Took my SRT-6 to Summit Point (Shenandoah Circuit) in WV today for some instructor aided (with instructor next to me for all laps) performance driving. I learned a few things that I wasn't expecting to:

1 - You beat the crap out of the car: hard breaking and screeching tires resulting in melted rubber on the tires (on the lines HDDP wrote about). Not sure what the toll on the brake pads were.

2 - The skill of the driver far outweighs what car you drive. I'll admit I was at the bottom of the class in skill, but still routinely passed a Porsche Boxster and yet was in turn routinely passed by a Chevy Impala. This course featured 18 turns in 2.2 miles. I mentioned this because I watched in amazement as the instructors were on the track during lunch break. One drove his supped up Mazda Miata and the other a student's Porsche Carrera GT (which is an awesome piece of machinery). The Miata stood with and eventually passed the Carrera GT! On the short straight-aways, the Carrera GT easily pulled away, but the Miata quickly made up the difference in the turns.

Personally I would have enjoyed it more if:

1 - it wasn't my car that I beat up (couldn't help thinking about the abuse I was delivering to my XFire which diminished my enjoyment).

2 - the course wasn't so technical (I'm getting soft in my middle age ). I spent alot of time trying to remember the line than enjoying the ride.

Don't mean to discourage anyone, putting aside the abuse I inflicted on my XFire, it WAS a lot of fun . Just thought I would share my experience.

 

Glad you had fun...

The hardest thing on your car was the wear to the tires. Probably Michelin Pilot SP2s (they have a soft compound and stick like glue) Remember the SRT6 is a genuine GT sports car and it is designed to do those things. I am sure you learned many new techniques and limits (both you and the car).

I have participated in track days about 6 times over the last two years. One day my wife and I were driving back from dinner and some Bozo cut into my lane (left) and slammed on his brakes. I hit the brakes hard and steered around him to the left (fortunately there was a middle turn lane). My wife had closed her eyes and braced for the inevitable collision. She opened her eyes to find us stopped alongside the clown. He proceeded to drive off quickly. On reflection, we think he saw the car we had and was probably looking to commit a little insurance fraud.

My wife asked where I learned to do that? I told her that was why I wanted to take the driving schools on track days, and that is where I learned how the car would really handle. She told me that was the best money I ever spent on a car.

I wish everyone on this forum would at least try this type driving school at least once. One other side benefit is that I drive less "sporting" on the street because I know what the car can do on the track. I save my high speed urges for track days now.

 

If the only thing you didn't like was the abuse to your car then may I recommend Chryslers SRT Track Experience. If you go to a Chrysler sponsored event then you are giving Chryslers cars, including the Viper (hell on wheels). I went to one a few months ago and had a blast! And the best part was at the end of the day when I went back to my car in the parking lot and it was still shining!

 

Bluefire, I've wanted to go to Summit Point since I got my Crossfire in 2004. Did you have to buy your own helmet, or did they have loaners? I'd probably want to buy my own just to avoid the gross factor of a shared, sweaty helmet. Anyway, can you post the details of the day? Did you just do the track in your car? Last time I checked, they had learner cars that you drove before you got on the track with your vehicle. That has been a concern of mine because I'm really bad with a stick and it would make for a very frustrating day. Anyway, let me know what the details were, like how much it was for everything, how long ago you had to register, etc.

 

mjanowich,
Here are the details as you requested...

I registered fairly early (it was a Xmas gift I asked for), I think in January or February for the June session (first one I could make). They call the session FATT (Friday At The Track) and it is held about once a month, see their website for details. The day I signed up for, the session was being held on the Shenandoah Circuit. The cost was $225 for the day. I did purchase my own helmet, same reasons you described, and they did have loaners if you wanted.

Day started around 8 AM and depending on which group you were in, ended between 4 and 5 PM. There were 2 Novice groups and 1 Advance group.

First thing was to sign in and get your vehicle teched. This was almost laughable, took about 1 minute. I say this because on the first track session one vehicle's brakes smoked like crazy and he had to exit. Worse, some guy's Porsche actually caught on fire! You never know what people are bringing.

There were a wide range of vehicles, I'll try to list what I remember: 1 XFire , 3 Corvette Z06s, other Corvettes, several Porsches including a G3 and the $440K Carrera GT, Chevy Impala, Acura TL, couple of Lotus, MB SL 55 (drool), several Miatas, couple of Mini Coopers, 2 Chrysler 300M SRTs (which sounded awesome on the track), a few BMWs, a Honda or 2, Nissan 350Z, and some modified vehicles mostly in the Advanced group. I listed the variety to indicate that there was a healthy mix of vehicles (and abilities) on the track at any given time. I did not see any loaner cars, but I didn't ask.

At 9 AM there was a 1 hour lecture, mostly going over what the different flags mean and what to do. Also, passing was stressed which requires the vehicle being passed to give a hand signal to the vehicle behind you. (I got fairly good at this on my last run, more on that later).

Starting at 10 each group got 20 minutes of track time. For the Novice group the instructor took the first 2 laps to show you the "line" (no actual visual markings, just the path to take the turns). Then we pitted and switched. Rest of the first track time was at a moderate pace with no passing to get use to the track and your vehicle. The instructor sat next to me the whole time and gave lots of advice.

Sidebar on the helmet related gross factor, the instructor had a microphone set and gave me a headset too so we could communicate. It was a bit "sweaty" after being used a while, but it was necessary.

At 11 there was another meeting to go over anything the instructors saw in general going on the track. They also talked about the approach you should take in taking a curve, but not each individual curve on the track. You received the latter form the instructor in our vehicle.

11:30 second track time. Pace picked up and passing was allowed (although in the Novice group there wasn't a lot of it going on). With the speed increase reaction time was significantly different. On this circuit, with 18 turns, there was a lot to focus on. Some guy drove so erratically that the instructor puked (glad that wasn't me). During this session, my instructor wanted me to accelerate smoothly (flooring it at some brief times) and then hard on the brakes to make some of the sharper turns (which there were many). I found it difficult to follow the (imaginary) line around the course but was improving on handling the vehicle. At this point some of the vehicles took an off-road experience (I came close but stood on the track).

There was a big break for lunch as the next track session was at 2. However the instructors took some of the student’s vehicles (with the students in them to show them what their vehicles could do) and some took their own for some fun. It was fun to watch them in action.

At 2 was the third track time. Pace picked up once again. Personally I was more focused on increasing the pace than maneuvering the turns and was all over the place. I was pushing the car beyond my abilities and it was a very sloppy third run for me.

Two of the biggest mistakes I did was:
1 - follow the car in front of me, being in the Novice group, the person in front of me almost always didn't do the right thing. Followed one guy into the pit and another on a bad line. However, when I was behind someone who knew better and I followed his line, the instructor praised me for doing better.
2 - Hand position was all screwed up. There were a lot of turns and my hands were in some pretty bad positions for navigating some of them.

3:30 started the forth and last track time. I told my instructor I wanted to go at a pace I was more comfortable with and work on my technique. This is where I got real good at giving the passing signal. There was enough track that once I was separated from the pack, it was like I was the only one on the track (even if it was bringing up the rear). My laps were much smoother and my technique much better. It also was the most fun of all the 4 track times.

Some notes:

• the instructors get free track time for their training, as such, there was a race on Summit Point Circuit which a lot of the instructors were at, and so they were a little short on instructors. They cancelled the Skid Pad sessions due to this and also tried to "encourage" some students (not me) to go solo, but you have the right to refuse and they found instructors.
• I spoke with a guy who had done the Summit Point Circuit on his first time there. He agreed that the course was better suited for a first timer, although he had a lot of fun on the Shenandoah Circuit too.
• They do sell gas, I only used about a 1/2 tank for the 80 minutes of time I was on the track, and it is expensive, duh, over $5/gal. Most people filled up in Charles Town before getting to the track.
• Bring a chair, lots of waiting time. Although for a first experience you may want to watch the other sessions, as I did.
• Drink lots of water.
• Do NOT use your emergency brake when parking after a run. The wheels are too hot and your brakes could lock up (someone else with a more technical explanation might chime in).
• your laps are not timed. Something related to the insurance rates going up if they were (damn lawyers). On the positive side, took you attention off of lap times and more on technique.

Regarding your question on shifting, first having an automatic, I didn't have to, and also wasn't comfortable using the auto stick for that day (too busy for me). Also, spoke with a guy in a Z06 and for his first three runs, he simply left it in 3rd gear. Your will not go from Novice to race ready in a single day. The instructors were really good at adding in different techniques at a pace you can handle. Mine wanted me to use the auto-stick and take off the ESP, but I wasn’t ready for either and no push there. He left me with the advice to start practicing getting comfortable) with it and then come back with those abilities, which they would help me with the techniques.

Hope this helps!

 

Awesome post Bluefire! Thanks for the details. Now that I know the scoop, I'm definitely going to sign up one day. Maybe when my warranty runs out. I think I'd definitely benefit from knowing how far I can push my car. Were all those cars you listed in the novice group? What hand positions were you supposed to use?
So, what area do you live in?

 

Welcome to the club... I'm happy to see others experiencing what the car is capable of doing on a road course. That's what it was designed for, not drag strips...

Not to belittle your concern about beating-up your car, if it's your daily driver and you plan on keeping it for a long time, you'll end-up having to do more maintenance, but this is a strong car and will take the abuse as long as you maintain it properly and don't do too many off road excursions.

I started out running track events with my Crossfire two years ago and now race it professionally. It has taken much abuse and still keeps plugging away. I change my oil after every weekend, replace brake pads every few weeks and burn through a set of Hoosier racing tires per event.

if you're really excited about participating in track days with a crossfire and don't want to beat-up yours, go rent one for the day from Enterprise, take out the extended insurance, and tape-up the license plates (don't tell em I told you). LOL

Have fun, be safe !!!

 

mjanowich,

All the cars I listed were split among the 3 groups.

Hand position varies on skill. I wound up shifting my hands as I was turning which did not keep them in a good position for the next turn, which came up quickly. On my last run the instructor told me to keep my hands at 10 and 2 and that worked out much better for me. Of course more advanced drivers who know the course would be shifting their hands, but in the correct way.

I live in Northern Montgomery County, MD.

 

Good idea HDDP, if only I was 25... oh well.

BlueFire where do you live in Montgomery County, I also live in northern MC just out side of poolesville.

 

I live in Damascus.

 

Welcome to the world of trackdays BlueFire! Your write up is spot on and gives a very good insight for those that haven't taken the plunge yet. It's pretty much the same format here in the UK, we just don't see too many 'Vettes and Impalas.

Like HDDP says, don't worry too much about 'giving the car a beating', if you are driving properly all you really do is wear the consumable items like brakes and tyres quicker - sure its a cost issue, but the Crossfire, especially the SRT, is a performance car and is designed to be driven as such.

I think you'll agree that once you have taken your car out on the track you realize how little of the potential performance you really use on the road.

I hope you get out there and do it again and I wish more of the UK owners would do the same.

Be safe, be quick and have FUN.

 

Bluefire, great review of the track day at Summit Point. I haven't been up there in ages but I'd love to do that sometime. I live in Rockville, so I guess we're all pretty close. I may just take a drive some coming weekend to see some races anyway (good excuse for a drive in the country), I'll let you know if I plan to head out, perhaps we could convince Patpur, MJ, '04 to go along too...all Montgomery county XFer's I see.