Going to my first WOW at Miller Motorsports Park - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Retro69 · 10-05-2012, 09:12 PM

I finally got up the nerve to sign up for WOW next week. Any suggestions for maximum fun factor? Is one track better than the other for a first timer?

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PfadtRacing · 10-10-2012, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro69

I finally got up the nerve to sign up for WOW next week. Any suggestions for maximum fun factor? Is one track better than the other for a first timer?

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2

Congratulations! You're going to have a really great time! We have a team garage at Miller, and while we haven't had too much time to race this year it's absolutely one of the best tracks in the US.

Just relax, and be sure to take any opportunity to take an instructor with you as a beginner. If this is your first track event don't get caught up trying to keep up with anyone else. If this is your first track day that Spec Miata really IS faster than you are with 1/3 of the engine output.

Any of the track configurations is going to be a blast for your first time out! Just keep your ears open and your attitude positive and you're going to be hooked for sure!

Retro69 · 10-10-2012, 08:39 PM

Got to run both circuits. So far having a blast. Thought I had a little brake Fade on the east circuit (yikes!) Here goes another lap on the west.

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Retro69 · 10-10-2012, 11:15 PM

Only got to run the west circuit once more. (Dang short autumn days :( )

For lack of something better to judge my performance I reset my average speed gauge at the start then recorded it at the end. Probably not very accurate but I did improve my west circuit run from 43.2 mph avg to 53.9 on my second run. Feel pretty good about that.

I mentioned previously that I thought I had a little brake fade on my east circuit run. Doesn't seem to me that I should have that happen on that short of a run (2.2 miles I think. I was running a straightaway pretty hard into a sharp left turn and was laying on the brakes pretty hard. I'm sure my inexperience is a major factor. If I'm going to be running the track in the future perhaps slotted, cross drilled rotors need to go on the wish list.

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PfadtRacing · 10-18-2012, 07:12 PM

East track doesn't have the big straight like full or outer loop does, but you can pick up quite a bit of speed coming into clubhouse. The fade is likely a little inexperience, but if you haven't swapped out to a quality brake fluid, pads and rotors there certainly are some improvements that can be made even for folks with a ton of track time.

One point of advice, avoid drilled rotors for track use. Typically the holes in drilled rotors are (predictably) drilled into the rotor after it's been cast, which can cause cracking with hard use. IF, and this is a big if, you see rotors with holes at the track they were likely either cast as part of the rotor, or it's a car that doesn't see a lot of track time.

A couple small mods and your car can be a WHOLE lot of fun out there. If you haven't connected with Jordan at JDP Motorsports he spends about as much time at Miller as any Camaro owner, and is a great resource for parts and advice. We can definitely help you with quality suspension components as well.

Slowkray · 10-18-2012, 08:07 PM

That is awesome Retro69. I have run my car at Miller quite a few times. It is nothing but pure addiction. Glad you had a good time. Hope to see you out there next year, or maybe wintercross.

Albert15 · 12-01-2012, 12:26 AM

That nice and congratulation for you to take participate at racing park. I hope you will be enjoy lot.

RayTheRat · 01-24-2013, 12:24 AM

If I can get my Monte Carlo into the 150 Club (gremlins have plagued me for the last coupla years) I'll take the skinny salt flats tires off and put some sticky ones on and then we'll see how WOW works out. I may pull the TH200-4R out and replace it with a Tremec 5-speed.

I plan to run my Camaro in the 130 Club on the salt this year, too. Ohh, yeah. And do the photography for landracing.com, too. Could be a little interesting. But I love it.

10-05-2012, 09:12 PM	#1
Retro69 Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Morgan, UT Posts: 1,359	Going to my first WOW at Miller Motorsports Park I finally got up the nerve to sign up for WOW next week. Any suggestions for maximum fun factor? Is one track better than the other for a first timer? Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2 __________________

10-10-2012, 08:39 PM	#3
Retro69 Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Morgan, UT Posts: 1,359	Got to run both circuits. So far having a blast. Thought I had a little brake Fade on the east circuit (yikes!) Here goes another lap on the west. Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2 __________________

10-10-2012, 11:15 PM	#4
Retro69 Drives: 2018 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Morgan, UT Posts: 1,359	Only got to run the west circuit once more. (Dang short autumn days :( ) For lack of something better to judge my performance I reset my average speed gauge at the start then recorded it at the end. Probably not very accurate but I did improve my west circuit run from 43.2 mph avg to 53.9 on my second run. Feel pretty good about that. I mentioned previously that I thought I had a little brake fade on my east circuit run. Doesn't seem to me that I should have that happen on that short of a run (2.2 miles I think. I was running a straightaway pretty hard into a sharp left turn and was laying on the brakes pretty hard. I'm sure my inexperience is a major factor. If I'm going to be running the track in the future perhaps slotted, cross drilled rotors need to go on the wish list. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD __________________

10-18-2012, 08:07 PM	#6
Slowkray Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS M6 IOM Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Midvale, Utah Posts: 268 View My Garage	That is awesome Retro69. I have run my car at Miller quite a few times. It is nothing but pure addiction. Glad you had a good time. Hope to see you out there next year, or maybe wintercross. __________________

10-18-2012, 07:12 PM	#5
PfadtRacing Drives: 2010 Camaro, 2006 Z06 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 3,370	East track doesn't have the big straight like full or outer loop does, but you can pick up quite a bit of speed coming into clubhouse. The fade is likely a little inexperience, but if you haven't swapped out to a quality brake fluid, pads and rotors there certainly are some improvements that can be made even for folks with a ton of track time. One point of advice, avoid drilled rotors for track use. Typically the holes in drilled rotors are (predictably) drilled into the rotor after it's been cast, which can cause cracking with hard use. IF, and this is a big if, you see rotors with holes at the track they were likely either cast as part of the rotor, or it's a car that doesn't see a lot of track time. A couple small mods and your car can be a WHOLE lot of fun out there. If you haven't connected with Jordan at JDP Motorsports he spends about as much time at Miller as any Camaro owner, and is a great resource for parts and advice. We can definitely help you with quality suspension components as well.

12-01-2012, 12:26 AM	#7
Albert15 Banned Drives: Camaro 2007 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: New York Posts: 5	That nice and congratulation for you to take participate at racing park. I hope you will be enjoy lot.

01-24-2013, 12:24 AM	#8
RayTheRat Goofy old fart,salt racer Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SSRS: making progress! Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: The High Desert Posts: 127 View My Garage	If I can get my Monte Carlo into the 150 Club (gremlins have plagued me for the last coupla years) I'll take the skinny salt flats tires off and put some sticky ones on and then we'll see how WOW works out. I may pull the TH200-4R out and replace it with a Tremec 5-speed. I plan to run my Camaro in the 130 Club on the salt this year, too. Ohh, yeah. And do the photography for landracing.com, too. Could be a little interesting. But I love it.