Who drives their car to the track???
I know at the level I run my car that one day I am going to pay the price for my actions, but I don't bring anything with me to the track and I drive my car to and from. I bring an air gauge, my 2 gal air compressor, my impact wrench, my lug nut socket, some window cleaner, and an extra quart of oil. I'm about 1.5 hrs from home. I drive with the race pads to the track.
I think a truck and carrier is a whole new level of finacial responsibility I'm not willing to take on.
I also would never run without event insurance coverage. For my car it's close to $400 per day for $60K coverage. That's the cost it would cost me to rebuild my car.
I think a truck and carrier is a whole new level of finacial responsibility I'm not willing to take on.
I also would never run without event insurance coverage. For my car it's close to $400 per day for $60K coverage. That's the cost it would cost me to rebuild my car.
Seems like the main issues are brakes and lugs. I've had issues with both- limped home from Buttonwillow with dead rear pads and found a stripped lug when I made it home. I've replaced a couple lugs and upgraded to a BBK. No doubt, it's dangerous not to have a trailer and tow vehicle. I can't afford one either. Then again, I don't compete in wheel-to-wheel racing. My Z has survived many drift events, autocrosses, and track days. It's a tough car once the brakes are dealt with. If I get into a bad situation, I have my AAA+ membership. I don't go out if the other car is in the shop, either.
I have been pullin this trailer for 3 years now to HPDE in about a 300 mile range around Atlanta
But since I moved to runnin NASA-TT, I am buying a trailer,,,for a couple of reasons:
I can go to more distant tracks
If I roll-it-up in a ball, I can get home
I run lots of camber and it will save my tires on long trips to the track
It save me a little time at the track, so that I can focus on driving and instructing, not changing tires and repacing all the crao in the world back into my car and little trailer
But since I moved to runnin NASA-TT, I am buying a trailer,,,for a couple of reasons:
I can go to more distant tracks
If I roll-it-up in a ball, I can get home
I run lots of camber and it will save my tires on long trips to the track
It save me a little time at the track, so that I can focus on driving and instructing, not changing tires and repacing all the crao in the world back into my car and little trailer
I drive my G to the track, with a tire trailer. Yes, it iis a risk. It is a risk I am willing to take, though. Certainly, it would be extremely painful if my G was balled up at the track, but I could live with it.
Also, the advantage of the tire trailer is that I can bring enough extra supplies and tools that I can fix some things that go wrong at the track.
Also, the advantage of the tire trailer is that I can bring enough extra supplies and tools that I can fix some things that go wrong at the track.
350Z-holic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 14,502
Likes: 22
From: NC
I drove to the track for about 7 years. There were a few times I had to make urgent runs to parts stores and do work at 9 and 10 PM just to either run the next day or just make it home. Also given how small the car was I was limited in what I could bring to the track, even with a tire trailer. I thought I couldn't justify the cost of a trailer. But then I found a decent trailer for $500 bucks that needed work. I replace a few items but still have less that $900 in it (even with the new axles). In the time it saves me and the cost of not having 4 sets of tires, etc. It well worth it. Not to mention on Sunday if I am dead tired and don't feel like doing any work at the end of the day I just drive in on the trailer and do the stuff later on at home.
Oh, and it did change my driving style A bit. Just knowing that I could get home even if I broke something (broke, not wrecked..big difference).
Oh, and it did change my driving style A bit. Just knowing that I could get home even if I broke something (broke, not wrecked..big difference).
Several of you guys also pointed out the same reasons why I finally bought a car hauler. It's really at the end of the day at the track, when you're really tired and you don't feel like changing tires. And when you finally get home, you're so tired you don't feel like unloading your equipment from either your car or the tire trailer. That was the turning point for me a few months ago, which finally convinced me there was a better way of doing this.
BTW, slightly off topic, but to you Southeast guys -- where is "moondude?" He used to post here all the time. Did he sold his Z?
BTW, slightly off topic, but to you Southeast guys -- where is "moondude?" He used to post here all the time. Did he sold his Z?
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 0
From: New Bern, NC
Originally Posted by z-u-later
BTW, slightly off topic, but to you Southeast guys -- where is "moondude?" He used to post here all the time. Did he sold his Z?
Originally Posted by Stack
Do you mean MoodDude? I haven't seen him in a while either... I know he had a big teardown/rebuild last year... maybe even something worse, can't remember now.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 0
From: New Bern, NC
Originally Posted by z-u-later
Was it MoodDude? lol I used to enjoy his track comments & commentary, besides the fact that he had a "unique" looking Z with a big azz wing.
Having driven various race cars to the track and back home again since the mid 1980s, I'm not trying to discourage anyone from doing this. My point in my earlier post is to mentally prepare yourself for the day that will eventually come (if you participate in this sport long enough) when you will need a ride home from the event after wrecking or blowing up your car.
My second point is that, despite what you think, you don't have that much control over what goes on at the track. Before last year's incident it would have never occurred to me that someone would drink and drive on a road race track. I learned something, even after 20 years of racing.
My second point is that, despite what you think, you don't have that much control over what goes on at the track. Before last year's incident it would have never occurred to me that someone would drink and drive on a road race track. I learned something, even after 20 years of racing.
Originally Posted by betamotorsports
Before last year's incident it would have never occurred to me that someone would drink and drive on a road race track. I learned something, even after 20 years of racing.
Originally Posted by betamotorsports
One thing to keep in the back of your mind - never take a car on any race track that you're not willing to walk away from. No matter how good a driver you are, there's always someone better... and worse.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8pRkhnJ9Eg guy with the in-car video is a douchebag, clapping like a little ****. but still.
if you cant plant it into a wall and walk away and go to work on Monday with no problems ya shouldnt put it on a racetrack imo.
Originally Posted by z-u-later
I feel your pain as far as driving your car to the track. I've driven mine to autocross events & HPDEs (on street & r-compound tires). The major disadvantage is the small amount of equipment you can haul. I have also driven to the track and towed a tire trailer. The major disadvantage is the amount of time spent changing tires at the venue. And if you encounter any issues at the track, now you have the car & the tire trailer to worry about.
Eventually, I realized it was just much more convenient to have an open car hauler. I already have a pickup truck and I found a great deal on a used car hauler (with metal deck & dove tail). You can essentially setup your car the night before and have it already loaded on the trailer. You just show up at the track and it's ready to roll. If you have any problems at the track, bringing the car back is easier with a car hauler. In addition, I can carry an extra set of track tires, tent, ice chest, etc.
I realized this setup is not for everyone with the additional cost involved (tow vehicle & car hauler) but so far, it's working out for me. BTW, an added benefit hauling your car is you're not wearing out your tires and you're not adding any mileage to your car.
Eventually, I realized it was just much more convenient to have an open car hauler. I already have a pickup truck and I found a great deal on a used car hauler (with metal deck & dove tail). You can essentially setup your car the night before and have it already loaded on the trailer. You just show up at the track and it's ready to roll. If you have any problems at the track, bringing the car back is easier with a car hauler. In addition, I can carry an extra set of track tires, tent, ice chest, etc.
I realized this setup is not for everyone with the additional cost involved (tow vehicle & car hauler) but so far, it's working out for me. BTW, an added benefit hauling your car is you're not wearing out your tires and you're not adding any mileage to your car.
I love having the car hauler to make loading the night before and unloading easier when you come back from the event. just like Z U LATER mentions on post 28....i do the same thing! lol..
THe last pic is of my friends Wedge trailer - one day i plan on getting one like that! lol..
-j
Last edited by JasonZ-YA; Aug 6, 2008 at 10:17 AM.
Originally Posted by JETPILOT
I know at the level I run my car that one day I am going to pay the price for my actions, but I don't bring anything with me to the track and I drive my car to and from. I bring an air gauge, my 2 gal air compressor, my impact wrench, my lug nut socket, some window cleaner, and an extra quart of oil. I'm about 1.5 hrs from home. I drive with the race pads to the track.
I think a truck and carrier is a whole new level of finacial responsibility I'm not willing to take on.
I also would never run without event insurance coverage. For my car it's close to $400 per day for $60K coverage. That's the cost it would cost me to rebuild my car.
I think a truck and carrier is a whole new level of finacial responsibility I'm not willing to take on.
I also would never run without event insurance coverage. For my car it's close to $400 per day for $60K coverage. That's the cost it would cost me to rebuild my car.
currently i drive to the track and bring: torque wrench, a basic wrench,socket set, extra set of lugs, window cleaner, extra quart of oil, extra brake fluid, race pads, speed bleeder, air guage, air pump, zip ties, duct tape, jack/jack stands, and some kind of hand/face wipes to stay fresh
. I'll change pads at the track. i also have a cooler with water, gatorade, and snacks. i havent had track insurance, but one of the porsche guys gave me some company that does it, he says that his policy covers him only while on the track (paddock areas don't count) and it runs him about $1k/year for an unlimited number of events. definitely something that i'm looking into.
Last edited by Moroccan_Mole; Aug 6, 2008 at 11:03 AM.
350Z-holic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 14,502
Likes: 22
From: NC
Originally Posted by JETPILOT
I think a truck and carrier is a whole new level of finacial responsibility I'm not willing to take on.
Interesting? Why so? What do you know about my situation.
I already pay $650 a month for storing a 32' boat, plus another $150 per month to store a boat trailer. I already have 2 cars at my house and a third vehicle (truck would require an addition to the driveway which would be approx $8K (looked into it already). And I'm not paying another $150mo to store my car hauler when not in use in the storage yard. I'm not going to buy a truck for the exclusive use of towing a car carrier plus the price to insure it and have no need for it any other time. I also have no desire to pay for the maintenance of a trailer or truck.
I never said I was willing to invest 60K in my car. It just happened that way.
Does this help solve the mystery?
I already pay $650 a month for storing a 32' boat, plus another $150 per month to store a boat trailer. I already have 2 cars at my house and a third vehicle (truck would require an addition to the driveway which would be approx $8K (looked into it already). And I'm not paying another $150mo to store my car hauler when not in use in the storage yard. I'm not going to buy a truck for the exclusive use of towing a car carrier plus the price to insure it and have no need for it any other time. I also have no desire to pay for the maintenance of a trailer or truck.
I never said I was willing to invest 60K in my car. It just happened that way.
Does this help solve the mystery?
Last edited by JETPILOT; Aug 6, 2008 at 07:36 PM.
350Z-holic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 14,502
Likes: 22
From: NC
Originally Posted by JETPILOT
Does this help solve the mystery?
Edit - I wanted to add I wasn't questioning your motives, I had just read a few times how much you have already invested in all of this (close to $80K?), and it seemed the truck was a fraction of the total cost. What do you use to tow the boat?
I will say that I have found I use the tow vehicle and trailer for more things now that I have it. Home Depot runs, Moving large object, etc.
Last edited by mhoward1; Aug 7, 2008 at 06:13 AM.
