- Feb 18, 2001
- 30,990
- 5
- 81
**Update W/Pics**
That was some serious fun! And as promised, here are some pics, and some info about the school.
Honestly, there was way less instruction then I thought there was gonna be. Basicly, They give you your instruction in a van, while driving around the Las Vegas Speedway.
The class assumed that you already knew how to drive stick, to the dismay of 2 of my classmates who had never diven stick. Their instruction was a 15 minute talk with me and another classmate before class on how to shift.
You did not have to learn brake points, because the class was what they called "constant velocity" where you did not need to brake in the corners. That class is an 8 session over 3 day class, with a max speed of 160 MPH (Limited). In the class I joined, the cars were limited to an even 140.
What you did was follow the instructor around the track in your car. There was no instructor in your car. Not even a radio. You comunicated through the flagstand and hand signals. (I plan on writing a letter asking them to get radios at least for reasons that I will tell later)
There were 10 people in my class, with a total of 7 cars. Bonus points if you can already guess which one I got.
Before jumping in the car, you had to suit up in your fire suit. That is me in my suit. After that, you had to have your hans device on. 'Nother Pic
Here we are learning about the cars. I am the one kneeling in the back.
After that, you had to wait your turn, then Jump in. If you haven't figured it out already, this is my car. Let me tell you, getting in is a Pain in the ass. I was the tallest one in my class (6'0''). My head was against the roof. After getting in, you get some last minute instruction then take off.
The shifter and pedals took some getting used to. The brake and clutch were extreamly close together. Since the brakes were not power assisted (same with steering) you really had to stomp on them to get your speed down when coming into the pits. On all 3 of my pit road entrances, I hit the gas with the brake. My boot was just too large to only hit the brake witht he steering column in the way.
The shifter was in the standard H pattern, with reverse being up and to the left, right next to first. Thankfully, they put in a light that illumiated when you were in first. The shifter itself had the longest throw I have ever seen. The throw was at MINIMUM 18 inches from 1st to 2nd. From 3" from the dash, to 4" from the floor from 1st to second. Then the trans did not give you any feedback to let you know it was in gear. no solid clunk or anything. The shifter would just stop moving. But because of the hugely long throw and me not being familiar with the car, you could not tell if it was actually in gear or not without hitting the gas and hoping if you moved.
The first run is more to familiarize yourself with the car. I hit 129 MPH on these laps. Out on Track Out on Track 2 I was told I was too far back from the instructor. During training, they told us if you get a "wave off" you are too close, and need to fall back. If you get too close, and ignore the handsignals, they kick ya out. The problem was, witht he Vegas Sun, I could see a gand total of sh!t in the instructors car. The rear lexan might as well have beeen painted white. I serously couldn't see anything. So I was to far back.
On top of it, on my first lap, my window net blew out. Yay. I had no way of talking to the instructor, so I pulled into the pits without him, so they could re-attach it on my first time by the entrance to pit road. This is why I think they should have radios. Hell, i paid almost $1300 for this. There is the price of 3 top of the line head sets. Hard to see, but my net is down and flapping.
So anyway, The second run is the speed run. Crossing the finish on my last lap and coming back into the pits after the run On my acceleration out into the track I missed the shift into 4th because of the hugely long throw on the shifter. Trust me, it was loud.
So what speed did I hit? I was the fastest in the class at 141.2 MPH. The car was supposed to be limited to 140. They seemed to be a little off.
. On the second set, the side G's were increadable. Felt like well over 1. You just got pressed into the bottom and left side of your seat. It was GREAT!
I can't wait until spring, so I can take the longer class at Chicago Motor Speedway. This was the best $ I have ever spent. Petty Racing School Linky.. They have classes from about $500 I think, or $100 for a driver to drive you around the track. If you are a real NASCAR fan, trust me, you want to do this. If for no other reason to brag about it to your buddies
I will have more pics up when I get back and get them develped. My father was taking these pics, and he could not figure out the Digital Camera.
One Other thing. I saw the best store name EvAr. This is not a joke. It is in the Paris Shops in the Paris Casino. I had to take the pic just for you AT'ers
Just so you all know, So far, I have paid for most of my trip out here with my winnings. I won 2500 on a quarter machine my 2nd day out. I am going back there to win more later More posts when I get back!
That was some serious fun! And as promised, here are some pics, and some info about the school.
Honestly, there was way less instruction then I thought there was gonna be. Basicly, They give you your instruction in a van, while driving around the Las Vegas Speedway.
The class assumed that you already knew how to drive stick, to the dismay of 2 of my classmates who had never diven stick. Their instruction was a 15 minute talk with me and another classmate before class on how to shift.
You did not have to learn brake points, because the class was what they called "constant velocity" where you did not need to brake in the corners. That class is an 8 session over 3 day class, with a max speed of 160 MPH (Limited). In the class I joined, the cars were limited to an even 140.
What you did was follow the instructor around the track in your car. There was no instructor in your car. Not even a radio. You comunicated through the flagstand and hand signals. (I plan on writing a letter asking them to get radios at least for reasons that I will tell later)
There were 10 people in my class, with a total of 7 cars. Bonus points if you can already guess which one I got.
Before jumping in the car, you had to suit up in your fire suit. That is me in my suit. After that, you had to have your hans device on. 'Nother Pic
Here we are learning about the cars. I am the one kneeling in the back.
After that, you had to wait your turn, then Jump in. If you haven't figured it out already, this is my car. Let me tell you, getting in is a Pain in the ass. I was the tallest one in my class (6'0''). My head was against the roof. After getting in, you get some last minute instruction then take off.
The shifter and pedals took some getting used to. The brake and clutch were extreamly close together. Since the brakes were not power assisted (same with steering) you really had to stomp on them to get your speed down when coming into the pits. On all 3 of my pit road entrances, I hit the gas with the brake. My boot was just too large to only hit the brake witht he steering column in the way.
The shifter was in the standard H pattern, with reverse being up and to the left, right next to first. Thankfully, they put in a light that illumiated when you were in first. The shifter itself had the longest throw I have ever seen. The throw was at MINIMUM 18 inches from 1st to 2nd. From 3" from the dash, to 4" from the floor from 1st to second. Then the trans did not give you any feedback to let you know it was in gear. no solid clunk or anything. The shifter would just stop moving. But because of the hugely long throw and me not being familiar with the car, you could not tell if it was actually in gear or not without hitting the gas and hoping if you moved.
The first run is more to familiarize yourself with the car. I hit 129 MPH on these laps. Out on Track Out on Track 2 I was told I was too far back from the instructor. During training, they told us if you get a "wave off" you are too close, and need to fall back. If you get too close, and ignore the handsignals, they kick ya out. The problem was, witht he Vegas Sun, I could see a gand total of sh!t in the instructors car. The rear lexan might as well have beeen painted white. I serously couldn't see anything. So I was to far back.
On top of it, on my first lap, my window net blew out. Yay. I had no way of talking to the instructor, so I pulled into the pits without him, so they could re-attach it on my first time by the entrance to pit road. This is why I think they should have radios. Hell, i paid almost $1300 for this. There is the price of 3 top of the line head sets. Hard to see, but my net is down and flapping.
So anyway, The second run is the speed run. Crossing the finish on my last lap and coming back into the pits after the run On my acceleration out into the track I missed the shift into 4th because of the hugely long throw on the shifter. Trust me, it was loud.
So what speed did I hit? I was the fastest in the class at 141.2 MPH. The car was supposed to be limited to 140. They seemed to be a little off.
. On the second set, the side G's were increadable. Felt like well over 1. You just got pressed into the bottom and left side of your seat. It was GREAT!I can't wait until spring, so I can take the longer class at Chicago Motor Speedway. This was the best $ I have ever spent. Petty Racing School Linky.. They have classes from about $500 I think, or $100 for a driver to drive you around the track. If you are a real NASCAR fan, trust me, you want to do this. If for no other reason to brag about it to your buddies
I will have more pics up when I get back and get them develped. My father was taking these pics, and he could not figure out the Digital Camera.
One Other thing. I saw the best store name EvAr. This is not a joke. It is in the Paris Shops in the Paris Casino. I had to take the pic just for you AT'ers
Just so you all know, So far, I have paid for most of my trip out here with my winnings. I won 2500 on a quarter machine my 2nd day out
. I am going back there to win more later More posts when I get back!
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