensive. But like one of my friends say, it's the most fun you can have with your pants on

 

^^ This is very helpful....Thank you for sharing that.

 

Big Mod today!

Last week in fact. Reduce the car weight by 4 lbs by removing the owner manuals and other useless paperwork from the glove box and installed a link to iManuals on my iPhone. Much better $$/lbs ratio than a lightweight battery

 

First pic from the track

Waiting for Stillbandits.com to post all pics to order the complete set

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60293300@N06/7117402745/

 

I have a white cab on order but can still change the color. Every time I think about a different color a new pic of yours gets posted, and I decide to stick with white. I don't think I'll do the black wheels and graphics thing, but your car looks awesome. Keep posting those photos.

 

Thanks! I know that white is becoming pretty common these days, but I would not go for anything else! I loved Aqua blue as well, but it suits better a luxury-coupe than something more of a sports-coupe (at least with the 'racing theme' that I am going for).

 

This is getting old...

Pulled over... This car is a cop magnet!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60293300@N06/7123225349/

 

Are they getting you with laser? I thought you had a detector and jammer?

 

Simple radar! My detector went off and I was hardly above the limit following a cop car. I did not mind to slam the brakes and just slowly adjusted my speed. I did not know that those guys can measure your speed 'backwards'

My bad, I should have known better. Still, I live in an area where there is zero crime and a cop at every corner. Somehow a BIG revenue stream is necessary to pay for our PD... The thing that gets me mad is how extreme they go: I've seen them posted for a whole afternoon next to a stop sign and pulling every driver over because they did not stop 'long enough' at the stop sign, even though they were under the limit (25 mph) and had effectively stopped. My wife was one of them: $200 + 2 points -> increased insurance premium. I was -and am- totally mad. I have a lot of respect for the police and what they do to keep our street safe, but this is over the top.

I'll probably get an Escort 9500ci system installed next week (to get a laser jammer at the back + GPS integration and full integration of the radar + laser system).

 

Ordered an Escort 9500ci

Part of the reasons why I was not paying so much attention to my V1 alerts was due to the huge amount of false alerts it gives! I tried a 9500ix (windshield mounted) today and got 7 false alarms on my V1 on my way to get it and not a single one on my way back with the 9500ix.

I'll get my shop to install the 9500ci ('concealed' + laser jammer) ASAP.

 

SM --- first...thanks! Spent the last 30 minutes reading your thread from start to finish. Man --- just great. I have a C2S Cab en route, and just digging into your posts has me chomping at the bit to get moving. I'm finalizing some aftermarket adders among which is the 9500ci. Curious to read your impressions once installed --- especially on the sensitivity point, and also how clean the install is front and rear. I'll wait on your posts --- just wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed following your journey....

 

Thanks a lot. I can not imagin how hard the wait must be!!!
I'll have the 9500ci installed at the end of the week and will be traveling the whole next week so I'll have the opportunity to do an extensive testing right away. I am driving since yesterday with the windshield mounted 9500ix (rather similar to the 9500ci functionalities as far as radar is concerned) and it is much better than my Valentine V1. There have been tons of arguments between V1 and 9500ix owners about which one is best. Here's my quick take on it:
V1 : very good long range sensitivity, arrows feature is unique. The device is nice, compact and well finished. BUT, you'll have tons of false alerts and your own confidence level in the device diminishes (how I got caught this week end as I discarded the alert...)
9500ix/ci : a lot less false alerts (night and day compared to the V1), GPS functionalities seem to work well (pre loaded database, auto-learn system), the device tells you (spoken alert) about the type of threat which allows you to stay focused on the road instead of checking LED's. The windshield mounted unit is more bulky and looks a bit cheaper, but this will be resolved with the 9500ci.

I hope that the 9500ci will live up to my expectations. Even though the laser jamming part of the system does not always get great ratings, two friends of mine have had it for a couple of years and have not had a single ticket. I'll post pics of the install this weekend and impressions about the system performance the following week.

 

More decals experiments

Still no news of SpeedART parts, those guys are driving me crazy. The importer is not even capable of providing tracking information (my shop is buying from Vivid who is apparently buying from a SpeedART importer. Does not seem to make sense). I am about to cancel the order and go with H&R springs and another spoiler option.

Anyway, Going further in experimenting a 'tracking theme' on the car I added a white PORSCHE windshield decal. Not sure if I am going to leave it permanently, maybe only for the tracking season (I also have custom racing-#s decals on order with Kyle). I'll sleep on it and give it a fresh look tomorrow AM.
Here are 2 quick iPhone pics:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60293300@N06/6987819314/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/60293300@N06/6987819018/
I did not post this before, but I have of course applied a black ribbon on the Porsche crest in honor of Butzi Porsche like many other PCA members and enthusiasts

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60293300@N06/7133902429/