DJM Posted 13January, 2014 Report Share Posted 13January, 2014 Is there somewhere on the forum where people post details of track days they plan to attend? Couldn't find anywhere. Are many PFA'ers tracking their cars and if so are they mainly attending Porsche Club events? When I had the clubman I did mostly MSCA (marque sports cars) events as well as the odd HSV or WRX/Skyline or Ford Four or Nissan event. Generally chose event based on track and timing that suited me, almost all clubs have open invitation to any other club. There was often a porsche or 2 at these events. Nowadays very easy to find out what's on via CAMS calendar. If there is not already a repository for this info, would be good if people could post up events they plan to do so others can tag along or come watch for a bit of camaraderie. Other forums also have a thread for posting lap times at each track which is always good to compare notes. Example here, one of the mods updates the first post every so often. http://ozdat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=33&t=6308 I'd like to do PI some time early 2014 once I get some tyres and an extinguisher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberpunky Posted 13January, 2014 Report Share Posted 13January, 2014 Great idea as even though I wont be doing any track days in forseeable future would be great to know I could come and see others race and lend some moral support, take pics and video etc. I also really like the idea of lap times, as that would give those who participate, some recognition and pride in what they have achieved. peace Cyberpunky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh Posted 13January, 2014 Report Share Posted 13January, 2014 Good idea Doug, something that has been discussed and should be easy enough to execute. PCV have a PI track day on the 2nd of Feb. Unlikely I will have my car back by then though unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerry Posted 14January, 2014 Report Share Posted 14January, 2014 DJM, funny you should mention it... I have a meeting set up with a track day hosting company to discuss a specific PFA tuition and sprint day coming up in the next couple of months... I'll be posting info as it comes to hand, and discussing what it is that members might be looking to get from such a day. Standby from this end... As for other avenues... PCV have a monthly competition you can get into relatively cheaply, and I think most of the tracks have "open days" when bookings allow where you can turn up, with your appropriate CAMS licence, skid lid and battery sticker, and go for a burn. Kerry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harvs11 Posted 14January, 2014 Report Share Posted 14January, 2014 Good idea Doug, something that has been discussed and should be easy enough to execute. PCV have a PI track day on the 2nd of Feb. Unlikely I will have my car back by then though unfortunately. I know this is a bit OT, sorry. Hugh, for those of us that didn't go on the last SMT, what did you do? Not too much damage hopefully. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hugh Posted 14January, 2014 Report Share Posted 14January, 2014 I know this is a bit OT, sorry. Hugh, for those of us that didn't go on the last SMT, what did you do? Not too much damage hopefully. I'll PM you........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM Posted 14January, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 14January, 2014 DJM, funny you should mention it... I have a meeting set up with a track day hosting company to discuss a specific PFA tuition and sprint day coming up in the next couple of months... I'll be posting info as it comes to hand, and discussing what it is that members might be looking to get from such a day. Standby from this end... As for other avenues... PCV have a monthly competition you can get into relatively cheaply, and I think most of the tracks have "open days" when bookings allow where you can turn up, with your appropriate CAMS licence, skid lid and battery sticker, and go for a burn. KerrySounds good kerry. I'm not sure about track open days though - Winton have their practice days usually on a Friday but I don't believe sandown or phillip island do. As for other club sprints days, it's rare these days to just turn up and enter on the day - many close entries the week prior so they can resolve groupings and prepare for the day. Often they offer discounts for early entry. For those new to track days, don't worry about which club - I prefer WRX, MSCA and PIARC because events are well run and you get maximum time on track. Perhaps 20-30% of cars are aligned with host club but you always get a massive variety of cars and won't feel out of place. Can't speak for Porsche club days - I assume they are a bit more Porsche focused. CAMS calendar ( http://www.cams.com.au/get-involved/events/event-calendar) shows what's on then you can click through to the host club's website for entry details. Search "speed" events and "club" as type of event and it gives you a complete list. Most track days are CAMS sanctioned and will appear here although I believe some now avoid CAMS and go through AASA - if so those events would not be in this calendar. For those new to track days, most events need CAMS L2S licence (form and annual fee around $70 from CAMS), membership of a club (any car club normally a form and annual fee of $60 - $100) and car must be roadworthy and have secondary bonnet fixing (suggestions?) and extinguisher that can be reached by driver while seatbelted in. Headlight glass also needs to be taped up (best to fit clear contact over lenses). Cars get checked (scrutineered) prior to each event (usually from around 7:30am prior to 9am start) then there is a driver briefing then they send cars out in groups. The level of scrutiny depends on who does it but they are generally red hot on fluid leaks (may be a problem for some weepy old 911s!) and play in steering. They also check brake pedal pressure, brake lights, wheelnuts and other general safety items. You need a number onto the car so they can identify you out on track - often you can buy adhesive numbers on the day and stick to side window I only once got asked for a blue battery triangle and fashioned one up from blue race tape, other events have not required it (only for race cars). Every now and then you get an over zealous scrutineer that wants you to jump through hoops but mostly they are like minded enthusiasts just wanting to ensure the day is safe for all. Oh, and you must wear long sleeves and pants, closed shoes and show the scrutineer your helmet which must be in good condition and have AS1698 sticker on it. My experience is everyone is there to enjoy safely and guys often help out with sharing tools, jacks etc. Every now and then you get a wannabe F1 driver - eg. at Phillip Island I was overtaking a car down pit straight leaving plenty of room when some nutjob in an ex V8 super car blasted past me at 250+ three abreast with right side wheels just about on the grass. Normally that's rare because they group cars according to lap timespans most people don't leave their brain in the pits, Would be good to get a few PFA'ers out on track together. That early feb PCV day sounds good Hugh except I only arrive home late Jan then need tyres, extinguisher, bonnet strap etc so it might be all a bit rushed. Also need to rejoin a car club and renew CAMS licence as it's expired. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM Posted 14January, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 14January, 2014 Here's something different - they run a sprint at RAAF air base at Sale every year, haven't managed to get to one yet but could be fun, like Top Gear test track!http://www.cams.com.au/get-involved/events/event-calendar/event-detail?eventID=27590&date-from=14/01/2014&date-to=30/04/2014&discipline=Speed&competition-level=Club&state=VIC&lp=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerry Posted 14January, 2014 Report Share Posted 14January, 2014 Cheers Doug, you clearly have a pretty good knowledge of the local scene. It has been a few years since I spent my spare days finding track time outside the club events. If you met Mark at the last SMT (9fan - blue 968 most often at the pointy end of the run), he would be worth touching base with as he often seems to know of prime local, and not so well published, events of different kinds... I think he is flying for most of January, but PM…? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerry Posted 14January, 2014 Report Share Posted 14January, 2014 Can't help it D, I keep seeing your signature and wanting to change mine to 964 RS with C2 bits... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevMcRev Posted 15January, 2014 Report Share Posted 15January, 2014 Just got this in my email from Drive Events so may as well share here. I've done one of these before with these guys and it was a great day. New Date Announced!!! – Friday February 7th To our very special friends and Drive Events customers, we have put together a special “Premium Drive Day” which will be held at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit on Friday the 7th of February 2014. The day will consist of more sessions than a normal drive day, (that’s at least 8 x 15 minute sessions allocated rather than 6) and very limited numbers keeping this day extremely exclusive. To book your place or find out more phone our bookings office on 1300 178 807. Special group booking discount rates are available so there is no better time to get a small group of mates together and drive this country’s best racetrack! See you at the track!! Andrew & Ben 1300 178 807 info@driveevents.com.au www.driveevents.com.au Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM Posted 16January, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 16January, 2014 If their claim of 8 x 15 minute sessions is true then it's a great option. Most track days I have done you get 4 ox 20 minute runs (sometimes 5 depending on how well run, worst case 3 if there are a few accidents that need cleaning up). A bit pricey at $350 (track days normally $200-250) but worth it if you get 50% more track time. After 8 sessions, you'd be physically and mentally frazzled. Trev, was the event you did well run? I did a Driver Dynamics Friday evening at sandown years ago and was alarmed at the complete lack of any scrutineering. The drivers briefing was woeful (have you done a track day before, yes, off you go then) and as a result it was dangerous. Lots of ricer racers in tweaked Hondas and WRX's with no idea what they were doing, racing each other door handle to door handle, shocking overtaking manoeuvres, diving up the inside under brakes, a bit of drifting down the back, no marshals on track. Needless to say i didn't go back and soon after the ceased running them. Not sure what would have happened if there was bad accident. Felt like a business venture run to maximise profit, not an enthusiast run event for safety and enjoyment of all. Drive events website seems to address all of this so looks pretty good. The only thing I don't like is lap timing and video is banned. I have a performance box GPS lap timer - its fun to record times to see if you are improving though the day and how you compare to other cars out there. Seems odd to ban it ?(presumably to limit "racing"?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJM Posted 16January, 2014 Author Report Share Posted 16January, 2014 Can't help it D, I keep seeing your signature and wanting to change mine to 964 RS with C2 bits... Haha - I reckon you should just stick with 964 RS (because you are one of the rare few who can!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevMcRev Posted 16January, 2014 Report Share Posted 16January, 2014 DJM, It was very well run and the people attending all pretty responsible. Being a week day there weren't really any twats there - lots of exotic machinery! No ricers, there were plenty of Porsches, Ferraris, Lambos, AMGs etc. 2 guys turned up by helicopter, their cars floated there by their service crew. A very different scene to Noble Park on a Friday night! They say no cameras/timing etc but I know a few people did, just be a bit stealth about it I were disappointed not to be able to use my gopro but mysteriously ended up with some footage from my iphone. I somehow misplaced it, leaving it in my sunvisor in the little card holder thing and must have bumped the record button somehow.... There were flag marshalls all around the track. They were smart about spacing out cars based on speed. Worth a go if you need a fix or want to get to know your car better. I'd go again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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