Today I went to my first road race type event and all I have to say is wow. The Prelude seems like a great car for it. I was passing cars that I think should be much faster than me such as an Rsx, 350Z, 911 turbo?. Anyway for anybody in the DFW area a local sport bike club is now hosting these road race style events at texas motor speedway. Its 45 bucks, no licenses needed, only thing you really need is a helmet and to pass the usual safety inspection. You race on a 1.3 mile course set up for the le mans series. If you went to the only le mans race that came to tms it the entire infeild section. Only downside is thier are novices out thier and people were spinning out in front of me. So for safety reasons passing is only on the straightaway. But you can get some great experience out thier and its very cheap compared to schools at a track. Just wanted everyone to have a heads up.


John

 

Wait... please tell me they're not letting unlicensed novices out on the track to 'race' ?

This is a recipe from disaster - it sounds like you have the wrong mindset for DE events as well. The #1 goal of DE events is safety and to bring you and your car home in the same shape it got there.

 

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wait... please tell me they're not letting unlicensed novices out on the track to 'race' ?</TD></TR></TABLE>
I'm thinking he meant "race license".

It's probably set up like a HPDE, but I can only speculate.

 

Actually these Sport Bike Hype events are just open track events. They do not have instructors and they allow pretty much anyone on the track. Their only saving grace is that the infield course they use at TMS is basically two straights with chicanes and two increasing radius turns. Even the most inexperienced driver could do okay at this track.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">They do not have instructors and they allow pretty much anyone on the track. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Fantastic. So lets leave the novices to their own devices and 'race' around the track.

 

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

Fantastic. So lets leave the novices to their own devices and 'race' around the track. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Glad you're so open with the idea.

Granted, the event doesn't sound very safe, but, where's the helpful attitude?? Oh wait, ego in the way?


thread author, be safe... sounds like it'll be a fun event if everyone is extremely safe. I'd just be more worried since it lacks instructors and such. Are their any EMTs?

 

Man didn't think anyone would attack such an event. Yes they do let anyone race so the amateur's do come. Like DR said the course isn't to complicated so as long as everyone is smart about it than it shouldn't be to terribally dangerous. Keep in mind the events have just begun and they are sort of working new things in to keep it safe. When we we're out thier everyone was careful about watching ahead and most had at least autocross expereince. I think it would be better if they we're to limit the number of cars on the track. Maybe seperate the novices from the experienced and lay down some rules to keep everything safe. Just some thoughts I don't run it, I'm just trying to get some experience.

 

And i did mean race licence

 

Do you have anymore info? Like a website or dates?

 

I'm sure it that a fun time is had by all but this strikes me as dangerous as hell. It will quit being fun when someone gets hurt.

K

 

A buddy was killed there in the late 80's racing a AMA Superbike event. Lost control of his 600 Hurricane and hit a hay bale.

From what I understand that isn't a real forgiving track.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JohnW &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A buddy was killed there in the late 80's racing a AMA Superbike event. Lost control of his 600 Hurricane and hit a hay bale.

From what I understand that isn't a real forgiving track.

</TD></TR></TABLE>

You must be thinking of Texas World Speedway in College Station. Texas Motor Speedway is in Fort Worth and was built only 5 years ago.

 

Yeah...... that was it. TWS.

 

Sorry about not replying. Website is http://www.sportbikehype.com. They have quite a few events left for the year. Im going again the 27th. Maybe once more after that hopefully before I may have to move. Their any good tracks in Utah...

 

Hey thiers a shot of me in action. Kinda far away but thier I am..the silver lude. I'm so glad that miata was out thier. Those damn things always kick my *** in autocross, but boy did he get passed like he was walking here. hehehehe

 

If you wish to participate in unlicensed, un-safety geared racing thats fine. Its your melon. But dont share it here.

RJ