What to expect at hot-lapping

[TomoHawk]

I haven't been able o find anything on what actually happens at a hot-lapping session, but here are the constraints:

- 3 classes: novice intermediate, expert

- intermediate & expert might have track or high-speed tyres

- "stock" Z cars

Questions:

- what kinds of speeds would you expect for each class of driver?

- Do all three classes use the same rules (like no passing?)

- at what speed would you need 'track tyres'

If there is a helpful website, I'd appreciate a link.

thxZ & z ya at ZCON

[Darrel]

Different clubs will have different rules.

For example at the nat'l z convention in Long Beach in '04 they had 3 classes IIRC.

The track event was at willow springs.

2 classes were follow the leader each at different speeds, no passing allowed at all.

The 3rd had limited passing and only with a point by. Needless to say that class had a stern talking to between sessions because of free for all passing.

The z car club of colorado has 2-3 track events a year.

We have 4 classes of different ability. You enter the class that best describes your ability.

A-experienced

B-

C-

D-novice

We only allowed passing in all levels on one straight and only with point by. Even the most experienced level. Our track events are not races. The reason for our classes is not so much wheel to wheel racing as knowing when to get out of the other's way to allow them to pass without causing any contact.

Each track also has their own rules regarding open test and tune. I don't have any experience when it comes to mid ohio and their rules.

As far as speeds etc, just drive within your ability and keep your car under control. If you are too reckless you will eventually talk to the track steward to have a little talk.

[ggarrard]

Tom - The Thousand Island Zed Car Club hosts an annual lapping day where we follow the basic principle of 3 classes (novice, intermediate, and fast) based on driver abilities and car capabilities. As Darrel notes, no passing is allowed except on the straights (front and back), and only after a point-by. Passing is to be completed before the final braking point to enter the corner (i.e. no last minute dives into the corner under braking).

Drivers are to respect the flags, and report to the pits if they put more than 2 wheels into the dirt (we just check to make sure they don't have dirt lodged in the tire bead etc...) Darrel's final point about driving sensibly is important.

No restrictions regarding tires - if you want to run R compound in the novice class that's your problem.. you still have to follow the rules...

We set the rules for the day as the club is hosting the event...not the track.

Good luck..

GWGarrard

President TIZCC

Edited September 11, 2008 by ggarrard

[westpak]

Here are some club websites around here that hold events

http://www.safemotorsports.com/

http://www.drivenasafl.com/

http://www.chinmotorsports.com/faq/events/events.asp

[jmortensen]

Since this is a big get together of Z enthusiasts and not a track day or HPDE, you can expect a chicane or slalom on the fastest parts of the track to slow people down.

[Darrel]

Since this is a big get together of Z enthusiasts and not a track day or HPDE, you can expect a chicane or slalom on the fastest parts of the track to slow people down.

Agree, they will do something to slow everyone down. I was disappointed at willow springs. The first two run groups had pace cars. I should have just gone over to the streets and had a lot more fun.

The last time colorado held a national event in '96, '98(?), we used the runways from the old airport. Although I wasn't a z owner back then I don't think they changed the way they ran the event.

Our old track(2nd creek raceway) was only 1.7 miles and very tight course. Our new track( www.highplainsraceway.com ) will be 2.5 miles with a couple of long straights while still having slow and technical portions.

Even with 4 run groups we still have plenty of track time. 2 20 min sessions and 3 15 min sessions. That is plenty for people who aren't racers but like to drive their car to it's ability without getting in trouble with the law.

[gnosez]

As an instructor here's what I expect from a student:

1) a safe car

2) similar safety harness as driver

3) a responsible attitude

4) the ability to listen and do as instructed

Expect to drive your car somewhere between 50-70% of its' capabilities if this is your first time out on a track depending on your overall driving experience.

Now that might mean that at 70% of your car's capability you might be at 100% of yours. A good instructor will sense this and have you back down.

What you want to be able to do is traverse the track in a manner that says to other drivers - "I'm not going to be the guy who gets into a wreck or cause you to wreck your car".

Learning the line, where to brake, being around other cars (at speed), shifting, and for some breathing are more than enough to get a handle on during your 20 minute sessions.

If you listen and follow instructions, you will have a smile on your face that will last a long time.

There were no "slow down chicanes" at The Glen in '05. I just hope Mid-Ohio doesn't put them out. NHMS had them in '03 but they have been part of all non-SCCA track events since '02 (no NASCAR ovals where you could go 90-100mph in the bowl - bummer).

You drove the track at whatever speed was safe for you. Everyone but instructors and the most experienced drivers had an instructor for the day.

If allowed I will take a passenger on a fun run in our "club" race car.

See you all there.......

[TomoHawk]

Thanks, gnosez,

That was one of the best descriptions of hot-lapping yet. I should definitely give some noobs the courage to try it themselves. I'll compile it with others and maybe put it up somewhere.

I"ll agree that some people might have a tough tim driving (fast) and breathing, let alone chewing gum! . But it does sound like that first time I did some autocross; I started out slow, then went faster on each run up until I felt I was at the maximum for me & my car. I could easily have gone faster, but the tires felt like they would roll off, so that was the limit (for autoX.)

I have a ot of experience on closed -courses from my days of cycling, but it might or might not help with cars; bikes only need about a foot (or shoulder-width) of space on the road, but cars are differeent. The line you drive might even be different (bikes can turn tighter & brake faster, IMO.) We shall see.

As for Mid-Ohio, I think the course has enough turns that you probably couldn't get going that fast in a 'stock' car. OTOH, they rent Acuras for HDPEs.

thxZ

[westpak]

I think you can get some speed there

350Z

in cam of just before it happened

[TomoHawk]

That doesn't look llike an stock S30 to me...

[sblake01]

I have a ot of experience on closed -courses from my days of cycling, but it might or might not help with cars; bikes only need about a foot (or shoulder-width) of space on the road, but cars are differeent. The line you drive might even be different (bikes can turn tighter & brake faster, IMO.)

Cycling, Bikes? As in human powered two wheeled vehicles as opposed to motorcyles? If that's the case I don't see how that experience would help much with cars. Please don't misunderstand the intent of my statememt. It's just curiosity as to how you think that might help with cars on a closed track. I rode motocross and street bikes for years in my younger days and, IMO, not much of that experience other than the sheer competetive aspect really transferrs over to cars.

[TomoHawk]

The techniques are all the same in cycling, but it's the physical factor that makes thinmgs "look" different and one needs to deal with. With only 1 or 1.5 H.P., You just can't turn up the power on your body as simply as twisting the handgrip on a torobike. You learn to ompensate for things like acceleration, braking, speed at the finish, the lack of aerodynamics, wandering thoughts (and you thought motorsport took great concentration!) etc. Picking the wrong gear can cost you the race from the first mile!

It's not mptorsport, but that's the reason why we do it, and consider that pound-for-pound, some racing bikes are more costly than racing motorcycles.

thxZ

Edited September 13, 2008 by TomoHawk