[88carrera]

I am thinking about signing up for a DE class, but I want to ask about the effects on my paint.

Since it's not a race, do I have worry about stone chips from cars ahead? I figure DE would force rookie drivers to run with wide margins for safety.

[Jazzbass]

Originally Posted by 88carrera

Since it's not a race, do I have worry about stone chips from cars ahead?

Yes. There's a lot of small crap on the track, and as tire temps go up, the tires start to throw it at you. Guys who are super obsessive about their cars <cough>Vu, Ted</cough> still do DEs, but tape the hell out of the front of their cars and/or use magnetic track skins. So also have the clear bra applied. Also, its important to remember to squeegy your car between run sessions, so I hear.

I figure DE would force rookie drivers to run with wide margins for safety.

Nothing is forced, but the instructors encourage it alot, becuase of the occasional stupid things some of us rookies sometimes do.

[photoeditor]

Originally Posted by jazzbass

Also, its important to remember to squeegy your car between run sessions, so I hear. .

it COULD happen - especially right after he gets new wiper blades

M2

[Mackpipes]

Howard,
As one of the obsesive car cleaners at the track, (squeegy and all) I can attest you will get stone chips. I used to concour my car before I started tracking it. The more agressive you are, the more stone chips you will get. At Potomac DE's they (the instructors) frown on tailgating and aggressive driving on the track, or off. A good wax job proir to a DE will help protect the paint some. I use an obscene amount of racers tape on the front of my car when at the track. It helps. A bra would work better.
But that doesn't look as cool, and that's important. It's not how fast you go, it's how good you look going fast that matters.
In all seriousness, it won't destroy your car. Just keep up with the detailing and you'll be fine. Once you get the track bug, stone chips will be the last thing on your mind I promise.

[nova996]

Even without a clear bra or tape, it's really not that bad. I've found that I get more rubber from other tires than rock chips. I sometimes use the top (trunk) portion of the porsche bra that came with my car if I feel like it. It takes 2 min and protects a few sq ft without flapping around or potentially falling off on track.

But at the end of the day, I'm not a concours guy, so a few extra chips for me is a small price to pay for enjoying the car so much and becoming a much better driver even on the street.

Now after your first couple DEs, you won't be worried about rock chips. You'll be worried about getting child care for all the weekends at the track, motels in Danville/WatkinsGlen/etc, avoiding divorce from your track widow/widower, scraping together funds for pads, tires, and dubious mods. Not to mention wholesale track car purchases, trailers, a second wife/husband after your divorce. That's when it gets ugly

Firoze

[APKhaos]

Track Time is perfect aversion therapy for obsessive concours behavior.

Cheaper than a shrink, and MUCH more fun.

[forklift]

My name is Jim and I am a track addict. I touch up my stone chips twice a year. The front of my car looks good about 10 feet away.

Looks like someone got a GT3! Damn it! I want one.

[nova996]

Originally Posted by APKhaos

Cheaper than a shrink, and MUCH more fun.

Agreed on the fun. Not sure about cheaper, though. Someone told me when I got started last year that this is more addictive than heroin. It's just that it's a little more expensive.

Firoze

[nova996]

Originally Posted by forklift

My name is Jim and I am a track addict. I touch up my stone chips twice a year. The front of my car looks good about 10 feet away.

Do you touch them up yourself? (I know I just said I'm not a concours guy, but I'm curious)

Firoze

[forklift]

Yeah, but it looks pretty crappy close up...but better than the white spots on my black car. I buy the touch up from P of Arlington. I just bought some last week and might put some on this weekend.

Tony, thanks for spacer/stud advice at SPR last weekend.