The Hurricane Region PCA track day at CMP on August 29-30 has lots of free spots, it's going to be about half as densely attended by beginners than is the norm, and it's generally the cheapest track day around. $345 for entry, and hotel rooms are $59/night. For comparison, NJMP last weekend would've been twice as far from Raleigh, $130/day of hotel, and $475 for entry (for students that is). Aside from this, the classroom instructor is also top notch. If you're a complete beginner, you should consider this event in particular. I am also available for private instruction btw, contact me if you're interested.

Here's the club website;
http://www.trackschedule.com/HurricaneDE.html

7/22/2009 11:04:54 PM

What about doing just one day?

Might be a stretch for me anyway, though (as in probably not gonna happen)...I finally got my little girl up here, and I'll have her during that time.

7/22/2009 11:26:58 PM

You can generally do one day. You're gonna hate yourself at the end of the first day for doing so though!

7/23/2009 5:14:35 PM

Thanks for recommending this track day Ahmet.

However, the one at Roebling Road 2 weeks later that I mentioned is only $195 for two days, this one's about 80% more expensive.

Though $150 might be worth it to meet the infamous Ahmet.

7/23/2009 6:00:45 PM

I have not seen a track weekend for less than $300 in the last 4 dozen track events I've gone to for a student. In fact, for the last 4 years running, the Hurricane Region PCA event (the one I'll be instructing at) has been the cheapest...

However, also keep in mind hotel/gas costs to the cost of a track event. Hurricane Region has a deal, $59/night like I said, not to mention the fact that it's quite a bit closer. Also, CMP is quite the track, and I don't personally see Roebling as being particularly beginner friendly. It does have lots of run off room, and great food on track, but otherwise lacking facilities, and generally hot/humid.

As for meeting me, that's certainly not hard to do. Anytime I'm in town, I'm available, and to meet me on track you can just sign up for a track event I'm doing, or really even just show up...

7/23/2009 8:43:34 PM

The Florida Crown Region of PCA is hosting the Roebling Road event for $195 including food & beer (beer at nights only of course, lol). I know that's insanely cheap, go figure. Gas to drive there instead of Kershaw is really only a difference of $20 for me.


Ahmet, what is a good track pad for a HPDE? I know Hawk makes good pads. I was thinking of getting a front set of Blue 9012s. Is that a good idea? Are they overkill? Also, someone in a review (on Tirerack) said that the brake dust totally fucked his wheels afterwards when they got wet. Any truth to that, in your experience?

7/23/2009 10:57:12 PM

What kind of car are they going on? From my experience it's the Italians and the Germans that make the best brake pads. I love Pagid Orange and Yellows, the latter is the endurance compound for a number of teams in Rolex/Grand Am, etc. That's what I run on the 911, and after 5 days on track, I'd say they still have 80%+ remaining. Initial bite/torque is not as good as a sprint pad (the Oranges), but modulation is great. It makes an excellent track pad with great life, and it's livable on the street...

If this is for your S2k (do you even have an S2k, I get mixed up sometimes), EBC makes great pads also, and they're inexpensive as well. HAWK pads generally have great initial bite, as well as excellent torque, but modulation is not the best. The dust is harder to clean off if you don't leave it on, if you do though, it will become a part of the wheel, that's not a joke. I have multiple friends with ruined wheels, in fact one guy I know is getting pitted paint on the sides of his car after letting the dust get wet and dry again! Ja, so I have personally had good luck with EBCs (if you over heat them, they'll get glazed and go to crap however). Carbotech is another option. This is one of those topics that if you ask a million people, you'll get a million different results.

Anyway, if this is your first time to the track or first time back in a long period, I wouldn't swap pads unless what you have now are something really sub par, flush the fluid with something decent (I use ATE super blue) and call it a day. Also, don't drag your brakes on track, brake hard for short periods of time.

7/23/2009 11:24:26 PM

Yes I drive an S2000. I suppose I can check the motorsports forum on http://www.s2ki.com but from what people have told me the OEM pads overheat after a few laps. While this will be only my 2nd time at the track, it is the first with this car. And yes its been a few years. But I do know how to punish the brakes

*I am concerned about the well being of my wheels. The car is pretty new and the wheels are flawless and I'd like to keep them that way.

[Edited on July 23, 2009 at 11:41 PM. Reason : k]

7/23/2009 11:41:13 PM

So, contrary to general logical thinking, it's the softer braking for long periods of time that will over heat your brakes, basically you want to be off the brakes for as long as possible... Being able to conserve the brakes is a good skill to pick up IMO. If you're concerned about them, you can go to an aftermarket pad. I would think an EBC yellow stuff would do well on track for you, and you wouldn't have to swap back when you're done. If you had a number of events under your belt, I would suggest a pad that's NOT dual use, but at the moment you have no need for a hardcore race pad...

7/23/2009 11:47:59 PM

^^send a PM to krshultz on s2ki. he's a pretty well respected s2k track guy who is also local

7/24/2009 12:25:08 AM

Will they have multiple beginner heats, or just one? I might try to get my dad to come down with me for one day in his 335i if we could get on different heats.

That way we could each watch my daughter while the other was on track.


What sort of hours should I expect it to run? Early morning, I assume, until when?

[Edited on July 24, 2009 at 2:59 AM. Reason : ]

7/24/2009 2:56:48 AM

There will only be one beginner heat, as attendance will be low at this event -another reason why it's a good one to run for your first time. It's in conflict w/the Mazda Drivers event at VIR Grand East, which is an awesome configuration, but I would very much not recommend it for a beginner, since it's going to be over 4 miles long. It's also around $450 for entry.

Anyway, track sessions are usually 8:30 to 4:30 or 5pm or thereabouts. Follow the website for more info.

7/24/2009 3:24:46 AM

I'll have to think pretty seriously about this event. Gotta check with work schedule for Friday so I'm not f'd over by driving all night to get there after getting off work at 9pm.


btw, did a two day HPDE at RRR for $250 in May, and likely will be back there in Oct/Nov for their fall event. Also already paid for the iceout Trackdaze event so I need to pick one of their VIR or Summit Point events coming up.

7/24/2009 8:47:31 AM

Ja, the Trackdaze thing is pushing a few people away from this event also. I was thinking about staying at VIR for the 4 days around that weekend, but ultimately decided against it as I don't go to CMP often, and I'm obligated to help the Coco/Phil who're putting this event together... That said, another sub $300 event eh, I guess I just haven't been going to the cheaper events. CMP track rental is probably more than Roebling though, which makes sense. VIR is more expensive still. If you're a veteran, running VIR Grand East is probably worth doing, I won't deny it. Comes only once a year!

Anyway, another piece of news that may make this event more favorable for you (everyone), there'll be a pro photographer taking pictures, and distributing them for free at this event...

7/24/2009 8:17:54 PM

I've only done three days on track, one VIR Patriot where everyone "drove at their own pace" and two days at RRR in the green group, but signed off for solo blue with a check ride in the first session. If I sign up for this I assume I'll need to be in the straight beginner group for Saturday and possibly move up if the instructor and I are comfortable enough with it. Just stinks being in a stock engined miata trying to get point-bys.

7/24/2009 8:50:04 PM

TKE-Teg: Pagid RS-14 Blacks are on the Lotus.

VERY highly recommended on the track, VERY highly not recommended on the street. They squeal like fucking banshees during regular driving. It doesn't bother me, but then again I bought a Lotus

But dear lord, even after a warmup lap, they stop like bricks. And have a pretty good lifespan. If you get a set and just run them at track days, they'll probably last you 20+ sessions.

http://www.velocityspot.com/servlet/StoreFront has by far the best prices on Pagid pads (at least the lotus SKU's) I've ever seen.

7/24/2009 9:07:16 PM

Noen, thanks for the advice! Most appreciated.

7/26/2009 10:54:50 AM

Ahmet, I think I'm gonna come down to this event. I owe my parents in Charlotte a visit so maybe I'll combine that with this weekend

I'll just be coming to watch, and maybe try for a ride along if possible

7/27/2009 10:43:31 AM

if i didnt have a softball touurney that weekend I would be there.

7/27/2009 10:44:47 AM

Might want to check their participant policy, I believe spectators can ride but not positive. If you were driving in the event, than I'm certain you're allowed to be a passenger...

7/27/2009 9:48:39 PM

I will check the policy, thanks for the heads up.

Still, its only 50 miles from my parents house so even if I just came to "enjoy the atmosphere" it'd be fun for an afternoon.

7/27/2009 11:56:20 PM

You're welcome to come by either way, but the magic happens on track! You should register for the event, you'll be there already, why not!

7/28/2009 1:08:41 AM

hahaha. B/c I can't afford to, unfortunately.

7/28/2009 8:57:09 AM

Priorities my friend, you never hear a crack head complain about the cost of crack... cause it's irrelevant. Sometimes, if you gotta have it, you just gotta have it.

7/28/2009 11:15:42 AM

Quite true, but due to some irresponsibility, circumstances beyond my control, and bad luck I have a fair amount of credit card debt.

Unfortunately paying it off has to come before doing multiple track days a year

7/28/2009 12:59:03 PM

Good choice then, all joking aside you'd never find me advocating doing anything but paying off interest bearing debt. Well, you're welcome to drop by just the same, and hope you can ride along.

7/28/2009 1:01:47 PM

ok ben stein

8/4/2009 11:33:16 AM