Track Scars
Track Scars
I finally was able to visit one of my more local tracks before the end of the season, Grattan Raceway . It was a one day event with the Detroit Alfa Romeo Club. This was the first day I have ever driven on this track and I must say it is very different from any other track I have driven. It is a two mile course with 12 turns, 5 of these have blind / semi blind apexes. There are two spots that crest small hills or mounds and make the car very light. It is a very technical and exhilarating track to drive. I would recommend this track to anyone that enjoys this activity.
Unfortunately the last session of the day, ended for me with an off track excursion on turn 9. I was passing an Acura on the outside, right were there is one of those damn small crests. I had gone through this particular spot before and got a little sideways, but in my haste to make the pass I forgot about my previous experience. Since I had almost learned the track by now (ha) my speeds were considerably higher than the first time over the bump and the car completely lost traction and left the pavement, sliding for what seemed many minutes through the grass and ending up hitting the Armco in the rear end. G0d damn it’s a sucky feeling having no control of the direction your car is going while it’s heading for hard things. Thankfully I’m fine and I did not hit any other vehicles.
Unfortunately the last session of the day, ended for me with an off track excursion on turn 9. I was passing an Acura on the outside, right were there is one of those damn small crests. I had gone through this particular spot before and got a little sideways, but in my haste to make the pass I forgot about my previous experience. Since I had almost learned the track by now (ha) my speeds were considerably higher than the first time over the bump and the car completely lost traction and left the pavement, sliding for what seemed many minutes through the grass and ending up hitting the Armco in the rear end. G0d damn it’s a sucky feeling having no control of the direction your car is going while it’s heading for hard things. Thankfully I’m fine and I did not hit any other vehicles.
Grattan is one of those little known, great tracks. Lots of character. Only been there once back in '96. Won both my race though. Loved the hump and the transition from turn 11-12.
Glad to hear you made it thru ok.
Glad to hear you made it thru ok.
Yikes, looks like you and me both had a tough weekend. I had my first contact with an immovable object on track this weekend - went in too hot into T10 (South Bend) at VIR, put two off on the outside, rear end came around, and into the inside tire wall I went. Fortunately I was able to slow the car down enough sliding back across the track that when I stuffed the nose into the tire wall, only the bumper fell victim.
Brian, it's a bit tough to tell by the photos, but can they repair the quarterpanel or will it have to be replaced? If it's the latter, then it's going to be an expensive proposition.
Brian, it's a bit tough to tell by the photos, but can they repair the quarterpanel or will it have to be replaced? If it's the latter, then it's going to be an expensive proposition.
1st, let me say that I'm glad your foot got well enough for you to get one last track day in this season. Very sorry to see you had an off. Welcome to the club! 
Glad you are OK! The car can be fixed......'06 tail lights? New Ti exhaust? Are we still going to do the 3 day PCA Grattan event next year?
Just saw that John also had an opps!
Nose into tires........sounds familiar 
. Sorry to here this.
On another note.....I'm going to (hopefully) drive a certain 962 Sunday!
AND....an X IMSA driver is talking about cleaning the cobwebs off his GTU RX7!
Glad you are OK! The car can be fixed......'06 tail lights? New Ti exhaust? Are we still going to do the 3 day PCA Grattan event next year?Just saw that John also had an opps!
Nose into tires........sounds familiar . Sorry to here this.On another note.....I'm going to (hopefully) drive a certain 962 Sunday!
AND....an X IMSA driver is talking about cleaning the cobwebs off his GTU RX7!
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Originally Posted by Redfoot
I finally was able to visit one of my more local tracks before the end of the season, Grattan Raceway . It was a one day event with the Detroit Alfa Romeo Club. This was the first day I have ever driven on this track and I must say it is very different from any other track I have driven. It is a two mile course with 12 turns, 5 of these have blind / semi blind apexes. There are two spots that crest small hills or mounds and make the car very light. It is a very technical and exhilarating track to drive. I would recommend this track to anyone that enjoys this activity.
Unfortunately the last session of the day, ended for me with an off track excursion on turn 9. I was passing an Acura on the outside, right were there is one of those damn small crests. I had gone through this particular spot before and got a little sideways, but in my haste to make the pass I forgot about my previous experience. Since I had almost learned the track by now (ha) my speeds were considerably higher than the first time over the bump and the car completely lost traction and left the pavement, sliding for what seemed many minutes through the grass and ending up hitting the Armco in the rear end. G0d damn it’s a sucky feeling having no control of the direction your car is going while it’s heading for hard things. Thankfully I’m fine and I did not hit any other vehicles.
Unfortunately the last session of the day, ended for me with an off track excursion on turn 9. I was passing an Acura on the outside, right were there is one of those damn small crests. I had gone through this particular spot before and got a little sideways, but in my haste to make the pass I forgot about my previous experience. Since I had almost learned the track by now (ha) my speeds were considerably higher than the first time over the bump and the car completely lost traction and left the pavement, sliding for what seemed many minutes through the grass and ending up hitting the Armco in the rear end. G0d damn it’s a sucky feeling having no control of the direction your car is going while it’s heading for hard things. Thankfully I’m fine and I did not hit any other vehicles.
Well it's a good think that it looks like you had a trailer to safely get the car to a public hwy before calling your insurance company. Curses to that hit and run driver!
Glad to hear you're ok.
Glad to hear you're ok.
Again, glad to hear that you came out un-harmed. I had my first off track at Buttonwillow back in January. Put to off at about 105mph and did the same thing John did, but the difference is he had a tire wall to catch him 
. I consider myself lucky that there was nothing around for me to run into. I did spend a couple hours cleaning out the mud though. I also agree that the broken pices must be replaced by cooler aftermarket ones...
. I consider myself lucky that there was nothing around for me to run into. I did spend a couple hours cleaning out the mud though. I also agree that the broken pices must be replaced by cooler aftermarket ones...
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From: New Bern, NC
Originally Posted by Redfoot
Unfortunately the last session of the day, ended for me with an off track excursion on turn 9. I was passing an Acura on the outside, right were there is one of those damn small crests. I had gone through this particular spot before and got a little sideways, but in my haste to make the pass I forgot about my previous experience. Since I had almost learned the track by now (ha) my speeds were considerably higher than the first time over the bump and the car completely lost traction and left the pavement, sliding for what seemed many minutes through the grass and ending up hitting the Armco in the rear end. G0d damn it’s a sucky feeling having no control of the direction your car is going while it’s heading for hard things. Thankfully I’m fine and I did not hit any other vehicles.
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,604
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From: New Bern, NC
Originally Posted by John
Yikes, looks like you and me both had a tough weekend. I had my first contact with an immovable object on track this weekend - went in too hot into T10 (South Bend) at VIR, put two off on the outside, rear end came around, and into the inside tire wall I went. Fortunately I was able to slow the car down enough sliding back across the track that when I stuffed the nose into the tire wall, only the bumper fell victim..
Damn, that sucks. From my experience (accident) this year, it's tough to realize that you are only human. I remember the first time back driving the car again, it is definitely like driving on eggshells. But, now about 4 months later it's all behind me.
First the foot and now the car, life works in mysterious ways. Let me know the next time you are heading out to Grattan, I would like to go.
First the foot and now the car, life works in mysterious ways. Let me know the next time you are heading out to Grattan, I would like to go.
Originally Posted by StaticCling
Damn, that sucks. From my experience (accident) this year, it's tough to realize that you are only human. I remember the first time back driving the car again, it is definitely like driving on eggshells. But, now about 4 months later it's all behind me.
I was at Grattan the previous weekend with the Lotus club. A friend with a 944 had an off in the same place but luckily, he wasn't going very fast and stop before the armco. Passing around 9 is always scary since the outside falls off more than the inside. I'm glad to hear that you're ok though.
Mike, glad to see you're still tracking! Sorry you couldn't make it to any of the events the Chicago Crew went to. One of these days! Think Watkins Glen for next year!
John, StaticCling had a MASSIVE off road.......experience at Road Atlanta. Not drivable. But, he got his Mo Jo working now! Doing times on street tires that would embarrass most drivers running R compounds!
John, StaticCling had a MASSIVE off road.......experience at Road Atlanta. Not drivable. But, he got his Mo Jo working now!
Doing times on street tires that would embarrass most drivers running R compounds!
Last session is a *****! Got my scare too, and now I always take it super easy at last sessions... I practice basic stuff and push the car around 80-90%, well into my comfort zone.
That said, don't worry... everything looks fixable, damage appears pretty superficial... take it as a nice opportunity to upgrade what is broken (exhaust, lights, etc..)
BTW, if you like fast track with blind corners and insane drops... try Mosport near toronto. Crazy track...
That said, don't worry... everything looks fixable, damage appears pretty superficial... take it as a nice opportunity to upgrade what is broken (exhaust, lights, etc..)
BTW, if you like fast track with blind corners and insane drops... try Mosport near toronto. Crazy track...
Last edited by Nano; Oct 21, 2005 at 10:15 PM.
Sorry about the bang-up. Many 350Z-drivers treat their cars like pampered children: they have yet to experience the thrill of driving on the track (and the possibility of making a serious error).
Turn #8 (the last of 4 turns in succession) looks like a difficult turn to set-up. And I assume that turn #10 takes a lot of...ummm...patience.
Turn #8 (the last of 4 turns in succession) looks like a difficult turn to set-up. And I assume that turn #10 takes a lot of...ummm...patience.
Last edited by davidv; Oct 21, 2005 at 11:51 PM.
