Track day interest

[TrevMcRev]

I wonder what license requirements there are at The Farm?

Oh the irony if someone tells me you needs a license to drive on the private track built by the owner because he lost his license...

[sandy468]

Unliscenced, you may be a danger to other liscenced drivers Trev. Speed kills, they tell me -- and they keep on telling me and keep on telling me and keep on....

[Stew F]

You blokes seemed pretty quick to rule out the dick part. ?????

[Apogee]

I'm keen. Count me in.

[GC9911]

I wonder what license requirements there are at The Farm?

Oh the irony if someone tells me you needs a license to drive on the private track built by the owner because he lost his license...

The times I've been to the farm I remember having to sign in& sign the usual waiver of responsibility etc. I will be making calls Monday/Tuesday & will update as info comes to hand. The farm is not a race track it is a "private country road" . 

[Port 911]

I think this is one I should make every effort to come down for.

[RennRob]

I'd be in if I have the date free.

Would be keen for an instructor.

 

Thanks for organising this.

[SimonN]

Very keen! 

[GC9911]

OK, sent off an email today re the farm so let's see what the response is. Just out of interest what is everyone's price point? Not looking to pry into personal circumstance, just get an idea of what is considered reasonable value for a track day? All feed back appreciated, thanks.

[tk111]

Around $300 for a do it yourself type of day, any more would be for driver tuition, food, timing and the like.

 

[itsujack]

Around $300 for a do it yourself type of day, any more would be for driver tuition, food, timing and the like.

 

OK, sent off an email today re the farm so let's see what the response is. Just out of interest what is everyone's price point? Not looking to pry into personal circumstance, just get an idea of what is considered reasonable value for a track day? All feed back appreciated, thanks.

A Burrows day at SMT runs about $500 for a full day plus food, tuition and some fun in sponsors cars.

[911sies]

I'm keen. Anything north of $400 would be pushing it for me. 

[symsy]

Wakefield , with pit marsall, 2 instructors, food, garages  etc is about 10k all up for the day for open track..  So let you peeps do the math/thats what would get carved up.

I cant really comment on prices per person and compare one venue to the other.

I havent done the Farm but heard good things ..but of course its not a track.

I have worked with a couple of guys who are very trusted with the Wakefield venue and were/are allowed a totally open format.  We of course do safety briefing and walk/drive of the track but its pretty much open other than that. The last sessions we ran at Wakefield we had 24 cars  each day if I recall , everybody was worn out by 3.30 in the arvo… with a large amounts of track time and many heading home worn out and smiling.

I think that is the key smiles and track time personally rather than competition,  most also have to be conscious with road cars .. as they dont last too long in long sessions, brakes tyres engne temps regardless of the fact that  they are porsches or like us AMG's , Audi RS's etc  , so 6-10 laps stints along  aligned also with ones concentration levels are consideration factors is normally a good session and you get many of these.

However one new GT3 did 100 odd laps.  Tag teamed by a couple of guys and ran most of the day.

The only other benefit for Wakefield and im not being pro it over The farm  and just sharing is obviously the run offs and this is valuable depending on how many novices firstly and then of course the mix of the higher end cars.

I am yet to get confirmation on date availability.  What dates are people thinking End Feb/March?

Also without making it too complicated.. what kinda day or vibe are we looking for , so again as an example .. I can/have instruct on some levels better than I can drive and on the day we run, we had an agreed small crew of the more capabale drivers quickly bringing up all the new starters by buddying every newbie with some so they could get the starters of roadcraft (Postioning, Braking, Apexs etc) and coaching them running input on their laps.

Of course they still got instructor time and they just had to go grab the instructors whenever they wanted.

This allowed for a rapid rise in comfort levels for all and the a lot of fun and sharing, rather than punching out laps for best lap times.  Of course theres also the opportunity for open passenger rides and then we also in the afternoon let the more gun cars and gun drivers have a little crack at each other which was equally good to watch and compare the cars etc etc.. not full on racing but im sure you get the picture.  It was interetsing to watch a few Caymans messing with GT3s and Lambos on our days.

Of course my Escort kicked there arses.. aided by the rain  and me channelling Ari 

 

[RennRob]

Wakefield , with pit marsall, 2 instructors, food, garages  etc is about 10k all up for the day for open track..  So let you peeps do the math/thats what would get carved up.

I cant really comment on prices per person and compare one venue to the other.

I havent done the Farm but heard good things ..but of course its not a track.

I have worked with a couple of guys who are very trusted with the Wakefield venue and were/are allowed a totally open format.  We of course do safety briefing and walk/drive of the track but its pretty much open other than that. The last sessions we ran at Wakefield we had 24 cars  each day if I recall , everybody was worn out by 3.30 in the arvo… with a large amounts of track time and many heading home worn out and smiling.

I think that is the key smiles and track time personally rather than competition,  most also have to be conscious with road cars .. as they dont last too long in long sessions, brakes tyres engne temps regardless of the fact that  they are porsches or like us AMG's , Audi RS's etc  , so 6-10 laps stints along  aligned also with ones concentration levels are consideration factors is normally a good session and you get many of these.

However one new GT3 did 100 odd laps.  Tag teamed by a couple of guys and ran most of the day.

The only other benefit for Wakefield and im not being pro it over The farm  and just sharing is obviously the run offs and this is valuable depending on how many novices firstly and then of course the mix of the higher end cars.

I am yet to get confirmation on date availability.  What dates are people thinking End Feb/March?

Also without making it too complicated.. what kinda day or vibe are we looking for , so again as an example .. I can/have instruct on some levels better than I can drive and on the day we run, we had an agreed small crew of the more capabale drivers quickly bringing up all the new starters by buddying every newbie with some so they could get the starters of roadcraft (Postioning, Braking, Apexs etc) and coaching them running input on their laps.

Of course they still got instructor time and they just had to go grab the instructors whenever they wanted.

This allowed for a rapid rise in comfort levels for all and the a lot of fun and sharing, rather than punching out laps for best lap times.  Of course theres also the opportunity for open passenger rides and then we also in the afternoon let the more gun cars and gun drivers have a little crack at each other which was equally good to watch and compare the cars etc etc.. not full on racing but im sure you get the picture.  It was interetsing to watch a few Caymans messing with GT3s and Lambos on our days.

Of course my Escort kicked there arses.. aided by the rain  and me channelling Ari 

 

Thanks Sysmsy, as a newbie I really like the sound of the sharing knowledge bit.

[GC9911]

Thanks Symsy,

I have sent an enquiry re the farm & they have replied advising they will get back to me shortly with pricing/ availabilty.

[SimonN]

I prefer tracks with run offs, because you can learn so much more and faster. It's a trick I learnt from Michael Schumacher (no, he didn't tell me personally - I read about it). Back when he was winning everything, he had a habit of going off during practice, but only ever on corners with good and safe run offs. That way, he could push and push until he was certain of the limit. One analysis showed that on corners he went off during practice, he had the fastest exit speeds in qualifying. So when I get to a new circuit, my sighting laps are always about looking at which corners you can push and which you cannot. You have to be a bit careful and know what happens in various situations, because sideways into gravel can flip a car or how far you take to stop on wet grass, but with run out areas, you can learn a lot more about your car.

[911sies]

I prefer tracks with run offs, because you can learn so much more and faster. 

I tend to agree. Run offs are good when the talent runs out, as it often did for me at Wakefield. I've run about 10 Wakefield days in my Exige with the Lotus Club, and the cost for about 30 of us was circa $250 if I remember right. That was a 3 or so years ago.My interest in the Farm is more about not having driven there before.

Wakefield was perfect for the Loti crowd, as the cars are physically small, not that high powered and devour corners. I've seen some seriously quick cars run the circuit in seriously quick lap times but remember talking to one 997 GT3 owner who found the place frustrating as there are very few places to open up a big power car. 

Personally speaking, since I'm now in a small German mid-engined car, rather than a small British one, I'm a happy chappy for either venue. 

[GC9911]

Just waiting on a response from The Farm, (no promises as to availability) but, this is not a high speed road, more a technical challenge, 25 odd corners & 4 laps average means you have done 100 corners. Stringing a perfect lap is really challenging, off camber corners, doubles esses, short shift through the barn & holding it flat will test the freckle clench. There are no run offs, if you go bush you are f%%cked, definately focuses the mind. I like this place as it is not a dick swinging competition but a personal challenge. 

Update soon.

[09ELF]

Im interested...

Havent taken the porker to the track before.

[GC9911]

Update: haven't had a reply from The Farm yet so sent another email today, me thinks it's not looking promising! Symsy chased up Wakefield which is about $10K for the day, so take your shoes & socks off to do the math divided by 20? or there abouts. If I dont have a response from The Farm in the next couple of days then maybe revisit Wakefield. The other option may be to join a regular scheduled track day as a group but we may have to share with others (ricers, SS, etc), or back to SMT in our back yard once school hols, January is over, could be worse. I think Caver was going to run the Southern Highlands run again or I can organise. 

TBA!!!!

[sleazius]

I'm keen to do either. Wakefield will probably get more runners based on price.

[1q2w3e4r]

The farm has limits from memory?  Up to 12?  I've never been up there with more than 8 people and echo Simon's points around run off, as you called out Geoff it doesn't have any  A great bit of tarmac but one you really just want to have a spirited drive at, not push it at all.  It'd be a very expensive day if you got it a bit wrong which always makes me a bit wary up there. 

What does a day at SMP cost?  

[GC9911]

The farm has limits from memory?  Up to 12?  I've never been up there with more than 8 people and echo Simon's points around run off, as you called out Geoff it doesn't have any  A great bit of tarmac but one you really just want to have a spirited drive at, not push it at all.  It'd be a very expensive day if you got it a bit wrong which always makes me a bit wary up there. 

What does a day at SMP cost?  

Not sure, been there a few (many) times & always enjoyed it as long as it's the full course. I'll make some enquiries.

[symsy]

The farm has limits from memory?  Up to 12?  I've never been up there with more than 8 people and echo Simon's points around run off, as you called out Geoff it doesn't have any  A great bit of tarmac but one you really just want to have a spirited drive at, not push it at all.  It'd be a very expensive day if you got it a bit wrong which always makes me a bit wary up there. 

What does a day at SMP cost?  

The only issue with SMP .. is the amount of track time and lots and lots of rule…….too many ..

 

Also general update

Im asking Wakefield crew , to sharpen pencils and refine for me .. I may be able also to get a Porsche instructor..

Any ideas on dates?? Im with you guys on the Fram not been there, always nice to drive new stuff ,  but for SAFE - Wakefield will probably win .

You all know retail is against my religion , lets get them engaged and will see if we cant crunch them on the numbers..

Any feelings on dates . March , April ??

 

[GC9911]

The only issue with SMP .. is the amount of track time and lots and lots of rule…….too many ..

 

Also general update

Im asking Wakefield crew , to sharpen pencils and refine for me .. I may be able also to get a Porsche instructor..

Any ideas on dates?? Im with you guys on the Fram not been there, always nice to drive new stuff ,  but for SAFE - Wakefield will probably win .

You all know retail is against my religion , lets get them engaged and will see if we cant crunch them on the numbers..

Any feelings on dates . March , April ??

 

Update on the Farm, no response to my second email yet so at this stage I'm not optimistic. I'll have one more attempt.