OK, so this is a looooong ways out...

This gives 4+ months notice to take that weekend off work or get the project car all buttoned-up! Mark your calendars for May 16-17, 2009.

So what do you guys think? Group trip? Who is game? I think Kazz is considering it.

Is four months enough time to get a DSM running? (I kid! I kid!)

NASA Midwest

Track map of Putnam:



How does that not look like fun?

some additional info:

You'll need a helmet. Snell SA2000 will work. If buying new, I recommend SA2005. If you have a motorcycle helmet (snell M2000 or newer), check with NASA to make sure its allowed at Putnam Park (track rule says no, but I hear NASA has an exception? its a gray area, for sure).

Entry fee for the weekend should be around $325. This is two days of high performance driving, about 80 minutes of track time per day. If this is your first event, register for HPDE 1 and you'll get classroom time and an in-car instructor assigned all weekend.

Vehicle should be in excellent mechanical shape (up-to-date maintenance, etc) and brakes should be the #1 area to focus in if you want to be best prepared. Don't worry about adding any horsepower, you probably have too much already. Cooling, reliability, and safety are always a great idea. Brake pads should have atleast 50% material left, preferrably a track or race compound. Need fresh brake fluid, flush with something good closer to the event.

I recommend booking your hotel early and registering as soon as its available (will be a thread bump once registration opens). This event fills fast!!

This is a great opportunity to develop some disciplined driving skills, and experience your vehicle at its limits in a safer setting than the streets. Hone your skills, have a blast, and be safe! This weekend will be a riot, you don't want to miss it.

Don't let another year slip away... its great fun out there!

Who all is interested? What are you waiting for?

If you dont have a car, we can find you one.
Don't have money for the entry fee? You can volunteer and get free track time.
Need a helmet? Maybe somebody can loan one.
We can tackle some of these excuses!!
Too scared? Guess I can't really help that one.

Can I ride the Harley on the circuit? That would be a blast!

Volunteering for track time would be sweet!

I have a couple helmets from my motocross days but I don't know if they are qualified... nor do I know if my big head still fits in them.

Now I just need to get older. :/

There are some organizations that do bike days. Check the motorcycle entries on the track schedule:

http://www.putnampark.com/schedule.htm

Here is link to the volunteer program:
http://www.nasamidwest.com/pages/volunteer.asp

Every two days of volunteering gets you 1 day of on-track driving. Figure this is a $175 value (like being paid $90 a day). I don't think the work is hard.

Then again, by the time you factor in travel expenses to go volunteer, you really aren't saving much. Makes more sense if you have a free place to stay near the track. (or tag along with friends for the weekend.. see if you can get a sympathy spot on the floor). Hmm, once you get to the track, you'll be kicking yourself for not driving!

When I turn 18 I'll look into it. Hopefully I have something worthy of the track by then.

We'll have to go out riding sometime after it gets nice. The Buell is getting bored sitting in the garage

Three months out. Don't say you didn't have enough advance notice!

These 65 degree days really made me miss my cbr.

Registration is open. Event is less than a month away. If serious about going, I would register immediately as this event fills fast.