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    The Yellow Tie Fighter
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    Aug 2005
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    Milwaukee Mile Track Day (SCCA PDX) - Review and Video

    Went to my first track day ever at the Milwaukee Mile. Sounds like they have been trying to get this started recently and overall I would say its a nice little event. Here is a quick review of mine along with some video I took from in-car.

    Things I most enjoyed:
    The price is very reasonable and I LOVE the convenience. It is great to have an event that is so close. I hardly had to take off any work, didn't need to spend nearly as much time preparing for it, and knew that even if something broke I was local enough where it wouldn't be *that* big of a deal. Also it was a GREAT group of people running and in general they were pretty laid back. I always enjoy the more laid back crowd that is there just to have fun. A large spectrum of cars showed up as well which I liked. In my group there were some Elises, some Mustangs, 2nd/3rd gen Camaro, 350z, Corvette, Mini, Porsche Carrera S, newer GTI, etc. Also considering the total time available for the event (It ran from about 3pm to 8pm) you get 3 full 20 minute sessions. I was actually pretty impressed with a full hour of track time condensed into such a small event!


    There were a few things I didn't like:
    This was my first time ever going to a track day on an oval track converted for an HPDE. While it definitely works there were a few downfalls. First off the infield portion of the track was a little dusty, especially to start... which makes sense since the infield is typically not used the way it was being used. Also because it was not designed as a true road coarse there wasn't very much runoff area in fact many times there basically wasn't any at all. Seeing walls that close is definitely a little intimidating, and kept me from really pushing it 10/10ths. Finally I must admit, while fun I can't rightfully say it was as challenging as a true purpose-built road coarse. Finally, because it was an SCCA run event those that were not SCCA instructors could not take passengers (unless the passenger was an SCCA instructor).

    Now on to a little bit of the layout on the track:
    Basically they use about 3/4 of the real outside "mile" track and then send people through the infield and back out.
    So it starts on the front straight. You then slow down hard for a right hand turn into the infield. Then there is a little Ess, a small straight section in the infield before you come to a hard 180* turn around. Its actually a fun turn. Come in very slow, but then an increasing radius back out. Going back the other way in the infield there are a series of turns before you come back out to the main oval. When you come back out onto the oval the transition is ROUGH! I mean physically the pavement is smooth just that there is probably a 2" drop from the infield to the oval which definitely upsets the chassis balance when you take it. My friends (stealthy1ss, and Josh) both suggested taking it at a large angle almost like you would coming up a steep driveway... and I agree. It seemed to be least upsetting taking it that way, and also lead to a nice exit to the back straight on the oval. Final turn is the large banked turn on the oval that connects the back and front straights on the south end of the track.. and is actually pretty cool. More fun than you think it would be. When you take it right you are hustling pretty good through there (I found the most grip on the inside and when I was taking it fast I was right around 80 mph through most of the corner and by track out was well over 100). Reminded me a little bit of the carousel at RA.


    Summary:
    While there are a few downfalls overall the event is a lot of fun... and the inexpensive price ($100 for SCCA member, $125 for non-member) and local convenience factor MORE than make up for it. They separated it into 3 run groups (beginner, intermediate, and advanced). I would certainly recommend the event to anyone who is looking for a little laid back fun on a weekday. For beginners they offer instructors as well which is nice for anyone that wants to get their feet wet and try their car out on a real track. For all levels involved (especially beginner/intermediate) I would just note again that there isn't much runoff on the track so don't go out there thinking you are Michael Schumacher...

    On to the video:
    First off I apologize for my big head getting in the way. The lotus is a tiny little thing on the inside and I tend to lean into turns, so occasionally I get in the way. Also this was the last session of the day and it was starting to get darker out so there are parts of the track where my cheapy camcorder has trouble with the lighting. Oh yea and for those of you who do not know, this is a 06 Lotus Elise, with a supercharged Honda K24 swap.

    This is my fastest lap which was had trying to keep up with Todd's race prepped C5... which wasn't going to happen. I just don't have the mechanical grip, or driver to do it. Although, if I must say, I wasn't *that* far off him considering my intermediate driving level, and stock aero with street tires.. Granted I did have a horsepower/weight advantage:


    And if you want to see the whole session here it is. It includes a lot more of the cars that were out there. This is the intermediate level (group 2), final session. I had Josh with me giving me some pointers as well:
    Last edited by WhatsADSM; 08-20-2012 at 10:46 AM.

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