Watkin's Glen DE - Memorial Day Weekend | FerrariChat
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Watkin's Glen DE - Memorial Day Weekend

Discussion in 'New York Tri-State' started by Black355, May 5, 2004.

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  1. Black355

    Black355 F1 Veteran

    Feb 3, 2004
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    Emil
    #1 Black355, May 5, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Hi,

    Is anyone planning on going to the Watkin's Glen Driver Ed event being put on by the Ferrari Owner's Club?

    http://www.focner.com/

    I'm thinking about going. I've not been on the track in about a year and am feeling the itch.

    Anyone? Anyone?

    Emil
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  2. Hubert888

    Hubert888 F1 Veteran
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    #2 Hubert888, May 5, 2004
    Hey Emil and anybody else who can respond,

    I have not taken a skip barber driving class or anything to the extent like that. Not much driving experience except street driving. Now is it safe for me to drive on a track event like Watkin's Glen? I know at track events there are mandatory driving classes before going out, but is that enough? or will I be a hazard on the track? Cuz Im definitely interested in seeing what my car can do.
     
  3. Black355

    Black355 F1 Veteran

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    #3 Black355, May 5, 2004
    I've never done an event with FOC, but I hear that they are a super fun and casual group. Very safe and not very competetive. I'm very excited to get going. with them...

    But I've done plenty of Driver's Ed events with the Porsche Club. I started with them LONG before I ever did Skip Barber, and here's how it worked:

    I prepped the car:
    - I got my car tech inspected to ensure the thing was ready
    - I got an oil change and the brake system bled
    - I installed a fire extinguisher (which is not a requirement with FOC)

    I prepped myself:
    - I bought a helmet with the proper SNELL rating
    - I packed a long-sleeve shirt, jeans and hi-top sneakers and headed out...

    Once you get to the track, and you get there early to get a good garage spot -- which I learned on the first day -- I went through this orientation:

    - Everything (and I do mean everything) out of the car
    - Another on-site tech inspection
    - Drivers meeting (rules review, Announcements, etc.)

    Then, you hit a classroom session while the first groups of drivers went out. The class room session covers basics: rules, flags, common sense, terminology, theory, acceleration physics, traction physics, smoothness -- lots of things you already know but don't know you already know.

    When it's finally your turn to drive, you will be paired with an instructor. The instructor will drive YOUR CAR with you as the passenger to get the feel of what you will try to accomplish. He (or she) will do a few laps (which at the glen tkes some time...) and then it's your turn to drive...

    You'll drive with your instructor (brave souls, they are) with similarly skilled drivers. As you get better and better at driving more and more consistently, you'll be grouped with more advanced drivers, eventually getting to a point where you can drive solo.

    These events are about driving technique and not pushing the limits in competetion. They're about driving fast, but not being crazy. They're about learning to think more quickly and feel the road more precisely, not how to pass your friends on the LIE.

    In all honesty, after you've flown around a track for a few hours, speeding on an open freeway is just, well, boring.
     
  4. solly

    solly Formula 3

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    #4 solly, May 5, 2004
    I have done many events with FOC and FCA. FOC is a bit more relaxed. First you'll start in the Green group, which means you must be with an instructor. Once they feel you won't kill yourself or anyone else they'll move you to the White group, where you can drive solo. There are supposed to be speed limits for these 2 novice groups, but I have rarely seen them enforced. You only need a helmet and gloves for these groups (plus the clothing mentioned below). Proper driving shoes are a definite helkp, especially if you are driving a manual shift car and need to do some heavy heel and toeing on downshifts.

    Take advantage of the instruction. You will learn a lot, and the instructors are terrific at these events. As you get better the chief instructor will move you up to Blue, then Red. This will not all happen in 2 days. Maybe 2-3 years with lots of track time to get to Red group. Some drivers remain permanenetly in Blue.

    If you are going to do track events in the future, a racing school is a must. Many clubs (I'm not sure about FOC) demand a school before you can get into Red group.

    Change all fluids and bleed brakes before and after the event. you may want to consider high-temp brake fluid to avoid boiling. Tires must have sufficient tread and be inflated correctly. Check brake pads for sufficient material. You will go through pads like butter on the track. You may want to consider installing street/race pads for the event, they are less prone to fade.

    I'll be there, and if you need any more pointers beforehand you can email me through my profile. Come by and say hello.

    Steve Solomon (Solly)
    White 360 Challenge, #60
     
  5. Hubert888

    Hubert888 F1 Veteran
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    #5 Hubert888, May 6, 2004
    Steve & Emil, thanks for the advice :) I want to drive on a track, but at the same time I do not want to kill myself!
     
  6. Black355

    Black355 F1 Veteran

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    #6 Black355, May 6, 2004
    You won't kill yourself at DE.

    Also, for anyone coming up, I'm staying here:

    http://www.thefallsmotel.com/
     
  7. WILLIAM H

    WILLIAM H Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #7 WILLIAM H, May 6, 2004
    I'm already signed up for Pocono that weekend otherwise I would go
     
  8. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
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    Clyde E. McMurdy
    #8 ClydeM, May 11, 2004
    Now this sounds inviting. I think the driving school would be worthwhile and something I am very interested in.

    I'm going to pass this year. Neither I nor my car are ready.
    But I will aim for joining y'all next year. (oops, Southern twangs belong in Nascar. sorry)

    You folks need a cheering section?
     

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