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Old 02-28-2012, 08:34 PM   #1
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First track day of the season

Went up to Oregon Raceway Park for the first training/track day of the season. It was cold and very windy on Saturday. 28F over night but the Suburban heater and blankets kept me nice and warm with the top down. This is the first time I have used the van when it was that cold. Am not sure how much insulation SMB put in the walls back in 89 but it was nice and warm on the inside all night even after raising the top on the morning. Sunday was in the 40s in the morning and there was some great action on the track. After lunch three snow squalls came through. They closed the track when it was impossible to see the white cars.

If you have ever thought about driving on a track, most tracks and clubs have training/track days where you can bring your own car to drive the track. All you need is seat belts and a helmet. Cost varies. This event was about $300 and included an instructor, and classroom time.














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Old 02-28-2012, 08:41 PM   #2
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Re: First track day of the season

that track looks fun! love the elevation in it. want to ride!
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Old 02-28-2012, 09:08 PM   #3
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Re: First track day of the season

When you decide to run your SMB on the track let me know. I'll come over and watch.
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Old 02-28-2012, 09:52 PM   #4
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First track day of the season

I actually hold the unofficial track record for a Chrysler Town and Country. It was a real hoot to drive.


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Old 03-03-2012, 11:57 AM   #5
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Re: First track day of the season

Wow. Didn't know anyone else was a road track person, seems everyone here is offroad oriented.

I’m camping in my SMB at Laguna Seca March 30, 31 for a Mazda weekend there. I tow a street legal Miata to use on the track; I had a spec miata but sold it.

There are going to be some fun track days coming up at Infineon and Thunderhill here in NorCal; anyone attending events there?
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Old 03-03-2012, 02:56 PM   #6
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Re: First track day of the season

I'm a motorcycle guy bit wouldn't mind taking my '10 Camaro out
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Old 03-03-2012, 08:24 PM   #7
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First track day of the season

There are track and training days for motorcycles as well. A friend runs Ducati Superbike and is planning on attending one.


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Old 03-04-2012, 11:17 AM   #8
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Re: First track day of the season

If you've got track experience Trackmasters is doing two motorcycle/car days at Laguna at the end of March; http://trackmasters-racing.com/.

If you're a newbie, then I'd suggest their Thunderhill event in April (they also do Infineon, but I wouldn't do that as my first track experience). Thunderhill is also cheaper. And there's lotsa SMB type roads nearby in the Mendocino Nat'l Forest (and it's a super pretty and relatively empty corner of CA that time of year: flowers, vernal pools, fishing, all levels of offroading, rivers).
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Old 03-04-2012, 11:25 AM   #9
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First track day of the season

If you are in Oregon or Washington the MotoFit Group puts on multiple track days at ORP for novice to expert riders.


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Old 03-04-2012, 11:42 AM   #10
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Re: First track day of the season

I was out on cali/AZ for 2 weeks. Got to ride Fontana with fastrack riders on my bmw s1000rr (race only).. it was a blast. Laguna is on my bucket list for sure... I've been roadracing since 05...like Marco said, "you live more in 5min going fast on a motorcycle than most do in their entire lives."
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