The cool thing about a good track pad compared to a street pad is that about the time your street pad would be starting to fade, the race pad is just reaching its best operating temperature. It will blow your mind when you feel it the first time. The brakes will feel "normal" and then about 3 laps in when you start pushing the car a little more they'll hit that magic temperature and suddenly the car is REALLY slowing down from 90+ mph and you feel invincible! That's what you want from brakes, that feeling of confidence.

 

If you're totally new to a track and track driving, in the future try to do the 1st day vs the 2nd day. Most of the new drivers who do two days will be up to speed already and just cause more traffic congestion for you. At the same time...if you do both days of a 2 days school that allows 2nd day entry, remember that people may be new that day and you have to work on timing your passing.

For me...doing a 2 day school was always a huge advantage as the 1st day is a blur, after you sleep and process day 1, day 2 is when you get comfortable and start to work on driving...not just surviving.

 

Don't stress him out, Craig, he'll be fine! As I recall, there are usually less people on track Sunday. More people tend to sign up for Saturday only or Saturday & Sunday, leaving fewer drivers on Sunday. And Sunday only drivers are pretty rare.

Go have fun! Just remember that when you point a SLOW car by in a straight, you have to LIFT or they'll never get by you.

 

+1 million

I always recommend that someone does both days on their first weekend. You aren't missing out on anything, per say, by doing one day... but the time you have to relax, eat dinner, talk about the track, sleep, etc. really helps out on your second day.

 

yeah I am heading down first thing Sunday morning, so I wont be able to stay at the hotel that night or set up in the Paddock the day before and do early registration. Luckily Sebring is only an hr from my house so I'll get there at 7 am to get teched/registered and set up.

I would have loved to sign up for the Saturday class but I work every Saturday from 9-9 and cannot take any vacation as I have to save it up for my wedding/honeymoon in 4 months (hence why you'll only see me at Sunday auto-x events)

 

How much does it cost for a weekend?

 

Just jumping in here , I hope to get into autoX this year even if its with the P71. I am building a foxbody up for autoX and would love to venture into the HPDE's eventually.

Glad to see everybody is helpful and friendly , I look forward to this year, even if I only get to spectate due to my time constraints. My wife is also interested which should makes things quite a bit more enjoyable

Good luck to everybody! !

 

By the time you figure getting to the track, food, tires, brakes and fuel on top of your entry fees, you'd better plan on at least $500 per day. Some of that (like tires and brakes) you may not have to pay immediately in conjunction with the event, but you'll be using those expendables.

 

299 entry fee
75 instructor fee
50 club dues
130 track insurance

554 so far and that doesn't include gas, food, and lodging and wear and tear items which will have to be replaced after several events (pads, rotors, tires, fluids, alignment etc.

 

Here's a beginner's video guide to Sebring. It might be a lot to read at speed. Let me know what you think.

YouTube - Sebring Guide Video