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I am seeing if there would be any interest in setting up a MSR track day on the 3.1. It is gonna be a different format than most track days, since there is gonna be a "Time Attack" competition as well. It will be a way for people to get both track time and, for the more hardcore, test their cars and skillz against the clock and other Miatas. We would need at least 80 participants to keep the price at $200/Ea. It would be open to all miatas, and MX5s.
If you are interested, let me know.
Thanks!
Interested.
Chris
I know this is out of post, but was looking for the post for tonights meeting. I'm just not seeing it.
Dan try the gtg post get-together.
I'm probably up for MSR but 200 is alot for 80 cars isn't it? How much track time and are roll bars necessary?
MSR Safety rules still apply for open top cars. So you need a hardtop or some sort of roll protection. They even let cars on course who have the crappy "style bars". So just tape some paper towel rolls together to look like a rollbar and you should be good to go. (joking)
5 sessions. The cost to rent the 3.1 isn't cheap. Plus we'll probably cater in some food, and have prizes and trophies. It adds up pretty quick.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nails
Quote:
Originally Posted by ray_sir_6
If this is going to have Miata Time Attack, I'm sure it will attract more than the normal DFW/TX crowd.
Too bad we can't do a Dyno out there too.
Chris
Good luck finding 80 Miatas/MX5s in DFW willing to pony up for a track day. Gary used to organize Focus Days at MSR that were half the price, and we were doing well if we got 30-35 participants at those events.Quote:
Originally Posted by ray_sir_6
I assume the price is so high (80*$200 = $16,000) because you are effectively renting both tracks? I'd suggest you lower your sights to just renting one track, and either open the event up to other marques or expect a whole lot fewer than 80 cars to show up.
Also, does that $200 fee include transponder rental, or will that be an additional cost?
FWIW, I can go to a NASA Time Trial for about 50% more than what you're planning to charge, and I get two separate days of competition.
I'm not trying to rain on your parade, but I think what you've laid out in your original post is unrealistic.
Talk to Team MER. Maybe something could be worked out. They have opened their new shopQuote:
Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92
There is a dyno out there.Quote:
Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92
The $200 is just for track time as of now. If we go over the 80 and get closer to 100, we can start adding free catered lunch, cash prices, etc. It's not just gonna be a Time Attack event, but a fun track day where people can get on the track, and then enjoy a Time Attack competition. There aren't enough of either the softcore or hardcore Miata owners alone to make 80, but hopefully catering to both sides in the same event will get enough participation.Quote:
Originally Posted by altiain
I'm not trying to setup a full Time Attack event, and I don't have the backing of SCCA or NASA to do it, either. I just think it would be cool to see a track event full of Miatas, where people could drive them on the track, hang out and talk Miatas, then watch some fast Miatas battle for bragging rights.
The last TDR event at MSR was 60ish participants. There are alot of people in the region who race SMs, IT Miatas, and just street/track extreme cars who could be interested. I am sure alot of people would like to get a chance to see what their cars can do with an open track, without 20 other SMs banging into you. Or maybe pull the restrictor off the 1.8 SM cars and see how they run.
I want to run the 3.1 cause it is a big enough track for 10 cars to have room to go for hot lap without having traffic issues. That way we can do a shorter time for the Time Attack event and get all the other participants adequate track time.
I am sure they would be willing to take appointments to do dynos during the event. I doubt they would want to sit there HOPING someone wants to do a few dyno pulls. We all know people like to say, "I'll be there", but it normally isn't something to stake a business adventure on. Get enough appointments and it'll be worth their wild to stay open for possible walk-in dynos during the event.Quote:
Originally Posted by smartmx5
The 1.7 is more than large enough to space out 10-15 cars for time attack sessions. I regularly run in groups out there with 10-15 cars on the track with huge speed differentials (from Spec Miatas to SRT-10 ACRs), and I can usually run at least 50% of a session without any traffic at all.Quote:
Originally Posted by ray_sir_6
You can also get more laps in a session on the 1.7. With a warm-up and cool-down you'd get what, maybe 3 or 4 hot laps on the 3.1 in 20 minutes?
Just from past events, I agree with Iain. Alot of people said they were in for Gary's shindig but, decided otherwise when the money came due. I am interested nonetheless. I just like being on the track. Plus, maybe all the experts that run the track would be willing to show us how to run the track FAST...Quote:
Originally Posted by altiain
Then you weren't going fast enough. I have the video of my Miata doing a 20 min session on the 1.7 last Sunday, and we had only a few clean laps. There was about 8-9 cars on the track with us. We ran 2:30 on the 3.1 with my car last time we were out there. That's about 8 laps in a 20 min session, which should be PLENTY to get the tires warm and run 5-6 fast laps.Quote:
Originally Posted by altiain
LOL! I can't wait to hear Altiain's reply to this! :clap:Quote:
Originally Posted by ray_sir_6
Anyway, I'd probably be interested. When were you thinking about holding this event? I'm guessing from your earlier comments that the stock NC roll bars would be suitable for this.
And people are saying that Miata World 2 is expensive. At least they're including 3 decent meals!
If the price point comes down I'm interested - depending on when it is. I'd guess you'll need at least 4-5 months lead time to solidify 80+ entrants.
That's cute. You ran at a focus day full of newbs. What did you expect? Run the 1.7 with 10-15 people who really know what they're doing, and you'd be suprised just how little traffic is an issue. Since the 1.7 isn't really a horsepower course, there isn't a huge lap time differential between really fast cars and really slow cars, but there is a huge time differential between good drivers and not-so-good drivers.Quote:
Originally Posted by ray_sir_6
I beg to differ. 2.5 minutes * 8 laps = 20 minutes exactly. Back out a warm up lap and a cool down lap (both of which will be longer than your best hot lap), and you have less than 6 hot laps. That's assuming you're the first car out and the session is an absolute minimum of twenty minutes, which is pretty optimistic. So, 5 laps at speed if you're lucky, more likely 4 laps in the real world. You certainly won't get six laps. Either way that's still a lot fewer than you'd get on the 1.7.Quote:
Originally Posted by ray_sir_6
I can see a lot of potential problems with MSR newbies running a "time attack" session on the 1.3 portion of the track...
Good luck with this...I'd love to come out an watch the carnage.
:Claps:Quote:
Originally Posted by miataspeedracer
There were only 2 cars that didn't have lots of experience on the track. It was the "faster" group. The Red Si was on his second MSR event, and the Probe, who was just a jackass who admitted to having no brakes but still staying on the course cause he wanted to get his money's worth. Maybe they weren't Pro drivers, but they weren't noobs either. We are gonna have NA, and FI cars, some with slicks, some on street tires, all on the same track at the same time. The 1.7 won't work, cause you'll be passing other cars on too many laps. Even if you get only 3 fast laps, it shouldn't matter, it's not an "average time" event, it's about running the fastest single lap. So you really only need 1.Quote:
Originally Posted by altiain
Well, obviously, to run in the Time Attack you would not be a novice driver. I would hope people have some common sense about them and would know if they are good enough to be in the TA. The 1.3 is a most have to me, cause every experienced driver I have talked to says that is the best course at MSR. They all say that if they had to choose, they would take the 1.3 everytime. The 1.3 is just not big enough to use for this event alone.Quote:
Originally Posted by miataspeedracer
Obviously it isn't gonna be in the near future. MSR is normally 4- 6 months out for booking, and I am gonna need to see enough people showing interest. After I see the interest at a level that looks promising, I'll start asking for 50% deposits to hold spots for people, and getting sponsors. That is what will really determine the date, as I can't reserve the track without money.Quote:
Originally Posted by Miatamoto
"I would hope people have some common sense about them and would know if they are good enough to be in the TA."
Hey, I don't know you and wish you all the best with this event, but the above comment just illustrates what I'd be worrying about...
And the reason the experienced drivers prefer the 1.3 section is because it's much trickier and more technical than the 1.7. It's also a lot more punishing when mistakes are made.
I will definately agree with the alot more punishing part. Big holes and not much run-off if any at all. Lots of good places to flip/roll.Quote:
Originally Posted by miataspeedracer
I went to all of TDR's focus days, so I'd be interested in track time at MSR, but just ask MadMerv or Gary how hard is to actually pull off one of these events. Good luck!
I know they are hard to pull off. That's why I'm not able to get a date or actual costs, just have to see if there are enough interested people. I have one partial sponsor lined up, haven't discussed details with them, but they are interested in helping out. If I can get 2 or 3 more, I can definitely drop the price and that should get it more interest. If I see enough people saying they want to do it, I'll get an estimate on the date, and then start asking for deposits. I think people who are really serious will be willing to put money down to hold their spot. This will make it easier to tell who is REALLY gonna show, and who is just saying they will. When I have enough people who have made their deposit, I can goto MSR and lock the day down. It's gonna be hard to get together, no doubt, but I have confidence in the performance oriented Miata drivers, and think this will happen.
I want to keep it "Miata Only", but I have already had a few people outside the Miata community who are interested. Maybe I can put 20spots for "Any Car" and the rest Miata-only. Haven't really decided if, or how, I'll allow other makes/models, but if it has to be done, I'll do it.
You're walking a tough line there. Without at least a tentative date to shoot for, you're not going to get much commitment (and certainly no deposits) from either drivers or sponsors.Quote:
Originally Posted by ray_sir_6
You didn't ask my advice, but I'd suggest at least getting a tentative range of dates that are 5-6 months out. People will be able to check their calendars and actually make decisions and commitments. At this point it's just kinda "Who wants to go to MSR next year?" Lots of people will say "ME!" but those aren't quality leads.
That's my 2ยข.
Why not try having it at Eagles Canyon?
+1 Eagles Canyon
Track event a couple weeks back I attended cost 150 and had no more than 30 cars. Maybe that's a more affordable venue. Also isn't there a track just south of Austin where someone was possibly trying to get a Miata event going?
I'm a noob and never ran MSR but I ain't gonna pay to watch others drive TA. So count me out if the TA doesn't cost extra and cuts into my track time.
Harris Hill is south of Austin. Fun track.
I'd be interested, wherever or whenever it is
I'd be interested if I could run the S2000. *hey I used to own a Miata*
Me too... let me know if they let you in...Quote:
Originally Posted by CosmosMpower
I'd be in. if you have the backing and the cars, I would be I could get a couple of the redline guys to be the organization to come in and run it.
I'm down for a little TT style competition. I don't expect to do that well over-all, but I'd like to see what I can do in the "drive your car to and from the event" class.
Well, I can't get enough interest to merit the event. I need at least 20 cars, and I had about 10 at the most. Plus the price is higher the less people we have, and TDR setup an event for Miatas, which drained any support I had going.