Road Race Experience

[driller]

This year while on the Hot Rod Power Tour, I took the opportunity to partake in a bit different kind of racing... a road course at Hallet Motor Racing Circuit in Jennings, OK.

It was a rocky start as when I arrived at the gate the attendant noted some type of 'fluid' sprayed all across the drivers side front fender! Turned out to be motor oil from a missing oil filler cap! It had to have happened just prior to arrival as we had stopped earlier at a convenience store and I did not notice anything.

I was directed to the facility's garage and I limped the car down to the garage and proceeded to wipe off the oil and found a helpful tech who scrounged up an oil cap and some racing oil.

After the minor setback, we proceeded to register for the track. A short while later we were on the start ramp and were given last minute instructions.

We were to run 5 laps on the track with a lead car (Viper) and 4 other cars (2 Mark VII's, a 'Vette and a older Mustang) besides my '96 Mark VIII. My car of course was literally loaded full and was on street tires (new GoodYear Eagle GTs). I tried to talk the Mrs. into riding along but she would not hear to it, LOL. One of the prior participants offered to ride along and I obliged.

Long story short... it was an absolute adrenalin rush.

It was however my first "track" experience and as such I made a rookie mistake and pushed the car too hard on the last lap and spun out across the track and into the runoff area.

Obviously this being my first, I know my 'form' was bad at times (actually most of the time, LOL) but I was enjoying myself to the max!

Pics and a link to a partial video that my passenger took...

Enjoy.

Hallet Motor Racing Circuit

 

[chris2523]

sweet! looks like fun.

 

[mlschultz]

That had to be a fun time! :thumbsup:

 

[steve]

The HPDE events I did with the Vette was one of the best experiences i ever had. You should see if they have any by you, With the class room and in car instruction you will get a lot more fun out of it. Better then an E ticket at Disney World

 

[46callaway]

Always wanted to run a circuit.

 

[beerdog]

cool. The wipe out looked like the best part.

 

[driller]

The HPDE events I did with the Vette was one of the best experiences i ever had. You should see if they have any by you, With the class room and in car instruction you will get a lot more fun out of it. Better then an E ticket at Disney World

There actually is a HPDE facility in the eastern panhandle of WV - Summit Point. I have looked into it before and definitely have more interest now. :thumbsup:

cool. The wipe out looked like the best part.

LOL, besides being somewhat embarrassing, it was.

I blamed it all on them letting me know it was the last lap!

 

[beerdog]

I blamed it all on them letting me know it was the last lap!

Sign of a true pro is that it is never YOUR fault.

 

[DLF]

You'll never know how fast you can go, until you go too fast.

I spent several decades running both cars and bikes around tracks all over the country, including Summit Point.

It's the most fun that you can have with your clothes on.

 

[95blklsc]

looks like fun!

 

[george2]

I agree with DLFI usta run my Subaru at alot of road course events (gainesville, PBIR, Ocala GP, ect.) and for a while was known as the fastest suby on street tires

 

[steve]

Did you ever run WGI? It is like driving on a roller coaster, my next favorite track was VIR. The tracks down in NJ at NJMP or ok.

You'll never know how fast you can go, until you go too fast.

I spent several decades running both cars and bikes around tracks all over the country, including Summit Point.

It's the most fun that you can have with your clothes on.

 

[Sierra3]

Awesome!

haha Ok, im late, i know. Just saw this...

OMG i would pay money to have at that track. Was it paid for from the power tour? Or did you guys have to anti up to be able to run? That looks like so much damn fun!.
I think you scared the guy riding with ya at the end. He didnt answer to quick. haha JP was all calm and nonchallant about it...."So.....you alright?".......crickets.......

What gears in the rearend were you running at time of racetrack? Looks like you had very nice accelleration out of the corners to catch up with them all the time and going up that back hill turn back.

Mannnn looks like a blast. Thanks for the video!

 

[Sierra3]

Did you ever run WGI? It is like driving on a roller coaster, my next favorite track was VIR. The tracks down in NJ at NJMP or ok.

I think it would be awesome. Ive never been on a big official track like that before. Just old runway road courses for ORT Anti terrorisim escape and evasion high speed driving training. Mostly car ramming and hitting, escape and changing positions with the other 5 cars while they tried to take you out. VIP protection transport stuff. But we werent allowed to go full on and actually "race" each other. This would be sweet to do a real track like this.

i always wanted to go down to Datona Beach FL and pay one of those driving courses like 350.00 for training and they let you run around the track in a real NASCAR vehicle suited up and video it. That would be a good outing for the club as well some time in the future.

 

[driller]

haha Ok, im late, i know. Just saw this...
Was it paid for from the power tour? Or did you guys have to anti up to be able to run?
...
What gears in the rearend were you running at time of racetrack? Looks like you had very nice accelleration out of the corners to catch up with them all the time and going up that back hill turn back.

Late ? As usual Jeff!

Each of us had to ante up... it was pre-arranged over on the HRPT forums.

4.10 gears in the '96 gave it nice acceleration - I kept OD off to keep it in 2nd/3rd.

 

[Sierra3]

Just watched vid again.

Thought you posted a new one from different track. Just watched that one again. Still looks fun. i still wanna go. haha Yep, better late than never. My prob is i got too many projects going on all at once and get side tracked with priorities and jump onto something else. Then i dont sit down and check all the new posts till like month later. Theres a term for that, but im not counting. lol