Gingerman Track Day May 24 (Chicago/Detroit)

[BB69]

All,
A friend I work with is organizing a track day at Gingerman May 24. The agreement has been signed, so we are going rain or shine. The goal is between 30-40 cars split into four groups. This will be mostly street cars, but there is already a group of dedicated race cars forming up. If that group gets large enough, they will be put into their own group with open passing. For everything else, please see the details below.

If you go, please send Dave an email and let him know where you saw this, so he knows who you are. Also, please post a quick note here. It would be great to meet some of the people here and see some PT cars. Right now, it doesn't look like my Camaro will be back together, but I will have my Vette and SRT4.

Ken





I have reserved Tuesday May 24th. Here is a schedule of the day:

7:00am Gate's Open
7:45am-8:15am Driver's Meeting (Discuss safety and rules)
8:30am- 5:30pm Track is open

Every 15 minutes a new group of cars will go onto the track. There will be 3-4 groups total with 10 cars or less in each group.
The cost will be between $75-$140 depending on the number of people attending.

Anyone who wants to attend must send me an email confirming they are going to attend. This is going to be on a first come first serve basis. I also need to know what type of car you will be driving and what sort of track experience you have if any. We are going to use this information to create the groups based on skill level and car performance. In addition I will need a $75 deposit by April 29th. If I do not receive your deposit by May 1st then you forfeit your place in line. The remaining amount will be due on Tuesday May 24th.

Send your deposit to:

David Hurlbert
7129 Belle Meade Ct
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

or paypal account:

[email protected]

Here is a list of some general rules and tips:

-Any car with seat belts is allowed, no trucks, SUV's, or motorcycles (convertibles must have rollbars).
-Snell 95 or newer helmet. (None will be available to rent) If you do not have a helmet ask around
-Have fresh oil in your car. Bring extra oil, coolant, and brake fluid.
-Have enough money for 2-3 tanks of gas. A gas station is about 2 miles from the track.
-Either bring food to eat or bring money to buy food. There is food available for purchase at the track along with several restaurants close by.
-The track will be open rain or shine. No refunds will be given if it rains.
-No passing will be allowed in the turns, and the driver in front of you must signal that you may pass. This is for everyone's safety.
-No riders will be allowed unless you are a certified driver, instructor, or club racer.

For more track information visit:

www.gingermanraceway.com

If any one has any questions feel free to call or email me. I have been to many track events at Gingerman and will hopefully be able to answer your questions.
Also feel free to invite anyone else who would like to drive, or spectate.

Thanks,
Dave

[CAMAROBOY69]

Wow finally a race in my area of the world! Thats next month too. Man I will really do whatever I can to get my car ready for that. Even if I cant compete with anyone, it has been a dream of mine to get my car onto a track. I will keep checking out all the information and get back with you. I almost didnt see this. I will send you a PM so we can discuss this.
I just checked the map and that track is just over an hour from my house!!! :D

[BB69]

Adam,
I just sent you a PM. I will give you a call. Most of the people coming are not hard core racers, just people that want to actually drive their cars in a safe environment. Don't worry about being beat, just worry about having some fun.

Ken

[Salt Racer]

People, take this opportunity. The price is very good, and lots of track time.

There's plenty of room to spin out - it's much safer than racing a kid in a lowered Honda on two-lane highway, and you don't have to worry about getting busted by police.

There's no decreasing radius turn if run in CW direction. Just be conservative on braking point before turn 11 (after 1378' straight) if you have a fast car, and the rest shouldn't be too tricky (my speculation based on track map).

[CAMAROBOY69]

You guys have until this friday the 29th to get Ken a $75 deposit. So far he said he has over 20 cars.
An entire track all to ourselves for the full day!!!! Come on guys this doesn't happen very often in the Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio area! Im going to start assembling my engine this week and I will hopefully have it running. More than likely I am putting my $75 deposit down on friday no matter what.

[Salt Racer]

Good luck Adam. Hope you'll make it. You'll have a BALL!

[BB69]

As of this morning we have 23 people signed up, so the cost is below $120. When Adam signs up, the cost will go down some more.

We have a very diverse group including an Impala SS that is rumored to have coil overs and ride on slicks. That should be interesting.

Ken

[CAMAROBOY69]

Thanks Salt Racer.
This event is all I can think about right now. It will make the endless hours of playing GT3 and GT4 all worth it. I am soo excited. :D
Im a little scared since its going to be the first time the Camaro has seen the track. I want to drive it to the event and back if possible. I am going to start putting the engine back together tomorrow (wednesday). I will know by friday if it runs or not.

[Salt Racer]

Make sure all suspension parts and wheel bearings are tight. Bleed the brakes and make sure pedal feels solid. Take all unnecessary stuff out of the car when you get to the track.

Fill up the engine with extra 0.5~1 quart of oil if you don't have good oiling system (ask me how I know). If you hear any funky noise while driving on the track, pull out and check the car out.

Start slowly and learn the lines first. Following faster guys helps (most of the time), or better yet, ask an instructor to ride along if that's available. Warm up the tires and brakes before you go flat out. Take late apexes and you'll be fine. Don't try to set the track record or anything - you can try that later. Just go out and have fun.

[BB69]

Adam,
As I said on the phone, I will be bringing my tool box, a floor jack, jackstands, and other misc stuff to do checks between each run. I will gladly let you use whatever I have that you can't get in your trunk.

I have never raced before, but I do know about the brakes: bleed them and be ready to bleed them either at the track or after the track.

Ken

[CAMAROBOY69]

Any updates on this event? How many cars now? What is the exact list of cars?
I worked on the Camaro last night and got the head, intake, rockers, pushrods, lifters, distributor, distributor cap, wires all on last night in around 2 hours. And some other stuff too. I forgot how much I hate installing the MSD distributor.

[CAMAROBOY69]

I cant get ahold of anyone in this thread now. Ive called Ken, sent a PM to Ken and Dave and but still haven't heard anything. Today is the deadline for the deposit.
I got my car runnning and I want to send my deposit today to verify I am attending this event.

[CAMAROBOY69]

This is the information I recieved from Dave Hurlbert.


Hello Everyone,

Based on everyone's response we are going to limit the total to 28 people. Therefore the total cost per person will be $105. So, please bring a check or cash to the event for $30. Below is the list of all 28 people, their vehicle, and which group they have been assigned to. These group are not set in stone. We tried to group people based on their experience and type of vehicle. The "D" is composed of novice's who have not been to a track event before. The other three groups, "A", "B", and "C" are grouped based on type of vehicle. If anyone feels they should be placed into a different group let me know. Otherwise we can always change the groups around at the track based on how people are doing.

For those people who have not been to a track event like this, here are a few pieces of advice before coming to the track.

1. Bleed your brakes at a minimum, and add high temperature brake fluid if you can. Your brakes will get very hot, and most standard brake fluids boil at a much lower temperature that high performance brake fluid.

2. Change your oil. Try to have fresh oil and a new filter. In addition bring an extra quart or two incase you need to add any at the track. Change to a synthetic oil if you want the added protection.

3. Make sure you car is in good working condition. Make sure you have plenty of brake pad, tread on you tires, and coolant.


If any of the other experienced drivers have any recommendations feel free to email everyone some pre-track advice. The gates open at 7:00am (EST) on Tuesday morning and we will be having a drivers meeting at 7:45am (EST) . This meeting is to explain the rules and to help people get familiar with the track. If you are going to be late, please let me know in advance. Otherwise, you can call me on my cell phone Tuesday morning (248) 219-1912 if you are having trouble. We have the track from 8:30am to 5:30pm so everyone should get at least 2 hours of track time. Direction to the track are on gingerman's website at www.gingermanraceway.com. I'll email the final schedule probably the week before the event. If anyone has any questions let me know.


David Hurlbert ---------------2005 Subaru WRX STI----B
Daniele Defranceschi--------2001 Honda Prelude (Super Charged) B
Marcin Fracz------------2001 VW GTI 1.8T----D
Ken Grulich --------------2005 Neon SRT-4 ----B
Daniel Hurlbert ----------1997 Mustang Cobra ----D
Thong Tong-------------2005 WRX Sedan----D
Steve Yui---------------2005 WRX Wagon----D
Mike Staniszewski--------Integra Race Car----A
Fred Seebeck ----------1979 Porsche 911SC--- A
Jim Fajerski ----------- 1972 Corvette----D
Ryan Leuty --------------Scion Tc----D
Adam Jabaay ---------- 1990 Civic Turbo----C
Lee Kellert -------------1990 Miata----C
John Belvar ------------- 2002 Z06 ----A
Dave Lopina-------------2004 C5 Coupe ----A
Adam Nienhuis -----------69 Camaro ----A
Scott Mann -----------98 Corvette Coupe ---- A
Walter Hilderman----------Turbo Miata----C
Richard Staniszewski ---------Integra Race Car----C
Austin Gerding -------------92 Camaro----B
Chris Mallory--------------Impala SS (modified) ----A
Steven Reff ----------------?????????????----B
Tom Zeilonka-------------03 Civic Si----C
Andrew Staniszewski -----------BMW M3 or 325----B
David Ott --------------Modified 92 Civic----C
Ed Elliot-------------03 Mustang Cobra ----B
Mike Barton ----------WRX----D
Jack Shelburne ---------------Miata----C

I honestly should not be in the A class so I better call him. I am a novice and should be B. But I take the A as a compliment.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Time for another update. Event is next week.
The Wilwood pads came in last week but I forgot to post pics.

1. Hooked windshield wipers to new the new 2002 dash.
2. Greased the entire front suspension including upper and lower A-arms
3. Tightened all the rear bolts on the axle and leaf springs.
4. Oil change including filter
5. Modified the original tail light housing and LED lights into behind the clear tail light lenses.
6. Slave Cylinder resevoir for the hydrolic clutch is now bolted up
7. Installed new Headlight
8. Hooked heater to new 2002 dash
9. Flushed 6 speed tranny and add new fluid
10. Topped off rear diff fluid
11. Tucked away any loose wires.
12. Replaced temperature sending unit for the elec fan and relay switch too.

Things still left to do before event...
1. Clean K & N filter
2. Instal Wilwood brake pads and bleed brakes with high temp brake fluid.
3. Transition piece for stereo to bolt into 2002 dash. $18.00 (Bought last night)

[Q ship]

Are the butterflies going yet?

Good luck Adam, I hope you have a blast! Full report due when you return!

Kind of sad that no one besides yourself and Ken from this site (in that area) signed up though. Hopefully your enthusiasm will be contagious!

[CAMAROBOY69]

Oh yeah man you know it. I get that butterfly gut feeling every so often whenever I think about driving on the track or when I look at the track map. This is probably going to be one of the best days of my life when it comes to car events.
The Power Tour and Woodward last year were mind blowing but this has always been a dream of mine to take an old muscle car onto the track.
Im sooo nervous and excited. I just want the car to make it out alive especially since im driving it there and hopefully back home.

Im working on the report right now. I bought extra batteries for the camcorder and a tripod that I am going to try to mount inside the car. My girlfriend borrowed her sisters camcorder for some external video coverage (of the car). I also have a camera ready too with at least 80 pics.
If it wasnt for this site this my dream wouldn't have ever happened.
Thanks for wishing me luck.

[Salt Racer]

...Kind of sad that no one besides yourself and Ken from this site (in that area) signed up though...

Yeah, it's a shame.

BTW, I saw the pic of your new ride. It's missing two doors. What's up with that? ;-)


Adam and Ken,
Be safe, and have fun!

[BB69]

Things left for me to do:

1. Finish repairing the radiator core support
2. Mount new electric fans to core support
3. Wire up new fans
4. Remove broken bolt from alt mount and replace
5. Install radiator and support and fans
6. Put front bumper and associated supports back in
7. Bleed brakes
8. Inspect all fluid levels
9. Clean car (not just cosmetically, but so I can spot any leaks)
10. Install new 3 point seatbelts (have them already)
11. Pack tools


I have lot to do in the coming days. On the side, I am part of a racing team at our university. This weekend was our first race at Waterford here in Michigan. We are racing a Neon in the Showroom Stock category. We finished the car the morning of the race, so we had no practive time. The driver is our professor. The weekend went OK until the last race. After making his first pass, the prof took the next set of turns too fast and ended up on his roof. Thanks to the safety equipment, including a great rollcage, he was fine. The car will be repaired in time for the next race June 4-5. In fact, we went and bought a donor car last night. Overall, I think it was a good experience. It will make people in the club, and the driver, realize that racing is serious and each person needs to make sure they performing within their limits.

Pics here.

http://home.comcast.net/~grulich69/w...e-skip-15.html

Warning: they are large pics (about 1.5M each)

[MarkM66]

Adam, sounds like you have your bases covered.

Good Luck!

[68BNUT]

Hey Adam when your on the track, a word of advice REMEMBER TO BREATH! hahahaha Dont worry im sure youll do fine and like the other post says just remember to have FUN! And take tons of pics cause I am big time jealous!.