Nate Meyer's Weblog

I’ve been meaning to take the car to a road race track for a long time now. I think there were a couple things holding me back. 1) I keep my car in REALLY good shape. It’s always spotless, and hate rock dings, etc, etc. Obviously taking it to the track could increase the chance of an accident, or more rock chips. 2) I don’t want to break anything. I don’t drive my car hard very often, and again, taking it to the track increases the wear on the engine, suspension, brakes, and drive-train in general. 3) Didn’t want to spend the money.

However, the car was meant to be driven, so I broke down and decided to take it to TMP on a Wednesday night for a evening session. It was only $60, and the track was open from 5pm – dusk. Here’s how it went down!

I got off work, picked up my car, and father, and started the drive to TMP. I wanted to get there early, just so we could check out the grounds, and I just didn’t want to be rushed. I wanted lots of time to go over the car to make sure everything was safe, and learn the rules, and see other cars go around the track before trying it. We got there at around 3:15, and other people started to arrive around 4:30.

My dad and I started talking to another father and son group, with a BMW 135i, and a Honda S2000 on race tires. Finally at 5pm, no car inspection, no drivers meeting, they let us on the track. First was the S2000, then the 135i, then me. We did a couple of warm-up laps, and since the first 2 drivers have been there before, I got to see the line they were taking, and tried to learn their braking habbits. Here’s a video of me following the BMW, which was following the S2000. Videos aren’t great.

After 2-3 laps, the BMW and S2000 got faster and faster and I decided to do a couple warm-down laps of slower driving, then after that, I picked it up again and did some fast laps. The problem was, now I had no one in front of me, and had NO idea where to brake. My first solo corner, after a 160km/h straight, was pretty harry, LOL. I started braking at a red pylon I thought was the signal to start braking, but it was WAY to late, and had to turn while braking, and almost got sideways. The car recovered very well, and I kept going, trying to learn how to race this thing. I timed myself and did a 1min40sec laptop which is HORRIBLE. I did a couple “fast” laps, and then 1-2 cool-down laps, then pulled off the track.

I talked to the guy in the BMW, to try and get some tips. He then told me that the red pylon was the turn-in marker, and your supposed to have ALL your braking done at the cone. (LOL, wish I knew that the first lap!). He also said that you need to have all your braking done, before turning in. If you are doing any braking, while turning, it will disrupt the car. Which is exactly what happened my first “solo” corner.

After a 20-30 minute brake, I headed back out. I was really getting the hand of this cone thing, and braking before turning thing. I was also learning how far you can push the car through the turns, way more then you thought you could. I was also noticing that my traction control really slow my corner exit speed down, by cutting the engine power so I wouldn’t spin. I was worried that turning it off, would make the car less stable on corner entry, because the stability control wouldn’t kick in. I did a few more laps, and managed a 1min32sec lap. Which wasn’t great ither. I did some cool-down laps and took a break.

The next session I decided to turn off the traction control. WOW! What a difference. The car had SO much more corner exit speed, and it didn’t really effect corner entry at all. I found that now “I” was the traction control, and the car felt WAY more responsive. This is now a new machine! I was racing in-front of a brand new Audi RS4 for about 3-4 HARD laps. He started off about 5-6 car lengths behind be, and after 3-4 laps, he was still 5-6 car lengths behind me. He couldn’t gain on me at all. Here’s 2 videos of the last corner, in front of the RS4

I also had some fun lapping behind, and in front of the BMW 135i, 240sx, and the S2000. The S2000 was the quickest, running 1min25sec laptimes. The BMW and 240sx were on race tires, and even with me being on street tires, I was faster then them. Another cool thing was to be going down the front straight at 130km/h, full throttle, and seeing a Audi R8 V10 go FLYING by! What a sweet car! I did another 5-6 laps this night, and timed myself once doing a `1min28sec lap, which is pretty good I think. (being on street tires). One other thing I learn that was a necessity, is Heel-and-toe shifting. You CANNOT go around this course fast, and no be perfect at Heel-and-Toe. If your going down a straight, in 3rd gear, full throttle, and come up to a second gear corner, you have to brake, shift down, and blip the throttle at the same time. If you don’t match the second gear RPM, as your previous third gear, your tires will lockup, and you’ll go sideways. It happened to me once, with the 240sx behind me!

Here are a couple more videos. Again, the video quality isn’t great, but it’ll have to do.

Conclusion:

What a day! I loved it! I want to go back real bad, but still have some reserves on the wear on my car. Maybe once or twice more this year! I learnt that braking in a corner, will make the car uneasy, and that braking before turning in, is crucial. I think I also perfected my Heel-and-Toe technique! And most important, I got to feel the limits of my car. I think that’s important!

I’ll be taking my car as much as I can afford this year

This year, I want to do some laps at TMP, but find the website confusing, and overwelming. There seems to be some conflicting info, and prices, and information is spread out of different pages. Also, I want to try inviting some friends to go with me, with their cars, and instead of just sending them to the TMP webpage, thought I would conclude everything here, for them to understand what their getting into.

So, here it goes:

Open Car Lapping Description: My understanding, is you bring your car out in the morning of the day your pre-registered, or just showed up, and after it gets tech’d in, your put into a group, according to your skill level. Then you get let out onto the track, with a few other people. You are NOT racing them, you are just lapping your car. This is NOT a race, and this is NOT timed. They don’t even let passing everywhere, only in 2 controlled spots (more on the rules later). I think this is suited for people who enjoy the twisties, and don’t want to get caught for speeding on the road.

Day Session Schedule:

Fridays:
May 14
June 18
July 16
August 20
Sept 17
Oct 8

Weekends:
Sun April 4 (10am-5pm) weather permitting
Sun April 11 (10am-5pm) weather permitting
Sat April 17 (10am-5pm) weather permitting
Sat May 1 (9am-4:30pm)
Sat June 5
Sat July 24
Sat Oct 2

Pricing: You can pre-register, and save, or showup at the track and spend a little more. If you want basic instruction (racing lines, how to break properly, etc, etc), it seems to be $50 more. They only suggest instruction for the first comers, but it’s not mandatory.
Pre-registration: $130 (plus GST)
Registration at Track: $150 (plus GST)
Instruction is available for an additional $50 (plus GST)

Evening Session Schedule

Wednesdays:
Every Wed from May 5th to Oct 20th

Fridays:
Every Fri from May 14th to Oct 22nd except the following dates:
May 7, June 11, July 9, Aug 6, Sept 10, Oct 15

Schedule:
Track Session: 5pm-Dusk

Pricing:
Pre-registration: $60 (plus GST)
Registration at Track: $80 (plus GST)

Schedule Info Here

That’s about it for the schedule. Basically, you can pre-register, or just showup at the track. You can do it on the scheduled Fridays, and Sats, and Suns, or every Wednesday for the evening session.

General Rules

If you have not driven the track before, we strongly recommend that you register for instruction with your first lapping session. For more information on instruction options, please call 1-866-824-7223.

All participants must indicate their experience level on the registration form.

No refunds or exchanges will be given. If a session is cancelled due to weather, rain checks will be issued and will be valid only on the rescheduled date.

Limited space is available for each session. Pre-registrations will be given priority and drivers registering at the track on the day of the event will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.

General Rules
-Safety should be your number one priority while on the track
-Paddock speed limit is 15 km/hr. No exceptions.
-All persons entering the track must sign a “Release of Liability” waiver.
-All “Self Tech Forms” are to be given to the instructor prior to your track time commencing.
-Participants must attend the mandatory Driver’s Meeting each lapping day prior to being permitted on the track. All rules and procedures must be adhered to.
-It is the participant’s responsibility to be ready when their group it called to the track.
-The first lap will be under Yellow Flag conditions. Please take time to locate the corner stations and corner workers.
-No alcohol or controlled substances may be consumed by any participant during the event.
-No medications that may impair a participant’s ability to operate their car should be consumed prior to or during the event.
-Toronto Motorsports Park is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
- Paddock speed limit is 10 MPH. No exceptions.
- All persons operating a motorized auxiliary vehicle, including 2, 3, & 4 wheel ATV’s and scooters, must be at least 16 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license.
- Skateboards, roller blades, and bicycles are prohibited in the paddock area.
- Do not drive stakes into the ground in the paddock.
- Participants must remove all tires from the track. Failure to remove tires from the track will result in increased entry fees for future events.
- Electrical power is not available unless arrangements are made with the track prior to an event day. Do not hook up to electrical outlets without the approval of the track.
- Water is available from the spigot adjacent to the washrooms/showers. Do not connect hoses to the faucets. Use water only as necessary and be considerate of the other participant’s pits, as drainage is problematic. Water is not potable.
- There are no power/water hooks up’s available at the track. However, a designated campground is located on the right side of the dragway. Self contained motorhomes and haulers will be permitted in the pits if a 2 or more day event.

Car Lapping Rules

1. The first and most important rule for the lapping sessions is to remember these are lapping sessions – not a race! There are no positions and no prize money or trophies. If you are driving erratic, competitively, or in violation of the rules and procedures, you will be ejected from the track and the facility with no refund.
2. Track will not provide any official lap times during lapping sessions.
3. There shall be no contact between cars ay any time.
4. Do not tailgate another car.
5. Do not group together on the track.
6. Do not block faster cars that are closing on you.
7. Watch your mirrors, as you must signal faster cars by you.
8. If you suspect serious mechanical problems while on the track, pull off the track slowly and await assistance. If you can continue, do so slowly and return to the pit area. Get off line and use hand signals and flashers to indicate that you have a problem while returning to the pits.
9. If it starts to rain, slow down to a speed below that at which you know you can drive safely in the wet. The sessions will continue in the rain unless the track becomes unsafe to continue.
10. If you spin, run off track, or make contact with another car, you must report to the pits prior to continuing the session.

Passing Rules

1. Passing will only be allowed in two areas on the track – on the front straightaway and Turn 1 straight.
2. Passes on the straightaway must be made on the driver’s right only.
3. There shall be no passing at any other point on the track.
4. There shall be no passing during red flag conditions.
5. There shall be no passing under yellow flag conditions, except for slow moving vehicles whose driver’s have signaled that their car is disabled.
6. All passing in the two designated areas shall be with the use of hand signals to direct the passing car safely around the car being passed.
7. Do not move off line when being passed.
8. Be sure that you have plenty of time, space and horsepower to complete your maneuver.
9. Do not try to out horsepower an overtaking car, allow them to pass safely.
10. Failure to comply with the passing rules will result in you being black-flagged for that session.

Two Spin Rule

1. A two spin rule will be enforced for all lapping sessions.
2. On the first incident, the participant will be black-flagged (see Flags) to come into the pits. In the pits, the participant will be counseled and advised that should this happen again the participant will be brought off the track and not allowed to drive for the remainder of the day.
3. If any participant spins their car or leaves the track with all 4 wheels two times in one event day, they will be required to leave for the day on the second incident.

Accidents & Damage to Track

1. All participants involved in an accident must report the accident to the track immediately.
2. All participants will be liable for any damages caused to any personal or real property.
3. Any repairs to the track necessary due to damages caused by a participant are the responsibility of that participant. This includes, but is not limited to, damages to guardrail, barrier walls, asphalt, grass, dirt or concrete surfaces, grandstands, fencing, buildings, and portable toilets.

Staging
Staging for the next run group to go on the track will be behind the Hot Pit wall. All other cars will be on the track or in the paddock.

Entering the Track
Pull your car up to the end of pit lane. Follow the instructions of the Pit Marshall and stay to the right of the track as you accelerate up to speed. Use your mirrors to see if you are being overtaken before you attempt to leave the right lane.

Exiting the Track
Track exit during a session is on driver’s right to the hot pit. When you want to exit from the track into the pit lane, extend your left arm upward, out of the window, in a fist, prior to your exit from the track.

Track exit after a session is after the carousel at turn 14. Keep right and extend your left arm upward, out of the window, in a fist, prior to your exit from the track. Proceed to the paddock.

Link to Rules Here

Getting your Car Tech’d In

Safety Rules for Car Lapping

1. All participants are required to have proper safety equipment and clothing, to include the following:
Snell M or SA2000 or newer rated helmet
Goggles or full face helmet for open top cars
Closed toe rubber soled shoes
Long sleeve shirt (non-synthetic fiber)
Long pants (non-synthetic fiber)
(Alternatively, approved driver’s suit and racing shoe)
2. All cars must be equipped with operable seat belts in good condition.
3. A mounted fire extinguisher is recommended for all cars.
4. All cars must run with the driver’s and passenger windows down.
5. All open top cars must have roll bar/cage as roll over protection.
6. All participants with open top cars must use arm restraints.
7. Interior of vehicle must be clean and cleared of all loose items, debris and floormats.

Tech In Link Here

TMP FAQ HERE

Conclusion: I hope that sums everything up. I know most people wouldn’t want to bring their cars here, because they don’t want them to get dinged, etc. But the rules state not to tailgate, and no passing, so I think they make it fairly safe. I think the key part is that it’s not a race, it’s just a lapping session.