View Full Version : First time on a road course (not 56k friendly)
alleycat58 03-19-2006, 10:43 PM So me and my friends headed out to BeaveRun today. Didn't think I was going to make it on the track, but I did. This was my first time EVER on a road course...
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun005.jpg
Me + Vibe GT = Beamer sandwich
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun007.jpg
Learning the line
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun047.jpg
Going up to the start/finish to start my first full-speed lap
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun061.jpg
I obviously wasn't going hard enough if my instructor was able to READ while I was driving...
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun069.jpg
NOW we're getting down to business...
alleycat58 03-19-2006, 10:47 PM http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun087.jpg
LOL, how often are you going to see a Cobalt leading a Porsche and a Beamer. I actually lapped the Porsche several times...
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun094.jpg
Cobalt on the prowl...
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun095.jpg
Still leadin' a BMW...
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun116.jpg
Puttin' another lap on the Porsche...
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun127.jpg
GM representin'
alleycat58 03-19-2006, 10:51 PM http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun129.jpg
Finally got the point-by from the M3 after pushing his ass through the turns for 3 laps...
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun148.jpg
Check out that slick sliding action...
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun162.jpg
At this point my 4th instructor was holding on for dear life...
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun175.jpg
That time I threw him so hard we almost bumped helmets...
http://cobaltss.net/gallery/files/2/0/9/3/BeaveRun032.jpg
Gotta give some respect to the Vibe GT, that thing looked awesome on the track.
ballerSS 03-19-2006, 10:51 PM Great pictures! Looks like a fun time. How did you do overall?
Cobalt30 03-19-2006, 10:51 PM nice pics man. iv always wanted to do a road course but dont know where they have them in western mass.
d_backer1 03-19-2006, 10:53 PM Nice:cssNET: What were your times, compared to the the others on the track? And were they all rooks?
MarcS 03-19-2006, 10:55 PM Awesome, great pictures too. :thumb:
:twothumbs outstanding...!!!! Looks like you had fun...
alleycat58 03-19-2006, 10:57 PM Great pictures! Looks like a fun time. How did you do overall?
That's the best part, you're not really racing anyone. You can have someone time you if you want, but it doesn't really count for anything. I was in the novice group since it was my first time, but overall I did pretty well. You have an instructor go with you and they grade you on your driving. I did fairly well though. By the end of the day the instructors were all giving me 8's (on a scale of 1-10).
Cobalt_Supercharged 03-19-2006, 10:58 PM Nice pics. I found a club that runs a road course once a month. I think I'm gonna have to check them out.
alleycat58 03-19-2006, 10:59 PM Nice:cssNET: What were your times, compared to the the others on the track? And were they all rooks?
Nobody really times you. I passed a lot of people though, which is odd. You're only allowed to pass if you're given a signal to, but I was way faster than a lot of people through the turns. And yeah, they're all rooks. You can't move up until you're signed off by I believe it's at least 2 instructors.
DJNateGnau 03-19-2006, 10:59 PM That looks like a buttload of fun, Way to OWN a Porsche...
alleycat58 03-19-2006, 11:00 PM Awesome, great pictures too. :thumb:
The pics were done by a professional. They set up and take pictures of your whole run group and then you can buy the CD-R with everyone's pics on it.
plyboy-illest 03-19-2006, 11:02 PM Sweet Pics!!!!
HackAbuse 03-19-2006, 11:04 PM How much does something like that cost, i'd like to try something like that
ballerSS 03-19-2006, 11:08 PM Hey Alleycat,
Do you have the G85? If not, how bad was it without an LSD?
alleycat58 03-19-2006, 11:10 PM Normally at that track it runs $186/day. You have to find your nearest track and find out from them what their sessions run.
CobaltCowboy 03-20-2006, 03:04 AM hey, i'm hating gotta go out and find a course near me. anyone know of a place in illinois?
btw:twothumbs looking real good out there:twothumbs
alleycat58 03-20-2006, 11:06 AM Hey Alleycat,
Do you have the G85? If not, how bad was it without an LSD?
No I don't and it was HORRIBLE without the limited slip. I've completely reorganized my upgrade plan. The car as it is is quick, but it can't get the full power it's making stock so there's no sense in adding MORE power if you can only use it in the straights. I'm going to save up for a limited slip diff and then throw money into suspension THEN I'll look at adding more power.
victory_red_SS 03-20-2006, 11:32 AM No I don't and it was HORRIBLE without the limited slip. I've completely reorganized my upgrade plan. The car as it is is quick, but it can't get the full power it's making stock so there's no sense in adding MORE power if you can only use it in the straights. I'm going to save up for a limited slip diff and then throw money into suspension THEN I'll look at adding more power.
I totally agree with you alleycat58. I did a training course this weekend as well, on a road course. I am a rookie at this but even the instructor was having a tough time not spinning the wheels coming out of the corners.
As for the power on the straights, everyone wanted to know about the "Cobalt" as they were very impressed with it's speed. I had a 05 GT Mustang, 04 RX8 and some quick Audi that told me how there was no way they could pass me on the straights.
All in all an LSD is the way to go for road racing. As well after this past weekend I now understand the reason for a brake upgrade if our cars are driven that hard on a regular basis. For just one weekend our brakes did fine.
People are seeing the Cobalt SS\SC as a force not to be taken lightly:cool:
R33P3R007 03-20-2006, 11:37 AM great pics, someone did a nice job with some of them
victory_red_SS 03-20-2006, 11:45 AM P.S.
Alleycat58 did you think of checking the awesome mileage after burning around the track?
Mine was 25L\100 km or basically 120 miles per tank.:lol:
alleycat58 03-20-2006, 02:03 PM P.S.
Alleycat58 did you think of checking the awesome mileage after burning around the track?
Mine was 25L\100 km or basically 120 miles per tank.:lol:
Yep, 7 miles to the gallon. I ran out of gas - TWICE.
MarcS 03-20-2006, 03:09 PM Good to read it does so well on a road course. After all it was tuned on the "ring". :)
red_wing_2121 03-20-2006, 03:24 PM What were you wearing under your helmet?
Awesome pics! Thanks for sharing your experience with us! :cssNET:
What were you wearing under your helmet?
looks like a nomex hood..?? maybe...
alleycat58 03-20-2006, 09:51 PM looks like a nomex hood..?? maybe...
Pretty much. It's just a plain hood that goes on under your helmet. I hated wearing it because it felt uncomfortable, but the high for the day at the track was 37 degrees and you have to drive with the driver's side window down...therefore I needed something to keep from getting frostbite on my nose.
NJBLUESS 03-20-2006, 11:49 PM Great Pics, I'm jealous! There aren't any tracks near me that I know of, to do any kind of Roadcourse driving. I am looking foreward to doing some Autocross runs this year, though.
Cobalt_Supercharged 03-21-2006, 02:39 AM I just noticed this. Did you take the center caps out on your wheels or did they come out? I know the 2.4's are having a problem with them falling out.
Leafy 03-21-2006, 03:12 AM Nice Pics!
I wish they had a road course here in Edmonton!:cussing:
Toronto SS 03-21-2006, 03:21 AM I just noticed this. Did you take the center caps out on your wheels or did they come out? I know the 2.4's are having a problem with them falling out.
My guess is they are still on her winter wheels.
280Z1977 03-21-2006, 04:29 AM nice pics man. iv always wanted to do a road course but dont know where they have them in western mass.
Since she missed it, ALLEYcat is a WOman.;) :p:
Looked liked fun, there are a few tracks I want to try my car(s) out on here in Cali, especially La Guna Seca.
SS_Canuck 03-21-2006, 10:57 AM Great pics alleycat58! It looks like you had alot of fun out there. Way to represent the Cobalt!! :twothumbs
I'm a complete noob at roadcourse racing as well and that is something I am interested in getting into this summer. Did you have any experience in auto-x or anything first? Anyone know of a track near Syracuse, NY or Ottawa, ON that would have something like this for 'noobs'? I'm thinking of the same upgrade path as you, I like the power the car puts out now, but I would like to upgrade the suspension, brakes and lsd before adding more power.
victory_red_SS 03-21-2006, 11:02 AM Great pics alleycat58! It looks like you had alot of fun out there. Way to represent the Cobalt!! :twothumbs
I'm a complete noob at roadcourse racing as well and that is something I am interested in getting into this summer. Did you have any experience in auto-x or anything first?
Yes she has been auto crossing for sometime acording to her past threads.
badg1rl 03-21-2006, 11:07 AM Alley--- Totally KICK ASS! Nice reppin the females out on the track girl!
chipsgt 03-21-2006, 11:26 AM Way to go!
Looks like it was lots of fun! :guns:
The pictures came out great! :twothumbs
alleycat58 03-21-2006, 06:31 PM I just noticed this. Did you take the center caps out on your wheels or did they come out? I know the 2.4's are having a problem with them falling out.
You have to take them out. Well, don't have to, but you build up so much heat in the brakes that it will melt the center caps...I just didn't want mine turning into goo.
alleycat58 03-21-2006, 06:39 PM Great pics alleycat58! It looks like you had alot of fun out there. Way to represent the Cobalt!! :twothumbs
I'm a complete noob at roadcourse racing as well and that is something I am interested in getting into this summer. Did you have any experience in auto-x or anything first? Anyone know of a track near Syracuse, NY or Ottawa, ON that would have something like this for 'noobs'? I'm thinking of the same upgrade path as you, I like the power the car puts out now, but I would like to upgrade the suspension, brakes and lsd before adding more power.
I auto-x'd for 2 seasons before I went. Look on http://www.trackpedia.com and see what's around you. Almost every track will have an instructional program where you can go and learn.
alleycat58 03-21-2006, 06:39 PM Alley--- Totally KICK ASS! Nice reppin the females out on the track girl!
Thanks Donna! There was one woman in an Audi SR4 that was an instructor!!!! She was kicking ass and taking names, man!
conemark 03-21-2006, 11:03 PM Alleycat-
Amazing photos, and I'm glad to hear that someone is taking it to the track in a big way!
Just curious, in your opinion, did autocrossing prior to doing a track day help you?
redrocket 03-21-2006, 11:53 PM NICE - I wanted to get to beaver run last fall but never made it. We should set-up a meet there with the pittsburgh area SS's, we would have a blast. Met up with a couple people from here at Pittsburgh Raceway and had alot of fun, ever been? Anyway, what was your top speed and which track did you run on?
Anyway, if you go again, please PM me and I'll meet you there. I know a couple others with SS's in the area, maybe I could get a few to come with.
Oh yea, you said you didn't think you would get on the track, was there alot of people?
Pittsburgh Rules!:twothumbs
Take care.
alleycat58 03-22-2006, 12:18 AM NICE - I wanted to get to beaver run last fall but never made it. We should set-up a meet there with the pittsburgh area SS's, we would have a blast. Met up with a couple people from here at Pittsburgh Raceway and had alot of fun, ever been? Anyway, what was your top speed and which track did you run on?
Anyway, if you go again, please PM me and I'll meet you there. I know a couple others with SS's in the area, maybe I could get a few to come with.
Oh yea, you said you didn't think you would get on the track, was there alot of people?
Pittsburgh Rules!:twothumbs
Take care.
I don't know when I'll make it back up there. The next day is April 1st but I'm working and I need the money a WHOLE lot more than I need the track time. The rest of them are all Friday or Monday, so I don't know if anyone could actually make it. But we can do some auto-x action with Steel Cities region.
I've been to PRP, but I'm not into drag racing at all. It's just really boring to me. I ran and watched both, and it just never caught on with me.
All runs were done on the North circuit, that's the only road course that's open, but they are adding a South circuit as well. I don't know for sure what my top speed was, you can't look or else you'll die pretty much. All I know is going into turn 9, which is the most dangerous turn on the track, I was going over 110mph. It was scary because the reason it's so dangerous is because of the angle of the turn, once you're there you CANNOT lift off the gas or else you'll spin the car at best or flip it at the worst.
The track day was sold out, so I wouldn't have gotten on but 2 people missed the driver's meeting so I got to take one of their places. :cssNET:
Mercury 03-22-2006, 01:10 AM Was there somebody photographing there, or did you have someone take pictures of you?
alleycat58 03-22-2006, 01:51 AM There was a professional photographer there taking pictures, then you could buy the CD-R off of him.
Mercury 03-23-2006, 12:18 AM There was a professional photographer there taking pictures, then you could buy the CD-R off of him.
How much? lol
alleycat58 03-23-2006, 12:39 AM It's a lot I think. I don't know for sure, because all my friends went in together and bought mine for me, hehehe. They've all been road racing for a while and have been bugging me to try it so they said I had to have the pictures to commemorate the occasion.
Vendian 03-23-2006, 12:40 AM They need to build a track so bad in AZ its redonkulous. I vote to put it in the Gilbert/Queen Creek area. I think it would really reel in the dollars. Fireturd is gay.
badg1rl 03-23-2006, 10:07 AM you know alley if you really get into this , there are plenty of opportunities out there for women and sponsorships. they love that shit. you can use those pics for your portfolio and maybe get some nice free performance parts or discounts at least. something for you to definately look into. women drifters , autoxers and modders definately have advantages.
alleycat58 03-23-2006, 11:17 AM you know alley if you really get into this , there are plenty of opportunities out there for women and sponsorships. they love that shit. you can use those pics for your portfolio and maybe get some nice free performance parts or discounts at least. something for you to definately look into. women drifters , autoxers and modders definately have advantages.
I'm going to eventually. I need a regular job first, then I'll look into it. I already have a couple people interested in paying for my track time just for me to get more experience in the seat. From there we'll see.
celicacobalt 03-23-2006, 12:31 PM nice pics
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