Didn't see temp. insurance at VIR although I didn't really look for it either. Would be great to have though especially after seeing what happened to Fritz.

I am going to ask Hagerty if they have a motorsports option.

 

I am going to try and make it down for the September event

 

There is a company or two that offers hpde insurance. It is based on your declared value. Normally it is a few hundred bucks for the weekend. I don't think it is feasible for someone who track 15-20 weekends a year, but might be worth it if you do only a couple events a year.

Also keep in mind that a race seat is one part of a system and can be very dangerous when used by itself. A roll bar and a 5 or 6 point harness are the other two pieces required to make it a full system.

 

I think when driving with PCA you can actually get the insurance through the club but you may have to be PCA memeber? It's probably about 500 to 1k per event depending upon the value of your car BUT most all of the track type ins companies have a 4 or 5k deductible so it makes no sense for me at all.

Check the rennlist forum because lots of the RS drivers insure their cars for track events.

 

Cheers!

 

Lockton affinity is the main one I believe.

 

^ Just checked into them and they would cost me around $350 per event. Not cheap that's for sure.

 

Alrighty then, sounds like I'll be back for the Fall event after all See if we can't get Captain Goodfella to come down.

No problem on the pictures, we do it for fun
+1 Unless you want your head to be the roll bar. I'm working on getting some proper restraints and a hans device before the next event I attend.

Motorsports and timed events are different from untimed HPDE events. I'm not sure how much that changes the insurance companies view on the matter since it's still on a race track and not public roads; but it's my understanding that some companies will cover damage incurred at driving events. Don't hold me to that though since this is just word of mouth.

-Dan

 

I think 'Mancrush Avatars' is a new trend on this forum

 

You were already taken so I had to look elsewhere

 

^ You better look elsewhere!

 

To clarify, what I am thinking about here is to get a seat for use during track events only that will lower my driving position at least 2 inches. That would give me enough clearance to drive with a helmet on. Doesn't have to be a race seat, but something like the 99 Recaros or a Sparco or something like that. Not sure one even exists that would help lower me enough but if it does, that would be great.

So what I'd end up with is the use of my current seatbelt only with a seat that is lower. I know the ultimate would be a race seat, 4/5 point harness and a roll bar but my car is a daily driver that would only see the track a few times a year.

Any thoughts on this? Would this be as safe as driving with my stock seat? I would think it would be the same only I'd have a much improved driving position.

 

Hey David happy memorial day weekend ,
If the airbag is still there you can use the stock seatbelts BUT:
Stick with the stock seat it's designed to flatten out in a roll over and give or absorb impact from the rear
Use an open face helmet


If you don't have the stock airbag:
You'll need 5 or 6 point harnesses
Roll bar (I recommend weld in done by a professional race/fab shop)
Race seat (FIA approved) Halo is a big plus it certainly helped me last weekend
Hans

PS fire extinguisher (probably already have one)

 

^^ ... and whatever you do to the driver's side, you need to do to the passenger side as well as you have to have equal restraints for both the driver and passenger.

 

Still have the airbag but I really cant use the stock seat as there is no way to adjust is so it is comfortable or safe position wise. I have to lean the seat ridiculously far back which takes my arm positions to straight I also tried my buddy's open face helmet (BMW driging school helmet) that he had at the track and it's the same issue. It's the extra on top that is the problem. Remember I've got a touring model that takes away 1.5 inches or so. Thought about removing the headliner for track events.

I understand I should up the safety level if I do this often but was hoping there was a solution for doing events every now and then without full blown race mode.

And yes on the fire extinguisher. It's mounted right in front of the passenger seat.

So I guess this is not as much a safety issue as it is finding a seat that will allow me to have a comfortable position (read lower) and retain stock levels of safety. If there is such a thing. If not I will probably not track anymore as it was just too uncomfortable and I'd have to think unsafe as well.

 

I want a man crush . Who's available?

 

So I have been having technical difficulties getting my data overlay setup. Im going to have Dan take care of it for me... here is a teaser for now.

BlueberryFarm getting its bumper roasted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ebhx8vex16c



And a couple pics of BBF:

 

I don't think Tom is taken He would be a good candidate


Nice vid John, we definitely have to work on that camera angle, but at least you can see the track and y0 face! Your legendary hand gestures even shine when you're in the drivers seat Why is Brent holding his junk half of the video? Can't wait to get that video file so I can put some of them fancy animations on it.

-Scrubby

 

hahaha good one.. i just gotta find a pic lol

 

^ I can send you a "flattering" one if you would like

 

send it

 

wut.

 

Cheaper than buying a new car, no? FWIW, I had a pretty nasty off last year due to coolant being dropped on track and I'm 20+k in repairs. Wish I hadn't been a cheap bastard and bought insurance.

 

^Cheaper than a new car for sure. My point is though for the casual track guy like me, $350 per event doubles the cost of attending. I'd have to seriously think about each event being around $1,200 or so with hotel and gas and that's $1,200 I could spend on something else.

That's the question. I am checking into several of the insurers to see if any of them cover HPDE events.

 

That's (IMO) one of the great things about the FD as a track car. They say you shouldn't take anything to the track that you aren't willing to roll off a cliff. Now, I'd be upset if my FD rolled off a cliff (let alone got crunched on track), but as you know the majority of the value of these cars is in the parts, so you can rebuild or recoup costs.

That's less so for a custom like David's, but its far more so than if you went out and paid $60-120k on a high dollar new(ish) vehicle. You ball that up, and you're hurtin'.

Track insurance does add up in addition to all the other costs associated with seriously tracking like track tires, fuel, brake pads, and maintenance. You start to get pretty close to the territory where you're better off doing arrive and drive with Skip Barber or something. It's probably 2-3k/weekend, but you're doing actual races in an open wheel car, and you just chill and eat the catering and let someone else work on and maintain it. You've got limited liability if you crunch it.