Summit Point Track Day Meet

[shotgunslade]

I have information that there will be a Friday at the Track (FATT) event at Summit Point on May 12, 2007. This is an HPDE event with instructors, and generally follows HPDE guidelines: street legal car, tech inspection by a shop in advance; Snell 2000 helmet, same quality belts and seats for both driver and front seat passenger, etc. The following day, Saturday, for those who qualify to go solo in the FATT event, there will be a "Seat Time" event. "Seat Time" event allows non-street legal cars without passenger seats, for drivers who have already qualified for a solo drive (SCCA or NASA Competition License, or previous track experience). The tariff: $225 in advance for FATT, and $200 for Seat Time. Suggest we organize this within the next couple of months to make sure we get in.

Starting a Sign-up list.

---------------- FATT------Seat Time
1. Shotgunslade---x-------------x

[SVXRide]

Dan,
Does the seat belt requirement really mean that if I've got a 5 point harness for the driver's seat that I have to have a 5 point harness for the passenger's seat? Sounds like a blast. Shame it couldn't be a little later in the year, as the SCCA autoX season only starts in April (i.e., would be nice to have a little more seat time before hitting Summit Point )
-Bill

[benebob]

Originally Posted by SVXRide

Dan,
Does the seat belt requirement really mean that if I've got a 5 point harness for the driver's seat that I have to have a 5 point harness for the passenger's seat? Sounds like a blast. Shame it couldn't be a little later in the year, as the SCCA autoX season only starts in April (i.e., would be nice to have a little more seat time before hitting Summit Point )
-Bill

Not only does it mean that it also means you have to have the same seat for the passenger as the driver has most places, hence the lack of enthusiast response from either Dave or myself. Plus its a bad weekend for me.

[SVXRide]

Originally Posted by benebob

Not only does it mean that it also means you have to have the same seat for the passenger as the driver has most places, hence the lack of enthusiast response from either Dave or myself. Plus its a bad weekend for me.

Yeah, I was wondering about you two (but then, what else is new? )..seems to me we could find another seat for the RaceCar on Ebay for cheap, then you'd be in the same boat as me, re: do we really need a 5 point for the passenger?

-Bill

[TomsSVX]

Originally Posted by shotgunslade

I have information that there will be a Friday at the Track (FATT) event at Summit Point on May 12, 2007. This is an HPDE event with instructors, and generally follows HPDE guidelines: street legal car, tech inspection by a shop in advance; Snell 2000 helmet, same quality belts and seats for both driver and front seat passenger, etc. The following day, Saturday, for those who qualify to go solo in the FATT event, there will be a "Seat Time" event. "Seat Time" event allows non-street legal cars without passenger seats, for drivers who have already qualified for a solo drive (SCCA or NASA Competition License, or previous track experience). The tariff: $225 in advance for FATT, and $200 for Seat Time. Suggest we organize this within the next couple of months to make sure we get in.

Starting a Sign-up list.

---------------- FATT------Seat Time
1. Shotgunslade---x-------------x
2. TomsSVX ------x-------------------------------------

Im in for the first session, don't think I will be able to run the second. Where can I get tech inspection done?

Tom

[shotgunslade]

Here is the link:

http://www.bsr-inc.com/FATT.HTM

Here are the general rules:

Vehicle Eligibility
Street cars on street tires. (Certain SUV's and trucks are eligible. You must call for approval.)
Roll bars are mandatory for all convertibles.
Functional factory or "pop up" roll bars are acceptable such as Porsche Boxster or BMW Z3.
Driver's and passenger's seat must provide identical protection, including seat belts and roll bar padding.
Some racecars from various sanctioning bodies are FATT eligible provided they meet all BSR tech requirements. This includes a passenger seat for all Group 1 and Group 2I participants.
General Rules
Cars will be tech inspected for safety.
Helmets required. Any DOT-approved motorsports helmet is acceptable. Loaners are available.
Participants should keep safety equipment in proportion to performance modifications.
Gate opens at 7:45 am.
Everyone must attend the driver's meeting. Registration closes at 8:45 am for Group 1, 10:15 am for Group 2. You should arrive one hour prior to allow enough time for the technical inspection. You will not be able to participate if you miss the driver's meeting.

Bill:

Do you have a standard shoulder/lap belt on both sides for street legality?

Tom:

Here is the link to the tech inspection:

http://www.bsr-inc.com/fatt-tech.htm

It seems that they will check off the form themselves (some groups won"t; they require a thid party pre-inspection)

Dave and Ben:

I don't know what to say. You would probably need an instructor at least for one session, before they sign off on you to solo, and therefore you would need equivalent seating for the passenger.

[SVXRide]

Originally Posted by shotgunslade

Here is the link:

http://www.bsr-inc.com/FATT.HTM

Here are the general rules:


Bill:

Do you have a standard shoulder/lap belt on both sides for street legality?

Tom:

Here is the link to the tech inspection:

http://www.bsr-inc.com/fatt-tech.htm

It seems that they will check off the form themselves (some groups won"t; they require a thid party pre-inspection)

Dave and Ben:

I don't know what to say. You would probably need an instructor at least for one session, before they sign off on you to solo, and therefore you would need equivalent seating for the passenger.

Dan,
I have a certified 5 point for the driver's seat and the stock shoulder/lap belt for the passenger's seat. By "street tires" do you just mean DOT legal?
-Bill

[shotgunslade]

Street legal means DOT legal. So, treaded R compounds are OK. They might object to the disparate belting arrangement beween the driver's and passengers seats. Have you actually removed the lap shoulder belt from the driver's side. I know some guys leave them in place, to be street legal, even while leaving the non-street-legal 5 pt belt in place.

[It's Just Eric]

...Just a plug for myself here...If anyone needs a set of seats to meet requirements for events like this, I have a ful set of L model seats im willing to give to whoever picks them up

[MoreIBNR]

Summit Point is a great track - I've done it with the Porsche club. Generally, the rule about identical protection for both passenger and driver is standard. Also, most times they require that if you have 5-point harnesses you have to have a seat designed for them with pass-throughs fro the sholder belts and the anti-submarine belt.

Have fun if you go.

[newsvx]

Hey Dan, and all interested in Summit and track time,

In the Garage Thread, there was mention of going to Summit this year. Dan mentioned May 12 at the FATT. Personally, I am not impressed with the "types" of drivers that show up for the FATT's and have never run one of the FATT (I know, how can I judge it if I have never been - just the reputation it has from several folks I know that race SCCA that HAVE been there). BUT I will be there if anyone is planning to attend the FATT, and I will help out with your car in any way I can.

That said (and I didn't mean to throw cold water on Dan's suggestion for the FATT), but I think there is a BETTER opportunity.
As many of you know I belong to the local Mercedes Benz club (Greater Washington Section - web site is www.gws-mbca.org) - no, I don't own a Mercedes - and they now have several track days planned (takes a long time to coordinate dates), and these are ALL open to other makes of cars, not just Mercedes. We have had the Porsche, Ferrari, BMW clubs also join us in these events. Some REALLY neat cars tend to show up for these events too. And interestingly, the first event at Summit is a week following the suggested FATT. It is on a week day, but tracks dates are increasingly hard to get!!
The event dates for the Mercedes Club are the following:
- May 21 (Monday) at the original Summit Track / Circuit (2 miles, ten turns)
- Aug 4-5 (Sat/Sun) at the Summit Point "Shenandoah" Circuit (2 miles, 17 turns - the last time I was there I had to replace my front pads before driving home!! And they were NEW when I arrived)

There is also a Mercedes track event at the Virginia International Raceway (VIR) near Danville, Virginia (five hours south of Washington, DC near the NC border) on June 14 / 15 (Thursday / Friday). This will be on the 3.27 mile circuit setup with 17 turns and a mile straight!!. And a smooth as glass track surface!!

You can go to the above mentioned Mercedes Club web site for additional details on these events (I think they should be posted by now).
The way the club runs the track events: there are usually three different groups - novice, intermediate, and advanced. If you have not run many track events, you will be put (initially) in the novice group, but if you prove yourself to the insturctor, you can move up to a faster, more advanced group. As one would think, the really fast cars (AMG's and some pure race cars) will be in the "advanced group. I usually stay out of the advanced group to preclude the possibility of being run over (at VIR last year, there was a Corvette Z06 running well over 160 MPH on the straight!!). In the morning of each day of the event, there is, of course, a "drivers' meeting" which is mandatory, usually about 7:30 or 8:00 AM. All drivers (unless known by the organizers) will be required to have an instructor for a number of labs at least before being signed off to run solo on the track. And if someone gets a bit crazy on the track and doesn't obey the rules (like "NO - PASSING" in the turns), they will be "BLACK_FLAGED" and possibly asked to leave (no refunds either). SAFETY is a huge concern at these events! There is a "pre-inspection" sheet required to be brought to the track with you for your car, and there is another tech inspection in the morning -to insure lug nuts are properly tightened, etc (you would be surprised how many loose nuts I have found - some on the car ) The pre-inspection is supposed to be done by a "professional" and signed by the tech that does the inspection. And remember, there is another inspection AT the track. THE COST? Last year an event at Summit ran around $200 per day (payable in advance, and sign up for two days and save money), and for that you will get probably 5 - 6 twenty minute runs each day. And believe me, after 20 minutes (of constant focus on driving fast) on the Shenandoah Circuit (2 miles / 17 turns), you'll be tired and ready for a break. You will note that speeds slow down toward the end of the last day - this is mentally and physically draining.

So, there are opportunities to run your SVX on a track and have some fun and gain a great deal of experience for the real world. Keep in mind that a vehicle running these events have to be in excellent condition and the drivers driving responsibly. If either show up, they won't be allowed to run. I kinda like that since I may be out there on the track with them. Have there been accidents? YES!! Stuff happens (hence the reason for helmets, etc), but we should do all we can to ensure our car is in the best possible condition (that includes flushing the brake system (part of the pre-inspection check list) and replacing the fluid with a good high temp fluid. One does not want brakes fadding going into a turn at 90 - 100 MPH!! Check out the helmet requirement too. Myself, I need to buy a new one this year to meet the new requirements......

If you have any questions, post them here (lots will have the same questions, I am sure).
Looking forward to seeing a lot of SVXi at the track!!

Harry
PS: Thanks, Dan, for getting this going again. I have tried in years past to get some interest to no avail.

[shotgunslade]

Harrt:

The reasons I picked up on FATT were the following:

1. It was the only event that showed up on my Internet search.

2. I want to do a 2-day if I'm going to spend all that time driving to it, (6 hours each way), and they seem to hold Seat Time events on Saturday following the FATT event on Friday.

3. According to BSR, they do provide instructors for newbies at the track. I've learned that I would prefer an instructor the first time I drive any track. I also thought that some other SVX'ers who might be interested, might never have driven a track at speed and might also need an instructor.

4. I wanted to find something in mid May.

The Mercedes club event at the end of May would work for me, but I would prefer if there were also a driving event on the Sunday before or the Tuesday after to make the long trip more worthwhile.

[newsvx]

Dan,
I understand. If you go down to the May 12 FATT, let me know and I'll try to be there. It could work out well for you. I didn't mean to slam your idea for the FATT at all. I just wanted to give you and others an additional opportunity to get some track time. And yes, I know BSR provides instructors for FATT. They aren't going to turn someone loose on the track with other drivers and feel reasonably comfortable the driver knows a little bit about what he is doing and won't be a danger to himself or others. As much as I have driven the track, I always like a run or two with an instructor to refresh me on the turn-in points, etc. Eight months to a year between track events is too long to not do that.

I hope this works out (some track time for SVX'ers), regardless of where or when. Sorry if I offended you re FATT .....
Harry

[shotgunslade]

Harry:

Not a problem. I really appreciate your input. I can imagine that FATT might draw some less than serious drivers, since it is advetised and open. I will keep checking the motorsport web calendars to look for other two day HPDE opportunities at Summit Point. I look forward to seeing you and hopefully others at the track.

Dan

[shotgunslade]

The Friday at the Track and the Seat Time didn't work out. They never happen together on the same weekend. Instead I have registered for a 2-day track event with the Capital Area Chapter, NorEast.:R32 Club:

http://capital.noreastr32.org/sp_hpde_info.html They are holding a 2-day HPDE event on May 20-21 on the Shenandoah Circuit at Summit Point. They allow non-VW rides. They are currently wait-listed for the Novice Category (0-4 track-days), But were open in the Beginner Category (5-14 track days). Good news is the cost is only $295 fgor both days for a non-R32 ride. That is the lowest per day rate I have ever seen for an HPDE event

Harry:

Care to join me?

"Old" Tom:

Might want to drop around with a bottle of ASTI late Saturday afternoon, May 19th,. if you are around.

Young Tom:

Will see you tomorrow, but you might want to get on the wait-list as a novice.

Bill:

If you are around, your AutoX expertise might qualify you into the Beginner category.

Everyone in the WV, Northern VA area:

Could Saturday night, May 19 become a meet?