From the
original thread:
"I am seeking preliminary feedback for those interested in a track-day at MSR Houston. (Dates TBD....but probably late June or early to mid July 2006).
This is Houston's premiere 2.4 mile 17 turn road course. (This was briefly/formerly known as "Houston Motorsports Ranch") now owned by Mercedes-Benz of Sugar Land, TX.
For those of you have never experienced this track it is a very impressive, new road course which just opened Winter 2005. I am hoping this post will generate a reasonably accurate head-count regarding "genuinely" interested parties. (Please.... don't toss you name in unless you foresee a legitimate participation level).
Okay to the details: This would be strictly a "driving-event" vs. any kind of competition or actual road racing thing. The majority of people who will ultimately participate in this event will be novice drivers with expensive cars that need to come home in one piece. All passing would be done via acknowledged "wave-ons" as to promote a very safe environment for all. The track itself by its design is a very wide open and safe road course. Other than the barriers in turns 16 and 17 there are no track-side obstacles to consider. Those turns can be easily and safely negotiated by lowering your entering speeds.
There will be a brief classroom session prior to any driving with a MSR-H certified course instructor to learn all the track rules and general do's-and-don'ts to keep everyone and their car safe. If you want to take your expertise to the next level these instructors will be on hand throughout our rental period for personal instruction should anyone want to hire by the hour.
The way this works:
We (as a group) would rent the track for either a Half, or a Full day. Once rented, the track is then ours to use at our disposal with some reasonable track rules. The projected costs are as follows: (I will be able to be more accurate on the costs after seeing what kind of interest this post generates )
Approx 25 drivers: We would do a half day rental and costs would be approx $195 /driver for 4 hours track disposal.
Approx 30 drivers: We would do a half day rental and costs would be approx $165/driver for 4 hours track disposal.
Approx 50 drivers: We would do a full day rental and costs would be approx $175/driver for 8 hours track disposal.
Approx 60 drivers: We would do a full day rental and costs would be approx $145/driver for 8 hours track disposal.
(60 drivers is the track cut off and that would require a full day rental).
Should this event attract adequate participation, there will be a MSR sponsored PayPal account that each individual will transfer funds into for track rental payment. There is 10% deposit required to secure track once this thing is deemed a "Go".
So should we have a large turn-out would 50-60 cars be on the track at one time? No. We could easily organize 20 min groups (per skill level if necessary) That would put 15-20 cars (max) on the track at any given time which is very doable (and safe) on a 2.4 mile road course. This will be a very hot time of the year so most drivers will only stay on the track 15-30 mins at a time anyway and take a long break to let their cars cool as they socialize or whatever.
With all the Corvette enthusiasts in the Houston area alone (3 large Corvette Clubs here) seems participation wouldn't be a problem. This will be my first track-day to help organize here so time will tell.
Regarding inclement weather, unless there is an actual "weather-event" washing out most of the day, it is pretty much a rain or shine scenario.
Here is the track website with course info. Take a spin around it with all the good photos inside.
http://www.msrhouston.com/msrhouston/homepage.asp
So are you finally ready (or ready again) to track that Corvette? Come take advantage of this 2.4 mile road course just waiting for you. Our little group name is "Club Gear Grinders" and we are looking for members. Hopefully this will be the start of something cool in the future with regard renting this facility. So interested parties toss your name in the hat and I'll start a little roster.
Regards
Reid
a.k.a Bone Daddy
PS....I will be checking this thread regularly but often it won't be a daily thing. Thanks"
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"My girl has a C6 convertible. I have an NSX.
Since you are not having a huge response, would you agree to let me ask the NSX users here if Houston if they would be interested?
We participate over at NSXPRIME.com.
Thanks,
JM"
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"Hey Johnny hell why not! Bring those NSX's on. Lets do this thing.
Bone"
