Miatas at the Ranch IV - October 28th 2004

I found this anouncement and took the liberty of posting it over here!

(Mind you I added my name to the list just before informing you bozos! :clown: )

OK all you track rats,

Since this past Thursday is still fresh in everyone's mind we've
looked into getting MSR for another day. Gary talked to Jack today
and it looks like October, 28th is available. So if you are
interested in participating in another MSR event please respond back
to this message. Please feel free to post this on other forums. We'd
like to see people from outside DFW show up again.

The cost of the track is now $2,900 and the insurance is
approximately $915. The number of people we get to commit will
determine how much it will cost us to rent the track. We are also
looking at charging different entry fees for advance and last minute
payments. Its not fair that people hold out to the last minute and
make the event planners responsible for their indecisions. Remember
this is a not-for-profit event.

We will run the event similar to what Merv did since it worked out so
well. Only change will be the passing rules in the "red" group. They
will be the same as MSR member sessions (no passing in the corners).
I think 15 cars per a group would make a nice event. This will open
up the (yellow) intermediate group to more of the faster green group
drivers. The red group then can be filled up with the so-called
"faster drivers".

We are open to getting sponsorships to help defer the cost. So if
people want to pursue those avenues we're up for it. We'll need
workers for grid and tower so if you know of anyone to volunteer
please tell them about this event. Also we could arrange a lunch
catered by SUBWAY if people are interested. That would make lunch
quick and simple.

It should be a fun day if we can get 45-50 people to commit (with
money in hand) in advance.

Mike Preston
Gary Shuhart

If you are interested send Mike Preston an E-mail [email protected]

Yep I'm in! Last Thursday was really great with lots of track time. I think with the new passing rules in red it will be even better. For those of you that didn't attend you really missed out. One thing that was not noted is that those without roll bars were able to run top down unless they were in the red group. That said you really should have a roll bar, even on the steet. Hope to see some of you guys there.

If I break down and buy a real roll bar (which I want to), I'm in.

I think I will try the red group with different passing rules this time. I just dont like dents, so passing anywhere = teh noes.

oct 28... a thursday?

I'm in. Can i bring an s2k friend?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Miatabich

oct 28... a Thursday?

I'm in. Can i bring an s2k friend?

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Yep it’s on a Thursday! If you are interested send Mike Preston an E-mail [email protected], he is the big kahuna for this event! I believe there are limiting the number of participants for this event so don’t delay on getting your name on the list! :wink:

Wow... how did I miss this??

Anyone know how many peopel are signed up? this still on?

off to email.......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rx7gslse

Wow... how did I miss this??

Anyone know how many peopel are signed up? this still on?

off to email.......

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According to Mike Preston, things are still open (as of yesterday) ....miatas only.

yup, just got the same reply via email..

Still need more cars to signup... So I'm in :D

I'm going! 8)

How much is the entrance fee per person?

ITs 125 if we get 35 people.

Yep it is still on, but it is important that you send them an email as soon as you know you will be going. Last I heard they were talking about having to open it up to other cars to keep the price down. That is if we can't find 35 Miata owners willing to skip work.

I realize that some of the people on this board are under the impression that your car will be going home on a tow truck if you attend an open track event. Like any event of this nature things can happen. From what I have heard worse things have happened at an AX, so let's keep this all in perspective. If I remember corectly an SCCA instructor managed to crash 2 Miata, and was not held responsible. So if you are thinking of not attending because of something you have heard then please make sure you look at all the facts. This can be a very safe and fun event so long as egos are checked at the door. This is not a race or competition, but rather a chance for us to put our cars on the track without having a 500 hp Viper ridding your a$$. So by all means make up your own mind, and if you are dead set against it then don't come, you won't hurt my feelings as there will be one less car on the track :D

Email sent :D

I'll be drivin' the 92 B&T for this event.

RJ

E-mail sent... dang peer pressure.

Well put, by the way, flyin96m! It's also important to remember that you're in more control of your fate on a race track than anywhere else you'll ever drive your car. Unlike an autocross, your mirrors still work great. If someone's running up on you into the corners, let them by, and you won't have to worry about them getting crossed up... It's all a matter of checking the ego at the door and remembering (if not chanting over and over under your visor) "This is not a race!"

No offense intended to TC or Flyin96M...

By all means, your vehicle is probably at less risk during an open track event that it is during your daily commute. However, anytime multiple cars are sharing a track, there is always the possibility of contact. It is rare, but it does happen, and it is more likely at an event of this nature than it is at a typical autocross, where there is no passing allowed and cars are spaced out specifically to avoid the possibility of two cars trying to share the same real estate at the same time.

Yep, accidents can and do happen... at schools, at autocrosses, and on the track as well.

Check your ego at the door, watch your mirrors, be aware of your surroundings. But also be aware that because there are other cars sharing the track with you, sometimes things can happen that are beyond your personal control. To suggest that there are not risks involved with a lapping day is foolhardy... much as it would be to suggest that there are no risks inherent in autocrossing, especially with some of the higher speed venues available in this area.

I don't want to discourage anyone from attending this event. Lapping days are a lot of fun, and an event like this where most of the cars will have similar power-to-weight ratios and accelerative abilities are probably the safest types of lapping days, as opposed to the ones where you're sharing the track with all kinds of cars. Still, be careful.

Yep I agee with you Iain that there are risks involved with this type of event, but I just wanted to point out that they are no greater than any of the other things we do in our cars. I hope I didn't mislead anyone. Unlike an AX you do have to watch out for the other guy and don't let anyone scare you into driving beyond your abilities.

Just another "ditto" to the idea that these events can be held without incident IF everybody keeps a cool head and their egos in check. I have not missed a single one of these (since the first full weekend in 2000) and have never personally suffered any damage, from impacts or otherwise.

The possibility is there, but it is directly proportional to the amount of defensiveness and personal responsibility being exhibited. When I was doing safety training content for the Oil & Gas industry, they were big fans of saying "There's no such thing as an *accident*" and "All incidents are preventable". You could argue that this is highly theoretical, but the assertions remain valid.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by altiain

...cars are spaced out specifically to avoid the possibility of two cars trying to share the same real estate at the same time.

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Not to nitpick, but I would change that to say "two drivers trying to share the same real estate at the same time". It's us humans making the decisions, after all. If drivers follow the rules about passing zones and courtesy, there's no reason for paint-swapping at an HPDE.

OK kids back on track we get the picture! :roll:

I've heard if we don't get more than 35 people, with checks in hand, before October 1st then this event is probably not going to happen.

If you plan to attend this track day (like me 8) ) you need to contact Mike Preston @ [email protected] ASAP if not sooner!

So anybody else planning on going! 8)

The Last One was a blast! :thumleft: