QLD Timed laps at Lakeside or Queensland Raceway - April

[seangti]

Hi,
I'm keen to do sprints or timeattack at Lakeside or QR in the not too distant future. I want to get some "official" timing for a point of reference, and basically to drive the car harder than is reasonable for happy laps.

QLD Raceways - Calendars
Lakeside is Saturday 6th April (open sprints - costs more, 3x 6 lap sessions),
Queensland Raceway is Sunday 7th April for Street sprints (4x 4 lap sessions, note this is sprint circuit format, not national).
Lap times between lakeside and QR sprint format is similar, lakeside an extra couple of seconds per lap.

TimeAttack - Track Day Info
Lakeside Timeattack 20th April (same day as happy laps)

At face value, Timeattack suggests less cars on the track at the same time and 5 sessions so would be more inclined to do this.

Thought I'd see if anyone else is keen?

Or open to any other suggestions.

[JedR32]

I could be interested. Do you have an estimated cost?
Also has anyone looked into insurance prices for these days? I've heard that some companies actually do have insurance policies for them...

[seangti]

I could be interested. Do you have an estimated cost?
Also has anyone looked into insurance prices for these days? I've heard that some companies actually do have insurance policies for them...

From the QR site:
Street sprints are $145
Open Sprints are $175

Timeattack - $170 for non-members

For all events, an AASA license is required. $55 for an annual, $25 for a day.

RE Insurance. Shannons used to provide coverage a few years back and they ensure that you are participating in events, though at the time my car was kept in a carport, not a secure garage so they wouldn't insure it on that ground. I haven't checked recently.

[Deezy]

Not exactly sure about prices on insurance but did a quick google search on the Internet machine and this came up... Motor Sport Insurance | Affinity Insurance Brokers. I would be keen to push my car on a track but I think it's pretty crazy to do so without insurance.

[seangti]

Not exactly sure about prices on insurance but did a quick google search on the Internet machine and this came up... Motor Sport Insurance | Affinity Insurance Brokers. I would be keen to push my car on a track but I think it's pretty crazy to do so without insurance.

Sprints and timeattack are not head to head racing. You "race" against the clock, it is solely about getting one quick lap. Obviously that has a risk associated, yet that risk sits with the individual and their enthusiasm and ability. I've done 15+ sprint events and simialr number of happy laps and never seen car to car contact, and only a few have come off at a rate to cause damage to vehicle.




My point? The risk sits with the dude doing the steering with little influence from those around you when doing such an event.

[nat225]

Sean is spot on.

Also, doing an advanced driving course helps a lot with the techniques and other things prior to doing a real track day / sprint session.

[remy]

Sean is spot on.

Also, doing an advanced driving course helps a lot with the techniques and other things prior to doing a real track day / sprint session.

Any recommendations for a decent teacher at a reasonable cost? (say $100 - $200)
I had a look at the VW Advanced Driving session and that was around $250. I'd love to take some sort of advanced training but really don't know who or where to go with. I'm not too concerned about learning advanced safety driving, but rather things that will help me "go fast".

[seangti]

Any recommendations for a decent teacher at a reasonable cost? (say $100 - $200)
I had a look at the VW Advanced Driving session and that was around $250. I'd love to take some sort of advanced training but really don't know who or where to go with. I'm not too concerned about learning advanced safety driving, but rather things that will help me "go fast".

If you check out the time attack site they have details about driver tuition, I think $100, which would be ontop of the entry price. QR also offers this for sprint events, can't recall cost, perhaps less.

Such tuition will tell you about racing lines and basic technique, should make you faster if new to such events, but whether you're any safer out there... who knows. It's better than nothing, but not the same level of input as a dedicated advanced driver training course. I've done two advanced track driving days and a few skid pan events with tuition. It's almost good to have a refresher every year or two to minimise bad habits creeping in, or to ensure you're maximising what's available, car and track wise.

[syhm1984]

I will probably do Time Attack Lakeside on 20th to test the car.

[grandturismo]

I'm keen to do some with you Sean, I feel more comfortable with Lakeside, only as I had a few happy laps there now. I'm starting to get the itch to try something new and continue to refine my driving. Personally, I like the idea of doing this with some other forum members. Should be heaps of fun and might learn a thing or two on the way.

I know a few guys have done Time Attack and haven't heard any negative feedback at all. This might be the GO.

[seangti]

Cool, I'm all good with timeattack. Yup, it's much more enjoyable when there's others there. I think Ben is keen to.

Steve - looking forward to see your little beast resurrected.

[Machine]

Sean, you beat me to it, but yes I'm also interested in getting people together for some of these events.

Regarding coaching: time attack and all QR sprints have the option of getting Doug Chapple for a classroom + in-car tuition for $100. I just had him teach me at QR during yesterday morning's time attack. He also recommended one of these to go with your helmet: Head & Neck Support RPM Foam Neckbraces | Revolution Racegear
It may prevent your neck from snapping if you hit something head-on and your heavy helmeted head continues to move forward. I'm getting one.

Re: extra insurance, I don't bother with it. I have a $55 annual AASA licence, which otherwise costs $20 per event. I have an $80 transponder, which is used for timing and lasts several years (otherwise $20 per event).

I don't recommend starting with open sprints, as they're more expensive and cater toward unregistered and race cars, even though they accept street cars. Midweek sprints is a better alternative.

The track events I have in my calendar for the next 2 months and my decisions are as follows:

24 March noon - LP (Lakeside Park) street sprints $145 - maybe

7 April noon - QR street sprints $145 - maybe
17 April 6pm - QR night sprints $135 - YES
19 April all day - BMW Club QR track day (don't need to me a member and includes free training) $245 - YES
20 April morning and/or afternoon - LP time attack $170 half-day $300 full-day - NO
20 April morning - LP vwwatercooled happy laps - YES

9 May morning and/or afternoon - QR time attack $170 half-day $300 full-day - maybe (half-day)
11 May noon - LP street sprints $145 - NO
12 May morning - QR RCCQ happy laps - YES
22 May noon - LP midweek sprints $135 - YES
25 or 29 May late arvo - Willowbank test n tune drag (1/4-mile) $45 - YES


Now, who's in for what?

[THE_EGG]

I wouldn't mind doing some timed ones @ QR - preferrably not Lakeside for me for a while until I feel more comfortable with the car and my driving improves (too afraid of crashing there!). However, funds are a problem for me so I'll only be doing happy laps for the time being - uni life...I plan to get some advanced driver training/race-track training for my birthday gift in August sometime. So perhaps after that I might think about getting an AASA licence, helmet, neck-brace etc.

Ben - I'll be @ both the watercooled laps and RCCQ laps. I should have my new brakes and tune on by then hopefully.

[Machine]

Awesome, Rhys.

http://www.vwwatercooled.com/forums/...aps-83558.html

[Royeee]

Timed laps at Lakeside or Queensland Raceway - April

I probably will do the street sprint on 7th April