Gremlin9

In the interest of consolidating interest in track-related matters for those residing in the Chicagoland area, I figured assembling a list would be helpful in planning any future events.

We can also use this thread to announce any future events as we inevitably barrel ever closer to track season.

Even though I have never been to a track event, experienced members have encouraged me to accompany them to the track. So whether you are a track virgin or seasoned expert, feel free to add your name to the list.

1. bsmooth7
2. Blown63
3. ZephyrAMG
4. MagasC63
5. bnzuovr
6. jrcart
7. gazosnic
8. loungn14
9. HoozyerdaddyC63
10.

Roswell

Looking at the way u drive on the street (scaring ur gf lol), i would not go to the track with u.. J/k lol

Blown63

I am in! There is another thread in the E55/E63 forum called Chicago peeps meet and great. I met up with some of those guys and we went to Bryon drag strip once. I am not sure how many of them would be interested in tracking/dragging their cars though. I have a few buddies that would be interested but we should get some more info like dates/time/pricing/etc. I was on the Autobahn Club website yesterday and really couldn't find any useful information. Everything I found was either how to become a memeber or renting track time but you need a racing licenses....(becoming a member was about 35k plus 3-4k a month) Let's make this happen I am willing to try and help set up anything we may need.

1. bsmooth7
2. Blown63
3.
4.
5.

ZephyrAMG

I'm in 100000%...Joliet Auto Club is a very nice, clean, well maintained track too...

-Zeph

MagasC63

How can I miss this...zephyrii and George in one place. I'm in baby!!

ZephyrAMG

^^ LOL This is gonna be one heck of a hang out! I'm actually a bit scared........should I bring burgers or bats?

MagasC63

Both

bnzuovr

Hey i might be interested if you guys don't mind a fellow AMG'er in the group are we talking 1/4 mile our some type of road course?

ZephyrAMG

Come one come all...I believe its some twisties in a road course. They also have a 1/4 strip I believe though....not sure if the OP can get use of that...

Gremlin9

I'm definitely down for the quarter...
Is that what most newbies start with and then they hit the track or does it not really matter which comes first?

Maybe we can hit the casino afterwards...

Drag and Gamble.

jrcart

I am in for 1/4 mile or road course track days. Let me know whe you get some dates and locations in mind.

Gremlin9

Thanks for all of your help.
When I read thru their website, I also came away with no definitive answers.


So I'm going to start a list of questions so when we newbies show up we can feel more comfortable:

Do I need to buy a helmet?
Anything special that needs to be affixed to my ride?
What type of gas should I be filling up with?

What would be a good month to target for the first meetup: April or May?

MagasC63

Drag and Gamble!!! Nice. Now all we need is an ugly tee-shirt contest...

Gremlin9

Dragon Gamble

gazosnic

Id be interested in 1/4 mile or road course. SCCA has some pretty well organized events you can sign up for. I typically try and find the ones held at autobaun.

Blown63

No problem looking forward to it, I think we should look for some weekend in April. I looked into Byron drag strip and they start test and tune days as early as April 6th and basically every Saturday from then on is a test and tune day. I am
Going to trying and make it out there on the 6th even if its to early for everyone else.

I know you need to have a helmet I recently ordered one, it needs to be snell or DOT rated. The gas you run is all up to you, I would recommend race gas of some sort (100+ octane) if you want to get the best performance from your car.

The drag strip is fun but it does tend to get busy and there can be long lines on these test and tune days.(which is why I had the idea of doing a private renatal if we could get a group of guys) But I think it will be much harder to get a track day set up but I do think a track day will be more fun.

Nick what are these SCCA events? Anything coming up, where are these events located?

jrcart

Helmets need to be Snell 2010

DOT does not mean sqwat at the track, an NHRA dragstrip or SCCA and NASA road course events will require Snell 2010 rating, if you ordered a helmet that is not Snell 2010 you just wasted your money becuase you will be turned away at tech inspection.

jrcart

Helmets need to be Snell 2010 also refered to as SA 2010

DOT does not mean sqwat at the track, an NHRA dragstrip or SCCA and NASA road course events will require Snell 2010 rating, if you ordered a helmet that is not Snell 2010 you just wasted your money becuase you will be turned away at tech inspection.

MagasC63

Hey jrcart I understand that we need the helmet to be snell 2010 rated but do you happen to know/prefer one company over another based on your experience, or is it suffice to just purchase any brand name helmet? Thanks again I appreciate your response. Sorry for the newbee question...

loungn14

in

HoozyerdaddyC63

Count me in.

Blown63

Thank you for that, I just looked back at the one I bought thank god it was a newer Snell rating I was close to buying one that wasn't thank god my instinct choose the better one, but it makes sense why the one I choose was more $$

Jim, anything else you recommend we buy to prepare?

Booby, I am not sure of any specific brands maybe Jim can chime in, but I ordered mine off ebay. There was a huge selection to choose from, just be sure to read the description and confirm the rating.

jrcart

Brands come down to personal preference. I currently use a Simpson but I have used Bell and Arai in the past. Arai are BIG dollar helmets, that is all I used to run dating back to my superbike racing days however over the years I have gotten sick of $2000 helmets being outdated and not approved for use after just a couple years of use. You can find good Snell 2010 helmets for about $300 and up these days. The helmet I use is a $500-600 Simpson and it suits me just fine. Don't be suprised if you have to replace your helmet in a year or two due to an newer Snell rating becoming the rule. I actually have a different helmet for road racing than I do for drag racing. If you guys want to get serious about safety consider a hemet that is HANS ready should you want to use a HANS or simalar neck restraint device in the future. I also wear SFI jacket and usually SFI gloves whenever I run at the drag strip or road course. I have a full Nomex one-peice suit but I hardly ever wear it. The SFI Jacket and gloves are not required unless you are running nitrous but I wear them anyhow.

Blown63

My helmet just came in and I like the way it looks and everything but its so freaken big!! Like WTF I mean I know I have a big head and I did order a XXL but is that what the difference is between the expensive helmets and the one I bought? I spent around 100 bucks on it or are they all pretty big in size?

jrcart

If it does not fit properly return it, a poor fitting helmet does no good, it will not isolate your head. The cheek pads should kiss your cheeks, not tight but if you can slide your finger between the pads and your cheeks its too large.