QLD Club: Motor Sport Program

MINX · Postby **MINX** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 8:36 pm

Haha my bad!

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:20 pm

MINX wrote:Haha my bad!

Ah ha!! Proof that you did see me before you decided to pull out in front of me when I was trying to get past your spinning antics!! :roll:

MINX · Postby **MINX** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 9:32 pm

I also saw how much you had slowed, so all good.

For all the girls out there, this was Lisa' first session, and First Ever Spin off!
I am so proud.

rwf · Postby **rwf** » Tue Apr 12, 2011 11:01 pm

U mad man

Lol

I think I missed the braking point in to three there lol

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Thu Apr 14, 2011 1:52 pm

My poor driving.

Barry.L · Postby **Barry.L** » Thu May 12, 2011 10:12 am

Hi Folks,
We purchased our first MX5 (2006) a few weeks ago and have just joined the MX5 club Qld. We are keen to attend the club track days and wanted to ask if these track days book out in advance, and whether there is a need to pay the fees for the track days as early as possible to secure a spot?

I was also hoping someone can fill me in on how the MX5 track days are organised?
How many cars are usually allowed on the track per session?
How many laps are run in each session?
Typically, how many sessions are run during the half day ?
What are the safety protocols for passing a slower car etc?

I've participated in track days previously at Morgan Park and QR with another car club, but I have never dríven Lakeside. It looks like a great track, but looks less forgiving than MP and QR.

Looking forward to meeting you all at the next track day in June!

Cheers

Barry

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Thu May 12, 2011 11:14 am

Congratulations on your wise purchase Barry. :mrgreen:

Track day notices should go out about a month before each event. I don't believe there has been a time that the days have been oversubscribed.

The track days are organised as sprints and/or regularity with up to ten or so cars on track at a time. It depends how many cars/drivers attend. Normally four groups of cars with each group running similar times. Newbies normally go in the last group and may be moved into another group with similar times if they start outrunning cars in the last - normally slowest - group.

Passing on the straights only - overtaking car gives way. Once people have had a run or two there should be no need for passing as drivers in each group should self organise from fastest to slowest. Cars go on track at 3-5 second intervals. The run format is normally one warm up lap, five timed laps and one cool down lap to the pits.

Number of sessions varies depending on how slow groups are to get onto the track and how many hold ups there are due to "offs". Each session will take roughly 10-15 minutes if everyone behaves.

Lakeside is an excellent track. However, very high speeds can be achieved and there is not a lot of open space if you exit the black parts. It requires considerable respect.

You could pay the entry fee for the June day at the end of this month. Don't forget to get your CTP insurance extension and bring it with you. All requirements are on http://www.miata.net.au/mx5_motorsport1.php

John

Barry.L · Postby **Barry.L** » Thu May 12, 2011 12:49 pm

Thanks for the feed back John! Yes, it was a wise choice getting the MX5

I have a couple of other questions you might be able to help me with.

Are "first timers" allowed to take an instructor/passenger out with them for the first few sessions? My partner is interested in doing the club track days if she can orgainse the day off work. However, having never dríven a car "spiritedly", it would be beneficial if she could have some instruction (preferably from someone other than me :mrgreen:

) during the first few times she goes out.

And can members children participate in club track days? I have a daughter who is on her "L"s now and is quite a proficient driver. Having the opportunity to do some track work among the slower group would be a good opportunity for her to further develop her vehicle control skills in a safe environment. Can she apply for a QR race licence and participate if she only holds a Learners licence at this stage?

Cheers

Barry

JBT · Postby **JBT** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:05 pm

Instructors etc. are not allowed unfortunately. A discussion with other experienced entrants is the best that can be done. The newbies then go out, take it easy and slowly build up their confidence and speeds.

I don't know about those on leaner's permits being allowed on the track. I doubt it but you'd be best to direct that question to Qld Raceways as they issue the AASA track licences.

Barry.L · Postby **Barry.L** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:16 pm

Thanks again John,

I thought that might be the case. The same rules regarding passengers/instructors applied with the previous club I did track days with. That was about 5 years ago now, so I mainly wondering if the regulations had changed since then.

I'll give QR a call as you suggested to find out the siuation regarding driver's with a learners licence being able to participate.

Cheers

Barry

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:25 pm

My understanding is you are required to have a competition license to attend. Not a civil license.

Civil license to drive to track. Competition license to drive on track.

In the AASA license application form, it does have a section for parents to sign for minors.

Your daughter has a learners permit, so she can complete the application form as normal.

CAMS license allow 12yo to do non-speed events and 14yo to do speed events. Cannot see AASA being any different.

Barry.L · Postby **Barry.L** » Thu May 12, 2011 3:10 pm

project.r.racing wrote:My understanding is you are required to have a competition license to attend. Not a civil license.

Civil license to drive to track. Competition license to drive on track.

In the AASA license application form, it does have a section for parents to sign for minors.

Your daughter has a learners permit, so she can complete the application form as normal.

CAMS license allow 12yo to do non-speed events and 14yo to do speed events. Cannot see AASA being any different.

I just spoke to the nice folk at QR, and they have confirmed that my daughter can apply for a AASA licence. I'll get our licences sorted ready for the next track day in June. She'll be stoked!!!

mazlot · Postby **mazlot** » Thu May 12, 2011 4:12 pm

There is no way in hell I would let my daughter, if I had one, out on her own, let alone send her out at Lakeside !

Can I suggest that you start her at QR, or may even see if there is a skid pan day where she can get the feel of the car, before she is let loose at Lakeside.

May be less expensive for you

Barry.L · Postby **Barry.L** » Thu May 12, 2011 4:49 pm

I appreciate where your coming from Mazlot, and I agree with what you've said.
Having said that, I've instructed my daughter for over 50 hours of driving now, and I wouldn't contemplate letting her on any track, if I wasn't confident in her ability to drive responsibly and stay out of trouble. I love both her and our MX5 enough to not put either in danger :mrgreen:

Cheers

Barry

NMX516 · Postby **NMX516** » Thu May 12, 2011 11:39 pm

Barry.L wrote:I love both her and our MX5 enough to not put either in danger

Cheers

Barry

So she won't be driving at Lakeside then...

Lakeside holds a few records within Australia. One of those is highest average lap speed of any circuit within this country, yes, Bathurst and Philip Island included. Another of its records is that of most fatalities at a race track within Australia. While the second of those records has not been added to in a while, the track has not changed since - there is no room for error at Lakeside,

I too agree with mazlot.

Welcome to the club :beer: