Kevo

Any of you guys ever go to Driveway Austin to track your cars? It would be cool to hook up with those of you that do. Headed out there again tomorrow after taking a couple of months off. Excited to get back into the swing again.

If you don't track there you should look into it. Great facility and reasonable pricing.

http://www.drivewayaustin.com/main/content/home

helldmgd

Wow, never heard of this place before. Didnt see any pricing online. Any ideas and can anyone go to the open practices? Im guessing its a membership program, but lets hope for the best lol...

9krpmrx8

iTrader: (46)

When I get my car back Kevo we will definitely take a trip. I am dying to get on a real track again.

Kevo

Yeah man...that would be cool. I would love for you to come out there...to drive the track you would have to take the L1 class first...then you could so the short track as much as you would like.

Kevo

Go to their website and click on the "Driving School" section. Each of the classes is listed there along with the price to take it. Also at the bottom under "Track Practice" you can see the cost for a 20 minute session. Doesn't sound like a lot of time, but the track is pretty technical and a couple of sessions will tax you pretty good.

No deposits, membership fees or dues...Just take their class so they know you have had proper instruction and then you can run the course that your Level of instruction allows you to.

After you have completed the minimum number of practice sessions for that level you can do a check out drive and take a test...if you pass you can advance to the next level, take the next class and drive on the next course...and so on...all the way up to instructor.

rodjonathan

iTrader: (6)

man awesome i might have to check it out when im back in school

jiggawha1

Scott ill take that L1 class with you after I get new rotors, looks like a good venue

Kevo

That would be cool to see you and Scott out there! You guys would do well.

Got started early...10:00am. It was a pretty good showing for the early crowd...a Mustang, (2) S2000s, GTR, M3 and a formula 1 racer. Need a few 8s to represent.

Grungepup

iTrader: (2)

how was the GTR doing?

Glad to see you getting back into the saddle of things. Now just need to get you back on the roads of the north and see how we do on the Marble Falls run.

Kevo

Thanks man...good to be back out there.

He was a relatively new driver...only had the car for a couple of months and just finished up his L1. Sweet car for sure. Definitely gonna keep an eye out for him.

Kevo

I am headed back out there this coming Sunday...the 26th...they open up at 10:00am.

Any one interested in seeing the facility come on out...it would be nice to meet you guys!

helldmgd

feel like I need more done to my car first.... But definately want in on this when I have the time/money. I would like to get a Cobb AP tune first, then start tracking the car.

Grungepup

iTrader: (2)

so how was the sunday morning run?

Kevo

A different group of drivers than usual...a Porsche, S2000, Corvette, Acura, VW and myself....it was pretty good.

I need to work out some issues with my brakes though. The L2 course is higher speed than the L1 course...especially when going through the elevation section. I am still running the stock brake pads and as they heat up I am having to press the brake pedal deeper and deeper. They eventually settle in and become consistent but now the brake and accelerator's position relative to one another is no longer ideal for smooth heel-toe downshifting.

I am having to stab at the brakes with the left edge of my foot (instead of the ball) to keep the right side high enough to reach the accelerator and get the blip in. It is more tedious than usual and a pretty unsettling way to enter a high speed corner...when you really need to be confident and deliberate in your brake application.

Hopefully the new set of race pads will correct this and I will be able to enter the turns with my usual confidence. If not, then I will likely have to find a way to adjust the pedals themselves.

Grungepup

iTrader: (2)

hmmmmm i think you just need an 8 out there to show that BMW how its SUPPOSE to do it

Kevo

Yes we do...the more 8's the merrier!

jsjjr

iTrader: (1)

I had no idea this was out there.

VS8

iTrader: (4)

i didnt know that existed ill go definately ive only gone to msr and h2r

Kevo

It's Austin's best kept secret! Come check it out...take the class and have a blast!

Grungepup

iTrader: (2)

Kevo- here is an idea.... why dont you talk to the guys out there and see if maybe we can do a ride along with one of the instructors either in our cars or theirs but the instructor as a driver for a nominal fee.....

El Kabong

A buddy and I took the L1 class in mid-May. I've been meaning to go back and do some practice sessions, but between work and weather, haven't gotten around to it.

I highly recommend this place. $350 may seem a little steep, but you get lots of seat time.

The classroom instruction part wasn't as thorough and methodical as I'm used to from car club events at MSR-Houston and Harris Hill Road, but it was fine. A lot of emphasis on weight transfer than the club events, which focused more on the right line.

Here, we worked on the line by having Bill and his son out there at the corners, giving us feedback on every pass. They also rode with us a fair amount of the time.

There were just two of us in the class, so a lot of personal attention. The course is short, so top speed isn't scary fast. As a result I could actually concentrate on my line a lot better than I could at the other events I've been to. Finally started to get the hang of trail braking, then it was time to go home.

Can't wait to go back.

- El Kabong

Kevo

Alot of times if you go out there (at least lately this has been the case) the instructors will offer to let you ride with them during their recon laps to check for hazards before each session.

Yesterday, the Wife, Kelli and Jeremy got to ride along with Joe Williams (senior instructor) to see the different track configurations...they see it as an opportunity to get you hooked on the crack...it usually works.

Also, they will some times let you hitch a ride to view from the "hill" location with the corner marshal when L2 and L3 sessions are going on...a really nice vantage point to see further down the track.

VS8

iTrader: (4)

so what lvl courses have u taken

Kevo

Great synopsis El Kabong! I hope to see you outh there some time!

You are exactly right...the classroom part is a little loose since they really want you to have maximum seat time. They figure they will be riding with you to provide more detailed instruction. They have ALOT of instructors, so that means ALOT of different perspectives...and that can be confusing, but very helpful if you can blend it all together and find what works for you.

Where you really get the most valuable instruction is when you are waiting for your practice session and all the drivers are gathered at the pits...everybody shares their thoughts and experiences, you get to bounce ideas off the instructors/one another, discuss the best equipment/tires etc and critique the other drivers that are out there running.

I recommend doing as many sessions as you can in a row without getting too tired and losing focus. This way you can really work through the iterations of adjustment without having to wait weeks in between.

L1 is really about the racing line, weight transfer, trail braking and throttle steering. The turns are very technical and generally not scary fast, so you are exactly right...perfect for getting yourself into a comfort zone. There is only 1 place you need to be able to heel-toe on the L1 course, so it is perfect for learing that particular skill.

L2 adds elevation, higher speeds, deeper braking and ALOT of heel-toe, so plan on spending a fair amount of time getting your heel-toe technique down during you L1 practices.

L3 is pretty advanced high speed techniques and will require your car to meet a pretty lofty set of standards...so be prepared to spend money on mods.

Grungepup

iTrader: (2)

BASTARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i knew i should have went yesterday.... I HATE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!