Someday I'd like to take my car onto a track and run time trials, but at the same time I'm an audiophile. I remember my buddy ran Time Trials in his M3 and I think he mentioned something about track rules (thunder hill in Northern CA) stating that all non perminently afixed pieces must be removed (ie a sub box). Is there any truth to that, and what would and would not be considered perminately afixed? if I had a custom Fiberglass box made for the spare tire well that was bolted to the frame and then had vinal covering that matched the rest of the trunk and I had to take it back to the install shop to take it out. is that considered perminate. I understand that the extra weight would hinder performance, and that I risk damage to my equiptment if I crash, but I want to know if I could even get on the track.

Thanks in advance.

BigRed

 

BAsically if you go to the track they will have you remove anything not bolted down. If you have a sub box bolts in, you should be fine, but if it just sitting there, take it out.

Might as well take it out if it is easy anyway, saves weight at the track.

Generally they just don't want to have loose stuff floating around the cabin that can get stuck under the pedals when cornering, or risk flying around...

This is for SCCA autocross at least..

 

Besides, a flying subwoofer box, would hurt like hell, if it were to hit any part of your body, while braking from 140 to 55 mph to make a slow turn!

ML
MDC
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/

 

BTW, true audiophiles don't consider mobile electronics high fidelity equipment--I know, my first hobby was high end stereophonic equipment. Car club "racing" is actually cheaper than high end audio!

FWIW, I firmly believe long playing 33-1/3 vinyl records are superior in sound quality to the "transporter beamed up" digits encoded on compact disc--but that's another discussion!

ML
MDC
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/

 

Did I say audiophile... I meant pediphile.... JUST KIDDING.

I guess I would have to classify myself between an audiophile and music enthusiast. I enjoy music all the time, but at the same time I enjoy high quality components for the application in which I'm listening to the music.

Just becuase I can't sport a portable turntable and set up my home theatre around me at the gym doesn't mean I'm not going to find an alternative for that particular application. the same thing goes for the car. Rather than listen to the drone of traffic (I'd listen to my car but stop and go traffic on CA 101 in the bay area isn't to exciting) I'd rather support my music habit and install a nice sounding system to tide me over until I get home.

Like I said, my main concern is if I'll be allowed on the track. The install would be one where I could not take it out while I was there. I'd have to go to the install shop and have it dismantled. Given that, is that considered permenant enough?

Like I stated before I understand that the extra weight would hinder performance, and that I risk damage to my equiptment if I crash, but I want to know if I could even get on the track.

 

It really depends on the club you're running with.

IMO, if everything is bolted down, meaning it won't move around through the turns, then I'd let you on the track...of course knowing that 200 lbs of subwoofer magnets won't help you through the turns

BTW, most folks here would argue that the sound of a twin turbo rotary at full tilt boogie IS music

ML
MDC
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/

 

"BTW, most folks here would argue that the sound of a twin turbo rotary at full tilt boogie IS music"

So would I. but not at 2k RPM in 2nd Gear. Bay Area traffic sucks.

 

Bay Area traffic sucks.LOL.Come down to Chicago,the only fun we have is at the Lake Front and Chinatown,both at 3AM with the PD circeling around every ten minutes.****, normal traffic here at 2PM means that your 3 gear is going to remain cold for a long time.BTW,does anybody know a place with little traffic and lots of shifting exercise.

 

yes .. its called deal's gap .. aka the dragon and it is about an hour from my house. 300+ turns in 11 miles!

 

From your description of how securely it is bolted in, I don't think it would be a problem. As SleepR1 says, it is just so it doesn't fly around and kill you if you stop fast or crash, and so it doesn't get stuck under the pedals.

-Max

 

Hey BigRed, there are a few good roads around here for hitting the twisties with little traffic and NO law enforcement. PM me if you're interested, I don't want to let everybody know my roads.

 

rynberg,

No matter how much fun public "road racing" is, it's not safe; nor is it responsible behavior.

FWIW, my Motorsports Driving Club was borne out of hill and mountain road performance driving during the wee hours of any given Sunday morning.

It finally got to a point where the rural southern Indiana locals were calling Indiana law enforcement to reign us in.

Now that we do all of our performance driving on a private closed road course (Putnam Park, www.putnampark.com), we all breathe easier and derive much more enjoyment out of cars.

ML
MDC
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/