Originally Posted by
FrankRizzo
You should chat with Dennis Palatov. He runs events at ORP all the time, and you could easily, and cheaply get into one of those. (Palatov.com).
Thanks for the suggestion. I will look into it.
The groups that I ran with in the Atom are the same groups that my bud runs his D1 in now. And he's getting no flack about it. Should I assume his tiny D1 is different?
Yes. The rules of nearly every track day organization state 'no open wheel cars'. Size might be the actual safety concern, but the way everyone's rules are stated, it's open wheel that's not allowed. Check with whatever organization you run with. Based on this logic, you might get away with a sports racer, I have seen a couple at track days in the past. Still, the fact that it is ALLOWED, doesn't mean it is SAFE, or something you will want to do on a regular basis. Much better to have a separate OW run group.
I believe that I COULD, eventually, get to races. But, I'd like to START doing track days to get used to the car, and get up to speed. (I don't want to be in the way).
I know how you feel for sure, I feel the same. But it isn't an easy thing to do around here, and I didn't want you to buy a car and then be frustrated when there are very few events where you can drive it. The only track day organization I have been involved with that *did* allow formula cars in the NW was Club Lotus NW, who have a track day at PIR once a year and allow open wheelers. It's actually next weekend this year, but I can't make it.
I sat in an Elise once. Thought I was going to need help to get out. I'm a BIG guy, 6'3, 275. The distance between the door sill, and the bottom of the roof was too small for me. In the event of an emergency, I don't know that I could exit in a timely fashion. It just felt unsafe. Also, there are VERSIONS of the Atom. 245 HP, 300 HP, and the V8. In my 300HP Atom, I *NEVER* had a problem with an Elise/Exige at PIR. I could easily pass and then disappear from them.
Sorry, wasn't trying to start a who's faster contest, just throwing out the option. I must have missed where you stated how big you are, that definitely wouldn't be great in a Lotus.
Now, as for the Panoz, I assume you're talking about the Esperante tube frame cars? There's a guy in my circle that runs one of those. Well, he TRIES to. He spends more time adjusting things on it than he does on track. It's almost like track days are an opportunity for him to come to the track and work on it. I'm not interested in THAT, AT ALL.
Did it occur to you that maybe its not the car? I know a few people who track the race versions of the Esperante, and have great luck with them. Again, it was just an idea.