Race Track
#1
Race Track
Over the weekend, I was in Monterey and had breakfast with a young man(55) who went to college with my daughter. He had been a career Marine, just retired. He has a good friend who had been a race car mechanic at Laguna Seca Raceway. My friend assured me that, if I was interested, he could arrange for a professional to take my car out on the track and really open her up. And, YES!, interested! So next time I go over( probably in a couple months), I’ll be touch with my friend! Have it checked out beforehand, of course.
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#3
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Prince George, B.C. Canada
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Definitely go along for the ride especially with a professional driver but don't be surprised if it gets up well over 100mph. The only problem is that you'll want to do it yourself. I've had my '97 coupe well north of 200kph (120mph) and for a 25 year old car it handles really good at that speed. Here's an example.
After this picture the wife made me put both hands on the wheel.
After this picture the wife made me put both hands on the wheel.
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Rosevillesister (05-15-2024),
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#5
Definitely go along for the ride especially with a professional driver but don't be surprised if it gets up well over 100mph. The only problem is that you'll want to do it yourself. I've had my '97 coupe well north of 200kph (120mph) and for a 25 year old car it handles really good at that speed. Here's an example.
After this picture the wife made me put both hands on the wheel.
After this picture the wife made me put both hands on the wheel.
that I can post something eventually.
#6
#7
You will enjoy the ride! The elevation and drop into the turn at Laguna Seca maybe like the uphill after the S's at Road Atalanta. We did this on a Club Track Day several years ago. You just choose the correct line and turn w/o seeing anything but sky. then drop down and continue on. At Road Alanta,should you fail to make the early turn, you enter a shut down lane and must continue on prior to entering track again.
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#8
[QUOTE=kstevusa;2750480]You will enjoy the ride! The elevation and drop into the turn at Laguna Seca maybe like the uphill after the S's at Road Atalanta. We did this on a Club Track Day several years ago. You just choose the correct line and turn w/o seeing anything but sky. then drop down and continue on. At Road Alanta,should you fail to make the early turn, you enter a shut down lane and must continue on prior to entering track again. [/QUOTE
Salinas native here… After James Dean was killed in a car crash while on his way to a race in Salinas( he was driving the Porsche he intended to race), public outcry resulted in construction of the Laguna Seca Raceway within a couple years. That elevation is 180’ I believe.
Cheers!
Salinas native here… After James Dean was killed in a car crash while on his way to a race in Salinas( he was driving the Porsche he intended to race), public outcry resulted in construction of the Laguna Seca Raceway within a couple years. That elevation is 180’ I believe.
Cheers!
#9
Whoever stole the body shell of Dean's Porsche Spyder could make a major fortune with it these days. Various engine and suspension parts that survived the crash supposedly were salvaged and installed on other Porsches around California at the time. But the body shell was later stolen while the destroyed car was being trucked around the country and displayed as a deterrent to careless driving. Sure wish I knew where it is nowadays....
Wish I knew where the wreckage of the Buddy Holly / Big Bopper / Richie Valens airplane is, also. I was 5 years old when that crash occurred, Buddy Holly was my favorite artist, and I will never forget that day. I was not quite 2 when the James Dean crash occurred and I have no memory of it....
Wish I knew where the wreckage of the Buddy Holly / Big Bopper / Richie Valens airplane is, also. I was 5 years old when that crash occurred, Buddy Holly was my favorite artist, and I will never forget that day. I was not quite 2 when the James Dean crash occurred and I have no memory of it....
#10
Whoever stole the body shell of Dean's Porsche Spyder could make a major fortune with it these days. Various engine and suspension parts that survived the crash supposedly were salvaged and installed on other Porsches around California at the time. But the body shell was later stolen while the destroyed car was being trucked around the country and displayed as a deterrent to careless driving. Sure wish I knew where it is nowadays....
Wish I knew where the wreckage of the Buddy Holly / Big Bopper / Richie Valens airplane is, also. I was 5 years old when that crash occurred, Buddy Holly was my favorite artist, and I will never forget that day. I was not quite 2 when the James Dean crash occurred and I have no memory of it....
Wish I knew where the wreckage of the Buddy Holly / Big Bopper / Richie Valens airplane is, also. I was 5 years old when that crash occurred, Buddy Holly was my favorite artist, and I will never forget that day. I was not quite 2 when the James Dean crash occurred and I have no memory of it....
#11
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: on the road in NE Oklahoma
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These cars will go pretty fast in a straight line, a triple digit curve is going to be problematic however. They are a fine GT car, not a sports car pretender
My e types were very comfortable in giving 100%, curves or straightaways. But they were engineered with that in mind.
this XKR was more than willing to move past 131 mph. But my 72 year old reflexes were not so willing
My e types were very comfortable in giving 100%, curves or straightaways. But they were engineered with that in mind.
this XKR was more than willing to move past 131 mph. But my 72 year old reflexes were not so willing
Last edited by zray; 05-16-2024 at 03:46 AM.
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ozbot (05-20-2024)
#12
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cjd777 (05-16-2024)
#13
Here on the Right Coast we have Watkins Glen.
When younger I used to bring my 61 Vette or 70 MGB-GT to Track Days (you had to be a member of a particular car club that had scheduled track days....I joined the local Mustang club even though I didn't own one).
The "Boot" was typically never open but once. Even in my mid thirties it was a very exciting, but physically demanding thing to do.
To date I've not exceeded 85 on the highway w/my 2001.
When younger I used to bring my 61 Vette or 70 MGB-GT to Track Days (you had to be a member of a particular car club that had scheduled track days....I joined the local Mustang club even though I didn't own one).
The "Boot" was typically never open but once. Even in my mid thirties it was a very exciting, but physically demanding thing to do.
To date I've not exceeded 85 on the highway w/my 2001.
#14
Here on the Right Coast we have Watkins Glen.
When younger I used to bring my 61 Vette or 70 MGB-GT to Track Days (you had to be a member of a particular car club that had scheduled track days....I joined the local Mustang club even though I didn't own one).
The "Boot" was typically never open but once. Even in my mid thirties it was a very exciting, but physically demanding thing to do.
To date I've not exceeded 85 on the highway w/my 2001.
When younger I used to bring my 61 Vette or 70 MGB-GT to Track Days (you had to be a member of a particular car club that had scheduled track days....I joined the local Mustang club even though I didn't own one).
The "Boot" was typically never open but once. Even in my mid thirties it was a very exciting, but physically demanding thing to do.
To date I've not exceeded 85 on the highway w/my 2001.
it is a challenge keeping my car at speed limit(but always has been, no matter the car). That being said, I am very cognizant of where I am. And in construction zones(45-55 mph), most everyone passes me , but fines are doubled and tripled then.
i cannot help it, am I alone in this?, when a car passes me, I say something like “ yup, you’re driving a KIA/HONDA/NISSAN,etc”..no offense, some pretty damn decent cars in there, but……..
#16
But thank you for taking the time to comment.
#17
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: on the road in NE Oklahoma
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Surely there’s some leeway for risqué expressions without taking them in a thin skinned way.
I don’t see any mean spirited intent here in suggesting that driving your own car would be an instructional experience for you.
Can you do both ? It seems that there’s a lot to be learned by watching as well as doing .
Z
I don’t see any mean spirited intent here in suggesting that driving your own car would be an instructional experience for you.
Can you do both ? It seems that there’s a lot to be learned by watching as well as doing .
Z
Last edited by zray; 05-22-2024 at 08:01 AM.
#18
Surely there’s some leeway for risqué expressions without taking them in a thin skinned way.
I don’t see any mean spirited intent here in suggesting that driving your own car would be an instructional experience for you.
Can you do both ? It seems that there’s a lot to be learned by watching as well as doing .
Z
I don’t see any mean spirited intent here in suggesting that driving your own car would be an instructional experience for you.
Can you do both ? It seems that there’s a lot to be learned by watching as well as doing .
Z
#19
#20
I do admire the 130mph. Where?
My 55yo daughter is, apparently, faint of heart……