How To: Go To Your First Track Day, N00b

Car and Driver reports:

We often talk about “track days” as if they are some mythical time in which the rules of the universe have been suspended and all cars are faster and nobody complains about his prostate. But a track day is nothing more than an opportunity for everyday drivers to take their cars to a racetrack and drive them mercilessly, without fear of traffic citation. So, the newbie might ask, just what goes on at a track day, and how does one find out about them?

Step 1: Find it

First, locate a nearby or interesting road course and go to that track’s website. Once there, find a schedule of events and look for “track day” or “driver school” events. Occasionally, tracks host their own “open lapping” sessions, but most track days are set up by car clubs. From the schedule, figure out which clubs are hosting a track day and then check out that particular club’s website to look up how to register and what it costs. Expect to pay about $200 for a day of lapping....

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t_bone - 5/8/2010 9:10:31 PM

+2 Boost

Pretty basic article, but gets to the point: just do it!

Joe_Limon - 5/8/2010 10:49:35 PM

-1 Boost

If you look up auto cross races, you can do them for $10 or $20. It won't be as fast as a race track, but it'll take way more skill and be hella cheaper.

t_bone - 5/9/2010 11:42:06 AM

+1 Boost

Problem with AX is that you enter up with 6-8 hrs of volunteer cone duty for about 10 minutes of seat time, at least that's how it is at PCA events. I got burned out pretty quick.

Totally disagree with you on the skill factor. You never get out of 3rd gear in AX and it can only take your driving experience so far.

TehShibbs - 5/10/2010 8:31:53 PM

+1 Boost

AutoXing is lame compared to a real track. Most SCCA autocrosses are designed in such a way as to limit speeds to under 60 MPH. That's pretty weak. Also, last I checked that kind of speed is legal just about anywhere.

100octane - 5/10/2010 5:49:48 PM

+2 Boost

one lap around the ring costs you 21€ and 20 minutes around the gp track 25€ if i remember correctly. 200$ really doesn't seem to be that much for an entire day, the needed gas for this day easily costs you the same here. you should also add a new set of tires and other wear parts. that's your bill without contacts.

10$ or 20$, hahahaha

if you can't afford 200$ for a trackday, then you probably can't afford a car that's worth to be driven on a racetrack.