question on track days

[NSX7]

Hi - not new here but haven't participated for a long time since I sold the NSX

I would like to start some track days this season. I have been wanting to do this for the last 4 years but my work situation did not allow it.

I currently own an 02 TL Type S so I will need to buy another car for the track - rwd, manual, reasonably reliable - budget is as low as possible so any suggestions is welcome

my question for the experienced track guys is: should I attend a driving school first such as the BMW intermediate and advanced school before I do this or going to a track day with an instructor for the first 2-3++ times is sufficient enough. Any other advices in this matter is welcome

ps. my wife is still opposing the idea big time as she thinks I am going to die so I am still working on this end.

your help in this matter is greatly appreciated

 

[Ponyboy]

A driving school would definitely help with the big advantage of learning from an experienced driver and not having to unlearn any bad techniques. However, intermediate or advanced is too high a class for a beginner.

I'd think you could get into a hardtop miata or S2000 fairly inexpensively.

Double your life insurance to please the wife.

 

[Tamar]

Hanson International Driving School has a class at Mosport DDT this Sunday
(April 18). It's to late to sign up, but it's a great opportunity to talk to the instructors and watch how one of the best schools in Ontario operates.

John.

 

[Joy2Drive]

Tamar is right. Send Peter Hanson an email ([email protected]). They may still have space available. If not, you can try some of the other dates.

2010 Schedule
1) Sunday April 18th
2) Friday June 18th
3) Friday August 27th
4) Saturday October 30th

 

[docjohn]

By all means do as many good schools as you can.There is alot to learning on track safety/awareness/respect/rules ect.The car you bring as a beginner is secondary to all the other things you will be absorbing.As long as your fluids/brake pads and gas tank are fresh/full ,the line ,etiquite,braking, eyes up ect are not dependent on the model or type of street car.

 

[Red]

The best performance improvement for you car is driving schools!

You can take that mod with you from car to car and I promise you it will make you faster, better and safer than adding a supercharger to your yellow NSX - I prove it every time Dave and I go to the track together!

Go to the Hanson School, Peter will make room for you - tell him I asked that he do you a favour. Then keep up the inertia by coming to my BMW Club day on the 24th and then come to the big track on May 1-2nd - by then, so much learning in a short time, will make you an excellent start - you'll be faster than Dave for sure...:tongue:

 

[NSX7]

The best performance improvement for you car is driving schools!

You can take that mod with you from car to car and I promise you it will make you faster, better and safer than adding a supercharger to your yellow NSX - I prove it every time Dave and I go to the track together!

Go to the Hanson School, Peter will make room for you - tell him I asked that he do you a favour. Then keep up the inertia by coming to my BMW Club day on the 24th and then come to the big track on May 1-2nd - by then, so much learning in a short time, will make you an excellent start - you'll be faster than Dave for sure...:tongue:

I actually talked to Peter on the phone yesterday and he told me the class is full. It didn't look like he could make any exceptions either

 

[Red]

Then register at the BMW Club school for Sunday April 25th - I'll be there and I promise you'll have a great time (Peter's Dad, Derek, and I run it)

 

[NSX7]

some people are telling me not to take my TL to the track - my car has 250K on it - they are saying I am running a big risk killing my transmission as well as putting my engine in risk. Also I may need brakes after that day!!!

I am confused now as I can't afford anything happening to the car - a brake job costs around $800

should I wait till I become 50+ years old and my mortgage is paid off and my kids are out of school in order to do this?

 

[Red]

rent a car for the day (anything from Herz, budget, etc) - bring it to the small track DDT (or DDC as its also known) for Hanson Schools, or the BMW one on the 25th. There is no real risk if you don't think you're awesome and need to show your instructor how awesome you are - if you're there to listen and learn you will be safe.

 

[swbatte]

rent a car for the day (anything from Herz, budget, etc) - bring it to the small track DDT (or DDC as its also known) for Hanson Schools, or the BMW one on the 25th. There is no real risk if you don't think you're awesome and need to show your instructor how awesome you are - if you're there to listen and learn you will be safe.

I've done that before - it's a great idea & a realitively risk free way to go. I bought all the insurance I could!
Don't buy a track car until you've done 5 or 6 schools. I've been to 35 track days or more and still learn from instructors. Both schools Red recomends are excellent.

 

[NSX7]

I've done that before - it's a great idea & a realitively risk free way to go. I bought all the insurance I could!
Don't buy a track car until you've done 5 or 6 schools. I've been to 35 track days or more and still learn from instructors. Both schools Red recomends are excellent.

The problem is by the time you add up everything - entry fee, rental fee, insurance, gas, etc..., it adds up quickly and I don't think I want to spend that much for 1 day of enjoyment

 

[swbatte]

You're right it costs some $, but it's less expensive than the repair for a little off road excursion.

On another note - it is very frowned upon to bring a car (I'm not saying this is the case here at all since I don't know your car) that blows a tranny, rad, or worse on the track. It shuts the track down for at least an hour and everyone else has to stand there waiting or help clean up oil, transmission fluid, coolant, blood, body parts etc.

Bring a reliable car, not necessarily a fast one.