Driving School / Track day

[javid]

Siegel Racing may be putting together a school / track day this Thursday at Little Talledega. Usually there are a total of 6 cars, two run groups of 3 similar car/driver. Students rarely last the entire day, they get too much track time and get tired. Generally there is a mix of novice to intermediate drivers, everyone always walks away quicker / smarter and with plenty of techniques to work on.

Having groups of similar cars is nice but not a requirement. A properly running car (preferably a subaru ;) ) with DOT4 brake fluid is all that is needed. Owners of extreme slow or fast cars would need to check with Scott. Putting an Enzo and a Prius on the track at the same time jjust won't work too well.

Here is a video of me at Tally during a Ferrari Track day. At the end, Scott (of Siegel racing) fools around in a 512. The SE Ferrrari Club of America invited Scott to instruct any of the 20+ participants that were interested.

Move ur big gay Ferrari (http://www.siegelracing.com/video/clip%20through%20Ferrari.WMV)

This was my second time at Tally, the first was for one of Scott's schools. So, needless to say, he is a very capable instructor.

Let me know if any of you are interested in going this Thursday or at any other time. Generally, he will put together schools every month or so.

Price is 400 but can be reduced for two-driver-cars or track days with 9 or 12 participants. This is more than your typical BMW Club track event but you get much more track time and plenty of 1 on 1 instruction.

Email me jkelley@shonka.com or Scott siegelracing@hotmail.com if your interested.

[miloman]

nice driving dude :bigthumb:
did anyone manage to pass u?

i plan on taking driving lessons sometime... most probably next semester... this semester is just way too busy

[javid]

Thanks man.

Yes and No. I let one of the Vipers pass me later in the day so I could chase him (and pass him lol). I clocked considerably faster laps than everyone else except the Lotus, which was stupid fast. He never passed me but could have done so easily if he started near me. The full version at the same resolution is at SiegelRacing.com under the video page. Its about 45 mins and has some better stuff and not so better stuff.

[rexrocker]

Hey javid,

I'm definitely interested in upcoming driving schools. I've seen your posts on nasioc and being feeling the itch! Keep me posted on anything in the future. Thanks.

- Clay

[javid]

Excellant. I'll definitely keep you updated.

You going to be at the challenge this weekend?

[rexrocker]

Cool. Yeah man, I'll be there!

[miloman]

if u guys r comin up by urselves, paddock with us

[javid]

FYI, a few local subie dudes are going to come by my house tonight for some short installs and then BBQ and beer. ANy and all are welcome.

Cell 404-993-9381

[rexrocker]

Wish I could have made it last night...how did everything go?

[javid]

The install took way longer than expected. And once it was done we had a little ride height problem, it was slammed. There was about 2.5" between the frame rails and the ground :eek: . In the rear you couldn't touch the top of the tire, let alone get a figure or two inbetween the tire and fender. So I had to jack it up again and added an inch to each corner, its still pretty low but it'll work for now. Scotts probably pulling it into SoG right now.

[miloman]

sorry to hear that... hope u get everything sorted out before the challenge

[javid]

Scott spent alot of time today balancing and it is on the rack getting ready to be aligned. Should be done by 6 or so. :D

Javid <- dying to drive his car.

[miloman]

:bigthumb:

[rexrocker]

Very cool...give us a full update!!!

[javid]

Short version:

Well the suspension has got 6 hours on the highways and side steets, 10 min on the AutoX, and a good 1.5 hours on some twisty roads up 575. So far, I am extremely pleased, I really need some time on the track though, the car has so much more grip now it is pretty scary (not to mention stupid) to try and feel the setup out at the limit on the street.

At the Challenge, and the car handled great! Of course a lot could have been tweaked for the autoX but I am not setting it up for autoX.

Joel Fehrman co-drove and ran mid 45s and then ran a 45.1 (after spaying the front tires which where hot enough to burn your hand :eek: ) to take second place in SM. I ran a best of 46.8, :rolleyes: it was my first autoX. Tom Hoppe ran two exhibition runs with me in the car, 45.1 and 44.9. He is fast and really likes the setup except the large amount of rear camber. We had a great time.

It has tons of grip, mild mid corner understeer, and plenty of power oversteer :D . Scott did a GREAT job of the initial setup.

If I can get away from work, we are going to try and get out to Tally and or Roebling during the next two weeks.

I am going to post a complete summary on NASIOC in an existing suspension thread I started.

If any of you want to take rides, let me know.

Take care

[miloman]

i'd love to ride sometime

[rexrocker]

Awesome man...I'd definitely be up for a ride, too!

[javid]

Just to get back on topic, from Scotts email:


Allright, I've had a number of guys screaming for a school soon. Turns out
the only days available in November are the 11th and 22nd.

I need a few more definites for either day. If you are intersted in either
day please drop me a line ASAP.

Thanks,
Scott
<><
Siegel Racing
404-388-8751
www.siegelracing.com
Engineer / Driver / Tuner / Instructor

[Alex]

I will check my calendar, I am interested in a school as well and potentially know another guy who is too.

[rexrocker]

Both days are bad for me...argh. Keep me posted of other dates. Thanks javid!

[javid]

Just bail on your prior engaugements ;) :D

What more important than racing?

j/k man, we'll get you out there one of these days.

[rexrocker]

Haha...prior engagement is unfortunately work! :) New job and haven't accumlated any vacation time. :mad:

Yeah man, I'll be out there at some point!

[miloman]

definitely will do it next semester... gotta get on the track when i have

1) more mods
2) more time

[GTscoob]

I'll definately do it when my 4EAT dies. As is the tranny gets blazing hot after 13 secs of drag racing, I'd hate to see it on a road course.

[rexrocker]

Javid...looks like the 11th opened up...they switched my holiday at work, so I'll be off for Veteran's Day. Is there still space available?

[BlackAndBlue]

RexRocker, there should still be a spot open for that day...

I'd be goin if i didnt have all this damn work

[javid]

rex, there may still be a spot. Give Scott a call, 404-388-8751.

I'm sure your going to enjoy it.

[siegelracing]

Rex. Give me a call.

404-388-8751

[rexrocker]

Scott, I'll give you a buzz this AM.

[siegelracing]

Hah, too funny. I had just sent the directions e-mail to the group coming this Thursday (there is still room, don't worry) when the e-mail about your post popped up. If you can e-mail me here:

siegelracing@hotmail.com

and I'll get you the directions e-mail.

Thanks

[rexrocker]

:bigthumb: :D

[rexrocker]

Wow...that's about all I can say at the moment after attending Scott's school. Well, OK, I guess I can say more.

First off and most importanly, it was an unbelievable learning experience and I highly recommend it to you all. You will learn so much about yourself as a driver and the truly amazing capabilities of the WRX, in a fun environment with other car enthusiasts. You'll also gain new respect for race car drivers, at least I did...today, I'm simply exhausted. Now granted, I was a little tense yesterday with it being my first time on a track, but nonetheless, my body is sore and feels beat up. Racing is work on the car and your body!

Second off, Javid's car is insanely, insanely, insanely fast. :bowdown: If you can ever get a ride in it on a track where the driver can let it loose, DO IT! You will want to march right into SoG and demand that Scott build you one. :)

Third...it's addicting, I'm already preparing to do it again...one school will turn into another and then you're on to Track Days and soon you'll be a Track Day freak, blowing all your money on tires and suspension mods!

Seriously though guys, the knowledge you'll gain is priceless! And most of the concepts, especially the wet skid pad (be sure to do take the school when it's forecasted to rain!!!), can be applied to your every day driving.

In closing...don't hesitate, don't wait...just do it now! :bigthumb: Thanks to Scott for a great day and also to Javid for recommending it!

Later all.

- Clay

P.S. - Mr. Siegel...Prodrive Stage II and some sway bars are definitely in order!!! :D

[javid]

"Second off, Javid's car is insanely, insanely, insanely fast. If you can ever get a ride in it on a track where the driver can let it loose, DO IT! You will want to march right into SoG and demand that Scott build you one. "

Wow, I'm flattered. I tend to always be thinking about how much faster the car 'should' be. It has gotten much faster though. At Tally, stock STi's run mid 71s at best (experianced drivers with no respect for tires ;) ), before the coilovers I ran low 69s, we should now be well into the 68s. Truth be told the suspension settings and alighnment was Scotts first try (and a damn good one); we have plenty to tweak though. I trust Scott will get me into the 67s when its the suspension is tuned. (no pressure buddie :p )

In two weekends Scott and I will be at Barber for a two day PBOC track day (I am going to start a thread). In Jan we are going to head down to Sebring for a 4 day PBOC event. Unfortunately, the PBOC events only let instructors ride along.

This spring I am going to try and spend more time at Road A, Roebling, and CMP (all of these allow passengers over 16). Well behaved passengers with strong stomachs are always welcome. If all goes as planned, other subies will come out and beat up on some V8s. :D

To add one point to the post above, there's something to be said for a Subie tuner that runs them at the track all the time. There are plenty of tuners in ATL, theres only one that spends 10+ hours a month in them at the track.

[rexrocker]

Awesome man...well again, the car is rocking. Keep it up and I look forward to another ride someday.

So can spectators attend the PBOC event? I'd be open to help out, if I can. Let me know.

- Clay

[javid]

See PBOC thread for A/V assistance. We can always use other help with test n tune stuff too. Plus, as I'm sure your aware, its a lot of fun at the bigger events with 100+ track junkies all hanging out.

[rexrocker]

I'm definitely interested in coming out and spectating, unfortunately I'm no A/V guy. When are you guys heading out there?

[miloman]

i read this post and keep getting more and more tempted... im definitely gonna do this in the spring

[rexrocker]

Awesome miloman! I'm telling ya, you'll love it! Let me know when you choose to go and I'll head up with ya. A bunch of us should do it! Rocking. Later.

- Clay

[miloman]

i think that if we can get enough people together, we could try and plan a track day exculsively for wrxatlanta members...

[rexrocker]

That would be so awesome!

[trueblue]

sometime this spring would be awesome, after the holidays have come and gone