COTA Track Day: Update with incar video

[Zulu Saffa]

While I can spin a wheel, I have never participated in a track day. Although I have done some hooning on the side and consider myself to be a good driver, it looks like it is mandated that you use an instructor if you cannot prove track experience.

Anyone here taking part in this event? Worth it? http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/...7#.V1gvU-T_pvm

I have been to F1 and MotoGP and I can confirm that COTA is a pretty sweet track so will more than likely pull the trigger. Any advice or info would be great.

Thank you.

[rmcard]

Originally Posted by Zulu Saffa

While I can spin a wheel, I have never participated in a track day. Although I have done some hooning on the side and consider myself to be a good driver, it looks like it is mandated that you use an instructor if you cannot prove track experience.

Anyone here taking part in this event? Worth it? http://www.motorsportreg.com/events/...7#.V1gvU-T_pvm

I have been to F1 and MotoGP and I can confirm that COTA is a pretty sweet track so will more than likely pull the trigger. Any advice or info would be great.

Thank you.

My sole track experience was at COTA in a Cadillac CTS-V in a similar environment. It was a great experience, and I imagine this would be even better. Hard to beat for $500, and I'd do it myself if I weren't out of town.

[dparm]

Not sure what your car's setup is, but I have heard from folks on here that COTA is brutal on tires and brakes. Definitely take advantage of the instruction.

[Zulu Saffa]

Originally Posted by dparm

Not sure what your car's setup is, but I have heard from folks on here that COTA is brutal on tires and brakes. Definitely take advantage of the instruction.

Other than the exhaust, car is stock. Installed PSS about 3 months ago, so figured they would get pretty tore up considering the heat here. Thanks.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Zulu Saffa

Other than the exhaust, car is stock. Installed PSS about 3 months ago, so figured they would get pretty tore up considering the heat here. Thanks.

The PSS will get greasy as the sessions go on, but they're still really predictable. I would take full advantage of the instructor and focus on technique rather than driving at 10/10ths. The PSS will be more than adequate for you.

[Zulu Saffa]

Originally Posted by dparm

The PSS will get greasy as the sessions go on, but they're still really predictable. I would take full advantage of the instructor and focus on technique rather than driving at 10/10ths. The PSS will be more than adequate for you.

Cheers...

[03BeastCharmer]

COTA isn't bad on tires, especially if you are new to DEs. First year I ran I was completely stock. Last two years I've upgraded brake fluid, Hankook RS3s and a slightly more aggressive brake pad.

It's a great track, and I love going each year. You should def do it!!

[silvergray545]

Do it. After one weekend at the track, you'll look back at this post and laugh at the fact that you thought you were a good driver. Listen to your instructor. He will give you lots of feedback to sharpen your skills. And don't beat up on yourself too bad when you have to point a Miata by because you're holding him up in the corners. It happens. We've all been there.

[jphughan]

Yes, several people here will be going to the Trifecta; I think there's a thread in this section, perhaps a few pages down by now, discussing it. You'd definitely want an instructor even if it were optional for novices, which it isn't for the safety of everyone involved. I'd recommend watching cockpit videos from CotA HPDEs (plenty on YouTube) just to memorize the look and sequence of the corners beforehand. They look very different as compared to just looking at a track map or observing from the grandstands, and that familiarity will drastically accelerate your learning and enjoyment at the event if you're not spending half a day or more thinking, "Wait, which corner is coming up? / Oh crap, I thought I was setting up for that other one!" Don't focus so much on the line you're seeing the car drive, since that may or may not make sense for you, your car, your instructor's guidance, etc; just try to get to a point where you can play the track back in your head.

Other than that, get your tech inspection done, definitely upgrade your brake fluid and also ideally your pads if you're willing to, purchase track insurance if you feel the need, leave your ego at home, and listen to your instructor, and you'll have a great time! Not sure what specifically you're talking about when you say you can spin a wheel and that you've hooned around, but if you're referring to drifting, powersliding, J-turns, and stunt stuff like that, none of that really comes into play driving on a track except pretty indirectly (e.g. having a sense of weight transfer dynamics), so I would recommend approaching this on the assumption that you have no relevant prior experience. You'll probably learn faster.

Also, try to catch a ride with an instructor toward the end of the event. I'd offer to give you one myself if I were going to be at that event.

Originally Posted by dparm

Not sure what your car's setup is, but I have heard from folks on here that COTA is brutal on tires and brakes. Definitely take advantage of the instruction.

It's brutal on brakes, but not tires, especially for a novice. TWS by comparison is brutal on tires but not brakes.

[besiktas]

COTA is a lot of fun, great pavement. went to BMWCCA event before and it was very well organized. especially with the hot weather, breaks and tires wear quick. I wanted to do 2 days but dont have the budget for it. I would suggest using aftermarket brakepads. You will hit close to 150mph on the back straight.
I used PSS, it worked out perfectly.

[u2b]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqci6KWm3sk[/u2b]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fqci6KWm3sk

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by silvergray545

Do it. After one weekend at the track, you'll look back at this post and laugh at the fact that you thought you were a good driver. Listen to your instructor. He will give you lots of feedback to sharpen your skills. And don't beat up on yourself too bad when you have to point a Miata by because you're holding him up in the corners. It happens. We've all been there.

^ This. I once took a point-by from a Miata on slicks toward the end of the back straight and immediately realized how dumb that was (I was in my M3 on AD08Rs). I gave it back two corners later and for the rest of the session just eased off the throttle whenever I caught him on the front and back straights to cut him a break.

[besiktas]

Originally Posted by jphughan

^ This. I once took a point-by from a Miata on slicks toward the end of the back straight and immediately realized how dumb that was (I was in my M3 on AD08Rs). I gave it back two corners later and for the rest of the session just eased off the throttle whenever I caught him on the front and back straights to cut him a break.

I think all of us experienced this in our first track experience

Also, if there is an M3 in front of you, dont follow exactly what he is doing because the cars are the same, you have no idea what tires, suspensions and other mods he might be riding on. I followed an M3 with such mods before, i was lucky to not pay for my inexperience

[Zulu Saffa]

Greatly appreciate all the feedback and advice. Ego will certainly be checked. Done a few track days on 2 wheels on a 1000cc and, like a few of you point out, have been passed by far lesser machines. Takes no skill to go fast in a straight line.

Lastly, and probably the biggest hurdle, is to get my domestic managers approval.

Looks like Friday will be the day. Hope to see some of you there.

Cheers...

[Kong Sheng Han]

You can also do Saturday and Sunday for $800.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Kong Sheng Han

You can also do Saturday and Sunday for $800.

Jesus Christ, $500 for one day or $800 for two. Even Road America costs less than that. Then again, they've gotta pay for that facility somehow...

[jphughan]

Originally Posted by dparm

Jesus Christ, $500 for one day or $800 for two. Even Road America costs less than that. Then again, they've gotta pay for that facility somehow...

CotA costs $50K/day to rent. The CCA price is actually one of the lowest because they're a non-profit. Typical prices are $1000-1100 for 2 days.

[boehm330]

I'll be out there Friday! Do any of y'all have recommendations for track day insurance?

[Kong Sheng Han]

Originally Posted by boehm330

I'll be out there Friday! Do any of y'all have recommendations for track day insurance?

Lockton has been hassle free when I go through them. On Track insurance won't cover me because of my age, so I can't say anything about them.

Also, skip to post 72 in this thread. Another insurance company, which I'm guessing is new to HPDE insurance, responded to my post and offered their coverage. I was going to post a thread here asking about them but didn't get a chance to.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...1270591&page=2

[roastbeef]

Lockton is easy and they offer a discount for being a Bmw CCA member. If you do enough track days, it becomes significant.

[chamba002]

Yes you do need an instructor, if its your first time at COTA. I had to get one my first time there. The instructors are very useful and will show you the driving line and other pointers. That track is very fast, the back straights you would hit 140mph plus, and its very hard on the brakes. Every 15 mins of of my 20 min sessions I would get brake fade most noticeable on turn 12. I recommend to check your brake pads and fluids. Its going to be hot so make sure your cooling is good. I was hitting 250 oil temps at COTA which is fine... but anything higher I would get worried.

[besiktas]

Originally Posted by chamba002

Yes you do need an instructor, if its your first time at COTA. I had to get one my first time there. The instructors are very useful and will show you the driving line and other pointers. That track is very fast, the back straights you would hit 140mph plus, and its very hard on the brakes. Every 15 mins of of my 20 min sessions I would get brake fade most noticeable on turn 12. I recommend to check your brake pads and fluids. Its going to be hot so make sure your cooling is good. I was hitting 250 oil temps at COTA which is fine... but anything higher I would get worried.

he is right, i would suggest you go to track with newly replaced oil. oil with 3k miles vs 12k miles made about 20-30F difference in engine temperature and outside weather temparatures were similar.

Oh and when on track, turn off your AC.

[Zulu Saffa]

Just registered and paid. Hope to meet a few of you there.

Now I have to figure out how to fall asleep for the next week. Really psyched.