Track Night in America events, dangerous / sketchy?

[cohny]

Have any of you gone out for one of these? I like the sound of it and the price is right, but I'm not sure how I feel about the fact that the oversight seems really low. I've heard there's no tech, and that you can essentially declare your own experience level. If you've done one of these, how did it go? Were you comfortable?

[TXBDan]

I've run two in the NE region and had a great time both times. Leaving work at lunch and spending a casual afternoon/evening at the track is blast. The idea behind TNiA is to lower the barrier of entry to get more people in street cars on track. A result of this is putting a little more responsibility on the entrant in exchange for less hassle.

So, yes, you're expected to self tech your car (you do sign a form saying so) and to classify yourself accurately. You can even do the driver's meeting online before hand in the Advanced group. It's as close to arrive and drive as can be. Show up, turn in a form, and wait for your time to go out. There are no in-car instructors either, but instructors do run with the groups and are watching and will provide some feedback as needed. Advanced drivers can also ride with others and have others ride with them.

Their customer service is also very good and its easy to cancel and move events, etc. Very helpful if you have questions about tech, groups, etc.

It may not be for everyone, but again, the whole point is to create cheap and easy track time. It's probably not the best format for instruction since you don't have an instructor. It's a progressive model that puts some faith in people to not be idiots. So far it seems to be working, but we'll see.



There are also lots of discount codes floating around, so look for those as well.

[MDGearhead]

It is true that you can declare your own experience level and tech sheets at most tracks. Some tracks like NJMP do their own tech and will check over the car as well as your safety equipment.

They do a really go job of flagging unsafe driving and adjusting groups if necessary. I have never had issues running with them.

If you have any other questions or want a discount code for an event shoot me a PM.


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[jayjaya29]

I've run 2 events with them at Pocono Speedway in PA. I ran in advanced group both times. I can mirror what the posters above have said. Some of the drivers in my group didn't understand that you can give a point anywhere and usually waited until straights which can be frustrating. Other then that its a blast, great value for the money.

[harristweed]

I've run 2 events with them at Pocono Speedway in PA. I ran in advanced group both times. I can mirror what the posters above have said. Some of the drivers in my group didn't understand that you can give a point anywhere and usually waited until straights which can be frustrating. Other then that its a blast, great value for the money.

Is the TNiA rule for advanced predicated on driver of the overtaken car's comfort? I've run with chaps who won't pass (or allow a pass from) someone they don't know in a corner, regardless of the track or organiser's rule.

[darbyfam]

I've run two in the NE region and had a great time both times. Leaving work at lunch and spending a casual afternoon/evening at the track is blast. The idea behind TNiA is to lower the barrier of entry to get more people in street cars on track. A result of this is putting a little more responsibility on the entrant in exchange for less hassle.

So, yes, you're expected to self tech your car (you do sign a form saying so) and to classify yourself accurately. You can even do the driver's meeting online before hand in the Advanced group. It's as close to arrive and drive as can be. Show up, turn in a form, and wait for your time to go out. There are no in-car instructors either, but instructors do run with the groups and are watching and will provide some feedback as needed. Advanced drivers can also ride with others and have others ride with them.

Their customer service is also very good and its easy to cancel and move events, etc. Very helpful if you have questions about tech, groups, etc.

It may not be for everyone, but again, the whole point is to create cheap and easy track time. It's probably not the best format for instruction since you don't have an instructor. It's a progressive model that puts some faith in people to not be idiots. So far it seems to be working, but we'll see.



There are also lots of discount codes floating around, so look for those as well.

This does a great job of summing up my experience. Great program, great customer service, great pricing, etc. The downside would be individuals who do not follow the program.

[jayjaya29]

Is the TNiA rule for advanced predicated on driver of the overtaken car's comfort? I've run with chaps who won't pass (or allow a pass from) someone they don't know in a corner, regardless of the track or organiser's rule.

Sure. But when I'm trying to get around a high horsepower car in the twisty sections of the track because I can't keep up in the straights it gets frustrating.

It hasn't happened often at both the events I've attended, just one thing I noticed.

[TXBDan]

Is the TNiA rule for advanced predicated on driver of the overtaken car's comfort? I've run with chaps who won't pass (or allow a pass from) someone they don't know in a corner, regardless of the track or organiser's rule.

Of course. Point by's are always given at the passee's comfort/discretion. If the passer is having trouble with traffic they should pit-in to find more space.

[cohny]

Thank for the feedback everyone. I just signed up for the TNiA event at Palmer on 6/15. From what you all are saying it should be a great time. I was actually just up at Palmer this past weekend so it will be great to get back to the same track so soon. I'll be sure to report back on how it went.

[harristweed]

Sure. But when I'm trying to get around a high horsepower car in the twisty sections of the track because I can't keep up in the straights it gets frustrating.

It hasn't happened often at both the events I've attended, just one thing I noticed.

I glanced at the virtual driver's meeting and discovered the source of your frustration: nowhere is the rule about mirrors being optional in 500+ hp cars mentioned

[Fair]

I've been to a number of these TNiA events...



Like the poster I was extremely skeptical of the format, the number of total track noobs (it was mostly autocrossers the first few times), and lack of instruction, classrooms, tech, etc.



Well I was pleasantly surprised. Tom Gorman and the rest of the crew did a fantastic job at each event I've attended. I was able to get in some good testing in 3 sessions, and the later afternoon/early evening timeframe made it a lot easier to get to these events without missing too much work.



These events have become popular but its still not super packed like a typical track day, so traffic wasn't horrible. TNiA seems to bring folks who have never done track events into the fold. The low key layout is less scary for them, and I've seen these folks quickly get hooked and move up to SCCA PDX/Club Trials, NASA HPDE and other track events.

So as much as a hater as I was, I'm a believer now...

[blatant]

Just came in to echo what the previous posters have said. It is a great way to get out there on track and still get some time in at work to save those vacation days!

I have seen some issues in the first runs where trains were created with certain people who would not provide point-bys but that is quickly fixed by the next run....either black flag/talking to or the person is moved to a lower run group.

I haven't seen any sketchy cars or unsafe driving in the intermediate and advance groups.

[jimmypet]

According to the rules / info page they don't allow race cars though correct?
Meant for street registered cars?

[blatant]

I've seen several unregistered track/race cars. Think most are spec miatas that I have seen.

[MDGearhead]

According to the rules / info page they don't allow race cars though correct?
Meant for street registered cars?

Not sure why they say this, maybe to cover their ass in case the decide to not let someone drive, but I have never seen it enforced. The last event I went to their was a fully raced prepped IMSA Continental series Mustang there in the advanced group and a couple E36 M3 racecars there testing for an upcoming AER race. Shoot me a PM if you would like a discount code for an event.

[TXBDan]

The spirit of the event to be street car oriented. Essentially, to be welcoming to noobs. In the NER region, they don't allow stickered up cars or anything blatantly racecar according to Greg Amy, the NER Event Manager.

[jimmypet]

Yeah thats what I took away from the rules.
Race cars not welcome.

Would be great test situation, a cheap way to get on track for non street registered car just to shake out something before a race weekend.
The counterpoint would be there are no Noobs in the advanced group so why would it matter,,, but I assume someone has their reasons.
They have these at Pocono which is 35 minutes from my house, would be a great opportunity for a trouble shooting night.

- - - Updated - - -

Not sure why they say this, maybe to cover their ass in case the decide to not let someone drive, but I have never seen it enforced. The last event I went to their was a fully raced prepped IMSA Continental series Mustang there in the advanced group and a couple E36 M3 racecars there testing for an upcoming AER race. Shoot me a PM if you would like a discount code for an event.

Interesting.
Thats exactly what would appeal to me.

[jayjaya29]

Theres definitely been some track-only cars at the pocono events

[cohny]

I went to the TNiA event at Palmer last night. I had a great time. The event was well organized and I didn't find any reasons to be concerned. Overall it was an awesome way to get out to the track for an evening.

Also, there were definitely some full on racecars there running in the advanced group. I wouldn't be too worried about getting out there for a shakedown.