I've been autox'ing for the past year in my SE-R, mostly because the Z is off limits until it's paid for (October ). Well, every year we do a "Circutx" held out at VIR's Patriot Course and it just so happened that the SE-R wasn't up to the haul and I decided to take the Z, why not? I autox'd the Z once, but it wasn't my cup of tea as our courses are a bit on the small side, thus I usually stick to the SE-R.

It's essentially a small racetrack (~1mile lap) built inside of the Full Course, nestled between the North and South courses. The event was run much like an autox, without any marker cones, aside from the start/finish.

The Z has Hotchkis sways (middle setting F/R) and Bridgestone RE050A PP on 2003 Touring wheels with Hawk HP+ pads bleeding the speed. Power wise it's just a MD 5/16" spacer and a test pipe y-pipe combo. I took the car out in street form upgrading only the pads (previously Hawk HPS) and fresh fluid flush. In essence it was the first time really pushing the car and I was very surprised at how easy it was to drive. I had a blast, and I can't wait to get back out there!

All comments welcome!

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Definitely fun!!!!!
Only negative IMO is the (relative) cost. For $110, you end up getting about 8 minutes of driving time. If you do a full HPDE, while the cost is higher, you get much more "bang for the buck".
And for the ultimate value for money, a NASA "Hyperdrive" is a single 25 minute session on the full course for only $50.

 

I was very interested in the hyperdrive, but as sad as it sounds, on top of everything else I couldn't pony up the $50. While the cost was up there, I ended up getting around 10 runs that day, almost double that of a typical autox, and when you think about it, it's pretty cheap to be let loose on a dedicated track by yourself, albeit one lap.

Truth be told I wasn't satisfied with the "one lap" orientation, it made it tough for me to get my line down waiting 10min between runs. It was a learning experience, and fun none the less, but I know now that HPDE's are what I'm really looking for.We also did the kart enduro that saturday which was equally as fun, a pretty challenging kart track over there.

 

As I recall, you were pretty damn fast

 

Were you the guy in the white Track package Z? I believe I rode with you for the orientation lap.

Thanks, I was pretty impressed. Ended up taking second in my class to a WS6 on hoosiers After looking at everything else he had done, I didn't feel too bad.

 

Yep, that was me, the bald guy (Crawford).
Didn't you recognise me in my avatar pic!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ah, yes Crawford! It was a pleasure meeting you. Good luck with that car in the future.

 

Just an FYI, several HPDE's including our offer a full day on Full course for just a hair over $150.
A full weekend for under $300.

 

Thanks Marty, I'll keep an eye out.