Track event: Summit Point 6/21-22 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Michael · #1 06-12-2003, 10:24 AM

Anyone planning to attend?

If so, go to http://www.nasaracing.net/

See you on the track!

E DREAM · #2 06-12-2003, 09:18 PM

R U goin' for both days ?

Michael · #3 06-13-2003, 10:11 AM

I'll be one of the instructors, so should be a busy weekend!

E DREAM · #4 06-13-2003, 12:29 PM

I m gonna try ta make it fer this one. R U drivin' the 500E ?

Michael · #5 06-14-2003, 12:48 AM

I will be in the 500E. As to you running, regrettably it appears they are full so you might not be able to get out on the track. At the very least I think I can take you out for a run group or 2, depending on how many students I have (typically the HPDE 1 & 2 students want to go out with their instructors in the HPDE 4 group, and it's encouraged by the organizers)-I can confirm if you like. There are a lot of instructors for this event, so at least that means lots of available seats.

I suggest you contact the NASA VA folks ASAP! Start at their web site & go from there...good luck, and check to see if they have a Wait List

E DREAM · #6 06-14-2003, 10:42 AM

I checked their site and they have a waiting list. Maybe I could ride along a couple of times !!!!! oh well

Michael · #7 06-14-2003, 12:11 PM

If you're at the track and there's a slot, they'll give it to you at the driver's meeting. If still no room, at the most you'd have to pay $40-$50 for a sort of Ride Pass (that way you're under their insurance, and you sign the same track waiver as anyone else) and that would give you free reign to hit any instructor in the paddock up for rides-it'd probably be the best $50 you ever spent, 'cuz all sorts of wild cars show up at these things, with some really great drivers. And like I said, with a lot of instructors come a LOT of empty seats...and I think most of the guys like to take people out for what I call a true Joy Ride

E DREAM · #8 06-14-2003, 05:28 PM

Thanx for all the info

Michael · #9 06-17-2003, 09:59 AM

I'm a bit disappointed at the response to this thread-is there really that little interest in driving events among Mercedes-Benz owners? If you somehow didn't already know, DEs are a cheap & easy way to get out on a track, safely and with little chance of doing damage to your car (unless you drive beyond your abilities, but if you're so inclined you've probably already wadded up a bunch of cars on the street, so what's another one?). I mean, at the very least a paddock is a MUCH cooler place to congregate than the parking lot of a Dennies Restaurant, and the cars are guaranteed to be faster (I don't care if there's 20 500Es in that parking lot).

Since I'm on a bit of a rant, I just want to add that I'm convinced that unless MBZ owners start actually attending autocrosses, open track days, HPDEs etc. en masse, then we will NEVER get manual transmissions in these cars. BMW builds their cars to be driven, and even tracked. Ever go to a BMW track event (they actually have them regularly all over the place, as opposed to the 1-2 a year MBZ holds in the entire USA) or autocross? I have, and I'm consistently driving an automatic in a sea of mannie-trannies. Think those owners would stand for autobox-only? No, they'd cross shop and end up in another car. Same thing Porsche. Same thing Audi. Mercedes, with its proud racing history? Nary one to be seen in the paddock...as a matter of fact, I haven't seen another Mercedes in the paddock at any of my last 5 or 6 track events, and there were no Mercedes on the One Lap of America (I was in a Porsche with a 6 speed). So, MBZ here in the US panders to the autobox-drivers, and the driving enthusiasts are forced to shop elsewhere. And why should they behave any differently? They are simply making a good business decision.

Now, I think I can safely say that I love MBZ automobiles as much as the next guy, but I think as owner/enthusiasts we need to take charge and either lobby MBZ or shop elsewhere. I'm trying to get in front of certain persons at the corporate level at MBZ to see what they're thinking. I mean, if they threw a little seed money and a few cars at some guys (I'm thinking the C coupe with, say, the 3.2 K motor and SL55 brakes) and have them be SEEN on-track, maybe that would get the word out? Jeez, "M", "quattro" and "Porsche" are beating them up-maybe they do want to fight?

I'm done now-if I'm wrong, let the flames begin

placo1 · #10 06-17-2003, 11:28 AM

Well I can't say much since I haven't tracked my car yet, but when I can afford to do it I have every intention of giving it a go.

Let me know if you need help getting through corporate. I'm not sure I'll have better luck but two heads are always better than one.

Either way good luck, you have good intensions.

slor911 · #11 06-18-2003, 12:42 AM

I'd love to come out, but w/all the rain we've had, I'm planning to take the boat out this weekend. Don't know how often I'll be able to get on the water with this weather.

Tobias MB · #12 06-19-2003, 10:55 AM

Now that you're off the soapbox have a safe trip to Summit Point and I'll be with you at the next DE event, you can count on it. It may be on a bicycle but I'll be there!! No, the bike will be in the back seat of the 190 again just like at CMP! Good paddock transportation while the motor and brakes cool between runs!
Have fun and be safe....
Tobias MB
190/5.6

#13 06-21-2003, 03:59 PM

I think I am partially responsible for creating the track junkie Michael. What he needs is a dedicated track car other than the E500- and then he can rant in some other race forum.

Michael · #14 06-24-2003, 11:03 AM

Yeah, Alan, you definitely aided and abetted my Junkie status. Indeed, a race car needs to be in the Plan 'cuz the 500E is a great road car, but only a fair track car. Auto tranny, 4k lbs. with me in it, road-soft suspension, marginal brakes, etc. I love that car, but if it weren't for that heroic M119 I'd be left in the dust by all the lighter cars (with 245 slicks you can only corner so hard), which is virtually every other car on-track.

Great time at Summit Point-wish y'all were there.

So, track car suggestions anyone? I suppose I need to figure out what class (and with what group) I will plan to run-that will largely decide the particulars of the car. As to cars from a track affordability standpoint:
1.) Original M3, preferably one that's track ready;
2.) Porsche 944 turbo/non-turbo: reliability concerns & parts costs might prove a factor, but loads of them out there;
3.) 190E - Would need big muscle to make me happy, but what class would it end up in?
4.)??

Whatever it is, it MUST be rear or AWD, and with a pretty solid Power:Weight ratio, like 9:1 or better. Thoughts?

placo1 · #15 06-24-2003, 11:49 AM

I know I'll probably get flamed for this but how about the latest body style of the Corvette? I know it might be cost prohibitive at initial purchase but maybe you could find one that's been damaged and you could rebuild it yourself. I have a couple of friends that have used them on the track and both say that it is pretty much "track ready" right out of the box.

If you're determined to stick with a German car then your first choice M3 makes sense. A 944 would be nice as well but I would also question it's reliability.

There's also a guy near Worcester that can shoehorn a Chevy Small Block V8 into a Porsche 914. If your interested email me and I'll get you his name and number.