My first time @ the track

marecki7 · 09-12-2007, 02:21 PM

Just wanted to share my experiences at the track on Mon. Sep. 10.

Here is the track I went to: http://www.gingermanraceway.com/

Which was a CGI Motorsports event: http://www.cgimotorsports.com/

The whole class costs only $225.00, and you get an instructor for as long as you need him (mine signed me off after the 2. run), and a total of 7 20min runs (which is a lot, I only did 5 and I was beat)

This Mon, there wasn't a lot of people, about half as normally, so I was told. Various cars, from BMW m3, m5, z8, Porsche carrera, carrera 4 and turbo, panonz, jaguar, several vettes, gti, sti, suped up civic ex (made to look like an SI), s2000, 04 mr2 supped up (instructors car--guy was fast as hell), audi a8, etc.

Overall, the FG2 performed exeptionaly well, even though I am all stock, including all season tires. Of course I did get some brake fade, which is very common for FG2 & FA5.

I did get to ride in one of the insturctors car, a 2003 M3, all suped up (gutted, roll cage, front & rear brembos looked like UFOs, supercharged & intercooled, etc). The owner of the car (Bob) is a retired UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) chemistry professor. He is in mid 60s, doesn't look like much, but when he drives---wow, holly shit, the guy is fast.

Bob is one of the fastest on the track, and riding with him was a blast. It gave me a better perspective on how one should drive at the track (also it showed me how slow I rally was LOL)

By my 5. run I did get faster. I ran with the supped up civic (2001 ex, w/ b18, header, intake, full suspension, corvette front brakes, compound tires, and very light Enkei rimms, etc. I was getting away from the guy, to my surprise, I thought he would own me, but it was the other way around. In my earlier runs I was creeping up an a vette, it goes to show you that its all in the driver.

Im not saying that I am a great driver, by no means, I can safely say that I suck, but it made me feel better that there were much worse drivers out there with a lot faster cars than me and I was able to keep up or even pass them.

Overall the FG2 is a bad ass car in my opinion, and I absolutely love it. I did notice some brake fade, so at least fluid and pad upgrade is a must. The instructors did recommend that I start investing $$$ into myself, rather than the car--get a harness, better brakes, racing shoes, tires, etc. Than, invest $$$ into the car: exhaust, intake, reflash etc. Before going to the track I was going to do just the opposite.

I know all of you will ask for pix and some videos, they are coming. I need to get the memory cards from my buddy and I will post them asap, possibly tonight.

In conclusion I think this is something that everyone should experience at least once in their life. Instead of racing on the street, go to the track. If you live near Michigan (+/- 3 hours or so) I definitely recommend CGI Motorsports. The instructors are very friendly and of course knowledgeable. Other drivers are also cool as hell, a good example was the owner of the 07 911 turbo, a multi millioner (owns his own construction company), was super nice, although he couldn't drive the 911 very well (and had some technical problems--boiled brake fluid and a flat tire) His buddy, owner of the bmw z8, really pushed the 911 the first run (his buddy was a profecional racer and could really drive). The rest of the drivers were also cool as hell. Overall really great experience.

Capt Canuck · 09-12-2007, 04:16 PM

Good to hear you had a great time! A potential maximum of 140mins is a ton of time, especially for a first time out, definitely wise to call it a day when you're mentally/physically knackered then stay out and get into trouble.
Definitely the best way to spend $200 this side of hookers and blow ;-)

marecki7 · 09-12-2007, 04:55 PM

There were 3 classes, C (novice), B (intermediate), A (experienced & instructors)

So if you were experienced, you could run in all 3 classes. The instructors were telling a story about a guy, who was in the A class, and he was running A, B & C one after the other without a break. Well to make the story short you can't do that anymore.

I personally can't see how the guy could do that, its just too exhausting.

Capt Canuck · 09-12-2007, 06:53 PM

Wow, that is OTT. At the BMW schools I've been to people do double up groups, so you can be out for 50 mins in a row instead of 25 min, but ya I can see why they'd stop back, to back, to back!

09-12-2007, 02:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
marecki7 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 190 iTrader: 0 / 0%	My first time @ the track Just wanted to share my experiences at the track on Mon. Sep. 10. Here is the track I went to: http://www.gingermanraceway.com/ Which was a CGI Motorsports event: http://www.cgimotorsports.com/ The whole class costs only $225.00, and you get an instructor for as long as you need him (mine signed me off after the 2. run), and a total of 7 20min runs (which is a lot, I only did 5 and I was beat) This Mon, there wasn't a lot of people, about half as normally, so I was told. Various cars, from BMW m3, m5, z8, Porsche carrera, carrera 4 and turbo, panonz, jaguar, several vettes, gti, sti, suped up civic ex (made to look like an SI), s2000, 04 mr2 supped up (instructors car--guy was fast as hell), audi a8, etc. Overall, the FG2 performed exeptionaly well, even though I am all stock, including all season tires. Of course I did get some brake fade, which is very common for FG2 & FA5. I did get to ride in one of the insturctors car, a 2003 M3, all suped up (gutted, roll cage, front & rear brembos looked like UFOs, supercharged & intercooled, etc). The owner of the car (Bob) is a retired UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) chemistry professor. He is in mid 60s, doesn't look like much, but when he drives---wow, holly shit, the guy is fast. Bob is one of the fastest on the track, and riding with him was a blast. It gave me a better perspective on how one should drive at the track (also it showed me how slow I rally was LOL) By my 5. run I did get faster. I ran with the supped up civic (2001 ex, w/ b18, header, intake, full suspension, corvette front brakes, compound tires, and very light Enkei rimms, etc. I was getting away from the guy, to my surprise, I thought he would own me, but it was the other way around. In my earlier runs I was creeping up an a vette, it goes to show you that its all in the driver. Im not saying that I am a great driver, by no means, I can safely say that I suck, but it made me feel better that there were much worse drivers out there with a lot faster cars than me and I was able to keep up or even pass them. Overall the FG2 is a bad ass car in my opinion, and I absolutely love it. I did notice some brake fade, so at least fluid and pad upgrade is a must. The instructors did recommend that I start investing $$$ into myself, rather than the car--get a harness, better brakes, racing shoes, tires, etc. Than, invest $$$ into the car: exhaust, intake, reflash etc. Before going to the track I was going to do just the opposite. I know all of you will ask for pix and some videos, they are coming. I need to get the memory cards from my buddy and I will post them asap, possibly tonight. In conclusion I think this is something that everyone should experience at least once in their life. Instead of racing on the street, go to the track. If you live near Michigan (+/- 3 hours or so) I definitely recommend CGI Motorsports. The instructors are very friendly and of course knowledgeable. Other drivers are also cool as hell, a good example was the owner of the 07 911 turbo, a multi millioner (owns his own construction company), was super nice, although he couldn't drive the 911 very well (and had some technical problems--boiled brake fluid and a flat tire) His buddy, owner of the bmw z8, really pushed the 911 the first run (his buddy was a profecional racer and could really drive). The rest of the drivers were also cool as hell. Overall really great experience. Last edited by marecki7; 09-12-2007 at 03:49 PM.

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09-12-2007, 04:16 PM	#2 (permalink)
Capt Canuck Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ingurlend Posts: 1,168 Geezer Squad #67 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Good to hear you had a great time! A potential maximum of 140mins is a ton of time, especially for a first time out, definitely wise to call it a day when you're mentally/physically knackered then stay out and get into trouble. Definitely the best way to spend $200 this side of hookers and blow ;-)

09-12-2007, 04:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
marecki7 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 190 iTrader: 0 / 0%	There were 3 classes, C (novice), B (intermediate), A (experienced & instructors) So if you were experienced, you could run in all 3 classes. The instructors were telling a story about a guy, who was in the A class, and he was running A, B & C one after the other without a break. Well to make the story short you can't do that anymore. I personally can't see how the guy could do that, its just too exhausting.

09-12-2007, 06:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
Capt Canuck Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ingurlend Posts: 1,168 Geezer Squad #67 iTrader: 0 / 0%	Wow, that is OTT. At the BMW schools I've been to people do double up groups, so you can be out for 50 mins in a row instead of 25 min, but ya I can see why they'd stop back, to back, to back!