I didn't track it, Benny took his Z and he ran off the road and hit a few cones. I just went to check it out. I'm going to track the car, no doubt, just not in the near future. Hopefully get a ride next time he goes out, if he stops being a douche and go!

 

Definately don't start tracking your car without your mum's permission...she worries about you

 

Autox first is great advice. I also recommend going to a couple track days w/ a helmet and do some ride-alongs with people. Get a feeling for the dynamics you will be facing in your car so you are more comfortable with it when you start driving it yourself.

Listen to instructors even if what they are saying sounds like it is something new and not what you have learned on the street. One of the hardest things you will have to do is un-learn street habits.

You need to make sure your car has nothing loose or un-attached, no leaks or anything and get it mechanically as sound as you can, then have it tech'd at a proper shop - I believe Roger Kraus does this, LIC may and I know Custom Alignment does in Mountain View as well.

As far as track prep - for your first few times out, the more street stock your car is the better and faster you will learn. If you are on street tires they will not grip as much but they will be more forgiving since they let go at much lower speeds/levels. They will also squeal and such, giving you an audible warning that you are losing traction - this is very key for learning what different feelings mean.

Another great benefit to getting some track time under your belt before modding is you won't waste money on things you instantly realize are not important on your first track day as well as you get to seriously experience each incremental difference with each piece you add. Do one track day and then add a RSB and new struts before the next - you will be able to feel every dollar you spent throughout the day.

Food for thought. If you are serious and you just wanna get out there, PM me for some ideas.

 

Like everyone said, try your hand at soloII first if you're uneasy about crashing your car. Otherwise, T-hill is your best bet. Nothing to hit but grass...umm, take that back. I know someone that just nicked the pit entrance wall at T-hill. He was coming out of t15 too hot and spung. Did I mention it was a F355 Challenge car?

Anyway, if you're interested, come out to the suby day at t-hill in April. You can get lots of ride-alongs. I'll be at Infineon on March 16th with TMR. I'll be in a 04 white STi with WRX wing if you want a ride-along.

 

Screw the track, Rallying is the way to go;

http://rallyusa.com/old_site/CRS%20S...rs_school.html

http://www.teamhightower.com/pcc/

http://www.rimoftheworldrally.com/

http://www.californiarallyseries.com/home/index.aspx

http://carzero.freeservers.com/

http://nasarallysport.com/

http://www.rally-america.com/index.php

http://rallyusa.com/

http://www.alcan5000.com/

 

go kart is a great way/place to learn weight shifting...

 

why am I not suprised you posted this?
(I did mention rallyx)

 

ouch... that hurts... and to clarify... I didn't run off road... it was still on the road iirc, just not where I was supposed to be.

ChiShi

 

I agree with this....it is really good and cheap. Try like 30 bucks for a broken axle

 

Sounds cool. Yeah... I guess I can really only run my car if it passes tech inspection. At the moment, it wouldn't because I have a cracked wheel, but yeah. I'll definitely look into it.

 

Track days are awesome. As long as you take it easy the first few times. Don't drive beyond your limits and you'll generally have no problems. I tend to like to keep a nice cushion around me in case people have brain fade.

I jumped right into track days, then got really in to go-karting. I pretty much only go indoors now cause it's convenient and a whole lot cheaper than the outdoor ones.

 

I just came back from the ITN rally down in Encindido and it was a great 6 hours of seat time. Beautiful switchbacks too.. I was tailing a cobra up Palomar mountain.. so much fun.

Next one is April 7 in San Luis Obispo and is 8 hours long.. I say we get a bay area group to head down there. http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1200237

 

The stockton ones go to the airport in Rancho Cordova once or twice a year.

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I just moved out here in September, but back in michigan some of the SCCA chapters had an autox on the tracks. Kinda like a stepping stone between the autox and full track - they added cones to bring the speeds down - but I have still spun my 280 going 80MPH down a front straight

 

SFR doesn't do this, but Reno does. They shanged the name from Solo to Time Trials.

-Gagan