MOSPORT TRACK DAY "let's go racing boys!!"

[garfin]

As much fun as the "Big Track" is, I would very strongly discourage any newbie, beginner or novice from getting out on this course on their own for the 1st time. The speeds attained on that track are very high (especially in some of the turns) and if you are not experienced at driving those speeds or are not familiar with how your car behaves at those speeds, you will get bitten very badly, before you even know what's happened. That's how quickly things can unfold on that course.
A good way to learn what to expect on that course is to go out with a "pro" (someone who is experienced on it) in the shotgun seat to get a feel for the speeds, g-forces and quick transitions - and then take a crack at it with a coach riding in your shotgun seat.
One of the guys I've been lapping with for years there, organizes a lapping day on that course at least once per season and will not allow anyone without any experience on that course to participate in his event unless they are assigned a coach. It doesn't matter how much experience the person has had in the past, but the coach must sign off on the 1st timer in order for them to go out alone on the course.
Anyone interested can check out his event here:
http://www.frankewald.com/mir
He runs a super event that is extremely well-organized and safe. You can understand the respect demanded by that course from some of the info on that site. I also cannot minimize the value of participating in events like this where there are experienced drivers. All one needs to do is ask and virtually all the drivers are happy to have some company in the shotgun seat during a session. A great way to learn some of the finer points of that course...

Here is a video that will give you some insight as to what the experience is like at speeds the Camaro would be tackling the course at:



Best regardSS,

Elie

[stratman2SSRS]

Thanks Garfin, to clarify things a little bit. With Apex, there is a professional driving instructor in the car with you on the big and small tracks. They drive you around the course at slow speeds, and have turn in, apex, and turn out pylons on every corner to help you with your driving line.
They are with you in the car every session you are on the track, untill they are comfortable with your ability, and untill you are comfortable with being alone.
We are NEVER racing eachother side by side.
If one car is faster, the lead car signals the faster car which side to pass on in a safe straight away.
They space us out on the track so there is lots of space between cars.
They group the more experienced drivers into different groups from the beginners.
It is a truly fun experience, and non competetive.
Feel free to ask any more questions, or call Apex.
The longer we wait, the harder it will be to get a group on the Driver Development Track(DDT).

[garfin]

Originally Posted by stratman2SSRS

Thanks Garfin, to clarify things a little bit. With Apex, there is a professional driving instructor in the car with you on the big and small tracks. They drive you around the course at slow speeds, and have turn in, apex, and turn out pylons on every corner to help you with your driving line.
They are with you in the car every session you are on the track, untill they are comfortable with your ability, and untill you are comfortable with being alone.
We are NEVER racing eachother side by side.
If one car is faster, the lead car signals the faster car which side to pass on in a safe straight away.
They space us out on the track so there is lots of space between cars.
They group the more experienced drivers into different groups from the beginners.
It is a truly fun experience, and non competetive.
Feel free to ask any more questions, or call Apex.
The longer we wait, the harder it will be to get a group on the Driver Development Track(DDT).

I've never run with Apex, but from your description, I certainly wouldn't have any hesitation participating in their events.

Best regardSS,

Elie

[CanadianCamaro]

Yep - Looks like a ton of fun! And exactly what you said once before Garfin (or someone did). Mosport big track is a world class track. Lots of elevation changes - car will be very unsettled at times. And not a lot of run-off room. In fact, there's a fair bit of track with the concrete only yards of the edge or right on the edge! The last thing I'd want to do is slap the wall or something.

I believe that we would still do Ok at the big track with Apex. I think the key for everyone's comfort however would be to remove cars from the equation that are considerably faster and with tons more driving experience. Us newbies will just frustrate those guys. This is why I suggested an all Camaro day on either track. Truth be told, I'd like to go to the DDT first and then the big track later in the season.

But.... as for the all Camaro day.... seems that "commitment" is a dirty word around here

[CanadianCamaro]

Oh... and I like how they have the cones on the corners to provide shift reference markers and to mark the corner apex and exit target. I hope all schools do that. Helps the learning curve (pardon the pun) huge!

[sstphoenix]

REALLY REALLY tempting.
But my wallet said no (this year).

[2010 SSRS]

post pics