Want to get back on the track... need advice & tires!

[AgentRabbit]

I've driven at NHMS a few times before, back when it was NHIS. I've also driven at Summit Point. It's been quite a while (4 years?) since I've been on the track & decided not to make any excuses for not doing it this year.

So, here's what I need your help with!

-This website. I tried to make an account on the events registration page, but it keeps timing out. After trying about 10 times it told me to choose a new user name. I figured this was a good sign & perhaps it registered me. So, I tried to login... but no luck.

-I have horrible stage fright. This is what keeps me from racing. I think it's because I'm afraid that there's more attention on me than others (because I'm female), so people are more likely going to notice my mistakes than other people's mistakes. When I get into the car & onto the track I'm totally fine. It's just up to that point that makes me want to vomit. Have any of you experienced this & what keeps you sane?

-I know dogs are allowed at the track (my dog goes to SCCA events)... are they allowed at the COM events as well? I'm assuming it would be no different, but just wanted to make sure.

-Where can I find a good deal on some 205/50/15 tires? Used is ok! I'm making my way over to the classifieds section next.

[paultg]

I got a set of new Falken Azenis RT-615s in 205/50R15 for $234 shipped after a $50 and $80 rebate through discount tire. This was back in November/December, but I hear the newer version of the tire is supposed to be out soon. Might want to keep an eye out for the older model I have as any left on the shelves will probably go for cheap.

Paul G.

[Kai Noeske]

Agreeing on the Falken Azenis recommendation. Unless you want real racing R compounds, the Azenis are very affordable, provide plenty of grip and will last an entire track season (or more), AND have decent rain grip. On top of that, you can even leave them on the car for the drive to and from the event if you do not want to drag an extra set of tires around. There are supposedly more sophisticated max-performance summer tires, but they tend to be pricier.

Azenis have awesome grip when they are brandnew, and drop to a slightly lower level (still very high) afterwards which does not seem to change much with time. With pristine Azenis, on a hot summer day at Lime Rock, I smoked an F430 in the Novice group twice that day - in my old 1.6L Corolla!

If you get stage fright, just check out a bunch of COM photos and videos. There are plenty of people with exotic or rare race cars (Atoms, spare Atoms), loud cars (red Honda Civics), people who drive faster than their own (greased) shadow, people with weird Halloween costumes, beginners who drive old Toyotas on three wheels, people with loud mouths [intentionally unspecified], Porsche drivers who give away cookies, ...

... to make sure all the attention is going elsewhere, and little is left left to bother you

[jeffw]

-Where can I find a good deal on some 205/50/15 tires? Used is ok! I'm making my way over to the classifieds section next.

I'm working on a tire group buy....not huge savings, but enough to be worth it. The deal is 5% off and discounted truck freight shipping (around $7 a tire) from http://treadzone.com/

Let me know if you're interested!

-jeff

[horizenjob]

It's just up to that point that makes me want to vomit. Have any of you experienced this & what keeps you sane?

Sure, I've seen it happen.
Honestly, I just don't know how to answer the sane part! That's got me stumped.

I think the feeling will pass, this club is full of friendly and helpful people. It may take an event or two, but the more familiar you get the more comfortable you'll feel.

It sounds like something you want to do. So follow your desire. Probably for many or most of us there is an aspect of challenging yourself. You will likely enjoy this and find it rewarding. I'm painfully shy sometimes and it's a challenge to meet new people etc., it's more of an impediment then having to drive the car. Most normal people can't even imagine driving a racecar though. For me the worst feeling is if you cave, then you really have nothing afterwards.

Sounds like you have at least some experience. There is a mentor program, so you can get a single person assigned to you before the event and that might help.

[6PAK72]

You should feel relaxed - my wife was all nerves when she first showed up, and everyone made her so welcome she now is on her own in a car and loves it.

Perhaps having some other women, some other relatively aligned support people will help with the nerves.

FWIW, I perform music a lot. Even I get stage fright, especially when one of my mentors or someone I really respect is in the audience. I also have "red light syndrome" in the recording studio - I can hear my mistakes in the headphones and I start this spiral of getting worse.

How I get over it is to remind myself that if I play a bad note, TOO BAD! It's gone, out there, and people have already listened to it by the time I realize it's bad. I just focus on making the next note the most perfect I can. Just like turns - if you miss the apex, well, TOO BAD! et one is coming up pretty fast, and you have an opportunity to nail that one!

Glad you're back into it!

[imgon]

When I was first starting I got very nervous and I think that is a natural reaction. I was more nervous about being out there, where it sounds like you calm down when on the track. I think it is a perception thing, as someone else said most people don't even have the nerve to come to a track, so you are that much further ahead. Don't think about what other people are thinking, probably easier said than done! There are quite a few women who are part of the club and everyone I've met has been very helpful and NON judgemental. I think almost everyone in the club goes out of their way to help new people feel welcome and offer any help that is needed. Some one else had mentioned the Mentor program, look into that so you can get acquainted with someone before the season starts and you'll have a friendly face your first day. Good luck and come out and join the fun.