[medphysdave]

I ran my first open track day last year. 1 day. 8hrs of track time. It was amazing. Drive as much as you want. Rest when you want. I followed this up with a weekend event. Two days. 4 sessions per day. Classes in between. It was more sitting around than driving. Track sessions were super fun, but seems like open days are a more efficient use of time.

Wondering if anyone else shares this feeling or feels the opposite?

[///393]

Frankly this seems like asking if people prefer web porn or getting laid in real life.

Who wouldn’t prefer having the track for 8hrs?

For the sake of the thread not being a bunch of people agreeing that better is better, mind sharing what it cost to get access to the track for 8hrs and where you ran?

[medphysdave]

Local shop putting together 3 days this year. Option to buy 1, 2, or 3 events. $400, $750, $1000 respectively.

Not meant to be a troll thread. I hadn't experienced an open event before and was trying to go through the pros and cons. Only cons of the open are being disciplined enough to take breaks, cool down, etc. Sometimes resting at night creates an increased level of confidence the following day.

Cons of multi day event are sitting around, less track time, and I feel completely wiped out after a two day event. Track insurance cost the same for single day or two day.

[///393]

Not trying to provide troll responses either but to continue the crass comparison this is like saying the only drawback of the threesome was all those tits. Hard not to get exhausted.

Seriously homie if you can get full access to a track for an entire day at those prices buy them out.

[flybigjet]

Open track days worry me because there's often limited/no quality control. On an HPDE, you have a trained instructor riding shotgun, doing their best to keep you (and anyone else) out of the weeds.

I've seen some *seriously* sketchy drivers on Open Track days-- Yes, there are the drivers with GT4RS' and a racing license..... but there are also bubba's who have a bone-stock Charger that they borrowed from their dad and not the slightest clue on how to drive it.

THOSE types make me nervous. A competent driver is somewhat predictable. A yahoo driving a car without experience (and without a Tech inspection)? That can get scary if you're trying a pass-by.

[VicF87OG]

Hi Guys, I personally like open track days.
Fortunately the one I go to have two levels of drivers. Advanced and intermediate
and it’s with a great group of drivers.
It cost 700 for one day ☹️ but the benefits
are that I get to drive on track with some really exotic sports cars.
ie track focused Ferraris ,GT4s , Maclerans
so I have the cheapest car on track,lol
I drive with the advanced group and they don’t mind , plus sometimes they take me for a session in there cars.
My favourite so far is being driven
with a professional instructor in his
ACR Viper on slicks

[medphysdave]

I've only driven open track with this one group and they do a good job of providing instructors. The advanced drivers were really good about no being aggressive. The other folks were good about watching their mirrors. The event hosts were good about reminding everyone about both of these things.

Thanks for the responses everyone

[///393]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

Open track days worry me because there's often limited/no quality control. On an HPDE, you have a trained instructor riding shotgun, doing their best to keep you (and anyone else) out of the weeds.

I've seen some *seriously* sketchy drivers on Open Track days-- Yes, there are the drivers with GT4RS' and a racing license..... but there are also bubba's who have a bone-stock Charger that they borrowed from their dad and not the slightest clue on how to drive it.

THOSE types make me nervous. A competent driver is somewhat predictable. A yahoo driving a car without experience (and without a Tech inspection)? That can get scary if you're trying a pass-by.

I assumed these would be for int/advanced only and thus non-instructed? Don’t organizers require some form of driving history via one of the reg sites to validate they’re only allowing experienced drivers?

Since I’m obviously clueless about these open track days… Are they generally open passing without a point? Passing with point only?

I’m always shocked to come across intermediate drivers with a solid number of events under their belt that suck at giving points and generally lack track etiquette. I can imagine this would be even more dicey at an event with less organization.

[medphysdave]

Originally Posted by wilson kop

I assumed these would be for int/advanced only and thus non-instructed? Don’t organizers require some form of driving history via one of the reg sites to validate they’re only allowing experienced drivers?

Since I’m obviously clueless about these open track days… Are they generally open passing without a point? Passing with point only?

I’m always shocked to come across intermediate drivers with a solid number of events under their belt that suck at giving points and generally lack track etiquette. I can imagine this would be even more dicey at an event with less organization.

Pass in corners with point by. I understand that their very first event was a little controversial and they really cracked down aggressive driving by the advanced drivers. I was at the 3rd annual event and it was fantastic. I was on track with full blown race cars. The track crew were great with flags, advanced drivers were very respectful. I think most people had experience. Instructors were provided. I opted for an instructor since I hadn't been on track for over a decade. It was a great confidence builder and I was on my own after lunch.

I've asked if I can post the event since it's at CMP. We have some members here that drive at CMP. It would be neat to have some forum members meet up at one of the days. The only other drawback is the track days are on Mondays. The nice part is that if they get enough drivers they are going to refund money to the early registrations for any amount over the cost to rent the track. I haven't seen this before.

[OG Shark]

In my experience when open track the drivers tend to be more aware and considerate. Not always the case but see a higher case of drivers not giving points or not even knowing another car is there in more structured session scheduling. I think it has to do with being a bit more on your own reinforcing to drivers this mentality. Definitely prefer open track setups as it is great to come and go as you please - drive as little or as much as you want. Can make for an awesome relaxing and fun track day - or even better for putting some serious work and testing in. Also have the opportunity to run long tests that you typically don't get with fixed sessions.

There can be a couple of drawbacks though - if there are a lot of cars it can become a real shit show real fast especially if there is a big disparity in pace. My local track is always open - I avoid weekends due to too many cars. The free for all on pace too can be rough but when the traffic isn't bad typically no issues.

Have an open track day at COTA Tuesday - max 20 cars and typically at the most 10 on track at a time

[MooMooM2]

I have never been to one but it sounds awesome.

I do agree that non open track days involve a lot of standing around. I actually don't mind the class but then its another 30-45 minutes of sitting around before getting back on track. We have either 4 20 or 30 minute sessions usually but some groups do 7 20 min sessions which imo is a pretty decent amount.

I like the open track concept but I just moved to intermediate and I am a patient guy so I did not mind running novice the few last times but I clearly was faster than everyone (most people were their first time, not because I am an amazing driver) and sometimes when you are really feeling it and there is traffic it can be a but frustrating. So I can imagine if its open track and you have advanced and novice on the same track there will be not as patient people. That said I have only run at Lime Rock which is a small track so traffic is just impossible to avoid (in all group levels really)

[CSBM5]

I thought you were talking about private rental days...those are the most fun and make for easy going, relaxed days of track driving since you can choose who attends and doesn't. We rented NCCAR years ago, multiple times, and it was fantastic. Everyone was close friends/family, lots of experience, out to have good but safe and mature fun. Most times it was just five of us while one time we did a group of about 20 and ran in groups of about 6-7 cars on track at once.

If you're interested in a somewhat local self-rental track day but aren't up to paying the huge fee at someplace like VIR or RA, Talladega Gran Prix Raceway (not the superspeedway) in Alabama is a low cost option. I've not been there for a private rental, but my daughter did it about 15 years ago and said it was a fun but of course nothing like driving Road Atlanta or VIR.

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by wilson kop

I assumed these would be for int/advanced only and thus non-instructed? Don’t organizers require some form of driving history via one of the reg sites to validate they’re only allowing experienced drivers?

Since I’m obviously clueless about these open track days… Are they generally open passing without a point? Passing with point only?

I’m always shocked to come across intermediate drivers with a solid number of events under their belt that suck at giving points and generally lack track etiquette. I can imagine this would be even more dicey at an event with less organization.

At my local track (HPR), Open Track days are exactly that-- no instruction or Tech Inspection required (or available, for that matter). They will run two groups (fast/slow) IF there are enough people of different capabilities there. Otherwise, it's just a single open track period with fast/slow mixing it up.

The only requirement is to attend a 30-minuite(ish) safety briefing before one of the sessions and have a tow hook installed.

R.

[DRLane]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

At my local track (HPR), Open Track days are exactly that— no instruction or Tech Inspection required (or available, for that matter). They will run two groups (fast/slow) IF there are enough people of different capabilities there. Otherwise, it's just a single open track period with fast/slow mixing it up.

The only requirement is to attend a 30-minuite(ish) safety briefing before one of the sessions and have a tow hook installed.

R.

What car are you in at HPR? M2C?

[FaRKle!]

Open track days REALLY comes down to how well all of the people out on track respect and communicate with each other. You can have huge disparities in lap times with aggressive track stars driving like they're doing W2W racing along with timid intermediate drivers not expecting to be divebombed on corners. There's a local community here that does open track days, and I'm always a little on my guard when I go there. Even though it's a community, not everybody in the community will get along .

It really wasn't fun when I brought my 328d wagon to an open track day, the M2C is better since I wasn't constantly getting run over all day.

For that, I prefer run-grouped HPDE sessions, but if I could trust everybody at an open track day I'd probably prefer those.

[PackPride85]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Open track days REALLY comes down to how well all of the people out on track respect and communicate with each other. You can have huge disparities in lap times with aggressive track stars driving like they're doing W2W racing along with timid intermediate drivers not expecting to be divebombed on corners. There's a local community here that does open track days, and I'm always a little on my guard when I go there. Even though it's a community, not everybody in the community will get along .

It really wasn't fun when I brought my 328d wagon to an open track day, the M2C is better since I wasn't constantly getting run over all day.

For that, I prefer run-grouped HPDE sessions, but if I could trust everybody at an open track day I'd probably prefer those.

Agree with this. “Private” Open track days are great if you know the group. “Public” open track days can get dicey since you don’t know who will show up.

[medphysdave]

Originally Posted by PackPride85

Agree with this. “Private” Open track days are great if you know the group. “Public” open track days can get dicey since you don’t know who will show up.

That's a good point. These are private with ability to send invites to others. My guess is to do exactly as you describe. Keep the list within a group that has a good head on their shoulders.

[flybigjet]

Originally Posted by DRLane

What car are you in at HPR? M2C?

Yup.

[F87source]

Originally Posted by flybigjet

Open track days worry me because there's often limited/no quality control.

That's why I used to do time attack, and strict class racing, rarely did open track days because of the drivers that come along with it.