Apex sounds interesting... think it would be worth the money for me?
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Apex sounds interesting... think it would be worth the money for me?
Neal, How many sessions does one typically get during an Apex track day?
I'd like to eventually work my way towards a comp license, which is one of the reasons I plan to run with NASA this season, but I've never been to an Apex event for comparison.
6 - 20 Minute Sessions
Here is my track day thread after my Apex day:
Apex Track Day Thread
I've run one Apex event and was pretty happy with it. John Holmes doesn't really tolerate morons, which I'm cool with. I wasn't happy that I had to pit a couple times and was nervous about passing without a point (because Apex are pansies about it) because people in z's and STI's are getting steamrolled by a 94whp miata and can't watch their mirrors. Part of that is driver error though.Quote:
Originally Posted by nealb
Hallett track days are the best if you have a brain, and can score a ride-along for the first time out if you're a newb. They are only $95 for 5x15-minute sessions, and you can run saturdays and sundays. Its super laid back, weather is cooler in the summer, aside from passing in corners you can drive as hard as you want, and you get to watch races all day.
We are pretty psycho on safety and so far so good. The advanced group uses GPS based data acquisition on a selected basis (we have a performancebox and move it around session to session) with the data projected during classroom sessions.
I love Hallett and it is cheaper if you do not value your time (about 5 hours each way) and even a Miata will burn some fuel getting there and I think you'd have to stay overnight at least the night before. I love racing there, but only go 1 to 2 times a year max.
Bringing this one back from the dead...
I signed up for this event this evening. Still two spots left in the Intermediate group. Looks like ken o and neal b are going to be out there as well.
I ran with PCA, BMWCCA, TDE, and Apex. By far Apex is the best deal.
6 - 20 minute sessions all on one day. Keeps the wife happy.
Others are two day event with 4 session each day for $300.
Tried to sign up tonight for one of the intermediate spots left, but it would not let me. Perhaps since I just created the account, it considers me a new student and only allows me to sign in for the beginner class, which has a waiting list, but I would pass on anyway. Well, mabey not.. more class time is always good, but the idea of a waiting list just does not do it for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by altiain
Sent them an email asking if I could get in. Hope so.
Anybody know their policy on r-comp and no roll bar? Forgot to get around to ordering one. Some tracks it seems let you run r-comp sans roll bar, but with the hardtop on. I don't mind if I have to run the azenis, but was wanting to try at least one session on the race rubber.
SA
I had to send an email with my experience "resume" to be approved to run in the Intermediate group, since I had never run with Apex before.Quote:
Originally Posted by SixAce
Email your resume. It is not big deal. If you have some experience your are usually good to go. John is willing to work with you. After a check out ride or two if you are safe, you are cleared solo. If not they will work with you. At any point you can request an instructor.
John emailed me back and upgraded my account. I'm in. :D
See ya'll there.
SA
I just wanted to write a quick wrap-up on this event...
Kudos to Apex for putting on an excellent event! Six sessions between 8 am and 5 pm, with a break for lunch. Not a bad way to spend the day.
This was the first event that they had ever sold out, which meant they had 18 cars per run group. By contrast the last Driver's Edge event I ran had about 30 cars per group, and you spent half your sessions waiting for a point by. I logged about 130 track miles all day, and I spent hardly any of that time bogged down in traffic. In fact, I had open track in front of me most of the time, which allowed me to focus on hitting my marks and clicking off consistent laps.
Safety was stressed repeatedly. Apex has never had an accident at one of their events, and they worked hard to maintain that record. Between detailed radio calls and vigilant flag stations, there were never any "oh sh!t" moments on track - whenever someone went off and dragged some dirt back on line, I knew about it well in advance thanks to the safety calls on the radio.
I ran in the intermediate group, and I was pretty impressed with the attentiveness of the other drivers and their instructors. Not once did I get held up by a slower, higher horsepower car, and there were plenty of Vipers, Vettes, and p-cars in the run group. Everyone paid attention to their mirrors, and drivers were very good about giving point bys.
The RX-8 performed admirably well. No cooling problems, and the brakes held up well. Several people commented on how well the RX-8 handled, and I even managed to run down the Intermediate group's lead instructor in his new (to him, at least) R34 Skyline. :wink: My only gripe was the fuel consumption - I would burn about a quarter tank per session. I went out for the last session with just under a half tank and managed to fuel starve the car on the last lap.
It felt really good to get back on the track after several years off. I missed the rhythm of driving a well-balanced car on a familiar circuit.
Anyway, if you're interested in some track time, I would highly recommend Apex. They put on a really high quality event, and I'll definitely be back!