How about Buttonwillow for $99

[Mkelcy]

This was my first track day and I have to say it was great. If you're on the fence about doing one, just bite the bullet and come on out.

I had done a Bondurant school about 18 years ago, so the sponsoring organization was okay with me skipping the driving school and going into "Solo" which had point by passing on straights. Turns out we had a lot of "ringers" in solo, so I mostly got to practice my point by, but nonetheless had a lot of fun.

My garage mate Dave (Orangcrush69) gave me some advice on tire pressures (start at 35 - shooting for 40 when hot - and tune from there) and the track layout. The first 20 minute session was a little discouraging, as I was learning the track, trying to pick out the line and trying not to hold up faster drivers. There were some pretty tight low speed turns (Star Mazda and Off Ramp) and a challeging combination in one section (Cotton Corners) that I couldn't figure out. (Track map: http://www.buttonwillowraceway.com/ We were going counterclockwise.) The "Esses" could be taken essentially straight though clipping apexes. "Bus Stop" was a nightmare of rough pavement. "Lost Hill" is a blind left hander that was just a hoot, you run up, the car unweights and then you hammer the throttle as the car settles back down.

The next session was much better - I wasn't particularly faster, but started to get some rhythm on the track and discovered brakes. I drive pretty hard on the street, but don't use my brakes aggressively. Using brakes on the track is a whole different deal. The third session was better still, but I was still doing a lot of point bys.

For my last session I rode with Dave (one of the faster drivers in our group) and it was an eye opener. My lines were pretty much like Dave's but he was using his brakes much more aggressively than I was and was powering out of the slower turns much more aggresively than I was. I think the key for me to getting faster is going to be learning how much braking I have, using it and trusting in my ability to slow enough for a turn and then relying on the car's power to bring the rear end around to set up for the next turn. After my ride with Dave, it was clear there was a whole lot more in my car than I was using.

The car worked great. Dave observed that the rear brakes were locking up on some turns, and my proportioning valve was already cranked toward full front bias, so I let a little air out of the rear tires. The coolant temperature stayed fine, my brakes (being underutilized) were fine, oil pressure etc. were all good. The tires even looked pretty good after about 75 minutes of track time. The car used about 3 gallons of gas for each 20 minute session - probably about 4.5-6.5 mpg.

There was a good Pro-Touring turn-out with muscle cars well represented and well driven. It was a sight to see all the Pro-Touring cars screaming around the track and we got to see Penny and Jackass go at it getting ready for optima.

Finally, the people were great - very encouraging, very willing to offer suggestions and tips for how to get around the track, very ready with tuning suggestions, and very willing to ride along or to offer a ride - all without making a newbie feel like a newbie.

Special thanks to Dave for his encouragment and to CurtiSS for his tips on the track, car setup and for demonstrating that most speed is generated between the ears.

By the way, Dave and Mary Pozzi can drive.