Edited accordingly...
This is all great advice and super helpful- thank you!
I'm convinced going for the experience is the way to go. So far options look like:
A ride in a B17 or B25 bomber
Rent a racing kart for a day
But then mazdeuce got me thinking- maybe helmet+cheap car+winter rally cross= great birthday fun!
I'm 39 so I started a year early (turning the 4-0 next year too).
Bought a Mazdaspeed6 and started instructing at Ginerman Raceway. This was part 1 of the plan.
Part 2 is taking my car to Road America, Mid-Ohio and Grattan this year. I'm hoping to at least hit 2 out of the 3 tracks.
How about renting a rear drive car from Budget or Enterprise and hitting one of the rallyX events here in Michigan? Just get the damage waiver and run it through the car wash when you're done.
My wife sent me and two friends to Daytona 24 a few years ago for the 40th. It was a memorable time.
I agree - forget the material things. Make some lasting memories. Even better if your wife is involved. Cars and parts come and go.
A friend of mine did a "supercar experience" over the summer. Got in a Ferrari something-or-other, told the instructor his lengthy motorsport resume (decade of autox, dozens of track days, hours of iRacing learning the track he was going to be on). Guy said ok, get used to it then I'll let you open it up. Well the instuctor's version of opening it up was way different than my buddy's. Rather than lapping at 30% he got to experience maybe 60% and that was just in the straights (which were short). He posted video and any hint of lateral g force got him shut down and reprimanded. He said the experience of driving the car was cool but was less than satisfied with the overall deal. Your experience may vary. I still want to do it.
Celebrate that you are so young...
I'm having some difficulty finding a RWD car to rent!
fornetti14 wrote: I'm 39 so I started a year early (turning the 4-0 next year too). Bought a Mazdaspeed6 and started instructing at Ginerman Raceway. This was part 1 of the plan. Part 2 is taking my car to Road America, Mid-Ohio and Grattan this year. I'm hoping to at least hit 2 out of the 3 tracks. How about renting a rear drive car from Budget or Enterprise and hitting one of the rallyX events here in Michigan? Just get the damage waiver and run it through the car wash when you're done.
After a little more research into it, yeah- no thanks.
If I were a life long Ferrari or Lambo fan it may be different. I'm neither of those.
chrispy wrote: A friend of mine did a "supercar experience" over the summer. Got in a Ferrari something-or-other, told the instructor his lengthy motorsport resume (decade of autox, dozens of track days, hours of iRacing learning the track he was going to be on). Guy said ok, get used to it then I'll let you open it up. Well the instuctor's version of opening it up was way different than my buddy's. Rather than lapping at 30% he got to experience maybe 60% and that was just in the straights (which were short). He posted video and any hint of lateral g force got him shut down and reprimanded. He said the experience of driving the car was cool but was less than satisfied with the overall deal. Your experience may vary. I still want to do it.
I've been on the fence on this idea. Having never been to an event, I can only go by what others describe.
I know a couple of vintage racers that went to spectate at LeMons events and they reported seeing drivers tipping the bottle before they went out on track. I'm not down with that. I'm not against drinking by any means- but drinking and car racing does not excite me.
Kenny_McCormic wrote: Buy into a chump/lemons team? That's the cheapest way to steer right and left with other cars.
I forgot to mention too- after spending a week in the UP with my cousin driving around in is "garage sale" odd fire CJ, the idea of owning a Jeep has been on my mind.
But chances are, I wouldn't go for any thing as main stream as a Jeep. No no, it would have to suit my crusty British vehicle vice (I don't want to go there again!).
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