So after getting the bug once again at Expo, and the up coming Lemons race... I've decided to start looking around the state to find some tracks that rent...

I'm waiting to hear back from Moroso... but just got off the phone with a lady at Gainsville Raceway. It's a pretty small, not so popular RECONFIGUREABLE TO OUR NEEDS/WANTS track.

This is the track in question...



As you can see, the track can be configured in NUMEROUS ways.

Now the best part(s)

1. It's not all the way down in the panhandle of FL... it's actually considered North Florida so those near by won't have such a hike.

2. Small, just us group... we get the track ALL DAY LONG!!! (or days if there is enough interest)

3. cheap, CHEAP, CHEAP!!! The track rental, per day (haven't found out entire weekend rates yet) is $2250... that's right... ONLY $2250 and we get the track all day to ourselves... So do the math... 20 drivers is only $112.50 per driver if we got 20. And I'm certain the rates go down if we did a 2 day event.

So who's up for it? Time? Date? Not sure, trying to figure out what works best for all those out there. I've been thinking of another FL ITR meet... but this seems SO much better. I'm thinking Fall time, as they have October dates a PLENTY!

Dave, who will be rocking the FBP going forward.

List of those interested so far. If I've missed you, just PM me and I'll update it.

Dave_B
BoBo Racing
Dave-ROR
Neo
Ali
MARVNVRAM
Hooch'n ???
mugenr#1011
Walker111 ???
jdmegb18b
Henryx33
Kapman38
00-501itrspec ???
projecTeg
Bradstard ???
coolhandluke ???
mikestypeRR

Looks like date will be Feb 7-8th. Do you guys want 1 day or 2 days of track time?


Modified by Dave_B at 12:17 PM 7/17/2008


Modified by Dave_B at 4:08 PM 8/4/2008

 

Whats the time frame you are considering for this?

BTW, are you sure $2250 is the final number? Is that with insurance and all the other costs?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by neo_ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Whats the time frame you are considering for this?

BTW, are you sure $2250 is the final number? Is that with insurance and all the other costs?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Time frame? not sure, that's why I put it up here. See what works best for the masses.

Cost, yes for a single day that includes EVERYTHING. This from what I gather though will NOT be like most HPDE's... this is a TRACK RENTAL... what does that mean? Not as organized at say Expo or other HPDE's... There will be someone working the hot pits, and track access, but from the sounds of it, not so much in regards to corner workers. However, they have full EMS staff on site, and insurance is covered under the cost.

Why is it so cheap??? Well, it's not a very well known track and is mostly a test track.

More info here...

http://www.gainesvilleraceway....story

 

ROR... I will inquire about rollover protection.

This is open to anyone. I'm also inquiring about weekend rates and camping.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


More info here...

http://www.gainesvilleraceway....story</TD></TR></TABLE>

That looks like a description for a drag strip?

So we can line up and do some digs, excellent....

I'll bring some slicks then.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by neo_ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

That looks like a description for a drag strip?

So we can line up and do some digs, excellent.... </TD></TR></TABLE>

Open joor eyes... on the left side... see where it says ROAD COURSE.

The reason it's so popular with the drag racing is the annual Gator Nationals, a big NHRA event goes on (same weekend as the 12 hours of Sebring) It's known for that, and hardly for the road course.

 

Pssh, but do we have access to the drag strip too if we rent the road course?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by neo_ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Pssh, but do we have access to the drag strip too if we rent the road course?</TD></TR></TABLE>

who cares.....

 

Nope... but if we did it would probably be more than the road course.

 

It's actually very popular, I've been on it 5 or 6 times now. It's just not popular as a track day type course since it's not really great for that use. Check on their insurance, it likely only covers themselves, not students, etc who damage property, that's where K&K comes into play, and you open yourself up big time to liability without the extra insurance.

There's at least one other group who runs there though, works OK, just hard to make sure it's not too crowded and hard to get cars on and off the course in a safe manner.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave-ROR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It's actually very popular, I've been on it 5 or 6 times now. It's just not popular as a track day type course since it's not really great for that use. Check on their insurance, it likely only covers themselves, not students, etc who damage property, that's where K&K comes into play, and you open yourself up big time to liability without the extra insurance.

There's at least one other group who runs there though, works OK, just hard to make sure it's not too crowded and hard to get cars on and off the course in a safe manner.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Ok, first lady didn't know much... just got off the phone with "The man"

ROR is correct... it's best not to run this as a "Track Day" type of event... there is NO Barriers period on this track at all... It's mostly used as a driver training, police training and AutoX course. There is also NO passing allowed period unless you provide your own insurance. All that being said we still have options (given we want to run this, vs. say Moroso (cheap track in FL)

We can run say... 5 laps a person, get off and get back in line.

We can run all out with no passing.

We can run a lap at a time.

I'm open for all options here that equate to seat time.

 

Well I'd school you all in autocrossing, so just do what most do, no passing, 4-5 cars (or more, depending on speed differentials) at a time for 15 minute "sessions"

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave-ROR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Well I'd school you all in autocrossing, so just do what most do, no passing, 4-5 cars (or more, depending on speed differentials) at a time for 15 minute "sessions"</TD></TR></TABLE>

Works for me.

Here is the layout, we can configure any way we deem fit.

 

Also ERS is opening a 2 mile (i think) circuit soon. It's completed but the pavement hasn't cured yet. It will be more expensive than Gainesville but it's more of a true road course than GIR's test course. It's got some dangerous spots with walls WWWAAAYYY too close to the track surface, but I'd find it hard to believe that it's more dangerous than Moroso...

edit: just in case no one knows what ERS is http://www.gorally.com/ it's in Starke, near Gainesville/waldo

 

I can come up with a few different course layouts that would work. How dangerous do you want it? There's some very safe easy ways to use the course and some that are very deceptive from the drivers seat and can be quite a bit dangerous. (in terms of students spinning. It's dirt out there, I've seen more than one car life their inside tires sliding off course there, I haven't actually seen a rollover though..)

I've actually been in 4th gear in the integra autocrossing on the course before with course workers running scared (and I wasn't even sliding )

 

Only a grand more a day, not bad at all. But I see no course layout???

 

went to this track back in 02 during a PCA event, was not happy with the track.... Moroso i'd do

 

http://www.tamparacing.com/for...k.pdf

video from a golfcart: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QroSvlt0Tu4 (Ivor the owner is doing the talking if I remember correctly - I haven't seen him since I rallycrossed nate's RX7 and before that my conquest..)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hooch’n &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">went to this track back in 02 during a PCA event, was not happy with the track.... Moroso i'd do </TD></TR></TABLE>

Did you ever do Moroso? It's dangerous as hell, no one likes Moroso lol

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hooch’n &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">went to this track back in 02 during a PCA event, was not happy with the track.... Moroso i'd do </TD></TR></TABLE>

You just wait for Sebring...

It's in January... planning on that too. Just figured mostly something for the local guys that didn't want to travel. Although, anyone is welcome to join in.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave-ROR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Did you ever do Moroso? It's dangerous as hell, no one likes Moroso lol</TD></TR></TABLE>

No, never done or gone to Moroso...


Sebring is a must .. not sure when. I've got Barber and maybe High Rock up first depends on dates in 09 and what Nasa/BMW/PCA/Turn 1 schedules look like.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hooch’n &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

No, never done or gone to Moroso...


Sebring is a must .. not sure when. I've got Barber and maybe High Rock up first depends on dates in 09 and what Nasa/BMW/PCA/Turn 1 schedules look like. </TD></TR></TABLE>

BS... make Sebring your trip at the beginning of the year... as much track time as you have, you'll be out with the likes of GT cars, ALMS cars (GT series) Speed GT and the likes. I'm sure you'll have more fun with those.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

BS... make Sebring your trip at the beginning of the year... as much track time as you have, you'll be out with the likes of GT cars, ALMS cars (GT series) Speed GT and the likes. I'm sure you'll have more fun with those. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Problem isn't anything except .... Getting down to the track by driving. not big on driving a car 10 hours down, Track, 10 hours back... Maybe i can get Bradsterd to help me out

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hooch’n &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Problem isn't anything except .... Getting down to the track by driving. not big on driving a car 10 hours down, Track, 10 hours back... Maybe i can get Bradsterd to help me out </TD></TR></TABLE>

Now your talkin... I'm sure he can tow 2 cars in that hauler.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Now your talkin... I'm sure he can tow 2 cars in that hauler. </TD></TR></TABLE> or just share a car ...... Brad chime in here


I'd go with brad and instruct and drive his car a couple times .... or he could tow mine and we could use my crapper.

only burn 1 quart of oil this weekend with 7 20 min sessions