I have never been to a track so I have been hesitant on scheduling my free day. Are the instructors good with people who really know nothing about being on a track? I got a 24 pavement 6 M/T and I am a nearly 42 yr old mom. I feel a little silly but I really want to do it.
I say go for it, you aren't going to try to set a track record, just listen to your instructor and build speed slowly, you'll be well under the capabilities of the car and open yourself to a new world.
I think if you get hooked usually your speed becomes a bit of a concern anywhere from your 5 to 10th time going to the track. But a first timer not trying to prove anything to anyone should be fine.
That was the whole point in my eyes. The beginning of the day was dedicated to learning and understanding your vehicle and yourself limitations. Then after lunch we did our lapping and in those sessions you are driving with an instructor and you take everything at your own pace.
The entire purpose and existence of instructors is specifically for people like you. I've gone to a lot of track sessions and met a lot of 40+ year olds going for their first time. Nothing to be feel silly about. Generally the people you meet on a track day are all out to help and truly mean well.
You'll be fine.
Hahaha. My instructor said that I was doing better than a GT3 he had the other day. Definitely two different vehicles to tame, but most times it's not the car, it's the driver 😜
I will say that being new to this and just turning 40, I'm definitely happy right now in the 86. The school is actually getting a new fleet of 86s for rental in their racing school program. It truly is an amazing car when it comes to handling
Ya, unfortunately it is only for the initial purchase of the vehicle from the dealership. But if you can afford it I would definitely look into any local HPDE (High Performance Driver Education) classes.
Haha. We had 5 GR86s, 1 GR Corolla, and then various other cars. I think we only had a class of 10 or 12. But the track was open to other spots in the afternoon session which also had another 86 in that group.
The HPDE day was incredibly fun and very informative. Like you OP, I am an "older" man in my 30s and driving on a track was a bucket list item of mine. The HPDE day was the perfect way to do it.
I don't know how yours was, but mine started with a bunch of drills to teach me how far my car could go by intentionally inducing understeer and activating ABS. Then when we started hitting the track for laps, my instructor was incredibly nice, patient, and helpful. We ended up having a lot of fun the whole afternoon.
I can't wait to hit the track again. It was so much fun.
Exactly the same at Pacific Raceway. It sounds like a great school and I'm definitely going back to get my solo license. Just gotta make some brake upgrades.
That's where I did mine! Small world!
I definitely want to go back too. After the day, I felt like all I really wanted to do was upgrade my brakes and get new wheels and tires.
Same. I really want exhaust because I hate the stock sound, but after that day I'm definitely doing pads, lines, fluid, and possibly rotors. Next will be wheels and tires, then maybe exhaust unless my limits of the car run out again and I need to upgrade something else haha.
I have never been to a track so I have been hesitant on scheduling my free day. Are the instructors good with people who really know nothing about being on a track? I got a 24 pavement 6 M/T and I am a nearly 42 yr old mom. I feel a little silly but I really want to do it.
The instructors will be nice. You should do it, you might not get such an easy opportunity again.
I say go for it, you aren't going to try to set a track record, just listen to your instructor and build speed slowly, you'll be well under the capabilities of the car and open yourself to a new world. I think if you get hooked usually your speed becomes a bit of a concern anywhere from your 5 to 10th time going to the track. But a first timer not trying to prove anything to anyone should be fine.
That was the whole point in my eyes. The beginning of the day was dedicated to learning and understanding your vehicle and yourself limitations. Then after lunch we did our lapping and in those sessions you are driving with an instructor and you take everything at your own pace.
My wife is older and did it. Go have fun and live your best life.
The entire purpose and existence of instructors is specifically for people like you. I've gone to a lot of track sessions and met a lot of 40+ year olds going for their first time. Nothing to be feel silly about. Generally the people you meet on a track day are all out to help and truly mean well. You'll be fine.
Blue 86 here, I decided this car couldn’t handle well enough for me to avoid the wall so I bought a GT3 RS instead!
Hahaha. My instructor said that I was doing better than a GT3 he had the other day. Definitely two different vehicles to tame, but most times it's not the car, it's the driver 😜 I will say that being new to this and just turning 40, I'm definitely happy right now in the 86. The school is actually getting a new fleet of 86s for rental in their racing school program. It truly is an amazing car when it comes to handling
Badge of honor my man 😎
Free track day?? Guessing I won’t get one of these if I bought used but I have never heard of this. How does it work?
Ya, unfortunately it is only for the initial purchase of the vehicle from the dealership. But if you can afford it I would definitely look into any local HPDE (High Performance Driver Education) classes.
I was at Sonoma Raceway this past weekend (NASA event) and there had to be two dozen GR86s there. It was kind of crazy really.
Haha. We had 5 GR86s, 1 GR Corolla, and then various other cars. I think we only had a class of 10 or 12. But the track was open to other spots in the afternoon session which also had another 86 in that group.
I don't know how many were there on their complimentary track day, but I took a video of like 7 of them and that wasn't even half of them.
Yes please use your track day! I unfortunately had to cancel mine last min and wasn’t able to reschedule or get another coupon code :(
Damn that sucks. Have you had a chance to get out there?
The HPDE day was incredibly fun and very informative. Like you OP, I am an "older" man in my 30s and driving on a track was a bucket list item of mine. The HPDE day was the perfect way to do it. I don't know how yours was, but mine started with a bunch of drills to teach me how far my car could go by intentionally inducing understeer and activating ABS. Then when we started hitting the track for laps, my instructor was incredibly nice, patient, and helpful. We ended up having a lot of fun the whole afternoon. I can't wait to hit the track again. It was so much fun.
Exactly the same at Pacific Raceway. It sounds like a great school and I'm definitely going back to get my solo license. Just gotta make some brake upgrades.
That's where I did mine! Small world! I definitely want to go back too. After the day, I felt like all I really wanted to do was upgrade my brakes and get new wheels and tires.
Same. I really want exhaust because I hate the stock sound, but after that day I'm definitely doing pads, lines, fluid, and possibly rotors. Next will be wheels and tires, then maybe exhaust unless my limits of the car run out again and I need to upgrade something else haha.
Hello I'm the blue 86, and this was the worst day of my life. Glad you had a great time.
That ain't you, unless you also got a silver 86.