Event Dangers and Dual-Purpose Cars

[cgrumbling]

Mont Tremblant will be my first COMSCC event. I plan on driving to and from Mont Tremblant in the same vehicle I intend to use on the track (it's a Showroom Stock vehicle). Is this common? How many people do this?

On a related note, how dangerous are these events? How common are collisions or mechanical failures? How risky is it to use the same vehicle on the track that you also rely upon to drive home?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

[Mick]

Hi,
This is very common. You have nothing to worry about.

Incidents are not very common, and believe it or not it's even less likely for a novice to go off. It's the intermediate drivers who are most likely to spin as they get over confident and start to push the limits.

In the off chance that something happens we'll find a way to get you home. People who tow their registered street cars are often willing to give up trailer space for a disabled car.

You're good to go, and you're going to have a blast.
What kind of car do you drive?

-M

[cgrumbling]

Thanks for the quick (and informative) reply! Much appreciated.

I'll be bringing my Commemorative Edition 2004 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (SSU class).

-Chris

[cfossum]

Excellent question. (It looks like Mick answered while I was typing, but here is my reply anyhow)
Collision between vehicles is rare. In eleven years, I can remember only one such incident. And it wasn't with COM.
Single car incidents with fixed barriers are more common, but they can typically be attributed to driver error.
Lots of folks drive their cars to events, and many also use a trailer. There is a mix, so whatever suits you is fine.
Chances of a mechanical breakdown depend on car age, condition, type (Miatas don't break as aften as RX7s.)
And of course, the likelyhood of breaking goes up if you push the car harder or attempt shifting without the clutch...
Bring break pads and other known wear parts if possible. There are usually a few folks who bring trailers even if their car is registered for street duty, and many would be happy to tow your car home for you if necessary. Its happened.
-Carl

[Grippy]

Welcome to the club!

That is very common, at least half of the cars at an event are driven there, many are daily drivers. Some people pull a small trailer with their cars to carry race tires and a toolbox. I did that for 3 years with my Miata.

As far as how safe, that is up to you, but generally very safe. Make sure your cars maintenance is up to date and you should be fine. We do have mechanical failures but very rarely car to car contact. I can only recall one incident in 6 years (of contact).

On a race track anything can happen, but COM events are pretty safe all things considered. Be alert, listen to your instrucor, and have a great time.

[escortracer]

Here is some video from 2008
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1866

[WillM]

Hi Chris! Welcome to the club!

I'll echo everything that Mick, Carl, and Gordon said above. Daily drivers are very common. Your best best is to make sure your car is mechanically sound. If you are not mechanically inclined, have your mechanic do a once over, making sure he pays attention to the condition of the brakes, tires, suspension and drive train. If the car is mechanically sound, with no major leaks, decent tread depth on the tires and brake pad thickness, you'll be fine. If you do not have a mechanic that you trust, I can offer two that should serve you well. Both are owned by COM members/instructors.

Les Seal is the owner of Apex Automotive in Marlboro, (508) 229-0090
Les is a COM tech inspector, instructor, and member of the board of directors. He'll be at Tremblant.
If you went by today, you'd see my car parked outside. I like to wrench a bit on my car, but Les does all of the stuff I don't trust myself with.

Scott Rosnick and Jamie Kekeisen are the owners FasTrack in Peabody, MA (978) 977-0707.
Both good guys. They are COM members, though we haven't seen them at an event in a while.

Car-to-car contact is virtually unheard of. Car to wall can happen, and as others have said, is much more common in licensed (or even instructor) run groups. Remember that you will have a personal instructor riding shotgun with you, which gives each instructor a vested interest in your safety!

Great questions!

Here's looking forward to an awesome event at Tremblant!

- Will

[cgrumbling]

Thanks for all the replies and information! It eases my mind quite a bit.

Thanks, escortracer, for the link to those videos.

To anyone staying at the Auberge du Coq de Montagne, I'll see you there!

-Chris