The All-American Road Racing Federation ( AARF - see http://www.aarrf.com ) is having another track day in St. Cloud this coming Staurday. I was at the last one, and it was a great! Lots of car people, A road course with some banked corners, great cars, timed laps with passing, an auto-x style mini course, a drifting pad, etc. Like I said before, LOTS of fun. Last time I ran there were over 30 cars at the event, everything from full-on track cars to some stock rides. We did 10 car groups and everyone had pretty much all the track time they wanted.

Registration starts at 8:00 AM Saturday morning so I'd like to get a group from the Twin Cities heading out about 6:30 AM or so. Perhaps meet somewhere near where 94 heads northwest out of the cities. If your interested please let me know here and we can roll up in force. From talking to people last night, it sounds like there are already 4-5 people interested so I thought I'd post and see who else wanted to show.

 

That sounds like a good time. I couldn't tell from their website, but do you know if I can just show up with a bone-stock evo and a motorcycle helmet, or do I need anything else? (E.g., harnesses, motorsport-rated helmet, tech inspection, etc)
-dave

 

Oops, yeah there are helmet specs, but they usually have loaners available. Currently the spec is Snell 90, next year the spec will be Snell SA 2000.

There is also a tech inspection at the track; your car will get looked over pretty carefully; Be sure to check your tire presures and such before heading out. I wasn't required to make any changes to my stock lay-out.

You will want to bring a box or something to hold your floor and trunk mats, tools, jack, door pocket stuff, etc.; basically empty the car except glove box. Bring a tire chock so you can let your car idle without setting the brake after comming off the track, too. That will let turbo and brakes cool without needing to engage the e-brake.

For first time drivers there will also be a driver check-out to make sure you know the basics of getting around the course at speed. It consisted of letting one of their approved drivers take my car around the track with me as a passanger for a couple of laps as I was shown the line and got a feel for the cornering speeds. After that there was a break, then I went back out with an appoved driver as a passanger who made sure I could safely and correctly get around the course at a reasonable speed. The process is all about saftey; two laps with a rider and he said "you're good to go." It sounds intimidating, but was pretty painless. I was probably driving about 5/10ths for the ride-along laps.

Flags, passing, and all the other rules are covered in a drivers meeting in the morning, too. It's going to be important to be there on time if you want to run.

The whole process was pretty painless. I was really leary about letting someone else drive my almost new Evo at 7/10ths (who wouldn't be?) but the guy did treat my car with respect, and I was there to learn.

Other things you might want are: lawn chairs, sun screen, a cooler and something to drink, camera or video camera, ect. The usual "day in the sun" stuff. Also, fill your car full before heading up; you'll be amazed at how quickly you go through gas. You'll have plenty of time to walk around and check out the other cars and socialize while waiting for your turns on the track. And I spent plenty of time on the track.

 

damnit! I want to go but I have a prior commitment that I don't think I can get out of!!!

 

Oh, Spectators are welcome with a $5.00 spectator fee. Family members of drivers can watch for free.

 

Are you guys still planning on meeting up before going to St. Cloud? If not, maybe I'll see some other EVOs at the track!
Also, I signed up to go to the VSCR testing day on the 14th--is anyone here going to that?
-dave