Virginia International Raceway in Danville, Va - Page 2 - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

mgg · 01-23-2013

Lance. Summit Point is also a great track. Facilities have really been updated and it is a track that will provide all of the challenges you will want to find. I certainly hope that if you attend a track day that you are at least changing your brake pads from stock to a bit more aggressive compound. Stock pads will give out quickly and limit your ability to learn by reducing how agressive you can drive after just a few laps. I instruct up at Summit Point for various clubs and organizations. If you would be interested, I could let you know if an event was scheduled that you would enjoy. I got my SCCA competition license at VIR. Great track no matter which configuration they run it. I prefer the full course over the grand as the braking from "oak tree" on the full course will certainly get your attention. Lance, I would suggest if you have not had much track time that you would consider attending an AUTO-x . Every student that I have instructed that routinely auto-xed their cars seem to have better car control. Auto-xing really allows you to hang the car out at safe speeds and almost always demonstrates understeering and oversteering at reasonable speeds that you can safely correct. Just a thought.

Shrek · 01-23-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgg

Lance. Summit Point is also a great track. Facilities have really been updated and it is a track that will provide all of the challenges you will want to find. I certainly hope that if you attend a track day that you are at least changing your brake pads from stock to a bit more aggressive compound. Stock pads will give out quickly and limit your ability to learn by reducing how agressive you can drive after just a few laps. I instruct up at Summit Point for various clubs and organizations. If you would be interested, I could let you know if an event was scheduled that you would enjoy. I got my SCCA competition license at VIR. Great track no matter which configuration they run it. I prefer the full course over the grand as the braking from "oak tree" on the full course will certainly get your attention. Lance, I would suggest if you have not had much track time that you would consider attending an AUTO-x . Every student that I have instructed that routinely auto-xed their cars seem to have better car control. Auto-xing really allows you to hang the car out at safe speeds and almost always demonstrates understeering and oversteering at reasonable speeds that you can safely correct. Just a thought.

Excellent advice!!!!!!!!!!!

Wife and I were autocrossers for nearly 8 years. The later portion of those 8 years were running numerous NCCC high speed events at a veriety of road courses throughout the southeast and mid atlantic.

mgg · 01-23-2013

Hey Shrek, that car looks familiar. Did you used to attend the "Spooktacular" at Summit Point "jefferson " circuit. You may remember some of the regulars at those events. Chuck Wasserrott, Mike Woods, Aaron Quine. We had some good shootouts. Just curiuos if this is the same car I remember.

Shrek · 01-23-2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgg

Hey Shrek, that car looks familiar. Did you used to attend the "Spooktacular" at Summit Point "jefferson " circuit. You may remember some of the regulars at those events. Chuck Wasserrott, Mike Woods, Aaron Quine. We had some good shootouts. Just curiuos if this is the same car I remember.

Yep!! The Spook is where that photo was taken! I think it was the same event Aaron put his C4 into the tire wall right there by the paddock.

LancePearson · 01-23-2013

Thanks for the learning advice but at age 69 I think I will mostly watch now. The one day I did was for the experience and I might be interested with the ZR-1 for one more day to compare but I don't have an interest in buying a trailer, getting seriously into racing. Don't at this stage have the reflexes or the time for it to that degree. I have several other time consuming interests as well in sailing, kayaking and do photography on a very serious level as well so this is one of my interests and won't get seriously into racing. Thanks though as it is very interesting.

Have watched auto x and the vettes are almost too powerful for it to be the fastest. you have to rein em in to be fast around the course I saw. Would teach you control and precision to be sure.

ZZZZZR1 · 01-23-2013

Among the various topics we discussed at various times is tracking our cars. It would be great fun to get others interested. I thought I would to send you some more information on it to share with anyone else that might be interested:

There are three tracks within a reasonable distance of us:

Summit Point: http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/

Virginia International: http://virnow.com/

NJ Motorsports: http://www.njmp.com/

Of these VIR is by far the most fun! Check out this stock GT500 being driven by a professional Ford development driver from Ford’s SVT Group. The in car video has been overlaid with track telemetry showing G-forces, steering wheel position, and even a video of the driver! Change to 480p full screen and turn up the volume!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR7PIZhFUdc&feature=related

Car & Driver use VIR as there test bed, kind of a USAversion of the Nürburgring Ring:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/lightning-lap-2012-feature

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/lightning-lap-2012-feature-sortable-times-complete-lightning-lap-times-2006-to-2012-page-8

Various groups rent the track to put on a day or two event (sometimes referred to as a high performance driving event or “HPDE”). These vary from Car Clubs like BMW and Porsche to companies that do nothing but travel around the country putting on track events. Cost is usually around $250-300 per day for four 30 minute sessions which includes an in car instructor and some classroom time. Examples include:

https://www.trackdaze.com/

http://www.nasaracing.net/?page_id=88

http://www.chinmotorsports.com/

http://www.summitpointfatt.com/

Theresa and I are probably doing the 2 day event at VIR May 4-5 (or the June 8-9 event) and definitely the Nov 12 & 13 event at VIR with Trackdaze. The Nov 13 event is the "Grand Course" used by Car & Driver and the only time this year we non race car drivers get a shot at it! We typically rent a villa that overlooks the track:

http://experiencevir.com/lodging

From the balcony you can see about a third of the track. Theresa will watch and sip her wine while watching me do my hot laps. Nice way to go racing! The attached picture was shot from the villa balcony. At this spot on the track your clicking along at about 100 - 110 mph right near the limit through a series of climbing esses! WOOO Great Fun! They also have a hotel on site and there are several hotels in Danville, a 20 minute drive to the track.

Car prep almost certainly must include upgrading both Brake Pads and Fluids to that which will survive a day on the track. Stock pads will not last the day or maybe even the first session. Sounds like you already have upgraded brakes and pads. Many guys will eventually start using racing slicks on their cars but I continue to use street tires, (although the tires I use are specially designed to be somewhat stickier at track temperatures at the cost of thread life) because you can still drive to and from the track. I also feel your much improved driving skills are better transformed to the street using the same tires that you use every day.

Remember you are not insured while on the track but special insurance is available for some events through this group:

http://hpdeins.locktonaffinity.com/Default.aspx

Cost for my 90 ZR-1 is usually about $150/event. Price depends on your actual declared value.

From another Z brother!!!! (I'm trying to get him to post on the forum)

We need to get a group together! At worst, I would love to spend the weekend watching and maybe go out as a passenger.

David

batchman · 01-25-2013

My buddies from the SVT club are running there this weekend. They may have had some cancellations, could be worth trying to contact Tony Sorrentino. He's a great guy, and this is a great bunch. Looks like they even have a very inexpensive 1/2 hr session - sure wish I could get near a track like that! But I'll try to stay happy with autocrossing for now...

www.trackclubusa.com

Best,
- Jeff

LancePearson · 01-25-2013

Thanks, Jeff, but I probably won't. It's 23 degrees F and snowing as I speak. Not time for a track. I'd wager they will have more than a few cancellations. It is a nice track. Paul Newman used to love running there, said:
"If there's a heaven on earth, it's VIR."
Lance P.

LancePearson · 01-25-2013

David, the day I ran my 76 as touring lights with the vir club for four sessions of 25 min's each there were several c5 and up vettes there running in full classes. They told me they each changed pads every four hours of track time and rotors every six hours of track time as they were very aggressive with brakes with three straights on the track counting the climbing esses portion before you get to the turns heading to Oak tree. The ferrari 430 guy from Baltimore said the same for him.

Lance P.

mgg · 01-25-2013

Lance, if someone told you that, they were WAY too hard on the brakes or did not have an adequate braking sytem. I drove stock Z06's at VIR without any brakeng problems and was easily doing 150mph into the braking zones. Braking is one part of high performance driving that takes a long to progress in. Think about it. Anyone can go fast in a straight line. All you have to do is pucjh the accelerator, braking and mid corner speed is what seperates the men form the boys when going fast on a road course.

01-23-2013	#11
mgg Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hamilton, Va. Posts: 113	Re: Virginia International Raceway in Danville, Va Lance. Summit Point is also a great track. Facilities have really been updated and it is a track that will provide all of the challenges you will want to find. I certainly hope that if you attend a track day that you are at least changing your brake pads from stock to a bit more aggressive compound. Stock pads will give out quickly and limit your ability to learn by reducing how agressive you can drive after just a few laps. I instruct up at Summit Point for various clubs and organizations. If you would be interested, I could let you know if an event was scheduled that you would enjoy. I got my SCCA competition license at VIR. Great track no matter which configuration they run it. I prefer the full course over the grand as the braking from "oak tree" on the full course will certainly get your attention. Lance, I would suggest if you have not had much track time that you would consider attending an AUTO-x . Every student that I have instructed that routinely auto-xed their cars seem to have better car control. Auto-xing really allows you to hang the car out at safe speeds and almost always demonstrates understeering and oversteering at reasonable speeds that you can safely correct. Just a thought.

01-23-2013	#13
mgg Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Hamilton, Va. Posts: 113	Re: Virginia International Raceway in Danville, Va Hey Shrek, that car looks familiar. Did you used to attend the "Spooktacular" at Summit Point "jefferson " circuit. You may remember some of the regulars at those events. Chuck Wasserrott, Mike Woods, Aaron Quine. We had some good shootouts. Just curiuos if this is the same car I remember.

01-23-2013	#15
LancePearson Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Chester, Virginia Posts: 457	Re: Virginia International Raceway in Danville, Va Thanks for the learning advice but at age 69 I think I will mostly watch now. The one day I did was for the experience and I might be interested with the ZR-1 for one more day to compare but I don't have an interest in buying a trailer, getting seriously into racing. Don't at this stage have the reflexes or the time for it to that degree. I have several other time consuming interests as well in sailing, kayaking and do photography on a very serious level as well so this is one of my interests and won't get seriously into racing. Thanks though as it is very interesting. Have watched auto x and the vettes are almost too powerful for it to be the fastest. you have to rein em in to be fast around the course I saw. Would teach you control and precision to be sure.

01-23-2013	#16
ZZZZZR1 Banned BANNED Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: MD Posts: 3,690	Re: Virginia International Raceway in Danville, Va Among the various topics we discussed at various times is tracking our cars. It would be great fun to get others interested. I thought I would to send you some more information on it to share with anyone else that might be interested: There are three tracks within a reasonable distance of us: Summit Point: http://www.summitpoint-raceway.com/ Virginia International: http://virnow.com/ NJ Motorsports: http://www.njmp.com/ Of these VIR is by far the most fun! Check out this stock GT500 being driven by a professional Ford development driver from Ford’s SVT Group. The in car video has been overlaid with track telemetry showing G-forces, steering wheel position, and even a video of the driver! Change to 480p full screen and turn up the volume! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR7PIZhFUdc&feature=related Car & Driver use VIR as there test bed, kind of a USAversion of the Nürburgring Ring: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/lightning-lap-2012-feature http://www.caranddriver.com/features/lightning-lap-2012-feature-sortable-times-complete-lightning-lap-times-2006-to-2012-page-8 Various groups rent the track to put on a day or two event (sometimes referred to as a high performance driving event or “HPDE”). These vary from Car Clubs like BMW and Porsche to companies that do nothing but travel around the country putting on track events. Cost is usually around $250-300 per day for four 30 minute sessions which includes an in car instructor and some classroom time. Examples include: https://www.trackdaze.com/ http://www.nasaracing.net/?page_id=88 http://www.chinmotorsports.com/ http://www.summitpointfatt.com/ Theresa and I are probably doing the 2 day event at VIR May 4-5 (or the June 8-9 event) and definitely the Nov 12 & 13 event at VIR with Trackdaze. The Nov 13 event is the "Grand Course" used by Car & Driver and the only time this year we non race car drivers get a shot at it! We typically rent a villa that overlooks the track: http://experiencevir.com/lodging From the balcony you can see about a third of the track. Theresa will watch and sip her wine while watching me do my hot laps. Nice way to go racing! The attached picture was shot from the villa balcony. At this spot on the track your clicking along at about 100 - 110 mph right near the limit through a series of climbing esses! WOOO Great Fun! They also have a hotel on site and there are several hotels in Danville, a 20 minute drive to the track. Car prep almost certainly must include upgrading both Brake Pads and Fluids to that which will survive a day on the track. Stock pads will not last the day or maybe even the first session. Sounds like you already have upgraded brakes and pads. Many guys will eventually start using racing slicks on their cars but I continue to use street tires, (although the tires I use are specially designed to be somewhat stickier at track temperatures at the cost of thread life) because you can still drive to and from the track. I also feel your much improved driving skills are better transformed to the street using the same tires that you use every day. Remember you are not insured while on the track but special insurance is available for some events through this group: http://hpdeins.locktonaffinity.com/Default.aspx Cost for my 90 ZR-1 is usually about $150/event. Price depends on your actual declared value. From another Z brother!!!! (I'm trying to get him to post on the forum) We need to get a group together! At worst, I would love to spend the weekend watching and maybe go out as a passenger. David

01-25-2013	#17
batchman Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: I live at Devens, one run at a time Posts: 455	Re: Virginia International Raceway in Danville, Va My buddies from the SVT club are running there this weekend. They may have had some cancellations, could be worth trying to contact Tony Sorrentino. He's a great guy, and this is a great bunch. Looks like they even have a very inexpensive 1/2 hr session - sure wish I could get near a track like that! But I'll try to stay happy with autocrossing for now... www.trackclubusa.com Best, - Jeff __________________ [I]91 ZR-1 #1840, autocrossing in SCCA BSP. FIC S/S's DRM chip/Watson/Borla/lid/LW batt&headlights, springs, shocks, pads & lines, quick rack & Turn One, camber brace, 32/22mm sways, A/C halfway deleted 17x11 & 12 CCW's, 315 & 335 Hoosier A6s [/I]