The Greene Mille
by Mark Greene
Recently you read our interview with David Dickinson, editor and publisher of The Old Car Nut Book series. David compiles story submissions from car enthusiasts just like us. We promised you an excerpt from David's upcoming book and are fortunate to have been granted permission to reprint a story written by Mark Greene, former Griot's Garage President and host of www.carsyeah.com.
"Blake put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Don’t worry dad. That’s not a rock chip. That’s a memory mark. Every time you look at that you’ll be reminded what a special day today was.” I about started crying right then and there. This was an eight year old teaching his old man the meaning of life. It’s the adventures, not the things that count. I’ll never forget that moment."
Read this heartwarming tale of a vintage car purchase and cross country journey by a father and son here:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...kcars-articles
Check out our other articles and features for track day enthusiasts. Here is our home page:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/
The Friction Circle by Austin, Bentley, Carlson, Krause, Sneed & Steffensen
We are very excited to share with you our assembled experts for this second go-around on driving techniques, specifically The Friction Circle: Jerry Austin of Austin Motorsports, specializing in data analysis and data logging equipment; Ross Bentley of Speed Secrets and driving coach; Satch Carlson, Editor, Roundel Magazine; Peter Krause of Peter Krause and Associates and driving coach; Chris Sneed, owner of Sneed’s Speed Shop, instructor for PCA, BMW CCA and NASA, and professional racer in the Pirelli World Challenge series; and Ingrid Steffensen, BMW CCA instructor, professor, author and contributor to Bentley's Speed Secrets.
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...ving-technique
If you like what you see, please help us build our readership by liking us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/autotrackday
Auto TrackDay Monthly interviewed National Corvette Museum Motorsports Park Track Operations Manager Matt Busby. "The Grand Full config is a mix of moderate elevation change, medium speed, technical, high speed, high load corners, and also has three separate sections that see sustained triple digit speeds. I find it to be very challenging but also very repeatable. It definitely rewards those who take the time to get into a rhythm. Most of all, tons of fun!"
Read the full interview here:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...ures/yourtrack
Also, don't forget to download our track day manuals for beginners and intermediates and a track driver's log book here:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...rces/downloads
We are excited to share with you a Carsyeah.com podcast generously offered to us by Mark Greene. Come take a listen. Mike Renner has had his share of competitive racing but has also become one of the premier driving coaches at the BMW Performance Driving School and coaches new drivers, racers, F.B.I. agents and Secret Service members who are assigned the task of presidential protection.
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...rackdaydrivers
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/autotrackday
WEBINAR: Get Smart About Tires & Drive Faster with Ross Bentley & Paul Haney
"Find some tires that are reliable and affordable, figure out the right inflation pressures and have fun flogging your toy. And don’t let the tires freeze in winter storage!"
Read our interview with tire guru and engineer Paul Haney:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...car-technology
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/autotrackday
Hawk Performance Street/Race Pads
"The advantages of High Performance Street Race Pads over HP Plus are that they offer more brake torque and a higher temperature rating for greater fade resistance. The temperature rating of HP Plus is 100-800 degrees F and HPS Street/Race is 100-1200 degrees F."
We interviewed Edwin Mangune of Hawk Performance Products Group to bring you this article about street/track pads, ideal for HPDE use:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...car-technology
Like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/autotrackday
Read our latest article from contributor Greg Haas of Advanced Driver Tuning:
“Take It To The Bank”
"Early in my driving career one of my instructors taught me to read the tachometer at a specific point on the exit of each turn I was striving to improve."
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...ving-technique
Also, please spread the word by liking us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/autotrackday
Larry Webster, Editor and Chief of Road & Track Magazine
We are excited to share with you a carsyeah.com podcast generously offered to us by Mark Greene. Larry Webster is the Editor and Chief of Road & Track magazine and a bona fide track day nut. Come take a listen:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...rackdaydrivers
Don't forget to like us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/autotrackday
Read our newest interview:
BMW Performance Driving Center Instructor Mike Renner
"I see this guy’s running 30 events and he’s never put it off the track. He knows he can drive pretty quick so he must have car control, but the fine art of really being able to sense what the car is doing, what cause and effect are, how to correct when necessary, and being able to drive the car at or very near the limit with comfort – that’s car control."
Click below:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...rackdaydrivers
Announcing: The 2015 National Speedway Directory has hit the shelves. This is a great resource full of all the information you need before heading to the track. Read all about it here:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...press-releases
Data Guru Matt Romanowski of TrailBrake.net Talks to Auto TrackDay Monthly
"Having a great predictive time displayed in the car has really helped with knowing, while still on the track, which line or technique is better. There is no more guessing or going by what “feels” faster. With data, you know what is faster."
Read the article here:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...car-technology
If you haven't already, please consider liking us on Facebook to help grow our audience:
https://www.facebook.com/autotrackday/timeline
The BMW Performance Center to Contest the 2015 One Lap Of America with New BMW X6 M
We asked Mike Renner to comment on the BMW April 28 One Lap of America press release.
“It is truly phenomenal. It goes fast and if it happens to rain, we would hope that it rains every day as it is all wheel drive and I am very comfortable with that kind of condition."
Read further comments by Mike Renner as he prepares to contest another One Lap of America for BMW:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...es/trackextras
If you like what you see, please consider liking us on Facebook. It helps build our audience of track day enthusiasts:
https://www.facebook.com/autotrackday/timeline
Palatov Motorsport: Cars Designed for Trackday Drivers
"What I wanted to do was create new solutions, break away from the tried and true. In racing there are very few opportunities to do that. Also, racing requires huge budgets relative to simply doing trackdays. But most importantly, I’m a trackday driver and not a racer. I wanted to design cars that I myself would want to own and drive."
Read the article here:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...kcars-articles
Get your free trackday manuals and driver log here:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...loads/category
New Jersey Motorsports Park
"Nothing beats repetition and seat time. This is not a sport that requires “book learning” skills. This sport requires hours behind the wheel until your awareness becomes acute. Nobody stops learning in this sport.”
We interviewed COO and General Manager, Brad Scott, and Chief Instructor Pete Tremper of New Jersey Motorsports Park. Click here to read the article:
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...ures/yourtrack
If you like what you see share it with your colleagues on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/autotrackday/timeline
Henry Gilbert: Race Team, Schools and Track Days
"Universal Pictures hired me in 2001 to be the driving instructor for the cast of 2 Fast 2 Furious which was filmed in Miami and that is when I opened up my driving school - Sports Car Driving Experience. I got to work with the entire cast and had a great time with all the actors, including the late Paul Walker."
Read our latest article and do not miss that track video of Henry lapping the field at Sebring in a Corvette. It is some crazy capable driving.
http://www.autotrackdaymonthly.com/i...ures/yourtrack
If you like us do the same on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/autotrackday?ref=hl
Greetings,
We just published a new, original article. Mike Skeen and Johan Schwartz are presenting a series of track-walk webinars called CircuitStudies. Skeen is a veteran of many professional race series including IMSA Weathertech and NASCAR Trucks. Scwhartz is the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge Champion and a BMW Performance Center instructor.
Skeen and Schwartz used Sebring's turn 17 to illustrate a typical CircuitStudies track walk:
“...you want to remember that this corner connects two lengthy straights and has a big bump in the center, so you want to compromise your mid-corner speed a bit in favor of high entry speed and a good exit....Focus on braking deep into the corner, minimize the coast on the way to the bridge, use the little dot on the bridge as a reference point for your placement as the car rotates, and try to pick up the throttle early at the exit."
Read more at:
http://trackdayzone.com/index.php/ar...ving-technique
Thanks and enjoy!
www.trackdayzone.com
www.autotrackdaymonthly.com
p.s. You may notice that we changed our name. More on that to come.
- - - Updated - - -
Reading The Car Through Your Hands And Feet
"If you ever find yourself pulsing on and off the brake pedal, work on making it one efficient motion: Make the first hit as hard as you can (without locking the tires) and smoothly taper off as you approach the turn-in."
"The goal in every corner is to get maximum exit speed by giving the car one nice throttle application as early as the car will take it"
Read more at:
http://trackdayzone.com/index.php/ar...ving-technique
The Race Driver Coach: Enzo Mucci
“Often in everyday life we cannot express ourselves, cannot fully let go and be on the edge. But track day driving is a discipline that allows this to happen, and it is very affordable.”
Read more:
http://trackdayzone.com/articles-gen...es/trackextras
http://trackdayzone.com/
Making the Leap from Track Days to Racing: Racing Schools
Okay, so you have begun to think about transitioning from track days to racing. What do you do? How does it work? Well Chad Morehead took the leap and he shares his journey.
Read more:
http://trackdayzone.com/articles-gen.../hpde-how-to-s
http://trackdayzone.com/
2018 Camaro ZL1: The Most Track Capable Camaro Ever
The Camaro Z/28 was once described by Chevy as “the most track-capable Camaro ever.” Well, the new 2018 Camaro ZL1 has taken over that title. We directed our track day questions to Matt Scrase - Performance Variant Manager, Camaro.
"The owner’s manual supplement outlines what prep is needed for heavy track use. Specifically, suspension alignment and oil specs."
Read more:
http://trackdayzone.com/articles-gen...kcars-articles
http://trackdayzone.com/
New original article:
iLaps Transforms Your Smart Phone into an Intelligent Data Logger
"Measuring motor sport performance is a serious task and requires an accuracy that mobile phone sensor chips are incapable of."
Read more at:
http://trackdayzone.com/articles-gen...car-technology
New original article:
Hooked On Driving Southeast Region Co-owner, Tony Franco
"Drivers need to get fulfillment, that joy out of being able to make a car perform. It is not only that, but the stress relief, the mental focus, the sheer pleasure of just being out there."
Read more at:
http://trackdayzone.com/articles-gen...ures/yourtrack
New Original Content
Responsible. Not Responsible: Marketing the Demon to Create Outlaw Image for Dodge Brand
“With Demon, our goal was to build a car that would tattoo the Dodge logo into the subconscious of the general market, beyond even our loyal enthusiasts” said Tim Kuniskis, Head of Passenger Cars – Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and FIAT, FCA North America. “To do so, we had to set records that have never been set before, do more than has ever been done before, go beyond even the legendary Hellcat. The result: an 840*horsepower, 9*second muscle car unlike anything that has ever come before it.”
The quote was from a press release issued by Dodge. If you read other car magazines, you may have noticed that Dodge is running ads with the title “Sorry. Not Sorry” and the tag line “Officially banned by the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association)” to promote the newly released Dodge Challenger Demon and, it seems, to create an outlaw image for the Dodge brand. The ads also include a letter from Glen Gray, NHRA Vice President for Technical Operations. Here it is:
To: FCA US LLC, regarding its Dodge brand
Date: November 30, 2016
This letter verifies that on Monday, November 21st, 2016 at Gainesville Raceway at Gainesville, Florida, the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon ran the quarter mile in an elapsed time of 9.650 seconds at 140.09 miles per hour. Both the elapsed time and the speed on this run exceeded the limits on 2008 OEM (Original Equipment Model) model-year and newer production cars and therefore violate our rules. The car exceeded our limits of 9.99 seconds and 135 miles per hour. Therefore, before this car can be run again at an NHRA Member Track, it must be brought into compliance with the rules and regulations found in Section 4 of the NHRA Rulebook. If you have any questions concerning this letter or the rules in Section 4 of the NHRA Rulebook, please contact me.
Sincerely,
Glen Gray
NHRA
Vice President, Technical Operations
We spoke with two law enforcement officers who also happen to have founded organizations to discourage street racing by encouraging people to come out and race with their members at drag strips.
“I know it is a marketing draw,” says Sgt. Scott Graham of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Motorsports organization. “They are trying to be like the outlaws with these cars. Dodge is.”
We asked Brown and Graham to weigh in on safety issues and the Demon. "They start selling these cars - it’s going to be less than 30 minutes before there will be major incidents and some fatalities. An 840 horsepower street car - it just don’t make sense to me” said Lt. Tom Brown of Beat the Heat.
Read more:
http://trackdayzone.com/articles-gen...etrackarticles
"Tires that can be reliably driven to and from a track and used effectively on the track are generally grouped into three categories, with each category favoring a different balance of performance:”
Track Day Tires Explained
by
Steve Calder, Ultra High Performance (UHP) Tire Designer, Michelin North America
Read more:
http://trackdayzone.com/articles-gen...car-technology
Also get 15% off your next track day;
Hooked on Driving Southeast Region has events at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Saturday, June 17th and Roebling Road Raceway on Monday, June 19th!
And from now until June 17th - Pre-register for either of these events using Promo Code
Fathersday17
to get 15% off your registration fees!
https://www.hookedondriving.com/hook...utheast-Region
Finally, please visit our online store for all of your track day needs. We have selected the products most relevant for HPDE participants and shipping is free:
http://trackdayzone.com/online-store/visit-store
Message to Valtteri Bottas: Swerving Doesn’t Heat the Tires
by Paul Haney
"How quickly a racing tire comes up to a good operating temperature, at least 180 degrees F, depends on the load, car speed, ambient temperature and the track surface temperature."
Read more:
http://trackdayzone.com/articles-gen...car-technology
New original article:
Suspension Tuning with Mike Skeen, Jade Buford, Matt Romanowski, Dave Scott and Robert Metcalf
"Most of the focus for the setup with this type of car is in getting it comfortable and preserving the tire--this also happens to be where the tire is working best."
We posed a hypothetical question to our team of professional driving coaches:
You are asked to coach an experienced solo level track day driver (not necessarily a racer) with a new car. Let's say he or she has just purchased the 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE. The driver has no experience with suspension set up, but understands it in theory. How would you go about teaching this driver the basics of suspension set up over the course of a weekend HPDE event? Assume he is familiarized with the new car on track. Would the skills be specific to the particular track or would the knowledge be transferable to other tracks? If one weekend is not enough to accomplish this, how much training would be required for the driver to be able to do his/her own experimentation? Would data logging help? How would it be used? Assuming there is a track support person to take tire temps in the hot pits, would those be useful? How would tire temps be used?
Read what our experts had to say:
http://trackdayzone.com/articles-gen...ving-technique
Thanks coaches!
New original article:
BMW Ultimate Driving Experience
“...drivers participating in the teen driving school, autocross or M control clinic will develop their own skills, gaining experience and confidence while learning under the guidance of our BMW Performance Center instructors.”
Read more:
http://trackdayzone.com/articles-gen...ures/yourtrack
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