steveespo said:
The oval was like glass with super grip. The transition off of the banking into the infield is abrupt and bumpy. The infield is not terrible but they could've run the paving machines through while they were there! I hear maybe for next season they will be doing parts of the infield courses, also the transition while not great is supposed to have been much better than years past, some guys at the event said they would park their cars after a few sessions because of the abuse. All in all it was a great day.
Steve
Smooth, clean and fast! As a first-timer I really enjoyed the experience. It was perfect weather and overall a perfect, awesome day! While the straights were fast and I topped out at 140 for my current comfort level, I enjoyed most the NASCAR Turn 1 and the infield section. Being able to really begin to know what my car will do was an awesome learning experience.
All the drivers I spoke with were extremely helpful and I learned alot. (Thanks to Stevespo & KBBOSS1086!) Based on some comments/reviews somewhere (I can't remember where), I was not expecting to have an instructor all day long. So that was an added benefit which I was more than happy to have. He probably saved me a couple of times in the tunnel turn coming into the infield, as I was coming in hot a few times! ;D
Gas at the track was $8.75 for 98 or 100. However, it was easy enough to go off-track maybe 3 miles aways to fill up again cheaper.
One of my first mods might be a new bracket for the shifter (by Barton) (based on some good info from a BOSS LS owner), as I encountered fairly consistent shift issues (sticking and wouldn't go) for 4th and/or 5th on the front straight. I had to abort a couple of passes.
Of the two infield transitions mentioned by others, I found the one leading off the infield to the front straight more challenging, as you are already accelerating there for the straight and the car gets upset a bit, and for me delayed my next actions. The other transition you are slowing down quite a bit, so the bumps were more manageable.
For the stock Pirelli's, I was pleased. But as a beginner, knowing/feeling the limit in the turns is something that I guess will get better with experience. That was probably the biggest learning curve thus far, knowing the limits of the car and tires. No spins using the AdvancTrac, and although I thought I was in Sport mode, I was actually Standard mode which felt fine to me. Next time I'll pay more attention to this. :-[
My TrackApps were good to use to monitor the oil temps and cylinder head temps, which were all fine during the day.
So HOD got me hooked, as the slogan goes!!
I'll be back.