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I have the opportunity to get some laps in at Portland International Raceway in my 05 6 speed SSR. All very controlled conditions and a bunch of solo laps. I thinking to do it. Any thoughts out there in Fanatic land?
Track Time at PIR
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Can I bring my Roadster too????
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Just be careful about:
- Making sure you have correct tire pressure in the tires
- Remembering you have a HIGH center of gravity compared to sprots cars
- The brakes on an SSR cannot handle track use for any length of time
- You may need to replace tires and brake linings soon after the session! (No kidding)
- Your vehicle is normally not insured while on a race track. Check with your agent.
- If you somehow end up needing fuel, and someone fills you with race gas, remember it has a vERY short life before becoming very troublesome to your fuel system (I am told it is very unstable compared to street gasoline). Get it through and out. Don't store the SSR with race fuel in it.
Would I do it? In a heartbeat, PROVIDED I was the only one on the track during my assgined laps. If I hit someone, or someone hits me, uninsured, the results are not good for anyone.
Jim G
- Making sure you have correct tire pressure in the tires
- Remembering you have a HIGH center of gravity compared to sprots cars
- The brakes on an SSR cannot handle track use for any length of time
- You may need to replace tires and brake linings soon after the session! (No kidding)
- Your vehicle is normally not insured while on a race track. Check with your agent.
- If you somehow end up needing fuel, and someone fills you with race gas, remember it has a vERY short life before becoming very troublesome to your fuel system (I am told it is very unstable compared to street gasoline). Get it through and out. Don't store the SSR with race fuel in it.
Would I do it? In a heartbeat, PROVIDED I was the only one on the track during my assgined laps. If I hit someone, or someone hits me, uninsured, the results are not good for anyone.
Jim G
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Tire pressure - yes. In addition, all loose items removed everything else bolted down, wheel centercaps removed, lug nut torque checked before during and after.JimGnitecki said:
High CG (relatively speaking) indeed. Gotta be careful on those turns.
Tires and brakes - could be an issue since I really don't want to buy tires yet... Brakes may not get too hot since it should be a couple of laps at a time but I'm not sure of the exact format yet.
Insurance -need to check. Club has insurance covering the event.
Fuel not a problem. 1000 miles to get home..
Laps very controlled, individual for times.
arty
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hdflstf: The club insurance is to protect the club against liability suits in cases where they have made an error that resulted in injury or death, NOT to cover damage to racer's vehicles!
Also, The release from you sign before being let onto the track will clearly state that you are doing this ar your own risk.
Jim G
Also, The release from you sign before being let onto the track will clearly state that you are doing this ar your own risk.
Jim G
I did a driver's education event with the Alfa at PIR in Oct 2002 prior to turning my car into a full SCCA T1 racecar. Had a blast... which contributed to my deciding to go racing.
I think track experience is beneficial to all as it will make you a better driver. But, please be careful out there. The speeds are high, there are concrete walls, etc.
In the SSR, I would drive well within your limits. It is a truck. I was at a DE at Roebling Road in Savannah GA in the fall of 2001 with the BMW club and watched a beautiful 530i get sideways and spin to the inside of the track. He went off at about 50 mph or so and his tires dug into the soft earth and he did a full slow speed roll. Ouch. I knew the driver and instructor would be fine (and they were), but the car was a mess. He got every single body panel, both front and rear window and the roof. It was not good for me as I had brought my wife to show her how safe DEs were. :nono
I would think the SSR would be susceptible to the same type of problem if you get sideways and go off track.
As a track, PIR is a good one. Be careful on the back straight and coming onto the main straight as there is lots of concrete around. At the end of the straight there is a nice chicane followed by several moderate speed turns with not much to hit nearby. In my car it is safer to go faster on that part of the track given the very low COG.
Be mindful of these things:
- Tire pressures and wear
- Brake fade and fluid boiling
- Oil and tranny temp
I doubt the SSR is designed for sustained high speed, high rpm use with repeated braking applications.
If you go, have a great time! :cheers
I think track experience is beneficial to all as it will make you a better driver. But, please be careful out there. The speeds are high, there are concrete walls, etc.
In the SSR, I would drive well within your limits. It is a truck. I was at a DE at Roebling Road in Savannah GA in the fall of 2001 with the BMW club and watched a beautiful 530i get sideways and spin to the inside of the track. He went off at about 50 mph or so and his tires dug into the soft earth and he did a full slow speed roll. Ouch. I knew the driver and instructor would be fine (and they were), but the car was a mess. He got every single body panel, both front and rear window and the roof. It was not good for me as I had brought my wife to show her how safe DEs were. :nono
I would think the SSR would be susceptible to the same type of problem if you get sideways and go off track.
As a track, PIR is a good one. Be careful on the back straight and coming onto the main straight as there is lots of concrete around. At the end of the straight there is a nice chicane followed by several moderate speed turns with not much to hit nearby. In my car it is safer to go faster on that part of the track given the very low COG.
Be mindful of these things:
- Tire pressures and wear
- Brake fade and fluid boiling
- Oil and tranny temp
I doubt the SSR is designed for sustained high speed, high rpm use with repeated braking applications.
If you go, have a great time! :cheers
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589 Posts
Who Cares How Fast....
You can go, it matters who looks the best doing it !!!! :lol
You can go, it matters who looks the best doing it !!!! :lol
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22,391 Posts
Does solo actually mean no lap car????
Check all the above before heading onto the track.
Houtex and I made the laps around Texas Speedway, I found that if I got up to a speed that seemed faster than I could handle my truck I let off the gas. And there is a very large slope on this track that going 85mph on seemed a L O T Faster than the actual 85mph I was going. I think if you take your time, get a good feel on the controled laps you won't do any hotdogging. You wouldn't want to hurt your SSR, Now would you.
SO I say go for it have fun and be safe!! :thumbs
Check all the above before heading onto the track.
Houtex and I made the laps around Texas Speedway, I found that if I got up to a speed that seemed faster than I could handle my truck I let off the gas. And there is a very large slope on this track that going 85mph on seemed a L O T Faster than the actual 85mph I was going. I think if you take your time, get a good feel on the controled laps you won't do any hotdogging. You wouldn't want to hurt your SSR, Now would you.
SO I say go for it have fun and be safe!! :thumbs
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Insurance, Laps, etc
Understand about the club insurance. Sort of implied that but didn't say it..
Looked at the track online and "took a lap". Track is flat and it may be a strange concept but it has both left and right turns. Elevation change is 5 feet. I think I;ll indeed be careful since the SSR will be doing double duty as my tow vehicle that week.
Thanks for the list of thing to consider. I need to look into a few things before I send the application in. A few laps will be fun - even if they are not quite at full speed.. :ssr
Understand about the club insurance. Sort of implied that but didn't say it..
Looked at the track online and "took a lap". Track is flat and it may be a strange concept but it has both left and right turns. Elevation change is 5 feet. I think I;ll indeed be careful since the SSR will be doing double duty as my tow vehicle that week.
Thanks for the list of thing to consider. I need to look into a few things before I send the application in. A few laps will be fun - even if they are not quite at full speed.. :ssr
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Have Fun
Sounds super have fun and be SAFE! :thumbs
Happy :ssr ing
:seeya Tony
p.s. See you on July 2nd
Hey Arthdflstf said:
Sounds super have fun and be SAFE! :thumbs
Happy :ssr ing
:seeya Tony
p.s. See you on July 2nd
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75 Posts
Go for it!!!
:thumbs Don't pass up a chance like that! Let us know how it goes.
:thumbs Don't pass up a chance like that! Let us know how it goes.
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