Why do you not track?

[persian54]

There have been several threads and it's pretty safe to assume that less than 10, if not less than 5%, of M3 drivers actually do track their car.

Recently, I've been talking to some friends about coming to the track with me etc... and they're all like:
"I'm scared"
"It's dangerous"
"I don't want to go through tires"
"Gas is expensive"
"I don't think I'm up to it"
"I don't want to track a new (5kmi+) car"

Their cars range from E9x M3s, E46 M3s, 335is, Mustang GTs, Z06, and GTR.

I don't understand...

When on the street, I can barely go over 40, 45mph. I can't rev past 4k, maybe hit 6k if I'm lucky. Can't ever go WOT...

Other than getting on the freeway from the on ramp, I can't go too fast... I can hit redline but that's only in 1st...I have to shift up so that I don't go past 80mph

I hate driving around the valley(pot holes, cops, stupid drivers around me), hell downtown LA is 10x worse...

I don't understand how people can not track their car... I really don't.
Unless you don't have a track near you? I mean the nearest one to me is 90mi away..

I'm not saying people should go track every week or month or even often.. but those who have never tracked... or are unwilling to track... or don't plan to track... etc etc... I just.. Don't understand it

Can someone please explain this to me?

People are willing to go speed through canyons with the possibility of a bicyclist, another car, a pedestrian, oncoming car, etc... but not track cause it's too dangerous?
Like the L4P guys.. they always storm through the canyons... but I don't see them at track events... nor do I see them even interested in track events.
I'm not against canyon driving, it's fun. I just don't see how people think that's any safer than being in a controlled environment...

Or those who go on freeways, cutting people off at 100mph, going in and out of lanes....

I'm not saying I don't speed, so please don't wrongly assume anything.

Nor do I consider myself a "track junkie"

I was just curious to hear everyone's thoughts on the matter

[mdosu]

The fees and the manitanence part of it is too expensive.

[FVM3]

The reason i barely go to track because it's way too far. Its 100 miles away, i will be really tired after 100 miles driving

[Entrepreneurs In Cars]

Uhm, I have a cab. Put an 400 extra pounds on the same tires/brakes a e92 has and you go through a shitload of $$$.

Personally if I want to drive on a track, I'll do it in my 2 stroke shifter kart.

[Seattle S65B40]

Some people are just pussies. You can't explain all aspects related to that...

[immiketoo]

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

Some people are just pussies. You can't explain all aspects related to that...

This. Same reason people buy sport bikes and ride with 1 inch chicken strips.

[JuniorM3]

Because you don't want to jump in the deep end alone so you need to email me, and i'll be your coach for the day and i'll teach you how not to break your M3.

Junior@juniorstrous.com

[persian54]

Originally Posted by mdosu

The fees and the manitanence part of it is too expensive.

Fees?

A track day fee is about $150 give or take, usually less.

Maintenance?

Only real costs are an extra oil change (which you should do anyways...who does 15k mi oil changes?!), a set of Brake pads once a year (mine are still at 90% even with 4 track days and 6k miles on them), and tires (mine have 4k mi on them, 3 track days, and still plenty of thread...then again they're street tires).

The expenses are more yes, but you're driving a 50-80k car.... are you really barely making the payments...? (I don't mean "you" as in you, I mean in general)

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

The reason i barely go to track because it's way too far. Its 100 miles away, i will be really tired after 100 miles driving

Really?
Cause for me, I can wake up at 5am and be at Willow springs by 7:30 and have plenty of energy. The adrenaline is amazing.

I get more exhausted driving 30 miles to downtown LA then driving 100 miles up north lol...

Originally Posted by TheStigsCanadianCousin

Uhm, I have a cab. Put an 400 extra pounds on the same tires/brakes a e92 has and you go through a shitload of $$$.

Personally if I want to drive on a track, I'll do it in my 2 stroke shifter kart.

I have a convertible too....
I can't comment on the shifter karts though, as I've never driven one. I would LOVE to though! I've always heard they're plenty of fun


I'm not saying people are doing wrong by not tracking their cars... I just can't understand it so I'm hoping to maybe, by some slight chance, figure it out...

Thank you for your comments

[Entrepreneurs In Cars]

Originally Posted by Seattle S65B40

Some people are just pussies. You can't explain all aspects related to that...

Pussy? Uhm, have you driven a 2 stroke shifter at a race pace before?

[Seattle S65B40]

Originally Posted by TheStigsCanadianCousin

Pussy? Uhm, have you driven a 2 stroke shifter at a race pace before?

I said SOME people. Not ALL. SOME people don't really have a reason for not going to the track. They're just scared to get involved with that kind of stuff all together...

[admranger]

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

The reason i barely go to track because it's way too far. Its 100 miles away, i will be really tired after 100 miles driving

100 miles? I assume you were joking.

I am instructing at Buttonwillow July 2-3 and driving up from Vegas. I've also driven to Laguna and Sears from Vegas to instruct. I've towed a 26' enclosed trailer (10k lbs loaded) with my diesel dually to Thunderhill for a race. That was 12hrs one way, with two dogs in the back seat of the truck! The tow home starting at 3pm Sunday afternoon after racing all weekend (3-days at T-hill) was tougher.

100 miles...tired...please...

[J08M3]

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

The reason i barely go to track because it's way too far. Its 100 miles away, i will be really tired after 100 miles driving

same here. I have no interest in driving after driving that far.

[persian54]

Originally Posted by JuniorM3

Because you don't want to jump in the deep end alone so you need to email me, and i'll be your coach for the day and i'll teach you how not to break your M3.

Junior@juniorstrous.com

Email sent

[persian54]

Originally Posted by J08M3

same here. I have no interest in driving after driving that far.

Well, some do go up the night before and get a motel :P

So you're all rested up

[FVM3]

Originally Posted by J08M3

same here. I have no interest in driving after driving that far.

+1

[persian54]

Originally Posted by christopherchenm

+1

I guess I shouldn't invite you to Button Willow Raceway or Willow Springs international Raceway


A couple of the guys come from OC or even SD.. the SD guys are champions lol

[Entrepreneurs In Cars]

Originally Posted by persian54

Only real costs are an extra oil change (which you should do anyways...who does 15k mi oil changes?!), a set of Brake pads once a year (mine are still at 90% even with 4 track days and 6k miles on them), and tires (mine have 4k mi on them, 3 track days, and still plenty of thread...then again they're street tires).

Your tires are at 90% even after 4 track days on a cab? Are you driving miss daisy when on the track?

[PINHEAD]

lol@this thread. I've been seeing this trend and knew this thread would crop up.
There is a new trend of tracking in the BMW crowd and those who track seems to think they are the more "hardcore" enthusiast, therefore they look down upon those who don't. They might not admit to it but this thread is just a hint of how it is.
Threads like "socal track chat, speedventure track day threads, etc." I've been going to the track since 2004 and the crowed has changed. Back then was the people who went because they wanted to learn and have fun, now its like they have something to prove.
There are enthusiasts of every kind, nothing wrong with like the show more than the go.
BMW drivers are...really douchebags and this thread proves it. Calling out those don't track doesn't mean they're any less of an enthusiast. Your thread holds as much water as every Ferrari or GT3 owner that doesn't track. I'd say learn to love your community, no matter what form of enthusiast they are

[admranger]

Originally Posted by PINHEAD

lol@this thread. I've been seeing this trend and knew this thread would crop up.
There is a new trend of tracking in the BMW crowd and those who track seems to think they are the more "hardcore" enthusiast, therefore they look down upon those who don't. They might not admit to it but this thread is just a hint of how it is.
Threads like "socal track chat, speedventure track day threads, etc." I've been going to the track since 2004 and the crowed has changed. Back then was the people who went because they wanted to learn and have fun, now its like they have something to prove.
There are enthusiasts of every kind, nothing wrong with like the show more than the go.
BMW drivers are...really douchebags and this thread proves it. Calling out those don't track doesn't mean they're any less of an enthusiast. Your thread holds as much water as every Ferrari or GT3 owner that doesn't track. I'd say learn to love your community, no matter what form of enthusiast they are

Actually, I think the OP just wanted to know "why" people don't track their M3.

I laugh at the 100 miles away is too far reason. I have no problem if someone doesn't want to do it. Just find a decent excuse like "it doesn't interest me" or something like that. That's honest. Too tired after a 100 mile drive means you need some exercise!

[LateBraking]

Hahaha, Sean you had to start a whole thread about this? We could have just kept it in the Track Chat Thread.

Anyways, I'll just copy paste whatever I said from over there for the time being.

Originally Posted by LateBraking

Nope. Just to add to your dilemma, note that MY friends that fit your description shred gas, tires, and do scary and dangerous things on the street or in the canyons. Then they try to excuse themselves from the track with the very excuses that track driving is supposed to help prevent in a person's daily life.

Take this example: I have a friend who goes on canyon runs (not cruises, runs, last I heard he was aiming for low 7's on Glendora) more often in 1 month than I go tracking in 1 year. He's bent a wheel, blown a shock, ruined a tire, even been in a car that's flipped over, constantly burns gas and tires up there, tells me that he can't afford to track, and then goes canyoning again.

I'm as confused as you are, really.

[ManAndMachine]

Originally Posted by immiketoo

This. Same reason people buy sport bikes and ride with 1 inch chicken strips.

TRUTH!

Or even think they may be able to go beyond their fears if they gave themselves the chance in an controlled environment.

Some like make the excuse of burning through tires,brakes and $$$,but an experienced track driver knows what a newb is capable of on a track.And does not even come close to dusting tires and brakes in one or two track days.Excuses,posing and street racing FTL!

I would track anything that is capable of withstanding more than 5-6 laps without bursting into flames,but hey that's just me

[LateBraking]

Originally Posted by PINHEAD

lol@this thread. I've been seeing this trend and knew this thread would crop up.
There is a new trend of tracking in the BMW crowd and those who track seems to think they are the more "hardcore" enthusiast, therefore they look down upon those who don't. They might not admit to it but this thread is just a hint of how it is.
Threads like "socal track chat, speedventure track day threads, etc." I've been going to the track since 2004 and the crowed has changed. Back then was the people who went because they wanted to learn and have fun, now its like they have something to prove.
There are enthusiasts of every kind, nothing wrong with like the show more than the go.
BMW drivers are...really douchebags and this thread proves it. Calling out those don't track doesn't mean they're any less of an enthusiast. Your thread holds as much water as every Ferrari or GT3 owner that doesn't track. I'd say learn to love your community, no matter what form of enthusiast they are

Not everyone was blessed to have a M3 since they were a kid, George. Most had to make do with automatic transmission Camrys like me. You'll have to forgive my newfound enthusiasm for tracking, now that I'm in possession of a vehicle that's actually capable of it. The cars that I've had prior unfortunately fell apart at the mere notion of doing anything sporty.

I think, in my case at least, it's better to be enthusiastic about tracking now that I'm doing it, rather than be a poser and be enthusiastic about it while I'm not. Better than being a hard parker, and a bench racer, you know?

I don't think the point of this thread was "why don't you track"/end, but rather, "why don't you track comparative to the other dangerous activities that you are already engaged in", as stated in Sean's first post (i.e. canyoning and cyclists, etc.). From that perspective, I agree that the best thing to do is to keep it on the track. The money argument as well: given the example that I presented, it's virtually a non-argument.