Track Day Question

[Kitcat]

A 7 owner on another forum complained that he was frequently not allowed to participate at track days because he had a "race car." Although this sounds a lot like the too-fast-to-race complaint lodged against the original 7, as a prospective owner I am wondering if anyone else has experienced this problem. If so, how often? To my mind, a race track is the 7's natural environment. Not being able to access a track with it would eliminate much of the reason I would consider owning it. What have your experiences been?

[RDROCKT]

Here in Michigan we often run at Waterford Hills Race Course. Although the track has been there since God made dirt, it is now surrounded by subdivisions. The homeowners have gotten the township to pass ordinances that keep "race cars" from running during the week. Only clubs and manufacturers running pretty much stock street mufflers are allowed and no race decals. Weekends are reserved for "race cars".

 

In order to further bias the issue, "race cars" are deemed to be those that "look" like a race car. That is, decals, no windshields, open wheel, etc.

 

Recently I believe the weekend noise limit of something like 95 decibels at 100' is being enforced.

 

Not necessarily the same issues everywhere but kinda gnarly here.

 

Chuck

[blami]

I've used my Caterham exclusively on race track since I assembled it in 1994. Tracks that I have run on include Lime Rock, Watkins Glen, BeaveRun, VIR, MIS, Road Atlanta, Nelson Ledges, Mid-Ohio, and Gingerman. I have somewhere near 15000 racetrack miles on my Seven.

 

 

 

Noise has not been an issue with my car as long as I have had my Caterham supplied competition exhaust and muffler installed. I must admit that the packing in my muffler has seen better days and that it will need to be replaced soon.

 

 

 

When you try to sigh up for a track day or track driving school you need to know who the organization is that has rented the track and is putting on the event and what their goals and standards are. If a club (Porsche, BMW, Corvette, etc) has rented the track ask if they will allow "non-marque" cars to attend, ask about tech. standards and ask for a copy of the tech inspection form--you don't want to show up the day of the event and find out that "open" cars need arm restraints for both driver and instructor (this assumes that you also have a seat, good belts, and rollbar protection for the instructor). Same things apply if you sign up for a non-club event run by an organization like NASA.

 

 

 

With a little pre-planning you will find that you can get on track as much as you can afford.

 

 

 

Bart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[WestTexasS2K]

I have run NASA, Apex driving, Drivers Edge programs all DE stuff and it is basicly run was you brung. They put in group according to driving skill regaurdless of how fast the car is. Now these are all Drivers Education programs not actual wheel to wheel racing. Now if you want to race there may not be a catagorey that your car fits into for some of the organizers. I know NASA has the 7s challange series. They race in group of other race cars but position is just between the 7 drivers.

 

 

 

I have talked to some of the Driving schools because I had heard the same rumor that you had that they would not allow open wheel cars. But this pertained mostly to the Ariel Atom because the driving wheels are not covered by a fender. If contact were to occur then it could cause a car to get launched. But they said no problem with the 7 type cars as long as they had fenders.

[Kitcat]

Thanks for all the info. It doesn't look like an overwhelming problem, especially if you check first with the organizers.