Post-Challenge FIRM track day - Interested?

Update: 2023 event registration link, May 29th: http://msreg.com/grassroots

So I've been napkin-planning the idea of driving to the 2022 Challenge and entering my Toyobaru in unlimited class just for fun (please try to keep a straight face at the idea of making plans in 2022), and thinking that maybe a bunch of us would like to do a track day at the FIRM afterwards, who'd be interested and how sure are you that you'll make it to the Challenge right now (barring the possibility of an Omega variant or something in September)? I'm thinking maybe on Monday Oct. 24th? For most layouts it's $2500/day for weekdays, the more we can split it the less per entrant, I figure if we could be sure of a minimum of 13 entrants it could be worth it, so keep $193 in mind as a max entry cost.

Update: Deposit secured for the event. If you want to enter, reply or DM me and I'll send you payment instructions. If multiple drivers wish to share a car, entry cost will be per-car.

Date: Monday, October 24th

Time: 7:30am-5:00pm

• 7:30 a.m. Gates Open*
• 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Vehicle tech
• 8:45 a.m.  Mandatory Drivers Meeting
• 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Track Open
• 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Track Closed for Lunch
• 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Track Open
• 5:00 p.m. Gates Closed*

Safety requirements: See links below:

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/firm-sunday-open-track-day-feb-13th-florida-intl-rally-msport-park-088674

https://gorally.com/track-days/

Entry deadline: October 5th!

Very interested if I end up bringing my Challenge backup plan (daily driver ND). How many hours would we have the track? Probably best to start early so folks still have time to drive home afterward.

I'm in.  *Baring explosion or failure of car.  

Also perhaps our favorite magazine would want to show up and gather some data and take some laps in challenge cars for some pretty cool editorial content...  

I'm interested as well.

I've thought about this one as well...I think it would be a blast!  This is where the new class structure would still work well.  If we wanted to add some unofficial trophies to the track day lappers.  The Firm has added a timing loop.

Auto-x, drag, concourse plus road course!

Like the challenge this year, I'm guessing it would be open to all interested drivers.  Within and without budget constraints that is.

I know a guy with a couple prepaid track rentals...just no dates set as of yet.  

Not to be an immediate wet noodle but does that Fee include the necessary insurance to protect whomever is the person that is officially renting the track?  $2500 seems very manageable to get 10-20 people to cover.   If there are additional costs required for "organization insurance" it may still be manageable just should find out early so we know the total costs.  

oh hell yeah!

nocones said:

Not to be an immediate wet noodle but does that Fee include the necessary insurance to protect whomever is the person that is officially renting the track?  $2500 seems very manageable to get 10-20 people to cover.   If there are additional costs required for "organization insurance" it may still be manageable just should find out early so we know the total costs.  

I believe that cost covers insurance.  I know a couple of guys who rent the track out regularly.  I'm interested in attending post-Challenge.

Get out of my head, I actually emailed Tom regarding this potential yesterday 

In reply to nocones :

So I have another idea and concept that I feel would create not just great editorial content but value for chassis specific vendors. I will await our host to chime in for provide feedback with regards to my concept and idea before spilling it publicly, as I feel that they should have some level of control or feedback and potentially financial benefit, as the opportunity would not occur without them putting on the challenge itself. 

In reply to GameboyRMH :

Do you need money upfront to reserve the date?  Is Monday available?  

If so I'd be willing to Prepay for some amount.

I'm already thinking about logistics like does the FIRM provide waivers and do we need to provide a starter/grid person?  Do we need to setup a zoom/discord meeting to hash out the event planning?  

Figured I'd wait until we have at least 10 people interested to contact them, but I checked their calendar and the Monday appears to be available. I'll add the starter/grid person and waiver questions to the list of questions I have for them - hopefully we could do something like their weekend track days, just starting on a weekday morning.

I am interested too.  I would need 2 spots.

Hmmm.. tempting.

What would be the baseline car and driver requirements to be able to participate?

bigben said:

Hmmm.. tempting.

What would be the baseline car and driver requirements to be able to participate?

Ordinary track day/autocross level safety requirements I would expect, so an ordinary car with 3pt+ belts, rollover bar if it's an open top/convertible, SA2010+ helmet for yourself. I'm seeing SA2015+ being required sometimes these days.

I'd definitely plan on SA2015+ 

Some venues are also now requiring 200tw or higher rubber as well now. 

Here's an example of their track day requirements:

https://www.motorsportreg.com/events/firm-sunday-open-track-day-feb-13th-florida-intl-rally-msport-park-088674

• If this is your first track day and instruction session will be required.
• A SA-2015 or newer helmet is REQUIRED for all car drivers!!  Motorcycle helmets are not acceptable.
• Entry is PER DRIVER, not per car. Each driver must register and pay individually. Pre-registration is strongly recommended.
• If you are unable to attend, we regret not being able to offer refunds.
• Open Track Days are run RAIN or SHINE!
• Drivers must wear a helmet and seat belt or safety harness at all times while on track.
• Natural fiber long-sleeve shirt is recommended. Long pants and closed toed shoes are required!
• Convertibles are allowed only with approved factory or aftermarket rollover protection. 
• The FIRM’s Track Policies must be adhered to at all times.
• All drivers must be over 18 and have valid driver’s license.
• Fire suits are recommended for all race prepared cars.
• Passing is allowed when the wheels are straight and then only with a “point by” from the driver being passed.
• The FIRM reserves the right to refuse access to the track to anyone at anytime.

So mostly ordinary stuff. No mention of treadwear requirements, which is good for me since the PS4Ses I'd be running for both events and transit are actually rated at 300TW...

In reply to GameboyRMH :

300 treadwear is allowable where the 200 treadwear or higher rule is enforced. There are some spots that don't allow people to show up on slicks for open track days or novice HPDEs. 

I like the idea of this if I can make time for it. Maybe we should do it the Friday before as a test and tune warmup for the challenge. 

Andy Neuman said:

I like the idea of this if I can make time for it. Maybe we should do it the Friday before as a test and tune warmup for the challenge. 

I could see that ruining the weekend for a number of Challenge cars.  Track lapping is a lot more demanding on the equipment than a few autocross and drag strip runs.

In reply to Andy Neuman :

Yes I'm in on Monday out on Friday for the reasons Lof8 discusses

Lof8 - Andy said:

Andy Neuman said:

I like the idea of this if I can make time for it. Maybe we should do it the Friday before as a test and tune warmup for the challenge. 

I could see that ruining the weekend for a number of Challenge cars.  Track lapping is a lot more demanding on the equipment than a few autocross and drag strip runs.

I was joking about the Friday thing. I can't even seem to bring a car reliable enough to finish the challenge properly. Except I'm planning on not being under budget this year so I hope I don't break something. 

Rental costs from a buddy who has done it:  $2450 track rental (includes insurance) plus $500 for paying the track worker employees.  This is for a weekday.

Lof8 - Andy said:

Rental costs from a buddy who has done it:  $2450 track rental (includes insurance) plus $500 for paying the track worker employees.  This is for a weekday.

Ok so we'll need at least 15 entries to keep the per-entrant cost below $200, we're already getting close to that, and I'm inclined to give the GRM staff some time to decide if they want to make this an official thing and organize this for us