Who Likes Track Days? Who's Scared Of 'em? Who Can't Afford It?

[Abo Bob]

Hi guys,

I'm just wondering if we as a club are doing anything wrong. I mean, we've organised a track day (see my sig for details) but we haven't exactly been bowled over by payments. Now I know about 5 or 6 people I trust have told me they are definites but I would still have expected about another 10-15 people paying and entering by now.

So what I want to know is why? Why haven't you entered yet? Why are you not interested? That sort of thing.

Be completely honest please because we as a club are trying to put the events on that you want to go to at a price that's affordable. As far as price is concerned we try our absolute best to make it as cheap as we can.

So talk to me. Lots of track talk in SAU land but not so many people putting their money and their car where their mouth is.

Thanks.

Adam.

[Kennedy]

Hi guys,

I'm just wondering if we as a club are doing anything wrong. I mean, we've organised a track day (see my sig for details) but we haven't exactly been bowled over by payments. Now I know about 5 or 6 people I trust have told me they are definites but I would still have expected about another 10-15 people paying and entering by now.

So what I want to know is why? Why haven't you entered yet? Why are you not interested? That sort of thing.

Be completely honest please because we as a club are trying to put the events on that you want to go to at a price that's affordable. As far as price is concerned we try our absolute best to make it as cheap as we can.

So talk to me. Lots of track talk in SAU land but not so many people putting their money and their car where their mouth is.

Thanks.

Adam.

Hey Abo,

Well I just did my first track day at Wakefield yesterday and I can tell you now.....I'm hooked. Got the bug bad. All day today at work I'm just daydreaming of the fantastic time I had yesterday rather than doin any work.

Who likes track days ? - ME and forever will

Who's scared of them ? - I was scared a little expecially after watching my first super sprint at Oran Park 2 days before my first track day and seeing WRX's slam into the walls. I was also scared of damaging my pride and joy with my limited budget

Who can't afford it? - I can and I can't

1. Let me tell you the biggest reason for me that is....MONEY. I'm a budget skyline owner. Now the reason why I wen't to Wakefield. FREAKING CHEAP. $90 for the whole day and yesterday I managed to get out 6 or 7 times at about 20-30 mines each. That is fantastic value that can't be topped. (or can it?)

Money for tyres - Alot of us can't afford the semi-slicks and it's very easy to go through 50% tread on your street fronts (especially at Wakefield) taking it easy.

2. Perhaps alot of people out there are unsure whether there car can take the thrashing of a track day. We should educate skylines owners that a bone standard Skyline CAN handle a track day IF driven sensibly and WITHIN it's limits. My car has no FMIC, no oil cooler, standard ECU, standard turbo. All I have is a unsheilded POD, 17's 235/255 and coilovers and CAT back exhaust. That's IT, and I was pulling 1.18's by end of the day (very first outing) I controlled my self when I thought the tyres were going soft and took 2 cool down laps before heading off for another 3 hot laps. I did the 3 and 2 combo all day and the car performed at it's peak throughout the whole day (plus it was pretty hot)

At the end of the day, If an SAU track day is gonna set me back $230.00 plus CAMS liscence plus petrol well I'd rather go down to Wakefield and pay half. As much as I would love to have a get together at a track with you guys, at the end of the day for me...it's just money and I can't afford to throw away.

My suggestion...If you can hire out wakefield for the same price and a closer track at Wakefield prices (i know that would be impossible) then I would definitly be in. As it stands now...I'd rather spend the left over $100.00 on a Oil and filter change post trackday.

Sam

[Archie@]

the only reaosn i havn't been out yet for an SAU trackdays is cause the car is constantly in the repair shop of late... damn bomb!!!

I used to go to other trackdays, but I'm yet to have my first outing with SAU... looking forward to the day im not broke too

[JCMarshall_Law]

The track days organised up here in Queensland by Paul (aka: mountain runner) are booked out months ahead. Paul is already putting on an extra day to cope with demand. They are open to anyone, not just skyline owners so that makes a huge difference, if your having trouble, how about opening it up to other makes. Out of about 40 cars we usually get around 10 skylines and there is around 5 track days a year.

track days are great fun and I'd recomend everyone goes out at least once.

They can be a little indimidating if you have not done one but after one lap, you'll be wondering what you were worried about.

They are expensive, there is no two ways about it. (it depends on what you call expensive though). I buget at least $400 for the day (track fees, licence, fuel, oil and filter, tyres, brake pads, etc...) but i have alyaws spent more than that. You can spend as little as possible or you can spend stupid amounts of money building a purpose built track car - it depands how far you want to go. I work full time on a decent wage so it is worth it for me.

Many people will be worried about how hard it will be on the car. Don't be. you can go as easy as you like (withing reason) or you can completly flog you car reving to 9k and drifting around every corner. just make sure you car is well looked after (serviced) don't be stupid and come off the track. I ended up in the gravel last QR track day - cost over $1000 for respray of rims and touch up of the skirts.

My 2c

[N1GTR]

Hey Abo,

Well I just did my first track day at Wakefield yesterday and I can tell you now.....I'm hooked. Got the bug bad. All day today at work I'm just daydreaming of the fantastic time I had yesterday rather than doin any work.

Who likes track days ? - ME and forever will

Who's scared of them ? - I was scared a little expecially after watching my first super sprint at Oran Park 2 days before my first track day and seeing WRX's slam into the walls. I was also scared of damaging my pride and joy with my limited budget

Who can't afford it? - I can and I can't

1. Let me tell you the biggest reason for me that is....MONEY. I'm a budget skyline owner. Now the reason why I wen't to Wakefield. FREAKING CHEAP. $90 for the whole day and yesterday I managed to get out 6 or 7 times at about 20-30 mines each. That is fantastic value that can't be topped. (or can it?)

Money for tyres - Alot of us can't afford the semi-slicks and it's very easy to go through 50% tread on your street fronts (especially at Wakefield) taking it easy.

2. Perhaps alot of people out there are unsure whether there car can take the thrashing of a track day. We should educate skylines owners that a bone standard Skyline CAN handle a track day IF driven sensibly and WITHIN it's limits. My car has no FMIC, no oil cooler, standard ECU, standard turbo. All I have is a unsheilded POD, 17's 235/255 and coilovers and CAT back exhaust. That's IT, and I was pulling 1.18's by end of the day (very first outing) I controlled my self when I thought the tyres were going soft and took 2 cool down laps before heading off for another 3 hot laps. I did the 3 and 2 combo all day and the car performed at it's peak throughout the whole day (plus it was pretty hot)

At the end of the day, If an SAU track day is gonna set me back $230.00 plus CAMS liscence plus petrol well I'd rather go down to Wakefield and pay half. As much as I would love to have a get together at a track with you guys, at the end of the day for me...it's just money and I can't afford to throw away.

My suggestion...If you can hire out wakefield for the same price and a closer track at Wakefield prices (i know that would be impossible) then I would definitly be in. As it stands now...I'd rather spend the left over $100.00 on a Oil and filter change post trackday.

Sam

Were you the R33 GTR? Taking it slow for the first few sessions?

I was there aswel. Just watching.

Ive done Wakefield and Eastern Creek, love track days, but like most people - damn car is broken, and im not too keen on using it for track days, id much rather go halves with someone in a car just for track days

[JeeTeeEss25Tee]

Must admit I'm one of those who just talk. But I do have good excuses like car misfiring badly & need a retune, copped a fine recently, some dumbwit backed to my car while reverse parking, etc basicly just an absolutely shit month for me. I'm sure this is a top event and will be well organised just like other SAU events before but unfortunately things aint always go to plan for me. I rather have the option opened till the last date, if I can join I'll pay on the spot, if I cant well its still justified.

[siksII]

kennedy summed up my view very well

also im more inclined to go to a skidpan day as it works out cheaper and easier on the car for part of the experience at least

[silver gts-t]

i would love to go, and plan to when i feel my car is 100%

there seem to be alot of other track days so people don't seem in a hurry to goto one..

im also scared of breaking something. and oran park has walls right?

wakie would be most peace of mind for me.

[Kennedy]

Were you the R33 GTR? Taking it slow for the first few sessions?

I was there aswel. Just watching.

Ive done Wakefield and Eastern Creek, love track days, but like most people - damn car is broken, and im not too keen on using it for track days, id much rather go halves with someone in a car just for track days

No. I was in the Gun-Metal grey 33 GTS-T. Not the one that was throwing out flames...the other one.

[Majanal]

Interesting discussion peeps, keep it coming!

Dan.

[Kennedy]

Abo,

I noticed from your sig that your planning a track day at Wakefield mid year....Do you have a rough price yet?

To be perfectly honest if the price turned out to be dearer than a "No Speed Limit day' at Wakefield well then I would choose not to partake in your event. Once again...I, and a alot of others here drive on a budget.

But please don't think I'm saying anything derogatory. I can understand that your costs to hire out the track for our use could understandably cost alot more than a public track day at Wakefield.

I enjoy SAU. I'm a full paying member, and not a whinging tight asse but I do want VALUE for my money.

Moot

[Abo Bob]

No offence taken sam.

One of the reasons why our days are relatively expensive is that we generally have them on a weekend to suit the availability of most people and the tracks and every one else charge more for weekends because they are more popular and they can get away with it.

I'm not sure what the SAU Wakefield day will cost but it will definitely be more than $90.

We do have a skidpan day/motorkhana in the pipelines atm too.

In all the track days I've been to I've never seen a Skyline crash. S15's and wrx's crash - not us. :D

It certainly is possible for us to help out people who are scared of breaking something or crashing. It's just not an issue once you understand what goes on and what to do. In this regard I will write up something for people soon to update what I wrote after my first two track days.

But as for cost - we do our best and there's not too much else we can do unfortunately. All I can say is that it definitely is a better run day with us than a Wakefield no speed limit day but it just cost a lot more - especially for the other tracks like Oran Park and Eastern Creek.

[evil_weevil]

my reason is week day track days are not too good for me - as with most people - work commitments.

and i guess location too - EC track days for sure.

If theres one at EC planned - i can book an RDO in - i just need notice.

my car is bone stock but the track is so much fun i dont mind! The VT Ls1 was stock for one of my track days and didnt mind.

[silver gts-t]

good observation..

i would come to the one at wakie in july..

fewer SAU track days may spark more people to come when one is scheduled every 6 months for eg...

I for one would feel alot more comfortable coming to a SAU track day than any other, due to more ammatures and more people i know.

so i hope the lack of interest doesnt discourage any organisers

[Kennedy]

All I can say is that it definitely is a better run day with us than a Wakefield no speed limit day

Can you elaborate on that for me Bob? What other fetaures are you referring too? Official timing? Guidance from senior members? ????

[Blitz]

Wheres the SBS (sump baffle syndrome) crew?

[BU5TER]

Wheres the SBS (sump baffle syndrome) crew?

At the pub crying in there beer with the MGBIS (my gearbox is standard) crew

[S13Deviat]

Once i get my Ceffie up and running I will most certainly be hitting the track....more so interested in a skid pan day atm...

[N1GTR]

No. I was in the Gun-Metal grey 33 GTS-T. Not the one that was throwing out flames...the other one.

Oh i know which one now - sounds great from the pit lane wall

[Beer Baron]

well i will try and come to this 29 april day. i love the GP circuit and i think anyone whos driven it will happily pay the extra it costs over the south ciruit and wakefield. the only thing that has stopped me putting in my entry so far is the state of my skylines. neither are quite ready at the moment so i dont want to say i'm in, only to have to pull out later.

as for SBS, it's never stopped me before. i managed about 8 events last year including super sprints etc.

guys that think it's expensive i can understand, but they are much better than the open days. there is less cars, so more track time. plus generally there are instructors there to help out.