I just wanted to share my first track day/ weekend experience. I went to VIR this weekend hosted by trackdaze.com (not a plug honest) and had an amazing time. Ever since my first 325ci, i have wanted to put my car on a track. to see what it and myself were capable of at speed in a controlled environment. that feeling only grew when i sold that car and got my M3. i was about ready to drop the $1500 ish to go to M-driving school in SC. but on a whim i found and bought my 996tt. and the VIR event sort of found me. what a great car. great track, great instructor. epic weekend. i was progressively getting faster and faster. i started out as average, getting passed by a few cars (i know its not a race, but still, braggin rights!) i kept my head in it and my instructor gave my great pointers and pushed me. by sunday i was flying around the track passing everyone else. i hit 145 on the back straight, up and over the hump, getting very light at the front. that was a bit scary, then hard on the brakes and in to the turn.
i just had to get that out somewhere, sorry if its random gibberish. i tried telling my wife but her eyes went kinda glossy and all she did was smile and say 'uh huh'.
these cars are epic. tame enough to be daily driven, yet when you unleash them, the performance is amazing. great all around car. and im a better driver for it.

 

It is very hard to understand unless you have done it, because it is a feeling and feelings are difficult to describe. And you nailed the 996tt

 

Glad to hear it went well for you. It does feel good to pass people, but be careful not to push too close to the edge of your own driving ability, since that's when the risk of costly mistakes really goes up.

I'm also planning to go to VIR this season, and also doing one or two DEs with TrackDaze (along with mostly PCA DEs).

 

i would love to go to more events like this, but with my work schedule the way it is, im surprised that i was able to make it to that one. it might end up being a once a year thing for me. plus this is my first P-car, i managed to find a good looking garage queen and i want to treat her well.

 

Next time just give her a wink and say, "It's better than sex."
They love to be treated well, but they also 'freeze up' if not used

 

Another hooked track junkie. Congrats. Many do not understand the stress release and fun of a good track day. I was thinking of selling my track/commuter car my MINI JCW. Dealer gave me a good offer to buy it back but I had a track day scheduled for last Sat. The MINI mus thave knows it potential days were limited. I was a wet day so I left the sticky's at home for this new track. The Ridge in Shelton WA. New track in the ran so I ran intermediate. Never was passed by a single car all day. Even if starting mid pack I could work my way up front and then walk away from the pack. Hard to sell a car after a day like that. Signed up for a dry day at the same track for Friday. Sticky tire day and Jack is most likely safe all summer now after that performance. He was not ready to go. My Maserati can't wait for Jack to go,lol.

 

since coming back home from VIR, ive been searching relentlessly for a set of track tires. which brings me to my other concerns. on the last 2 runs i did that weekend, all i could think was please dont let me have a tire failure (at the rate we go through tires normally) and i hope my brakes last. ive changed my brakes since then, yellow box pagids i think, and done a full flush with new ate super blue.

 

Glad to hear you had a great time. It's definitely addictive and fun.

Although it's difficult, you might want to resist the temptation to start modding everything on or improving your car too quickly. The best improvement to be made will be your skills for quite some time. In fact, modifying the car can give you the false impression that you're getting better when it's really the car that's getting better (of course, that's fun in of itself too) .

For example, if you find out how fast a skilled driver can get around the track with a similar car, that will give you a good sense of when you'd actually approach the limit of your car's capabilities.

 

+1
Beyond brake pads for the track and a good suspension alignment, YOU are the biggest part of the modifications that will net lower track times.

Do your track days with a quality organization (one that always provides access to instruction) and you will learn safely and quickly.

Have fun!

 

Glad to hear you had a fun time. I smell the mod bug coming soon.

 

+2 seat time and saftey equipment--will be the best money spent at this point--

welcome to the jungle!