track day
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Newbie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7
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From: bay area
2010 e350
track day
Hi, has anyone taken their e350 to the track? My friend just got his 2011 e63 and ask me to joint him for track day, and I know my e350 is no sport sedan. Is there anything I should watch out for since I have never been to the track. Is going to be at Thunderhill here in Norcal on the 22nd, anyone wants to joint?
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2015 GL450
Is this a car-club sponsored event, or open day at the track? If the former, there will be formal rules you will need to follow and should be published somewhere.
If the latter, I'd advise you to stay off the track until you have done the former. Instead, maybe catch a ride with someone with lots of experience. You'll be amazed at just how fast one can go on the track. I've seen stock Dodge Neons in good hands blow by Ferrari's, Vipers, etc., in the hands of the inexperienced (not exaggerating). Most importantly, however, the most dangerous situation on a track is a new driver who does not know the racing line -- this driver becomes unpredictable and erratic when he/she tries to "not get in the way." I've seen many crashes caused by people trying to be nice.
If the latter, I'd advise you to stay off the track until you have done the former. Instead, maybe catch a ride with someone with lots of experience. You'll be amazed at just how fast one can go on the track. I've seen stock Dodge Neons in good hands blow by Ferrari's, Vipers, etc., in the hands of the inexperienced (not exaggerating). Most importantly, however, the most dangerous situation on a track is a new driver who does not know the racing line -- this driver becomes unpredictable and erratic when he/she tries to "not get in the way." I've seen many crashes caused by people trying to be nice.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Suburban Philadelphia Area
'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
Pictures of me at the track 
. Have Done Ferrari, Nascar and Open Wheel Indy. Indy Car is hands down the coolest experience...I am still smiling. If you are a confident and good driver I'd go for it. Enjoy
. Have Done Ferrari, Nascar and Open Wheel Indy. Indy Car is hands down the coolest experience...I am still smiling. If you are a confident and good driver I'd go for it. Enjoy
Last edited by BPhillyBenz; Apr 12, 2011 at 09:20 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
I'm not a fan of pushing my W212 to the limits (not why I bought the car, so makes me feel foolish to do so, not to mention the dangers and repercussions, etc.), but drag racing at the track is fun, and you can have fun doing it in any kind of car, or any powered car. I'm sure people will get a kick out of seeing a nice Benz Sedan lining 'em up.
Just make sure you understand the dynamics of drag racing on a track, avoid the water box, don't do any silly burnouts as it isn't necessary in this car and will only eat up your tires, know how the light countdown works (rule of thumb, always go at the last yellow before it goes green.... Natural human reaction lag will probably get you right on point to the green), turn off T/C, etc.
I wish there was a track around me still. Also, post the 1/4 mile times, as I'm curious as to what these things run, I'm assuming a mid-high 14 at about 95-98 MPH, in good conditions and low altitude.
Just make sure you understand the dynamics of drag racing on a track, avoid the water box, don't do any silly burnouts as it isn't necessary in this car and will only eat up your tires, know how the light countdown works (rule of thumb, always go at the last yellow before it goes green.... Natural human reaction lag will probably get you right on point to the green), turn off T/C, etc.
I wish there was a track around me still. Also, post the 1/4 mile times, as I'm curious as to what these things run, I'm assuming a mid-high 14 at about 95-98 MPH, in good conditions and low altitude.
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2015 GL450
You guys are making assumptions about the form of the track day. BPhillyBenz, you are assuming the track day is organized and the flow of cars is managed. K-A, you are assuming it is some sort of drag strip.
Organized track days are good, assuming the coaching is good. Thunderhill does not seem to be a drag strip.
http://thunderhill.com/staticpages/i...?page=TrackMap
Without more input from the OP, it is hard to tell whether the track day is organized or disorganized. I've seen both. On one disorganized day, I heard people joking about a Porsche 911 getting itself suspended in a tree (Summit Point Raceway) -- later I learned one of my buddies was involved, and he was indignant at my jokes. As an experienced driver, I say stay off of the track if you don't know the racing line, and if you don't know to stay on it when being passed. If, on the other hand, it is an organized event with rules about passing, then everyone understands and things are much safer. The original post is not clear about this matter.
Organized track days are good, assuming the coaching is good. Thunderhill does not seem to be a drag strip.
http://thunderhill.com/staticpages/i...?page=TrackMap
Without more input from the OP, it is hard to tell whether the track day is organized or disorganized. I've seen both. On one disorganized day, I heard people joking about a Porsche 911 getting itself suspended in a tree (Summit Point Raceway) -- later I learned one of my buddies was involved, and he was indignant at my jokes. As an experienced driver, I say stay off of the track if you don't know the racing line, and if you don't know to stay on it when being passed. If, on the other hand, it is an organized event with rules about passing, then everyone understands and things are much safer. The original post is not clear about this matter.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Ahh, I see.
If it involves actual "Track Racing" I'd never do it in my E350. I don't see how that in any way can be joyful. In a Porsche, yes. Same reason I wouldn't want to take a Porsche on a 5 hour trip.
If it involves actual "Track Racing" I'd never do it in my E350. I don't see how that in any way can be joyful. In a Porsche, yes. Same reason I wouldn't want to take a Porsche on a 5 hour trip.
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 617
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From: Suburban Philadelphia Area
'11 350 4matic - '14 Stingray: Gone, BMW 530i, Porsche 944 Turbo, Porsche 356, Mitsubishi 3000GT
You guys are making assumptions about the form of the track day. BPhillyBenz, you are assuming the track day is organized and the flow of cars is managed. K-A, you are assuming it is some sort of drag strip.
Organized track days are good, assuming the coaching is good. Thunderhill does not seem to be a drag strip.
http://thunderhill.com/staticpages/i...?page=TrackMap
Without more input from the OP, it is hard to tell whether the track day is organized or disorganized. I've seen both. On one disorganized day, I heard people joking about a Porsche 911 getting itself suspended in a tree (Summit Point Raceway) -- later I learned one of my buddies was involved, and he was indignant at my jokes. As an experienced driver, I say stay off of the track if you don't know the racing line, and if you don't know to stay on it when being passed. If, on the other hand, it is an organized event with rules about passing, then everyone understands and things are much safer. The original post is not clear about this matter.
Organized track days are good, assuming the coaching is good. Thunderhill does not seem to be a drag strip.
http://thunderhill.com/staticpages/i...?page=TrackMap
Without more input from the OP, it is hard to tell whether the track day is organized or disorganized. I've seen both. On one disorganized day, I heard people joking about a Porsche 911 getting itself suspended in a tree (Summit Point Raceway) -- later I learned one of my buddies was involved, and he was indignant at my jokes. As an experienced driver, I say stay off of the track if you don't know the racing line, and if you don't know to stay on it when being passed. If, on the other hand, it is an organized event with rules about passing, then everyone understands and things are much safer. The original post is not clear about this matter.
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Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7
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From: bay area
2010 e350
The event is hosted by Hooked on driving, and is not a racing event.They will assign an instructor to me since I signed for beginner level. The instructor will guide me throught the track and gradually explore the limit on the track. Most open track day required track experience so this will be a good learning experience for me.
Im not going to push the car, is not an amg. I'll let you guys know how the car handle on the track. My friend will let me do some run in his e63, maybe I'll get hook and trade up for an amg.
Im not going to push the car, is not an amg. I'll let you guys know how the car handle on the track. My friend will let me do some run in his e63, maybe I'll get hook and trade up for an amg.
Last edited by kcaidds168; Apr 12, 2011 at 12:58 PM.
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2015 GL450
The event is hosted by Hooked on driving, and is not a racing event.They will assign an instructor to me since I signed for beginner level. The instructor will guide me throught the track and gradually explore the limit on the track. Most open track day required track experience so this will be a good learning experience for me.
Im not going to push the car, is not an amg. I'll let you guys know how the car handle on the track. My friend will let me do some run in his e63, maybe I'll get hook and trade up for an amg.
Im not going to push the car, is not an amg. I'll let you guys know how the car handle on the track. My friend will let me do some run in his e63, maybe I'll get hook and trade up for an amg.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 640
Likes: 6
2015 GL450
A couple of other things I learned the hard way: If you wear glasses, consider getting contacts. Glasses don't fit very well under a helmet, and mine got knocked off (inside my helmet!) by a nasty tank-slapper. I am so near-sighted I barely found my way back.
EDIT: You might want daily disposable with backups. There's lots of dirt, oil, and exhaust in the air at most tracks.
If you are in the market for a helmet and gloves, you might as well get racing shoes. You might feel silly but they make it a lot easier to avoid hitting the gas and the brake at the same time since they have narrower and thinner soles.
Make sure any helmet you buy conforms to the safety standards required by Hooked On Driving -- I can't remember for sure, but I don't think street motorcycle helmets do. I might be wrong.
EDIT: You might want daily disposable with backups. There's lots of dirt, oil, and exhaust in the air at most tracks.
If you are in the market for a helmet and gloves, you might as well get racing shoes. You might feel silly but they make it a lot easier to avoid hitting the gas and the brake at the same time since they have narrower and thinner soles.
Make sure any helmet you buy conforms to the safety standards required by Hooked On Driving -- I can't remember for sure, but I don't think street motorcycle helmets do. I might be wrong.
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From: Essex County, NJ
2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
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2015 GL450
The Schumi chop!
Didn't Schumacher try this move against Villeneuve?
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Essex County, NJ
2011 E350 Sport 4Matic - P2 & Drivers Assist / 2010 C300 Sport 4Matic - P2 / 2013 Porsche Cayenne S
